CN110137021B

CN110137021B - Transformer system including a transformer tractor

Info

Publication number: CN110137021B
Application number: CN201810133898.8A
Authority: CN
Inventors: J.辛; 霍斌; D.王; J.沈; 任旭会
Original assignee: ABB Schweiz AG
Current assignee: ABB Schweiz AG
Priority date: 2018-02-09
Filing date: 2018-02-09
Publication date: 2024-05-03
Anticipated expiration: 2038-02-09
Also published as: WO2019154332A1; CN110137021A; WO2019154332A8

Abstract

A transformer tractor for a transformer system is provided. The transformer tractor defines a first direction, a second direction, and a third direction, the three directions being orthogonal to each other. The transformer tractor includes a housing and a ground switch mechanism. The housing is arranged to receive a first transformer in a first orientation relative to a third direction and a laterally adjacent second transformer in a second orientation relative to the third direction, wherein the second orientation is opposite the first orientation. The ground switch mechanism is coupled to the housing, switchable between a non-grounded condition and a grounded condition, and includes a pair of ground arms and a ground rod extending between the pair of ground arms, each coupled to a respective interior portion of the housing and rotatable between the non-grounded condition and the grounded condition.

Description

Transformer system including a transformer tractor

Technical Field

The field of the present disclosure relates generally to transformer systems, and more particularly to a transformer tractor (transformer truck) designed to improve the safety of the transformer tractor within the transformer system and the packaging efficiency of electrical components within an electrical enclosure.

Background

Transformers are common electrical components used in power distribution, transmission and control systems, for example, to convert an input voltage to a desired output voltage. The transformer may also be used to convert an input current into a desired output current. Known power distribution, transmission, and control systems may include an electrical enclosure having a switching device including a transformer tractor configured to house and transport a transformer between a plurality of locations (e.g., including an operating position and a maintenance position) within the enclosure. At least some known electrical enclosures allow an operator to move the transformer tractor to a maintenance position, or "rack out" the transformer tractor, with the doors of the electrical enclosure open and the transformer in an energized state, potentially presenting a safety risk to the operator. Other known transformer tractors incorporate a grounding foil to de-energize the transformer when the transformer tractor is in a maintenance position, but the grounding foil may become deformed after multiple uses and become inefficient in fully grounding the transformer within the transformer tractor. Further, at least some known transformer tractors are configured to house transformers in an arrangement that prevents the use of more than two transformers for each transformer tractor while remaining within the compact switchgear size requirements of the Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers (IEEE).

Disclosure of Invention

In one aspect, a transformer tractor for a transformer system is provided. The transformer tractor defines a first direction, a second direction, and a third direction, the three directions being orthogonal to each other. The transformer tractor includes a housing and a ground switch mechanism. The housing is arranged to receive a first transformer in a first orientation relative to a third direction and a laterally adjacent second transformer in a second orientation relative to the third direction, wherein the second orientation is opposite the first orientation. The ground switch mechanism is coupled to the housing and is switchable between a non-grounded condition and a grounded condition. The ground switch mechanism includes ground rods configured to extend between pairs of ground arms, each coupled to a respective interior portion of the housing and rotatable between a non-grounded condition and a grounded condition.

In another aspect, a transformer system for an electrical enclosure is provided. The electrical enclosure defines a first direction, a second direction, and a third direction, the three directions being orthogonal to each other. The transformer system includes a transformer tractor coupleable between a load-side power line coupled with the at least one electrical component and a line-side power line coupled with the at least one electrical power source. The transformer tractor comprises a shell, a plurality of transformers and a grounding switch mechanism. The plurality of transformers is arranged within the housing, wherein a first transformer of the plurality of transformers has a first orientation relative to a third direction, and wherein a laterally adjacent second transformer of the plurality of transformers has a second orientation relative to the third direction, wherein the second orientation is opposite the first orientation. The ground switch mechanism is coupled to the housing and is switchable between a non-grounded condition and a grounded condition. The ground switch mechanism includes ground rods configured to extend between pairs of ground arms, each coupled to a respective interior portion of the housing and rotatable between a non-grounded condition and a grounded condition.

