U.S. patent application number 10/685155 was filed with the patent office on 2005-04-14 for channel bus splice assembly.
This patent application is currently assigned to Siemens Energy & Automation, Inc.. Invention is credited to Josten, Harry W., Wiant, Jason P..
Application Number | 20050077072 10/685155 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 34423119 |
Filed Date | 2005-04-14 |
United States Patent
Application |
20050077072 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Wiant, Jason P. ; et
al. |
April 14, 2005 |
CHANNEL BUS SPLICE ASSEMBLY
Abstract
For use in switchgear equipment having channel bus bars joined
together at a bus joint, there is provided a channel bus splice
assembly and method. The channel bus splice assembly comprises
switchgear or switchboard equipment having channel bus bars joined
together at a bus joint, there is provided a channel bus splice
assembly. The channel bus splice assembly comprises an inner splice
plate defining a plurality of throughbores. A sliding clamp plate
is configured to reciprocally move within the inner splice plate.
The sliding clamp plate defines a plurality of access ports. A pair
of nut plates is coupled to the sliding clamp plate and having
threaded orifices corresponding to selected throughbores in the
inner splice plate. An outer splice plate having a plurality of
throughbores corresponding to the threaded orifices in the nut
plates.
Inventors: |
Wiant, Jason P.; (Bedford,
TX) ; Josten, Harry W.; (Grapevine, TX) |
Correspondence
Address: |
James A. Wilke
FOLEY & LARDNER
Suite 3800
777 East Wisconsin Avenue
Milwaukee
WI
53202-5306
US
|
Assignee: |
Siemens Energy & Automation,
Inc.
|
Family ID: |
34423119 |
Appl. No.: |
10/685155 |
Filed: |
October 14, 2003 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
174/68.2 |
Current CPC
Class: |
Y10T 29/49002 20150115;
Y10T 29/49826 20150115; Y10T 29/49815 20150115; Y10T 29/49904
20150115; H02B 1/21 20130101; Y10T 29/49936 20150115; Y10T 29/49941
20150115 |
Class at
Publication: |
174/068.2 |
International
Class: |
H02G 005/00 |
Claims
1. A channel bus splice assembly for use in switchgear equipment
having channel bus bars, the channel bus splice assembly
comprising: an inner splice plate, defining a plurality of through
bores; a sliding clamp plate configured to reciprocally move within
the inner splice plate, the sliding clamp plate defining a
plurality of access ports; a pair of nut plates coupled to the
sliding clamp plate and having threaded orifices corresponding to
selected through bores in the inner splice plate; and an outer
splice plate having a plurality of through bores corresponding to
the threaded orifices in the nut plates.
2. The channel bus splice assembly of claim 1, wherein the sliding
clamp plate is an angle plate configured with two spaced apart feet
which stop movement of the sliding clamp plate at pre-selected
points within the inner splice plate.
3. The channel bus splice assembly of claim 2, wherein a pair of
spring pins mounted in the inner splice plate contact the feet to
define the distance of movement of the sliding clamp plate.
4. The channel bus splice assembly of claim 1, wherein the inner
splice plate is configured to mount between the channel bus
bars.
5. The channel bus splice assembly of claim 1, including a first
selection of fasteners configured to pass through the access ports
and insert into corresponding through bores of the inner plate
wherein the inner plate is secured to a channel bus bar and a
second selection of fasteners configured to pass through the
through bores in the outer splice plate and thread into the nut
plates wherein another channel bus bar is coupled between the outer
splice plate and inner splice plate.
6. The channel bus splice assembly of claim 5, wherein the first
selection and second selection of fasteners are configured
alike.
7. The channel bus splice assembly of claim 1, including an
insulating cover.
8. A method of connecting first and second channel bus bars in a
switchgear assembly with a channel bus splice assembly, the method
comprising the steps of: installing an inner splice plate of a
channel bus splice assembly between flanges of the channel bus
bars; coupling the inner splice plate to one of the channel bus bar
with interior fasteners; coupling a pair of nut plates to a sliding
clamp plate; installing the sliding clamp plate in the inner splice
plate, with the sliding clamp plate configured to reciprocally move
within the inner splice plate and defining a plurality of access
ports; and mounting an outer splice plate having through bores with
exterior fasteners, said exterior fasteners configured to pass
through the through bores of the outer splice plate and threaded
into the nut plates wherein another channel bus bar is coupled
between the outer splice plate and inner splice plate.
9. The method of claim 8, including the step of stopping movement
of the sliding clamp plate at pre-selected points within the inner
splice plate.
