U.S. patent number RE41,662 [Application Number 11/583,876] was granted by the patent office on 2010-09-14 for input power connector for distribution panel.
This patent grant is currently assigned to ADC Telecommunications, Inc.. Invention is credited to Carlos Cabrera, Tuan Ngo, David E. Schomaker.
United States Patent |
RE41,662 |
Schomaker , et al. |
September 14, 2010 |
**Please see images for:
( Certificate of Correction ) ** |
Input power connector for distribution panel
Abstract
The present invention relates to power input housings and
assemblies for power distribution panels. The power input
assemblies provide separate cavities with a centerwall for the
power input cables to be led into and a cover closing the cavities.
The cavities allow power cables to enter through either a top open
end or a bottom open end and the cover is adapted to close the
other open end when installed. Alternatively, the housing can be
oriented with the open ends of the cavities to the sides,
permitting cables to enter through either side and the cover
closing the other side.
Inventors: |
Schomaker; David E. (Lino
Lakes, MN), Ngo; Tuan (Maple Grove, MN), Cabrera;
Carlos (Ciudad Juarez, MX) |
Assignee: |
ADC Telecommunications, Inc.
(Eden Prairie, MN)
|
Family
ID: |
25517911 |
Appl.
No.: |
11/583,876 |
Filed: |
October 18, 2006 |
Related U.S. Patent Documents
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Application
Number |
Filing Date |
Patent Number |
Issue Date |
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Reissue of: |
09971083 |
Oct 3, 2001 |
06806420 |
Oct 19, 2004 |
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Current U.S.
Class: |
174/50;
361/679.01; 174/53; 220/3.2; 174/17VA |
Current CPC
Class: |
H04Q
1/03 (20130101); H05K 7/1457 (20130101); H04Q
2201/10 (20130101); H04M 19/00 (20130101) |
Current International
Class: |
H02G
3/08 (20060101) |
Field of
Search: |
;174/50,17VA,53,60,135,66 ;220/3.2,3.3,4.02,241
;361/683,686,641,650 ;439/709,716 |
References Cited
[Referenced By]
U.S. Patent Documents
Foreign Patent Documents
Other References
International Preliminary Examination Report. cited by other .
"PowerWorx.TM. Traditional GMT Series Power Distribution Panel User
Manual", ADC Telecommunications, Inc., ADCP-80-520, Issue 1, pp.
1-33 (Dec. 1999). cited by other .
"PowerWorx.TM. Power Distribution Products", ADC
Telecommunications, Inc., 6 pages (Aug. 2000). cited by other .
"PowerWorx.TM. Select Series.TM. Fuse Platform", ADC
Telecommunications, Inc., 8 pages (Aug. 2000). cited by other .
"Telpower.RTM. DC Power Protection Systems. Telpower.RTM. Compact
Fused Disconnect Switch TPC & TPCDS", Cooper Bussmann, Form No.
TPCDS, 2 pages (Sep. 24, 2000). cited by other .
"PowerWorx.RTM. SuperPower.TM. GMT Series", ADC Telecommunications,
Inc., 8 pages (Jan. 2001). cited by other .
"PowerWorx.RTM. Traditional GMT Series", ADC Telecommunications,
Inc., 8 pages (Jan. 2001). cited by other .
"PowerWorx.RTM. Uninterrupted Power GMT Series", ADC
Telecommunications, Inc., 8 pages (Jan. 2001). cited by other .
Telect, Inc., High Current Power Distribution Alarm Panel Users
Manual, Issue A, Rev 1, 46 pages (1999). cited by other .
Telect, Inc., power distribution panel, 17 photographs. cited by
other .
International Preliminary Examination Report (PCT/US02/25122).
cited by examiner.
|
Primary Examiner: Patel; Dhiru R
Attorney, Agent or Firm: Merchant & Gould P.C.