In yet another aspect, a method of powering down a transformer is provided. The method includes moving the transformer tractor along the carriage from an engaged position to a disengaged position. The transformer tractor includes a housing and a ground switch mechanism. The housing stores a plurality of transformers including a first transformer having a first orientation relative to a third direction defined by the transformer tractor and a laterally adjacent second transformer having a second orientation relative to the third direction, wherein the second orientation is opposite the first orientation. The ground switch mechanism is coupled to the housing and is switchable between a non-grounded condition and a grounded condition. The ground switch mechanism includes ground rods configured to extend between pairs of ground arms, each coupled to a respective interior portion of the housing and rotatable between a non-grounded condition and a grounded condition. The method further includes switching the ground switching mechanism from a non-grounded condition to a grounded condition to cause the ground bar to contact ground contacts on the plurality of transformers.

Drawings

These and other features, aspects, and advantages of the present disclosure will become better understood when the following detailed description is read with reference to the accompanying drawings in which like characters represent like parts throughout the drawings, wherein:

FIG. 1 is a perspective and partial cross-sectional view of an exemplary embodiment of an electrical enclosure;

FIG. 2 is a schematic side view of an exemplary embodiment of a transformer system that may be used with the electrical enclosure shown in FIG. 1, showing an exemplary transformer tractor in an engaged position and an exemplary ground switching mechanism in a non-grounded condition;

FIG. 3 is a front view of the transformer tractor shown in FIG. 2, illustrating an exemplary arrangement of an exemplary transformer;

FIG. 4 is a schematic side view of an exemplary fuse assembly that may be used with the transformer shown in FIG. 3;

FIG. 5 is a schematic side view of the transformer system shown in FIG. 2, showing the transformer tractor in a disengaged position and the ground switch mechanism in a non-grounded condition;

FIG. 6 is a partial side view of the grounding switch mechanism shown in FIG. 5;

FIG. 7 is a schematic side view of the transformer system shown in FIG. 2, showing the transformer tractor in a disengaged position and the grounding switch mechanism in a grounded condition;

FIG. 8 is a partial side view of the grounding switch mechanism shown in FIG. 7; and

Fig. 9 is a flow chart of an exemplary method of disconnecting and grounding a transformer system.

The drawings provided herein are intended to illustrate features of embodiments of the present disclosure, unless otherwise indicated. These features are considered to be applicable to a variety of systems including one or more embodiments of the present disclosure. Accordingly, the drawings are not intended to include all conventional features known to those of ordinary skill in the art as needed to practice the embodiments disclosed herein.

Parts list

10. Coordinate system

100. Electrical enclosure

102. Transformer compartment

104. Circuit breaker compartment

105. Load side power line

106. Transformer compartment door

107. Line side power line

108. Transformer system

110. Transformer

111. Exterior panel

112. Support frame member

114. External environment

116. Electrical component

118. Interior panel

120. Orifice

200. Transformer tractor

202. Engagement position

204. Fuse assembly

205. Load side power line

206. Hinge, partition door

207. Line side power line

208. Open position

210. Closed position

212. Shell body

214. Grounding system

216. Grounding switch mechanism

217. Shell and fuse

218. Fuse protector

220. Pin contact

222. First end, fuse assembly

224. Earthing switch contact

226. Second end

228. Internal width, transformer tractor

230. Disengaging position transformer tractor

232. Non-grounding condition, grounding switch mechanism

234. Grounding condition, grounding switch mechanism

236. Grounding cable

238. Grounding contact

240. Bracket

242. Grounding arms in pairs

244. Grounding rod

246. Grounding spring

248. First grounding arm

250. Rotary shaft

252. A first wall, an interior

254. Second grounding arm

256. A second wall, inside

258. Distal portion

260. Grounding rod slot

262. Slot length

264. Longitudinal axis, rotary arm

266. Grounding rod shaft

268. Direction of rotation

270. First roller channel

272. Second roller channel

274. First roller

276. Second part

278. Second roller

280. Push plate

282. First grounding rod channel

284. And a second ground rod passage.

Detailed Description

In the following specification and claims, reference will be made to a number of terms, which should be defined to have the following meanings.