10. The method of claim 9, wherein the sliding clamp plate an angle
plate configured with two spaced apart feet and a pair of spring
pins mounted on the inner splice plate and aligned to contact the
feet at the pre-selected points.
11. The method of claim 8, wherein the interior and exterior
fasteners are configured alike.
12. The method of claim 8, including the step of replacing a member
of one of the channel bus bars.
13. The method of claim 8, including the step of covering the
channel bus splice assembly.
14. The method of claim 13, wherein a telescoping bus joint cover
assembly is used to cover the channel bus splice assembly.
15. A method of servicing and maintaining a channel bus splice
assembly connecting first and second channel bus bars in a
switchgear assembly, with the channel bus splice assembly including
a plurality of interior fasteners and a plurality of exterior
fasteners, an inner splice plate, a sliding clamp plate having nut
plates and an outer splice plate, the method comprising the steps
of: removing the exterior fasteners from the nut plates; removing
the outer splice plate; moving the sliding clamp plate to one side
until it stops, wherein access to some of the interior fasteners is
obtained; manipulating some of the interior fasteners; moving the
sliding clamp plate to another side until it stops, wherein access
to other of the interior fasteners is obtained; manipulating other
of the interior fasteners; and remounting the outer splice plate by
passing the exterior fasteners through the outer splice plate and
threading into the nut plates.
16. The method of claim 15, including the steps of removing a bus
joint cover and reinstalling the bus joint cover.
17. The method of claim 15, wherein the step in manipulating
includes one of torque and replacement of the fastener.
18. The method of claim 15, including the step of replacing a
member of channel bus bar.
Description
BACKGROUND
[0001] The present invention relates generally to the field of
electrical switchboards and panel boards having bus bars, and more
particularly to a channel bus splice assembly for use in switchgear
and switchboard equipment.
[0002] Switchgear assemblies, switchboards and panelboards are
general terms which cover metal enclosures, housing switching and
interrupting devices such as fuses, and circuit breakers, along
with associated control, instrumentation and metering devices. Such
assemblies typically include associated bus bars, interconnections
and supporting structures used for the distribution of electrical
power. Low voltage switchgear and switchboards operate at voltages
up to 600 volts and with continuous currents up to 5000 amps or
higher. Such devices are also designed to withstand short circuit
currents ranging up to 200,000 amps (3 phase rms symmetrical).
[0003] Typical switchgear equipment is composed of a lineup of
several metal enclosed sections. Each section may have several
circuit breakers stacked one above the other vertically in the
front of the section with each breaker being enclosed in its own
metal compartment. Each section has a vertical or section bus which
supplies current to the breakers within the section via short
horizontal branch buses. The vertical bus bars in each section are
supplied with current by a horizontal main bus bar that runs
through the lineup of metal enclosed sections. A typical
arrangement includes bus bars for each electrical phase of a
multiple phase system which may include three power phases and a
neutral.
[0004] The bus bars typically are joined by bus bar joints, also
referred to as splice, in the switchgear switchboard line-up. Bus
bar splices typically are assembled with bolts that must be
accessible for routine maintenance, for example, tightening or
replacing bus bars. Bus bar assemblies typically increase in
thickness as the current rating of the switchgear equipment
increases. It is also typical to provide insulation of various
components within a switchgear or switchboard enclosure including a
cover of the bus bar splices.
[0005] Thus, there is a need for a bus bar splice assembly for use
in switchgear equipment that will allow maintenance of a bus bar
splice. There is a further need for a bus joint splice assembly
that provides access to the fasteners. There is an additional need
for a bus bar cover assembly that can accommodate various current
ratings (sizes) of bus bar joint.
SUMMARY
[0006] For use in switchgear equipment having channel bus bars
joined together at a bus joint, there is provided a channel bus
splice assembly. The channel bus splice assembly comprises an inner
splice plate defining a plurality of throughbores. A sliding clamp
plate is configured to reciprocally move within the inner splice
plate. The sliding clamp plate defines a plurality of access ports.
A pair of nut plates are coupled to the sliding clamp plate and
having threaded orifices corresponding to selected throughbores in
the inner splice plate. An outer splice plate having a plurality of
throughbores corresponding to the threaded orifices in the nut
plates.
