MXPA00010815A - Circuit breaker switchboard, single row group mounted - Google Patents

Abstract

A switchboard for mounting and supplying electrical power to a plurality of circuit breakers has all the breakers are mounted on one side of a vertical power stack. The power stack has vertical buses to which the breakers are connected. Insulators and spacers provide air ventilation paths through the power stack. The main bus connecting members on the other side of the power stack from the breakers and are spaced apart vertically to allow for improved heat dissipation. By using vertical bus connectors, the bus connecting members may be connected to through bus connectors at any height on the back of the switchboard. The main bus connecting members are in a vertical chimney for improved heat dissipation. The circuit breaker at the highest location (the"A"phase) has the highest temperature and inthe present invention, the main bus connecting member for the A phase is in the highest position to place it closest to the heat source and thereby improve the heat conduction away from the breakers. The improved air flow design allows for an increased height of the assembly and the mounting of breakers of any size to be mounted in any location on the powerstack. The location of the breakers on one side of the power stack allows the switchboard to be narrower, freeing up room for other devices. The depth of the enclosure is reduced due to the improved heat conduction.

Description

DISTRIBUTION BOARD OF CIRCUIT CIRCUIT BREAKERS, MOUNTED IN GROUP, ON A SINGLE ROW Field of the Invention This invention relates to an improved distribution board for mounting and supplying electrical power to a plurality of circuit breakers. In this particular invention, the distribution board includes an energy stacking assembly defining a plurality of ventilation passages to facilitate cooling of the energy stack and the circuit breakers mounted thereon. The circuit breakers are installed in a single row. BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION Load centers for mounting and supplying electrical power to a plurality of circuit breakers are well known in the art. However, the total amperage that can be handled by a distribution board is limited due to the heat radiated by the circuit breakers. In this regard, attempts in the 1970s to develop an AC distribution board of 3,000 amps failed due to excessive heat within the circuit breakers. More specifically, the failure was in meeting the temperature limits specified by Underwriters Laboratories on the circuit breaker load cables, or on the line side plug connectors. Moreover, until now access to the various nipple assemblies of conventional load centers has been restrictive, making cable connections and other wiring tasks difficult and time consuming. U.S. Patent No. 5,166,861, issued to the inventor of the present application, discloses a distribution board that provides a cooler circuit breaker operation, such that a longer energy stack can be used and can be mounted larger and larger Circuit breakers in a single distribution board. It disseminates a distribution board that is inexpensive manufacturing and maintenance that allows easy access to the neutral connector bar assembly, the ground connector rod nipple assembly, and the other components of the distribution board. The patent distribution board 5,166,861 comprises a frame including a central mounting tray, and including at least one first and second circuit breaker mounting trays for linking and supporting the rear end portions of the circuit breakers. The first circuit breaker mounting tray is selectively spaced from the center mounting tray so as to define an open area therebetween, and the second circuit breaker mounting tray is disposed opposite to the first tray of the circuit breaker. Circuit breaker assembly relative to the central mounting tray and selectively separated from the central mounting tray so as to define an open area therebetween. The distribution board also comprises a power stacking assembly mounted on the central mounting tray of the frame. The energy stacking assembly includes substantially vertical, elongate, first, second and third main connector bar members to be connected to a source of electrical power and to releasably link circuit breakers. The first connecting rod member is selectively spaced from the central mounting tray with insulating members so as to define a first ventilation passage therebetween. The second main connecting rod member is selectively spaced from the first main connecting rod member with insulating members so as to define a second ventilation passage therebetween. Similarly, the third main connecting rod member is selectively spaced from the second main connecting rod member with insulating members so as to define a third ventilation passage therebetween. The energy stacking assembly further includes a channel ventilation cover selectively spaced from the third main connecting rod member with insulating members so as to define a fourth ventilation passage therebetween. Each one of the ventilation passages first, second and third define an opening at the lower end of the energy stacking assembly and an opening at the upper end of the energy stacking assembly. The fourth vent passage defines an opening proximate to the lower end of the channel vent cover and an opening proximate to the upper end of the energy stack assembly. The fourth vent passage defines an opening proximate the lower end of the channel vent cover and an opening proximate to the upper end of the channel vent cover. As a result, convection air is allowed to rise within the ventilation passages to cool the energy stacking assembly. In addition, the central mounting tray and the main connecting rods are provided with ventilation openings along their lengths to further