The singular forms "a," "an," and "the" include plural referents unless the context clearly dictates otherwise.

"Optional" or "optionally" means that the subsequently described event or circumstance may or may not occur, and that the description includes instances where the event occurs and instances where it does not.

Approximating language, as used herein throughout the specification and claims, may be applied to modify any quantitative representation that could permissibly vary without resulting in a change in the basic function to which it is related. Accordingly, a value modified by one or more terms, such as "about," "approximately," and "approximately," are not limited to the precise value specified. In at least some cases, the approximating language may correspond to the precision of an instrument for measuring the value. Here and throughout the specification and claims, range limitations may be combined and/or interchanged, such ranges are identified and include all the sub-ranges contained therein unless context or language indicates otherwise.

Exemplary embodiments of a transformer system including a transformer tractor are described herein. A transformer tractor is a type of electrical switching apparatus within an electrical enclosure designed to carry a transformer between an operational engaged position and a maintenance disengaged position within the electrical enclosure. The transformer tow truck described herein generally includes a housing and a ground switch. The housing is configured to receive a plurality of transformers arranged such that a first transformer of the plurality of transformers has a first orientation relative to a third orientation and a laterally adjacent second transformer of the plurality of transformers has a second orientation relative to the third orientation, wherein the second orientation is opposite the first orientation. The ground switch mechanism has a non-ground condition and a ground condition and includes a pair of ground arms coupled to an interior portion of the housing and a ground rod extending between the pair of ground arms, the pair of ground arms configured to rotate in a rotational direction between the non-ground condition and the ground condition. In an exemplary embodiment, the ground switch mechanism is configured to de-energize the transformer when the ground arm and the ground lever are in a grounded condition and the door of the transformer system compartment is open. In one embodiment, the transformer wagon includes a carriage extending in a first direction, and the transformer wagon is configured to translate along the carriage between an engaged position and a disengaged position while the transformer system compartment is closed. The transformer system facilitates efficient space utilization within the electrical enclosure by using a vertically staggered arrangement of transformers within the housing, and facilitates improving safety of the electrical enclosure by facilitating de-energizing transformers within the electrical enclosure without exposing an operator to the energized transformers.

Fig. 1 is a perspective and partial cutaway view of an exemplary embodiment of an electrical enclosure (e.g., electrical enclosure 100). The coordinate system 10 includes a first horizontal X-axis, a second lateral Y-axis, and a third vertical Z-axis, the three axes being orthogonal to each other. In the exemplary embodiment, electrical enclosure 100 includes at least one transformer compartment 102 and a circuit breaker compartment 104. Each transformer compartment 102 includes at least one transformer compartment door 106 that allows access to the interior of the electrical enclosure 100, for example, to a transformer system 108 (shown in fig. 2). In the exemplary embodiment, transformer system 108 is configured to facilitate manipulation of electrical energy using a space-efficient arrangement of internal components while maintaining ease of maintenance and safety standards. More specifically, the transformer system 108 includes a plurality of transformers 110 (shown in fig. 2), each transformer 110 coupled between the load side power line 105 and the line side power line 107 and configured to transfer electrical energy between two or more circuits by electromagnetic induction. In an exemplary embodiment, each transformer 110 is a voltage transformer 110 and the current in a first internal coil of the transformer 110 is varied to generate a varying magnetic field to induce a second voltage in a second internal coil of the transformer 110 and to increase or decrease the output voltage from the second internal coil. In an alternative embodiment, each transformer 110 is a current transformer 110. In other alternative embodiments, transformer 110 may be any type of transformer 110 or additional electrical component that facilitates operation of transformer system 108 as described herein.

The electrical enclosure 100 also includes a plurality of metal or metal clad exterior panels 111 disposed on and coupled to the plurality of support frame members 112 and which provide structural support and protection from conditions present in an external environment 114 outside the electrical enclosure 100. Additionally, in the exemplary embodiment, the interior of electrical enclosure 100 includes a plurality of electrical components 116, such as wires, switching devices, switches, connectors, and various other devices required to connect electrical load devices to, for example, main power lines, circuit breakers, and transformers. Moreover, in the exemplary embodiment, an interior of electrical enclosure 100 includes one or more interior panels 118. The interior panel 118 may include one or more apertures 120 defined therethrough. The aperture 120 is configured to perform a number of functions in the electrical enclosure 100 including, but not limited to, facilitating ventilation therein and allowing connection between individual electrical components 116 of the plurality of electrical components 116 within the electrical enclosure 100.