Claims
What is claimed is:
1. A power input housing for a power distribution panel comprising:
a body defining a cavity having a first open end and a second open
end, the body including a base, opposing sidewalls extending from
the base and a center wall extending from the base; a removable
cover mounted to the body; the cavity being defined by the
sidewalls, the base and the removable cover, and being divided
longitudinally by the center wall, the center wall substantially
parallel to the sidewalls, the sidewalls and base each having a
first end adjacent and partially defining the first open end and
each having a second end adjacent and partially defining the second
open end; the base having access openings at the first and second
ends of the cavity on both sides of the center wall to permit
electrical conductors to pass through the base; the cover having a
major surface and a lower extension, the cover being mountable in
either a first position or a second position on the housing, such
that when the cover is mounted in the first position the lower
extension closes off the first open end of the cavity and the
second open end of the cavity remains open, and when the cover is
mounted in the second position the lower extension of the cover
closes off the second open end of the cavity and the first open end
remains open; a mounting tab projecting outward from the base
including a fastener opening; and the body and the cover being made
of an electrically insulative material.
2. The power input housing of claim 1, wherein the cavity is an
outer cavity, and further comprising an inner cavity; the inner
cavity defined by an extension of the sidewalls, with the base of
the body positioned between the outer and inner cavities, wherein
ends of the inner cavity closed by a pair of opposing end walls,
the end walls extending from the base proximate the first and
second open ends of the outer cavity; the access openings in the
base of the body providing access to the inner cavity.
3. The power input housing of claim 2, wherein the mounting tab is
a first mounting tab, and further comprising a second mounting tab,
wherein the first and second mounting tabs project outward from the
sidewalls.
4. The power input housing of claim 2, wherein the mounting tab is
a first mounting tab, and further comprising a second mounting tab,
wherein the first and second mounting tabs project outward from the
end walls.
5. The power input housing of claim 2, wherein the cover has four
sides, the lower extension positioned along one side, and further
comprising a lip extending from the major surface along each of the
other three sides.
6. The power input housing of claim 5, wherein the lower extension
includes first and second side lips.
7. The power input housing of claim 2, wherein the major surface of
the removable cover includes a fastener hole.
8. A power distribution panel comprising: a panel housing including
a front and a rear; the front including circuit control devices;
the rear including a power input assembly and a power output
assembly; the power input assembly including first and second
parallel cavities each defining first and second open ends, and a
cover including a major surface and a lower extension, the cover
mountable in one of two selectable positions wherein in the first
position the first open ends are closed and in the second position
the second open ends are closed.
9. The power distribution panel of claim 8, wherein the power input
assembly includes first and second outer walls, and an inner center
wall between the first and second outer walls, the first and second
outer walls and the inner wall defining the first and second
parallel cavities.
10. The power distribution panel of claim 9, wherein the inner wall
defines a first fastener opening, and the cover defines a second
fastener opening alignable with the first fastener opening in
either of two selectable positions of the cover.
11. The power distribution panel of claim 9, wherein the cover has
four sides, the lower extension positioned along one side, and
further comprising a lip extending from the major surface along
each of the other three sides.
12. The power distribution panel of claim 11, wherein the lower
extension includes first and second side lips.
13. The power distribution panel of claim 8, wherein the cover has
four sides, the lower extension positioned along one side, and
further comprising a lip extending from the major surface along
each of the other three sides.
14. The power distribution panel of claim 13, wherein the lower
extension includes first and second side lips.
15. The power distribution panel of claim 8, wherein the power
input assembly includes mounting tabs defining fastener holes for
mounting the power input assembly to the rear of the panel
housing.
16. A power input assembly comprising: a housing including a
cavity, the cavity defined by opposing sidewalls, a base and a
removable cover, the cavity having a first open end and an opposite
second open end; the cavity including a longitudinally extending
power chamber and a longitudinally extending return chamber; the
power chamber having a conductor which passes through the base of
the cavity and adapted for receiving a conductor from a power
terminal of an electrical power source, and the return chamber
having a conductor which passes through the base of the cavity and
adapted for receiving a conductor from a return terminal of the
electrical power source; the cover having a lower extension and
being mountable in either a first position or a second position on
the housing, such that when the cover is mounted in the first
position the lower extension closes off the first open end of
cavity and the second open end of the cavity remains open, and when
the cover is mounted in the second position the lower extension
closes off the second open of the cavity and the first open end
remains open.
17. The power input assembly of claim 16, further comprising wires
from the electrical power source, wherein the wires extend through
one of the first and second open ends of the cavity and are
attached to the conductors, and the cover is mounted in the second
or the first position, respectively.
18. The power input assembly of claim 16, wherein the housing
includes a mounting tab projecting outward from the base.