[0007] There is also provided a method of connecting first and
second channel bus bars in a switchgear assembly with a channel bus
splice assembly. The method comprises the steps of installing an
inner splice plate of a channel bus splice assembly between flanges
of the channel bus bars. Coupling the inner splice plate to one of
the channel bus bars with interior fasteners. Coupling a pair of
nut plates to a sliding clamp plate. Installing the sliding clamp
plate in the interior splice plate, with the sliding clamp plate
configured to reciprocally move within the inner splice plate and
defining a plurality of access ports. Mounting an outer splice
plate having throughbores with exterior fasteners, the exterior
fastener is configured to pass through the throughbores in the
outer splice plate and thread into the nut plates wherein the
second channel bus bar is coupled between the outer splice plate
and the inner splice plate.
[0008] There is also provided a method of servicing and maintaining
a channel bus splice assembly connecting first and second channel
bus bars in a switchgear assembly. The channel bus splice assembly
includes a plurality of interior fasteners and a plurality of
exterior fasteners, an interior splice plate, a sliding clamp plate
having nut plates and an outer splice plate. The method comprises
the steps of removing the exterior fasteners from the nut plates.
Removing the outer splice plate. Moving the sliding clamp plate to
one side until it stops, wherein access to some of the interior
fasteners is obtained. Manipulating some of the interior fasteners.
Moving the sliding clamp plate to the other side until it stops,
wherein access to other of the interior fasteners is obtained.
Manipulating other of the interior fasteners. Remounting the outer
splice plate by passing the exterior fasteners through the outer
splice plate and threading into the nut plates. The method can also
include the steps of removing and reinstalling a bus joint cover
and the step of replacing a member of the channel bus bar. The
method can also include the step of manipulating one of torquing
the fasteners and replacement of the fasteners.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0009] FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a partial, multiple phase
switchgear equipment assembly including an exemplary embodiment of
a channel bus splice assembly.
[0010] FIG. 2 is a perspective view of an exemplary embodiment of a
channel bus joint assembly having a sliding clamp plate in a
centered position with exterior fasteners installed.
[0011] FIG. 3 is a perspective view of the channel bus bar joint
assembly illustrated in FIG. 2 with the sliding clamp plate
positioned to the left wherein access to the two right side
interior fasteners is obtained.
[0012] FIG. 4 is a perspective view of the channel bus joint
assembly illustrated in FIG. 2 with the sliding clamp plate
positioned to the right wherein access to the two left side
interior fasteners is obtained.
[0013] FIG. 5 is a perspective view of a partial multiple phase
switchgear assembly including an exemplary embodiment of a channel
bus splice assembly illustrating two splice assemblies with
exterior fasteners and outer splice plates removed for maintenance,
and illustrating a telescoping insulating cover on a channel bus
splice assembly.
[0014] FIG. 6 is an illustration of an exemplary embodiment of an
outer splice plate with a plurality of thorughbores.
[0015] FIG. 7 is an illustration of an exemplary embodiment of an
interior splice plate having a plurality of throughbores and spring
pins placed at pre-selected points a distance (D) apart.
[0016] FIG. 8 illustrates several views of an exemplary embodiment
of a sliding clamp plate coupled to two nut plates, each nut plate
having a plurality of threaded orifices.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE EXEMPLARY EMBODIMENTS
[0017] Before describing exemplary embodiments of a bus joint cover
assembly 30, several comments are appropriate. Switchgear
assemblies and switchboard assemblies typically include vertical
(section) bus bar 12 and horizontal bus bars 20 to distribute power
within the assemblies. Bus bars can be flat and have a rectangular
cross-section or bus bars can be C-shaped or U-shaped channels.
[0018] A C-shaped or U-shaped channel bus 16 resists bending and
twisting in short-circuit current conditions and is stronger than a
flat bar of comparable thickness. Further, the channel bus assembly
can use one or multiple bars per phase thereby increasing the
current density available in the system (See FIG. 1). In the
multi-channel bus bar system, a first channel bus bar 18 and a
second channel bar 19, each having flanges 17 are aligned with the
flanges 17 facing each other as shown in FIGS. 1, 2 and 5. Also,
inner channels can be nested inside the outer channels of each
first and second channel bar of each phase. Since various
configurations of bus bars can be used, a bus bar splice assembly
that can be configured to accommodate such various configurations
will be advantageous. A telescoping capability of an insulating
splice cover allows the same cover to work with bus bars of varying
thickness. The use of channel bus bars and the channel bus splice
assembly provides high short-circuit withstand capability with
substantially less bracing than other geometries.
[0019] Referring now to FIG. 1, there is illustrated a portion of a
typical, three phase (PH-A, PH-B, PH-C) high current, insulated
switch gear bus assembly 10. The vertical bus bars 12 (also
referred to as section bus) are shown with optional insulating
barriers 14 installed. The horizontal bus bars 20 are shown without
an optional insulation sleeve. The horizontal bus bar joints 25 can
be enclosed by a bus joint cover assembly 58 that may telescope in
size.