Fig. 2 is a schematic side view of an exemplary embodiment of a transformer system 108 that may be used with the electrical enclosure 100 (shown in fig. 1), showing an exemplary transformer tractor 200 in an engaged position 202 and an exemplary ground switching mechanism 216 in a non-grounded condition 232. Fig. 3 is a front view of transformer tractor 200 (shown in fig. 2) illustrating an exemplary arrangement of exemplary transformer 110. Fig. 4 is a schematic side view of an exemplary fuse assembly 204 that may be used in connection with transformer 110 (shown in fig. 3). The transformer compartment door 106 is configured to rotate about a hinge 206 between an open position 208 (shown in fig. 7) and a closed position 210. In alternative embodiments, transformer tractor 200 may include any components that facilitate operation of transformer system 108 as described herein.

In the exemplary embodiment, transformer tractor 200 includes a housing 212, a grounding system 214 that includes a ground switching mechanism 216, and three transformers 110. In the exemplary embodiment, transformer 110 includes a single fuse assembly 204 that includes a single fuse 218. The housing 212 is configured to receive the transformers 110 oriented in a staggered arrangement with respect to the third direction. More specifically, a first one 110 of the transformers 110 has a first orientation relative to a third orientation, and a laterally adjacent second one 110 of the transformers 110 has a second orientation relative to the third orientation, wherein the second orientation is opposite the first orientation. This orientation facilitates positioning three transformers 110 within the transformer tractor 200 such that a first transformer 110 is positioned vertically, a second transformer 110 is positioned upside down and laterally adjacent to the first transformer 110, and a third transformer 110 is positioned vertically and laterally adjacent to the second transformer 110, each fuse assembly 204 of the three transformers 110 being positioned along a single side axis. In alternative embodiments, transformer 110 may be disposed within housing 212 in any manner that facilitates operation of transformer system 108 as described herein.

In the exemplary embodiment, fuse assembly 204 includes a fuse housing 217, a fuse 218 positioned within fuse housing 217, a pin contact 220 positioned at a first end 222 of fuse housing 217, and a ground switch contact 224 positioned at a second end 226 of fuse housing 217 opposite first end 222. In an exemplary embodiment, the fuse 218 is a current limiting medium voltage fuse 218. In alternative embodiments, fuses 218 may be any type of fuses 218 that facilitates operation of transformer 110 as described herein. The fuse housing 217 is configured to isolate the fuse 218 from the external environment to retain the pin contacts 220 at a first end 222 of the fuse housing 217 and to retain the ground switch contacts 224 at a second end 226 of the fuse housing 217. The pin contacts 220 are configured to facilitate electrical connection between the line-side power line 107 and the fuse 218, and the ground switch contacts 224 are configured to facilitate electrical connection between the fuse 218 and the ground system 214. In alternative embodiments, fuse assembly 204 may be configured in any manner that facilitates operation of transformer system 108 as described herein.

The vertically staggered arrangement of transformers 110 facilitates the inclusion of three transformers 110 within each housing 212 while meeting Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers (IEEE) compact switchgear standards. More specifically, the transformer tractor 200 meeting the IEEE compact switchgear standard has an interior width 228 of six hundred fifty millimeters. Each transformer 110 has an outer width of two hundred thirty-five millimeters. Three transformers 110 positioned laterally adjacent to each other and with the same orientation relative to a third direction will have an overall width of seven hundred and five millimeters (i.e., greater than the interior width 228), which will not allow the three transformers to fit within a transformer tractor that meets the IEEE compact switchgear standard. The use of the vertically staggered configuration disclosed herein facilitates the receipt of three transformers 110 within a transformer tractor 200 that meets the IEEE compact switchgear standard, and which positions each fuse assembly 204 along a single lateral axis to facilitate the use of a single ground switching mechanism 216. In alternative embodiments, transformer tractor 200 may be configured to receive any number of transformers 110 arranged in any manner that facilitates operation of transformer system 108 as described herein.