facilitate the flow of air through the energy stacking assembly. As illustrated in FIGS. 1 and 2, the distribution board 10 of the '5 patent is provided with a front assembly, including, in the preferred embodiment, upper and lower ventilated covers 30 and 32, respectively, and top and bottom covers. bottom 34 and 36, respectively, which are connected to and extend between the front portions of the vertical support channels 18 and 20. Removable cover panels 38, 40 and 42 are also included, which provide access to the various components of the board 10. Further, as illustrated by phantom lines 44 in Figure 2, the distribution board 10 can also be provided with a housing suitable for housing the frame 16 and various components of the distribution board 10. It will be recognized that the housing 44 can be formed by securing wall panels to frame 16. Located behind panel 40 of distribution board 10 is a power stacking assembly 12 to releasably mount the circuit breakers 14. As shown in FIG. 3, the multi-tray assembly assembly includes a central tray 46 that supports the energy stacking assembly 12. The central tray 46 is secured to the mounting channels 22 of the frame 16 such that the central tray 46 is arranged vertically. In addition, the central tray 46 is provided with a plurality of spaced holes selectively (not shown) to receive suitable fasteners to secure the energy stacking assembly 12, and a plurality of ventilation openings (not shown) for • ^ f provide air circulation through the energy stacking assembly 12. As best illustrated in FIG. 3, the energy stacking assembly 12 includes three vertically arranged main connecting rods 52, 54 and 56 to accommodate a source of three-phase energy. The main connecting bars 52, 54 and 56 are jointly secured in alignment Substantially parallel, selectively spaced, insulating means being provided between the connector bars to electrically isolate the connector bars from each other. The resulting assembly 12 is secured, in substantially parallel alignment, selectively spaced, to the central tray 46, providing suitable insulating means provided between the internal connecting rod 52 and the central tray 46. As seen in Figure 3, the main connecting rod 56 is connected to a main connector rod connecting member 124 which consists of a pair of vertically spaced connector members for transmitting power from a cross connector bus connector on the back of the circuit breaker (not shown) to the connector bar 56; The transverse connector bar connector is in turn connected to one of the phases of the power source. The use of a pair of main connecting rod connector members is required to handle the power requirements while, at the same time, an excessive temperature rise is avoided. Other main connector bar connector members, located behind the main connector bar connecting member 124, provide power connection to the main connector bars 52 and 54 for the other two phases. In addition, a stacking upper channel ventilation cover 88 is provided to cover the outer connecting rod 56, two spaced rows of external insulating members 90 being provided between the connecting rod 56 and the cover 88. The connecting rods 52, 54 and 56, and cover 88, with insulating members therebetween, secured together and mounted in center tray 46 with suitable fasteners (not shown in Figure 3). The main connector rod connecting members in the invention of the '5 patent are connected to corresponding nipple pad connectors secured to a connector bar support channel bearing three nipple pads; the nipple pads, in turn, facilitate the connection of electrical cables from the source of electrical energy. As seen in Figures 1-3, the circuit breakers are disposed on both sides of the energy stacking assembly 12. Due to the location of the three main connector bar connector members on the right side of the distribution board when viewed from the front, there is less space available to mount circuit breakers on the right side of the energy stacking assembly 12. The circuit disconnectors 14 are provided with electrical connector jaws (not shown) that releasably link the edges external (not shown) of the connecting bars 52, 54 and 56. Appropriate measures are taken to support the circuit breakers by means of additional mounting trays. It would be desirable to have a distribution board with increased height in order to include additional circuit breakers in the distribution board. Such a distribution board must have an improved heat dissipation capacity and have complete flexibility in the position of the circuit breakers. Such a distribution board should preferably use less material without a significant reduction in electrical capacity. It would also be desirable to have a distribution board that provides increased flexibility the user at the height at which the energy input is given to the whole. The present invention satisfies these requirements. SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The present invention is a distribution board for mounting and supplying electrical power to a plurality of circuit breakers. The improved air flow design allows for increased assembly height and assembly of circuit breakers of any size to be mounted anywhere in a vertical energy stack. All circuit breakers are mounted on one side of the energy stack. The individual performance of the circuit breakers of the present invention, with a nominal capacity of 2,000 amps, is identical to that of the patent 5,166,861, with a nominal capacity of 3,000 amps. The individual performance of the circuit breakers is achieved by using less conductive material (copper), especially in the main connecting rod connector members. The main connector bar connecting members on the other side of the energy stack from the circuit breakers are spaced vertically to allow for improved heat dissipation.