19. The power input assembly of claim 16, wherein the housing
includes two mounting tabs, with one mounting tab extending from
the base proximate the first open end and one mounting tab
extending from the base proximate the second open end.
20. The power input assembly of claim 16, wherein the housing
includes two mounting tabs, with one mounting tab extending from
the base proximate each of the sidewalls.
21. A method of attaching power cables to a power distribution
device, the method comprising the steps of: providing a power input
assembly mounted to the power distribution panel, the power input
assembly including: a housing including a cavity having a first
open end and a second open end on opposite sides of the housing;
the cavity defining a power chamber having a conductor which passes
into the power distribution panel for connecting with a wire from a
power terminal of an electrical power source, and a return chamber
having a conductor which passes into the power distribution panel
for connecting with a wire from a return terminal of an electrical
power source; positioning power and return cables in the respective
first and second open ends of the housing; attaching the power
cable to the conductor in the power chamber; attaching the return
cable to the conductor in the return chamber; and placing a cover
on the housing wherein the cover has a lower extension to close off
the other of the first and second open ends of the cavity.
22. The method of claim 21, wherein the first and second open ends
are oriented vertically.
23. The method of claim 21, wherein the first and second open ends
are oriented horizontally.
.Iadd.24. A power input housing for a power distribution panel
comprising: a body including a base and a center wall extending
from the base; and a removable cover mounted to the body, the cover
including a major surface and a lower extension, the cover and the
body defining a cavity divided longitudinally by the center wall;
the base including access openings on both sides of the center wall
to permit electrical conductors to pass through the base; wherein
the cover is mountable in either a first position or a second
position relative to the body such that when the cover is mounted
in the first position, the lower extension encloses a first end of
the cavity while a second end of the cavity remains open, and such
that when the cover is mounted in the second position, the lower
extension of the cover encloses the second end of the cavity while
the first end remains open; wherein the body and the cover are made
of an electrically insulative material..Iaddend.
.Iadd.25. The power input housing of claim 24, wherein the body
includes opposing sidewalls extending from the base..Iaddend.
.Iadd.26. The power input housing of claim 25, wherein the center
wall is substantially parallel to the opposing
sidewalls..Iaddend.
.Iadd.27. The power input housing of claim 24, further including a
mounting tab projecting outward from the base, the mounting tab
including a fastener opening..Iaddend.
.Iadd.28. The power input housing of claim 27, wherein the major
surface of the removable cover includes a fastener
hole..Iaddend.
.Iadd.29. A power distribution panel comprising: a panel housing
having a front and a rear; circuit control devices located at the
front of the panel housing; and a power input assembly and a power
output assembly located at the rear of the panel housing, the power
input assembly including a cover having a major surface and a lower
extension, the power input assembly defining first and second
parallel cavities, the cover of the power input assembly being
mountable in one of two selectable positions; wherein in a first
position of the two selectable positions, first ends of the first
and second parallel cavities are closed, and in a second position
of the two selectable positions, second ends of the first and
second parallel cavities are closed..Iaddend.
.Iadd.30. The power distribution panel of claim 29, wherein the
power input assembly includes first and second outer walls, and an
inner center wall between the first and second outer walls, the
first and second outer walls and the inner center wall defining the
first and second parallel cavities..Iaddend.
.Iadd.31. The power distribution panel of claim 30, wherein the
inner wall defines a first fastener opening, and the cover defines
a second fastener opening alignable with the first fastener opening
in either one of the two selectable positions of the
cover..Iaddend.
.Iadd.32. The power distribution panel of claim 29, wherein the
power input assembly includes mounting tabs defining fastener holes
for mounting the power input assembly to the rear of the panel
housing..Iaddend.
.Iadd.33. A power input assembly comprising: a housing and a
removable cover, the housing and cover defining a cavity, the
cavity including a longitudinally extending power chamber and a
longitudinally extending return chamber; a power conductor at least
partially located within the power chamber, the power conductor
being adapted to interconnect to a power terminal of an electrical
power source; a return conductor at least partially located within
the return chamber, the return conductor being adapted to
interconnect to a return terminal of the electrical power source;
wherein the removable cover includes a lower extension, the cover
being mountable in either a first position or a second position on
the housing, such that when the cover is mounted in the first
position, the lower extension closes off a first end of the cavity
while a second end of the cavity remains open, and such that when
the cover is mounted in the second position, the lower extension
closes off the second end of the cavity while the first end remains
open..Iaddend.