Fig. 5 is a schematic side view of transformer system 108 (shown in fig. 2) showing transformer tractor 200 in a disengaged position 230 and ground switch mechanism 216 in an ungrounded condition 232. Fig. 6 is a partial side view of the ground switch mechanism 216 (shown in fig. 5). Fig. 7 is a schematic side view of transformer system 108 (shown in fig. 2) showing transformer tractor 200 in disengaged position 230 and ground switch mechanism 216 in ground condition 234. Fig. 8 is a partial side view of the ground switch mechanism 216 (shown in fig. 7). In an exemplary embodiment, referring to fig. 1-8, a carrier 240 is coupled between the transformer compartment 102 and the housing 212 and is configured to facilitate movement of the transformer wagon 200 in a first direction between an engaged position 202 and a disengaged position 230, wherein "engaged" means that the pin contact 220 is in electrical contact with the line-side power line 107 and "disengaged" means that the pin contact 220 is not in electrical contact with the line-side power line 107. The grounding system 214 includes a grounding cable 236 electrically coupled between the ground contact 238 adjacent to the carrier 240 and the grounding switch mechanism 216 and configured to function as a ground pole for grounding the switch mechanism 216. In alternative embodiments, transformer tractor 200 may be configured in any manner that facilitates operation of transformer system 108 as described herein.

In the exemplary embodiment, ground switch mechanism 216 includes a pair of ground arms 242, a ground rod 244, and a pair of ground springs 246. The grounding arm 242 includes a first grounding arm 248 and a second grounding arm 254, the first grounding arm 248 being coupled to the rotating shaft 250 coupled to the inner first wall 252 of the housing 212 and the second grounding arm 254 being coupled to the other rotating shaft 250 coupled to the inner second wall 256 of the housing 212 opposite the inner first wall 252. The grounding bar 244 extends between the first grounding arm 248 and a distal portion 258 of the second grounding arm 254. The distal portions 258 of the first and second grounding arms 248, 254 include a grounding rod slot 260 that extends a slot length 262 along a longitudinal axis 264 of the first and second grounding arms 248, 254. A pair of lever shafts 266 extend from opposite ends of the ground lever 244 in a second direction and are configured to engage the respective ground lever notches 260 of the first and second ground arms 248, 254. The first grounding arm 248 and the second grounding arm 254 are configured to rotate about the lever axis 266 in a rotational direction 268 between the grounding condition 234 and the non-grounding condition 232. The grounding spring 246 is configured to exert a force on the grounding arm 242 to cause the grounding arm 242 to bias toward the non-grounded condition 232. In alternative embodiments, ground switch mechanism 216 may include any component and be configured in any manner that facilitates operation of transformer system 108 as described herein.

In the exemplary embodiment, housing 212 includes a first roller channel 270 coupled to inner first wall 252 and a second roller channel 272 coupled to inner second wall 256. The first roller 274 is coupled to the second portion 276 of the first grounding arm 248 and the second roller 278 is coupled to the second portion 276 of the second grounding arm 254. The first roller 274 is configured to be received by the first roller channel 270 and the second roller 278 is configured to be received by the second roller channel 272 so as to constrain the grounding arm 242 along the entire range of travel between the grounding condition 234 and the non-grounding condition 232 about the rotational direction 268 of the grounding rod shaft 266. The push plate 280 is coupled to the transformer compartment door 106 and is configured to maintain the ground switching mechanism 216 in the non-grounded condition 232 when the transformer compartment door 106 is in the closed position 210 and when the transformer wagon 200 is in the disengaged position 230. More specifically, push plate 280 is configured to cause ground arm 242 to rotate in rotational direction 268 such that first roller 274 and second roller 278 remain and/or are received within a respective one of first roller channel 270 and second roller channel 272 when transformer substation tractor 200 is in non-ground condition 232 and transformer-compartment door 106 is in closed position 210. In alternative embodiments, ground arm 242 may be constrained during operation of transformer wagon 200 in any manner that facilitates operation of transformer system 108 as described herein.