[0020] In switchgear equipment 10, utilizing channel bus bars, a
typical arrangement is to utilize multiple channel bus bars.
Typically there is an outer bus bar, herein referred to as first
channel bus bar 18, and an interior channel bus bar, herein
referred to as second channel bus bar 19. The first and second
channel bus bars 18, 19 also typically are comprised of multiple
members mounted end-to-end as illustrated in FIGS. 1 and 5. The
end-to-end configuration together with the flange facing
configuration of the first and second channel bus bars 18, 19
necessitates the use of a channel bus splice assembly 30. The
channel bus splice assembly 30 can also be used with a single
channel bus bar. In such arrangement, shim plates can be used to
align the equipment. The channel bus splice assembly 30 includes an
inner splice plate 32, a sliding clamp plate 40, a pair of nut
plates 46 and an outer splice plate 50. See FIGS. 6-8.
[0021] The inner splice plate 32 is configured to fit between the
flanges 17 of the channel bus bars 18, 19. The inner splice plate
32 defines a plurality of through bores 34 through which fasteners
are inserted to secure the channel bus bars. (See FIG. 7.) The
inner splice plate 32 is provided with pre-selected points 36 which
define the distance of movement D for the sliding clamp plate 40. A
pair of spring pins (also referred to as roll pins) can be set at
such pre-selected points 36 to act as stops for the sliding clamp
plate 40 by selectively abutting the feet 44 configured on the
sliding clamp plate 40.
[0022] A sliding clamp plate 40 is configured to reciprocally move
within the inner splice plate 32. The sliding clamp plate 40
defines a plurality of access ports 42 the function of which will
be explained below. The sliding clamp plate 40 can be an angle
plate configured with two spaced apart feet 44 which function to
stop movement of the sliding clamp plate 40 at pre-selected points
36 within the inner splice plate 32.
[0023] A pair of nut plates 46 are coupled to the sliding clamp
plate 40 and have threaded orifices 48 corresponding to selected
through bores in the inner splice plate 32. The nut plates 46 are
coupled to the sliding clamp plate 40 by fasteners, for example,
spring pins or rivets of suitable size and strength for their
intended use. (See FIG. 8.) The nut plates 46 could also be welded
to the sliding clamp plate 40 or integrally formed with the sliding
clamp plate 40 during fabrication.
[0024] The outer splice plate 50 has a plurality of through bores
52 which correspond to the threaded orifice 48 in the nut plates
46. (See FIG. 6.)
[0025] The various components of the channel bus splice 30 can be
composed of metal of suitable composition and compatibility and
strength with the channel bus bars 18, 19, for example copper and
aluminum.
[0026] It should be noted that mounting holes in the first and
channel bus bars 18, 19 are aligned on the same axis and have
identical hole patterns. This allows for commonality of parts. The
several through bores 34, 52 and threaded orifices 48 identified
above are also configured to align on the same axis as the mounting
holes in the several channel bus bars 18, 19. A first selection of
fasteners 54 are configured to pass through the axis ports 42 and
insert into the through bores 34 of the inner splice plate 32
wherein the inner splice plate 32 is secured to a channel bus bar
19 and a second selection of fasteners 56 are configured to pass
through the through bores 52 in the outer splice plate 50 and
thread into the nut plates 46 wherein another channel bus bar 18 is
coupled between the outer splice plate 50 and the inner splice
plate 32.
[0027] Referring now to FIGS. 2, 3 and 4, there is illustrated an
exemplary embodiment of a channel bus splice 30. A method of
connecting a first and second channel bus bar 18, 19 in a
switchgear assembly 10 with a channel bus splice assembly 30 will
be described. Each channel bus bar includes two end-to-end members.
For clarity purposes, only one member of each channel bus bar 18,
19 is illustrated in FIG. 2 so that the channel bus splice assembly
30 can be seen.
[0028] The method comprises the steps of installing an inner splice
plate 32 of a channel bus splice assembly 30 between the flanges 17
of the channel bus bars 18 and 19. Coupling the inner splice plate
32 to one of the channel bus bars 19 with interior fasteners 54.
Coupling a pair of nut plates 46 to a sliding clamp plate 40 and
installing the sliding clamp plate 40 in the inner splice plate 32.