.Iadd.34. The power input assembly of claim 33, wherein the power
conductor and the return conductor each pass through a base of the
housing..Iaddend.
.Iadd.35. The power input assembly of claim 33, wherein the housing
includes a base and opposing sidewalls extending from the base, the
cavity being defined by the base, the opposing sidewalls, and the
cover..Iaddend.
.Iadd.36. The power input assembly of claim 35, wherein the housing
includes a mounting tab projecting outward from the
base..Iaddend.
.Iadd.37. A power input assembly comprising: a housing including a
cavity, the cavity defined by opposing sidewalls, a base and a
removable cover, the cavity having a first open end and an opposite
second open end; the cavity including a longitudinally extending
power chamber and a longitudinally extending return chamber; first
and second power conductor posts located within the power chamber
of the cavity, the power conductor posts being adapted for
connection to a power terminal of an electrical power source, and
first and second return conductor posts located within the return
chamber of the cavity, the return conductor posts being adapted for
connection to a return terminal of the electrical power source; the
cover having a lower extension and being mountable in either a
first position or a second position on the housing, such that when
the cover is mounted in the first position the lower extension
closes off the first open end of cavity and the second open end of
the cavity remains open, and when the cover is mounted in the
second position the lower extension closes off the second open of
the cavity and the first open end remains open..Iaddend.
.Iadd.38. The power input assembly of claim 37, wherein the
opposing sidewalls extend outward from the base..Iaddend.
Description
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
The present invention generally relates to power input structures
for power distribution panels.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
Power distribution panels are generally mounted in an electronic
equipment rack with other devices requiring a source of electric
power. The basic function of such a distribution panel is to
receive electric power, typically DC power, from an external power
source and distribute this power through a bus bar to a series of
individual circuits for delivery to the equipment mounted in the
rack or in nearby equipment racks. Typically, these individual
circuits are protected by fuses or circuit breakers. Common
voltages for these panels are 24 and 48 Volts DC. The bus bars
commonly handle up to 300 amps or more and the individual circuits
are protected by circuit breakers capable of handling of up to 100
amps or more or by fuses capable of handling up to 125 amps or
more. In addition, a power distribution panel may have two separate
bus bars, meaning the total current being supplied to a panel could
be up to 600 Amps.
The amount of electrical current being supplied to a power
distribution panel is sufficient to cause injury to persons working
around these panels or to adjacent devices. Protective devices or
shields are desirable to guard against accidental contact with the
exposed power and return current feeds linking the external power
sources to the bus bars within the distribution panels. However,
depending on the environment where a particular rack might be
installed, these external power feeds may come from above, below or
the side of the distribution panel. A distribution panel having a
power input structure capable of being easily adapted for receiving
and protecting power feeds from multiple directions is
desirable.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates to a power input housing with an open
ended cavity divided by a centerwall, and a cover for the housing
having an extension to close one of the open ends of the cavity
when the cover is mounted to the housing. Another aspect of the
present invention relates to a power input assembly including a
housing with an open ended cavity divided by a centerwall into
return and power chambers with conductors mounted within each
chamber. A cover for the assembly is provided having an extension
to close one of the open ends of the cavity when the cover is
mounted to the housing. A further aspect of the present invention
relates to a method of attaching power input cables to a power
distribution panel using a power input assembly including a housing
with an open ended cavity divided by a centerwall into power and
return chambers with conductors mounted within each chamber and a
cover for the housing having an extension to close one of the open
ends of the cavity when the cover is mounted to the housing. The
cables are led into either one of the open ends and the cover is
used to close off the other open end.
A variety of advantages of the invention will be set forth in part
in the description that follows, and in part will be apparent from
the description, or may be learned by practicing the invention. It
is to be understood that both the foregoing general description and
the following detailed description are exemplary and explanatory
only and are not restrictive of the invention as claimed.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
The accompanying drawings, which are incorporated in and constitute
a part of the description, illustrate several aspects of the
invention and together with the description, serve to explain the
principles of the invention. A brief description of the drawings is
as follows:
FIG. 1 is a rear perspective view of an embodiment of a power
distribution panel in accordance with the present invention.
FIG. 2 is a rear view of the power distribution of FIG. 1, with the
mounting flanges removed.