In the exemplary embodiment, housing 212 includes a first ground rod passage 282 and a second ground rod passage 284 that are configured to retain ground rod 244 and facilitate translation of ground rod 244 in a first direction. The first ground rod passage 282 is coupled to the inner first wall 252 of the housing 212 and the second ground rod passage 284 is coupled to the inner second wall 256 laterally opposite the inner first wall 252. The first ground rod passage 282 and the second ground rod passage 284 extend in a first direction. The ground switch mechanism 216 is configured such that, when the transformer compartment door 106 is in the closed position 210, the ground rod 244 is spaced apart from the ground switch contact 224 of the fuse assembly 204 throughout the range of travel of the transformer wagon 200 from the engaged position 202 to the disengaged position 230. As described herein, the ground switch mechanism 216 rotates in the rotational direction 268 when the transformer tractor 200 is in the disengaged position 230 and the transformer compartment door 106 is in the open position 208, causing the ground rod 244 to move in a first direction toward the fuse assembly 204 until contact with the ground switch contacts 224 occurs, thereby de-energizing and/or grounding the fuses 218 within the fuse assembly 204.

In an exemplary embodiment, referring to fig. 1-8, the ground switch mechanism 216 is maintained in the non-grounded condition 232 throughout the range of motion of the transformer tractor 200 within the transformer compartment 102 while the transformer compartment door 106 is in the closed position 210 (as described herein). The transformer system 108 facilitates improving user safety by enabling the transformer tractor 200 to move from the engaged position 202 to the disengaged position 230 without opening the transformer compartment 106, thereby isolating the user from the electrical energy within the transformer compartment 102. Opening the transformer compartment door 106 when the transformer wagon 200 is in the disengaged position 230 facilitates movement of the ground switching mechanism 216 from the grounded condition 234 to the non-grounded condition 232, thereby de-energizing and/or grounding the transformer 110 (as described herein).

Fig. 9 is a flow chart of an exemplary method 300 that may be used to power down and/or ground transformer 110 using transformer system 108 (shown in fig. 2). Referring to fig. 1-8, method 300 includes moving 302 transformer tractor 200 along carrier 240 from engaged position 202 to disengaged position 230. The transformer tractor 200 includes a housing 212 and a ground switch mechanism 216. The housing 212 stores a plurality of transformers 110 including a first transformer 110 having a first orientation relative to a third direction defined by the transformer tractor 200 and a laterally adjacent second transformer 110 having a second orientation relative to the third direction, wherein the second orientation is opposite the first orientation. The ground switch mechanism 216 is switchable between a non-grounded condition 232 and a grounded condition 234 and includes a grounding arm 242 and a grounding bar 244. Each grounding arm 242 is coupled to a respective interior portion of the housing 212 and is rotatable between a non-grounded condition 232 and a grounded condition 234. A ground rod 244 extends between the pair of ground arms 242. The method 300 also includes switching 304 the ground switching mechanism 216 from the non-grounded condition 232 to the grounded condition 234 to cause the ground rod 244 to contact the ground contact 238 on the plurality of transformers 110.

Embodiments described herein include a transformer system including a transformer tractor. A transformer tractor is a type of electrical switching apparatus within an electrical enclosure designed to carry a transformer between an operational engaged position and a maintenance disengaged position within the electrical enclosure. The transformer tow truck described herein generally includes a housing and a ground switch. The housing is configured to receive a plurality of transformers arranged such that a first transformer of the plurality of transformers has a first orientation relative to a third orientation and a laterally adjacent second transformer of the plurality of transformers has a second orientation relative to the third orientation, wherein the second orientation is opposite the first orientation. The ground switch mechanism has a non-ground condition and a ground condition and includes a pair of ground arms coupled to an interior portion of the housing and a ground rod extending between the pair of ground arms, the pair of ground arms configured to rotate in a rotational direction between the non-ground condition and the ground condition. In an exemplary embodiment, the ground switch mechanism is configured to de-energize the transformer when the ground arm and the ground lever are in a grounded condition and the door of the transformer system compartment is open. In one embodiment, the transformer wagon includes a carriage extending in a first direction, and the transformer wagon is configured to translate along the carriage between an engaged position and a disengaged position while the transformer system compartment door is closed. The transformer system facilitates efficient space utilization within the electrical enclosure by using a vertically staggered arrangement of transformers within the enclosure and facilitates improving safety of the electrical enclosure by facilitating de-energizing and/or grounding the transformers within the electrical enclosure without exposing an operator to the energized and/or non-grounded transformers.