The sliding clamp plate 40 is configured to reciprocally move
within the inner splice plate 32 and define a plurality of access
ports 42. Then mounting an outer splice plate 50, the plate having
through bores 52, with an exterior fastener 56. The exterior
fasteners 56 are configured to pass through the through bores 52 in
the outer splice plate 50 and thread into the nut plates 46 wherein
another channel bus bar 18 is coupled between the outer splice
plate 50 and the inner splice plate 32.
[0029] FIG. 2 illustrates an internal view of the inner splice
plate 32 and the sliding clamp plate 40 in an assembled position
between the first and second channel bus bars 18 and 19 with the
exterior fasteners threaded into the nut plates 46. The sliding
clamp plate 40 is positioned with the spring pins in the
pre-selected points 36 aligned an equal distance between the feet
44 of the sliding clamp plate 40.
[0030] FIG. 3 illustrates the sliding clamp plate 40 moved to one
side of the inner splice plate 32 to the point where one of the
spring pins 36 abuts against one of the feet 44 of the sliding
clamp plate 40. Such alignment allows access to the two interior
fasteners 54 through the access ports 42 to fasten the inner splice
plate 32 to the interior channel bus bar 19. The upper interior
fasteners 54 are accessible through the outer bus bar plate 50, the
inner splice plate 32 and between the nut plates 46. The lower
interior fasteners 54 are accessible through the outer bus bar
plate 50, the inner splice plate 32, between the nut plates 46 and
through an access port 42 in the sliding clamp plate 40. The
diameters of the various through bores and distances between
components are configured to provide clearance for a fastener and
the tool used to torque the fasteners.
[0031] FIG. 4 illustrates the sliding clamp 32 moved to the other
selected point 36 identified by the spring pin which is a
pre-determined distance D between the feet 44 of the sliding clamp
plate 40. Such position allows access to the two interior fasteners
54 on the right side of the channel bus splice assembly 30. The
upper right interior fastener 54 is accessible through the outer
bus bar 50, the inner bus plate 32 and between the nut plates 46.
The lower right fastener is accessible through the outer bus plate
50, the inner splice plate 32, between the nut plates 46 and
through an access port 42 in the sliding clamp plate 40, similarly
as described above. In one embodiment, the interior 54 and exterior
fasteners 56 are configured alike. In another embodiment the
interior fasteners 54 and the exterior fasteners 56 are configured
differently to accommodate different tool clearances.
[0032] An advantage of the present channel bus splice assembly 30
is that the channel bus bars 18 and 19 do not have to be completely
removed in order to gain access to and torque the fasteners in the
interior channel bus bar 19. The method of servicing and
maintaining a channel bus splice assembly 30 for connecting a first
and second channel bus bar 18, 19 in a switchgear assembly 30 is
hereby disclosed. Each channel bus bar 18, 19 may include two
end-to-end members. The channel bus splice assembly 30 includes a
plurality of interior fasteners 54 and a plurality of exterior
fasteners 56, an interior splice plate 32, a sliding clamp plate 40
having nut plates 46 and an outer splice plate 50. (Such components
are described above.) The method comprises the steps of removing
the exterior fasteners 56 from the nut plates 46 and removing the
outer splice plate 50. Moving the sliding clamp plate 40 to one
side of the inner splice plate 32 until it stops, wherein access to
some of the interior fasteners 54 is obtained and manipulating some
of the interior fasteners 54. Manipulating can include torqueing
the fasteners either to tighten or loosen the fastener and
replacement of the fastener in the event that it is broken,
stripped or otherwise damaged. Moving the sliding clamp plate 40 to
another side of the inner splice plate 32 until it stops, wherein
access to other of the interior fasteners 54 is obtained.
Manipulating the other of the interior fasteners 54 and remounting
the outer splice plate 50 by passing the exterior fasteners 56
through the outer splice plate 50 and threading the fasteners 56
into the nut plates 46.
[0033] The channel bus splice assembly 30 may be provided with an
insulating cover 58 that must be removed before servicing or
maintaining the channel bus splice assembly 30 and then reinstalled
the cover 58 upon completion of such servicing and maintenance.
During such operation, a channel bus bar member may be replaced in
the event it is damaged or otherwise requiring service.
[0034] While the embodiments illustrated in the figures and
described above are presently disclosed, it should be understood
that these embodiments are offered by way of example only. The
channel bus bar splice assembly is not intended to be limited to
any particular embodiment, but is intended to extend to various
modifications that nevertheless flow within the scope of the
intended claim. For example, the channel bus bar splice assembly
can be used on vertical bus bars. Other modifications will be
evident to those will ordinary skill in the art.
* * * * *