FIG. 3 is a front view of the power distribution panel of FIG.
1.
FIG. 4 is a top view of the power distribution panel of FIG. 1 with
the top cover removed.
FIG. 5 is a rear perspective view of a power input housing in
accordance with the present invention.
FIG. 6 is a front perspective view of the power input housing of
FIG. 5.
FIG. 7 is a front view of the power input housing of FIG. 5.
FIG. 8 is a rear view of the power input housing of FIG. 5.
FIG. 9 is a top view of the power input housing of FIG. 5.
FIG. 10 is a cross-sectional view of the power input housing of
FIG. 8 taken along line A--A.
FIG. 11 is a rear perspective view of an alternative power input
housing in accordance with the present invention.
FIG. 12 is a front perspective view of the power input housing of
FIG. 11.
FIG. 13 is a front view of the power input housing of FIG. 11.
FIG. 14 is a rear view of the power input housing of FIG. 11.
FIG. 15 is a side view of the power input housing of FIG. 11.
FIG. 16 is a cross-sectional view of the power input housing of
FIG. 14 taken along line A--A.
FIG. 17 is an exploded rear view of a power input assembly in
accordance with the present invention with the cover positioned for
entry of power cables from above the assembly.
FIG. 18 is a rear view of the power input assembly of FIG. 17 with
the cover removed.
FIG. 19 is a side view of the power input assembly of FIG. 18.
FIG. 19A is a side view of the power input assembly of FIG. 19 with
the cover in a first position.
FIG. 19B is a side view of the power input assembly of FIG. 19A
with the cover in a second position.
FIG. 20 is a top view of the power input assembly of FIG. 18.
FIG. 21 is a front perspective view of a cover for a power input
assembly in accordance with the present invention.
FIG. 22 is a rear view of the cover of FIG. 21.
FIG. 23 is a bottom view of the cover of FIG. 21.
FIG. 24 is a rear perspective view of an alternative power
distribution bus in accordance to the present invention for use
with the power distribution panel of FIG. 1.
FIG. 25 is a top view of the power distribution bus of FIG. 24.
FIG. 26 is a front perspective view of the power distribution bus
of FIG. 24.
FIG. 27 is a front perspective view of a portion of the power
distribution bus of FIG. 24.
FIG. 28 is a rear perspective view of the portion of the power
distribution bus of FIG. 26.
FIG. 29 is a front view of the portion of the power distribution
bus of FIG. 26.
FIG. 30 is a rear view of the portion of the power distribution bus
of FIG. 26.
FIG. 31 is a top view of the portion of the power distribution bus
of FIG. 26.
FIG. 32 is a bottom view of the portion of the power distribution
bus of FIG. 26.
FIG. 33 is a rear perspective view of the power output assembly of
FIG. 1.
FIG. 34 is a top view of the power output assembly of FIG. 33.
FIG. 35 is a front perspective view of the power output assembly of
FIG. 33.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION
Reference will now be ma de in detail to exemplary aspects of the
present invention which are illustrated in the accompanying
drawings. Wherever possible, the same reference numbers will be
used throughout the drawings to refer to the same or like
parts.
To prevent accidental contact with the power and return power leads
supplying electrical power to a power distribution panel 1, a power
input assembly 10 is provided about each power input location.
Assembly 10 is designed to provide separation and isolation of the
power or battery and return leads from each other and prevent
people and/or other devices from contacting the leads and receiving
an electrical shock, causing harm to personnel or property.
Internally, due to the amount of current in the power distribution
buses 60 and 160, some shielding of the individual power leads 166
prevents unwanted arcing or current induction between adjacent
leads. This shielding can be accomplished by coating the leads with
an electrically insulative material or by providing sufficient
separation of the leads. Providing separation of leads 166 also
provides improved access to components within panel 1 for
users.
Referring now to FIGS. 1 through 4, a power distribution panel 1
with two power busses and two power input assemblies 10 installed
is shown. A first power input assembly 10 is shown with cover 14 in
place and a second assembly 10 is shown with cover 14 removed.