Exemplary technical effects of the methods, systems, and apparatus described herein include at least one of: a) improving efficiency of use of the interior space of the electrical enclosure, b) reducing operator exposure to energized electrical components, c) improving the effectiveness of the grounding device, and d) improving reliability of the transformer tractor.

Exemplary embodiments of a transformer tractor and methods of using a transformer tractor are described above in detail. The transformer tractor and method are not limited to the specific embodiments described herein, but rather, components of the transformer tractor and/or operations of the method may be utilized independently and separately from other components and/or operations described herein. Furthermore, the components and/or operations may also be defined in or used in combination with other systems, methods, and/or devices, and are not limited to only the transformer tractor and system implementations described herein.

The order of execution or performance of the operations of the embodiments of the disclosure shown and described herein is not essential, unless otherwise specified. That is, operations may be performed in any order, unless otherwise indicated, and embodiments of the disclosure may include more or less operations than those disclosed herein. For example, it is contemplated that executing or performing a particular operation before, contemporaneously with, or after another operation is within the scope of aspects of the disclosure.

Although specific features of various embodiments of the disclosure may be shown in some drawings and not in others, this is for convenience only. Any feature of the drawings may be referenced and/or claimed in combination with any feature of any other drawings in accordance with the principles of the present disclosure.

This written description uses examples to disclose the disclosure, including the best mode, and also to enable any person skilled in the art to practice the disclosure, including making and using any devices or systems and performing any incorporated methods. The patentable scope of the disclosure is defined by the claims, and may include other examples that occur to those skilled in the art. These other examples are intended to be within the scope of the claims if they have structural elements that do not differ from the literal language of the claims, or if they include equivalent structural elements with insubstantial differences from the literal languages of the claims.

Claims

1. A transformer tractor for a transformer system, the transformer tractor defining a first direction, a second direction, and a third direction, the three directions being orthogonal to each other, the transformer tractor comprising:

A housing arranged to receive a first transformer, the first transformer being in a first orientation relative to the third direction and a laterally adjacent second transformer being in a second orientation relative to the third direction, wherein the second orientation is opposite the first orientation; and

A ground switch mechanism coupled to the housing and switchable between a non-grounded condition and a grounded condition, the ground switch mechanism comprising:

A pair of grounding arms each coupled to a respective interior portion of the housing and rotatable between the non-grounded condition and the grounded condition; and

A ground bar extending between the pair of ground arms, wherein the ground switch mechanism is switched from the non-grounded condition to the grounded condition to cause the ground bar to contact ground switch contacts on the first and second transformers.

2. The transformer hauling car of claim 1, wherein the ground rod extends between the pair of ground arms in the second direction.

3. The transformer hauling vehicle of claim 1, wherein the housing includes a first wall and an opposing second wall, and wherein the pair of ground engaging arms includes a first arm coupled to an interior portion of the first wall and a second arm coupled to an interior portion of the second wall.

4. The transformer hauling car of claim 1, wherein the ground switch mechanism further comprises at least one spring coupled between at least one ground arm of the pair of ground arms and the housing, and wherein the at least one spring is operable to apply a force on the at least one ground arm to cause the pair of ground arms and the ground lever to rotate.

5. The transformer hauling car of claim 1, further comprising a bracket extending in the first direction and a ground contact coupled to the bracket, wherein the housing is translatable along the bracket between an engaged position and a disengaged position, and wherein a ground cable is coupled between the ground contact and the ground switching mechanism.

6. The transformer hauling car of claim 2, wherein the housing includes a first ground rod passage and a second ground rod passage that retain the ground rod.