Panel 1 includes a housing with a rear face 28, a front face 34, a
top 26, a bottom 44 and two opposing sides 20. Mounted to each side
20 proximate front face 34 are mounting flanges 18 for mounting
panel 1 to a telecommunications equipment rack. Because
telecommunications equipment racks vary in width, flanges 18
include several columns of mounting holes and may be mounted in
different orientations. Flange 18 includes long side 21 and short
side 19. Long side 21 includes two columns of mounting holes 23 and
24. Short side 19 includes a single column of mounting holes 22.
Panel 1 can be mounted to a variety of different width mounting
racks by altering the orientation of flanges 18 mounted on either
side 20 of panel 1. For example, mounting flanges 18 with short
flange 19 adjacent both sides 20 would allow panel 1 to mounted to
a relatively wider rack, while mounting flanges 18 with long side
21 adjacent sides 20 would permit panel 1 to be mounted to a
relatively narrower rack. Additional sizes and configurations of
flanges 18 are anticipated which would permit panel 1 to be mounted
to telecommunications racks of different widths.
Mounted to rear face 28 are two sets of power output terminals 12.
Output terminals 12 are then connected to the power input terminals
of telecommunications devices to supply power to those devices. In
FIGS. 2 and 4, one of the sets of output terminals 12 is covered by
a protective housing 16 to prevent accidental contact with the
terminals. Chassis grounds 30 are provided on rear face 28 and
allow panel 1 to be electrically connected to a ground. Panel 1
includes an internal circuitry which senses interruptions or other
problems with the power flowing through the panel. This circuitry
is tied to an alarm which can provide a visible, audible or
electronic signal when a power flow problem is detected. The
electronic alarm signals allow the alarm status of a power panel to
be remotely or centrally monitored. Power alarm connector 32 is
provided on rear face 28 for the transmission of the electronic
signals for remote or central monitoring.
On the front face of panel 1 are circuit breakers 38 and fuses 42
to provide protection for the equipment to which panel 1 is
supplying power. Additional breaker locations 36 are available to
allow more breakers to be mounted to panel 1. Circuit breakers 38
could alternatively replaced by fuses. Signal lamps 40 are
connected with the alarm in panel 1 to provide the visible signal
if a power flow problem is detected. Holder 46 is provided on front
face 34 to maintain indicia regarding the devices which are being
supplied power by panel 1.
Power input assembly 10 includes a power conductor 52 with posts 48
and a return conductor 54 with posts 50. Conductors 52 and 54 are
attached to buses 60 inside panel 1. Posts 48 are connected with
the power terminal of the power source supplying panel 1 and posts
50 are connected with the return terminal of the power source
supplying the panel. Posts 48 are electrically connected to
conductor 52, which are in turn electrically connected with a power
bus end 56 of bus 60. Posts 50 are electrically connected to
conductor 54, which are in turn electrically connected with a
return bus end 58 of bus 60.
Referring now to FIGS. 1 through 10, assembly 10 includes a housing
70 .[.with.]. .Iadd.defining a cavity (the housing cavity defined
by cavities 71 and 77). The housing 70 includes .Iaddend.opposing
sidewalls 72, a base 76 extending between the sidewalls and a
centerwall 74 parallel to the sidewalls and generally bisecting the
base into two halves. In centerwall 74 is an opening 94 for
receiving a fastener holding cover 14 in place on housing 70.
Between sidewalls 72 on either side of centerwall 74 are defined
.Iadd.the .Iaddend.cavities 71 and 77 for receiving power cables
from an external power supply. Each sidewall 72 has a first end 73
and a second end 75. Between first ends 72 is endwall 88 which
cooperates with base 76 to form conductor openings 78 proximate
first ends 73. Likewise, between second ends 75 is endwall 88 which
cooperates with base 76 to form conductor openings 78 proximate
second ends 75. Extending from each endwall 88 is mounting tab 80,
which include openings 82 to receive fasteners such as screws to
mount housing 70 to rear face 28. Along endwalls 88 opposite base
76 are openings 92, which receive fasteners such as screws for
holding conductors 52 and 54 to housing 70, as is discussed below.
Along the bottom of base 76 and extending between the opposing
sidewalls 72 and opposing endwalls 88 are reinforcing ribs 84. Ribs
84 provide added strength and stiffness to housing 70. Likewise,
along the bottom of mounting tabs 80 are reinforcing ribs 86, and
extending from the top of base 76 along centerwall 74 are
reinforcing ribs 96. Proximate the junctions of endwalls 88 and
reinforcing rib 84 are opening 90 for receiving fasteners such as
screws.
As shown in FIGS. 5 though 10, mounting tabs 80 are located
proximate conductor openings 78, and cavities 71 and 77 are
oriented to receive power cables from above or below panel 1. As
shown in FIG. 1, housing 70 is mounted to rear face 28 so that
mounting tabs 80 are on the inside of panel 1 and sidewalls 72 and
centerwall 74 extend through rear face 28 outside of panel 1.
Mounting openings 15 in rear face 28 are located above and below
housing 70 and are located so that a fastener such as a screw can
be inserted through an opening 15 and engage opening 82 to hold
housing 70 to rear face 28.
Referring now to FIGS. 11 through 16, housing 170 is shown. Housing
170 is similarly constructed to housing 70, with mounting tabs 80
located on different opposing walls. If housing 170 were mounted to
rear face 28 of panel 1, cavities 71 and 77 would be oriented to
receive power cables from either the left side or right side of
panel 1. Both housing 70 and housing 170 are made of electrically
insulative material.
Referring now to FIGS. 17 through 20, a power input assembly is
shown. In FIG. 17, conductors 52 and 54 include of a first leg 106,
a cross leg 108 and a second leg 110. First and second legs 106 and
110 extend through openings 78 of housing 70 and cross leg 108 lies
along the top of base 76. Conductor 52 is placed within cavity 71
and conductor 54 is placed within cavity 77. Posts 48 extend from
cross leg 108 of conductor 52 opposite base 76 and posts 50 extend
from cross leg 108 of conductor 54 opposite base 76. Second leg 110
and first leg 106 include openings 102. Fasteners such as screws
100 are inserted through openings 92 in endwalls 88 and engage
openings 102, holdings the straps to housing 70. Proximate an end
of second leg 110 opposite cross leg 108 are openings 104 for
attaching and electrically connecting conductor 52 to power bus end
56 of bus 60, and for attaching and electrically connecting
conductor 54 to return bus end 58 of bus 60. Conductors 52 and 54
are held by housing 70 and are separated from potential contact by
centerwall 74.
FIGS. 21 through 23 show cover 14. References to housing 70 are
intended to apply also for housing 170. Cover 14 includes a top 120
and a lower extension 122. Top 120 is sized to fit on housing 70
covering cavities 71 and 77, so that ledges 126 rest just outside
of the top of sidewalls 72, extension 122 is proximate one of first
end 73 or second end 75 of sidewalls 72 and ledge 134 is at the
other of first end 73 or second end 75. When mounted to housing 70,
extension 122 extends between sidewalls 72 across both cavities 71
and 77 and between top 120 and endwall 88. Ledges 124 rest just
outside of first or second ends 73 or 75 of sidewalls 72 when cover
14 is mounted to housing 70. Ledge 134 extends between parallel to
extension 122 on the opposite open end of housing 70 but does not
extend far enough to close the open end. In this position, cover 14
closes off access to cavities 71 and 77 from the rear and from one
of the two ends. Ledges 126 and 134 are shown as the same size but
may be of different sizes. Ledges 126 may extend up to the same
extent as extension 122 while ledge 134 may not be made so large as
to block the open end opposite extension 122.
Mounting opening 128 in top 120 includes a narrow end 130 and a
wide end 132. Opening 128 is sized and located to receive a
fastener extending from opening 94 in housing 70 to hold cover 14
to housing 70. The shape of opening 128 is sized to allow cover 14
to be removed from housing 70 without completely removing the screw
from opening 94. Narrow end 130 and wide end 132 are oriented to be
generally parallel to ledges 126.
Cover 14 and housing 70 are designed so that cover 14 may be
mounted to housing 70 with extension 122 at either first end 73 (as
shown in FIG. 19A) or second end 75 (as shown in FIG. 19B) of
sidewalls 72. This will permit power supply cables from an external
power source to enter from above or below as the installation
environment dictates without requiring a different version of cover
14 for each direction of entry. With regard to housing 170, power
cables can enter the housing from either end and cover 14 will be
installed with extension 122 covering the opposite end. Cover 14 is
made of an electrically insulative material.
Referring now to FIGS. 24 through 26, an alternative power
distribution bus 160 is shown. Bus 160 shown would be used in place
of the right-side bus 60 in FIG. 4, above, and includes the same
rear power input assembly 10 and rear power output assembly 12.