7. The transformer hauler of claim 1, wherein the housing includes a first roller channel and a second roller channel.

8. The transformer hauling vehicle of claim 7, wherein the pair of ground arms includes a first ground arm and a second ground arm, the first ground arm including a first roller and the second ground arm including a second roller, the first roller and the second roller engaging the first roller channel and the second roller channel, respectively.

9. A transformer system for an electrical enclosure defining a first direction, a second direction, and a third direction, the three directions being orthogonal to each other, the transformer system comprising:

A transformer tractor coupleable between a load side power line coupled with at least one electrical component and a line side power line coupled with at least one electrical power source, the transformer tractor comprising:

a housing;

A plurality of transformers disposed within the housing, wherein a first transformer of the plurality of transformers has a first orientation relative to the third direction, and wherein a laterally adjacent second transformer of the plurality of transformers has a second orientation relative to the third direction, wherein the second orientation is opposite the first orientation;

A pair of grounding arms each coupled to an interior portion of the housing and configured to rotate in a rotational direction between the non-grounding condition and the grounding condition; and

A ground bar extending between the pair of ground arms, wherein the ground switch mechanism is switched from the non-grounded condition to the grounded condition to cause the ground bar to contact ground switch contacts on the plurality of transformers.

10. The transformer system of claim 9, wherein each of the plurality of transformers comprises one of a voltage transformer and a current transformer.

11. The transformer system of claim 9, wherein the ground rod extends between the pair of ground arms in the second direction.

12. The transformer system of claim 9, wherein the housing comprises a first wall and an opposing second wall, and wherein the pair of grounding arms comprises a first arm coupled to an interior portion of the first wall and a second arm coupled to an interior portion of the second wall.

13. The transformer system of claim 9, wherein the ground switch mechanism further comprises at least one spring coupled between at least one ground arm of the pair of ground arms and the housing, and wherein the at least one spring is operable to apply a force on the at least one ground arm to cause the pair of ground arms and the ground rod to rotate.

14. The transformer system of claim 9, wherein each transformer of the plurality of transformers comprises a fuse assembly, each fuse assembly comprising:

A fuse housing;

A fuse positioned within the fuse housing;

a pin contact positioned at a first end of the fuse housing; and

A ground switch contact is positioned at a second end of the fuse housing, the second end opposite the first end.

15. The transformer system of claim 13, further comprising a carriage extending in the first direction, wherein the transformer tractor is translatable along the carriage between an engaged position and a disengaged position.

16. The transformer system of claim 15, further comprising a ground contact coupled to the bracket and a ground cable coupled between the ground contact and the ground switching mechanism.

17. The transformer system of claim 11, wherein the housing further comprises a first ground rod channel and a second ground rod channel that retain the ground rod.

18. The transformer system of claim 17, wherein the housing comprises a first roller channel and a second roller channel, and wherein the pair of grounding arms comprises a first grounding arm and a second grounding arm, the first grounding arm comprising a first roller and the second grounding arm comprising a second roller, the first roller and the second roller engaging the first roller channel and the second roller channel, respectively.

19. The transformer system of claim 15, further comprising a push plate coupled to a transformer compartment door of the electrical enclosure, wherein the push plate is arranged to maintain the ground switching mechanism in a non-grounded condition when the transformer compartment door is in a closed position and the transformer hauler is in a disengaged position.

20. A method of powering down a transformer, the method comprising:

Moving a transformer tractor along a carriage from an engaged position to a disengaged position, the transformer tractor comprising:

A housing storing a plurality of transformers, the plurality of transformers comprising a first transformer having a first orientation relative to a third direction defined by the transformer tractor and a laterally adjacent second transformer having a second orientation relative to the third direction, wherein the second orientation is opposite the first orientation; and

a pair of grounding arms each coupled to a respective interior portion of the housing and rotatable between the non-grounded condition and the grounded condition;

A ground rod extending between the pair of ground arms; and

Switching the ground switching mechanism from the non-grounded condition to the grounded condition to cause the ground bar to contact ground switch contacts on the plurality of transformers.