Power conductor 42 is electrically connected with power bus end 56,
which in turn feeds the power into a protective device mount 162.
Protective device mount 162 permits protective devices such as
circuit breakers 38 to be mounted in the electrical path. Leads 166
carry the power from protective device mount 162 to offset
connectors 168 and .[.170.]. .Iadd.169 .Iaddend.of power output
assembly 12. Offset connectors 168 and .[.170.]. .Iadd.169
.Iaddend.are configured to allow adjacent leads 166 to connect with
rear output assembly 12 in staggered columns. Three offset
connectors 168 are located in a first column and three offset
connectors .[.170.]. .Iadd.169 .Iaddend.are located in a second
column. This offsetting of adjacent leads and power output
connectors provides added space between the connections. This added
space reduces the possibility of current in one lead inducing
current in an adjacent lead in the area of the connection with
power output assembly 12. Leads 166 as shown are crafted from bar
stock. To reduce corrosion and other related occurrences, this bar
stock may be plated with tin, lead or another suitable
material.
Referring now to FIGS. 27 through 32, protective device mount 162
and leads 166 are shown with the other components of power
distribution bus 160 removed. Leads 166 are individually numbered
as leads 171 through 176, with lead 171 being the topmost lead and
lead 176 being the bottommost lead. Leads 171, 173, and 175 are
configured to connect with offset connectors 168 of power output
assembly 12, while leads 172, 174 and 176 are configured to connect
with offset connectors .[.170.]. .Iadd.169.Iaddend.. Each of the
leads is comprised of five sections, 181, 183, 185, 187 and 189,
connected at four angles, 182, 184, 186 and 188. A connector
section 181 of each lead 171 through 176 is electrically attached
to protective device mount 162. An angle 182 then links connector
segment 181 with a riser segment 183. An angle 184 in turn connects
riser segment 183 with a twisted segment 185. An angle 186 connects
twisted segment 185 with a transverse segment 187. An angle 188
connects transverse segment 187 with output connector segment 189.
Posts 190 are mounted on output connector segments 189 to the
electrical and physical contact between leads 166 and offset
connectors 168 and .[.170.]. .Iadd.169.Iaddend.. Posts 192 are
mounted on connector segment 181 to improve electrical and physical
contact between leads 166 and protective device mount 162.
Referring now to FIGS. 33 through 35, output power assembly 12 is
shown in greater detail, with leads 166 removed. Output power
assembly 12 includes an output housing 206 with an inner face 208
and an outer face 210. Return terminals 200 and battery terminals
202 are in parallel columns on outer face 210 and located to
different planes, 212 and 214, respectively, to provide separation
and improved organization of battery and return cables from
telecommunications equipment receiving power from panel 1.
As shown, output power assembly 12 is configured to supply power to
six such devices, having six pairs of battery terminals 202 and six
pairs of return terminals 200. Alternative configurations having
more or fewer pairs of terminals can be used depending on size
constraints and the number of devices requiring power. Output
housing 206 is a uni-body housing, so that the same housing
includes provisions for both battery and return terminals.
Terminals 200 and 202 are grouped in pairs to improve the quality
and physical surface area of contact between the cables to and from
the devices and the terminals, and to prevent rotation of the
cables attached to the terminals. Return terminals 200 are all
linked to a common return strap 204 which extends through output
housing 206 from outer face 210 beyond inner face 208. When output
power assembly 12 is mounted to panel 1, return strap 204 is
electrically connected to return bus end 58.
Each pair of battery terminals 202 are connected to a conductor
strap 220 which extends through output housing 206 from outer face
210 beyond inner face 208 and includes an offset connector 168 or
.[.170.]. .Iadd.169.Iaddend.. As detailed above, offset connectors
168 and .[.170.]. .Iadd.169 .Iaddend.are electrically connected
with segments 189 of leads 166 when output power assembly 12 is
mounted to panel 1.
Flanges 216 and fastener openings 218 are provided on output
housing 206 to allow power output assembly 12 to be securely and
removably fastened to rear face 28 of panel 1, as shown in FIG.
1.
Having described preferred aspects and embodiments of the present
invention, modifications and equivalents of the disclosed concepts
may readily occur to one skilled in the art. However, it is
intended that such modifications and equivalents be included within
the scope of the claims which are appended hereto.
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