Separate, transverse connector bar connectors are used on the back of the power stack to connect to the external power source, the position of the cross connector bar connectors being adjustable. The connectors to the transverse connector bar are considerably reduced in size compared to the state of the art, due to a different orientation of the main bar connectors relative to the transverse connector bar. The circuit breaker in the highest location (the "A" phase) has the highest temperature and, in the present invention, the main connector bar member for the A phase is in the highest position to place it as close as possible. possible from the heat source and thereby improve the heat conduction away from the circuit breakers. The location of the circuit breakers on one side of the energy stack allows the distribution board to be narrower. The depth of the housing is also reduced due to the improved heat conduction. A vertical vent passage on the right side of the energy stack (where the connecting rod connector members are located) provides additional improvement in heat dissipation. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS The aforementioned aspects of the invention will be more clearly understood from the following detailed description of the invention, read together with the drawings, in which: Figure 1 (state of the art) illustrates a front view of a distribution board of an invention of the state of the art. Figure 2 (state of the art) illustrates a partial perspective view of the distribution board of the invention of the state of the art. Figure 3 (state of the art) illustrates a side elevation view of a portion of the frame and energy stack assembly of the distribution board of the invention of the state of the art. Figure 4 illustrates a front view of a distribution board of the present invention. Figure 5 illustrates a view of the energy stacking assembly of the present invention. Figure 6 is a sectional view of the energy stacking assembly of the present invention near the bottom of the assembly. Figure 7 is a sectional view of the energy stacking assembly of the present invention near the top of the assembly. Figures 8A and 8B are views of the arrangement for connecting the energy stacking assembly to connecting bars located in the middle part of the distribution board. Figures 9A, 9B and 9C are views of the arrangement for connecting the energy stacking assembly to link bars located at the top of the distribution board. Detailed Description of the Present Invention The present invention is an improvement of the invention described in U.S. Patent No. 5,166,861, assigned to the assignee of the present invention, and the disclosure thereof is explicitly included herein by reference. A distribution board incorporating various aspects of the present invention is illustrated at 210 in Figure 4. The distribution board 210 includes a substantially vertical energy stacking assembly discussed below, which accommodates the installation and electrical connection of a plurality of circuit breakers 214. Circuit breakers are connected to load centers (not shown) by suitable electrical conductors (not shown). As discussed in detail below and in U.S. Patent No. 5,166,861, the construction of the energy stacking assembly and the use of a multiple tray assembly assembly to assemble the energy stacking assembly and circuit breakers provides a cooler operation of the circuit breakers. As illustrated in Figure 4, the distribution board 210 is provided with a front assembly that includes, in the preferred embodiment, upper and lower vented covers 230 and 232 respectively, and upper and lower covers 234 and 236, respectively, which are linked to and extend between the front portions of the vertical support channels (not shown here) . Also included are removable cover panels 238, 240 and 242, which provide access to various components of the distribution board 210. In addition, the distribution board 210 may also be provided with a suitable housing for housing the frame (not shown) and various components of the distribution board 210. It will be recognized that the housing can be formed by securing wall panels to the frame. Figure 5 is a view of the energy stack of the present invention comparable to Figure 6 of the 5,166,861 patent. Three main connector bars 252, 254 and 256 of the energy stack 212, the central tray 246 and the mounting channels 222 are shown. In the present invention, the main connector bar connector members 224, 226 and 228 are vertically spaced apart to be at the same height. The internal insulating member 284 between the connecting rod 252 and the central tray 246 is also shown but, for simplicity in the illustration of the invention, the intermediate insulating members placed between the connecting rods are not shown in this illustration. Fig. 6 is a sectional view taken at AA 'of Fig. 5, showing the manner in which the connecting rods 252, 254 and 256 are mounted on the mounting tray 246 by means of bolts 292. The member is also shown internal insulator 284, between the mounting tray 246 and the connecting rod 252, the intermediate insulating members 286, and the member • external insulator 290. Fig. 7 is another sectional view of the stack of Fig. 5, taken at B-B ', showing the arrangement of the connecting rod connector members 224, 226 and 228, the connecting rods 252, 254 and 256. A region 300 defining a vertical chimney for air circulation between the energy stacking assembly 212 and the support frame 16 is also shown. With the arrangement of the main connecting rods, the connecting rod connecting members and the insulating members, the energy stacking assembly is provided with adequate ventilation, as described in the aforementioned patent. It will be recognized that a significant amount of radiated heat is removed from the vicinity of the energy stacking assembly through such advantageous movement of convection air through the energy stacking assembly 212. The resulting reduction in operating temperature allows the energy stacking assembly 212 is larger in length than conventional energy stacking assemblies so as to accommodate larger circuit breakers, and a greater number of circuit breakers, without excessive heat buildup. It will also be recognized that in the arrangement of the state of the art, the connector bar connector members are arranged with their vertical faces in close proximity to each other. This arrangement leads to a higher temperature build-up than the current arrangement where the connecting rod connector members are spaced vertically with their horizontal faces in proximity. In addition, the unobstructed chimney between the energy stacking assembly and the outer frame provides another avenue for heat dissipation through convection and radiation. As a result, the connecting rod connector members in the present invention can be made with a cross section considerably smaller than the dual members in the state of the art: this leads to a considerable reduction in the amount of material required. It will also be apparent to those skilled in the art that when the circuit breakers are arranged with the "A" phase at the top, a corresponding arrangement of the connecting rod connector members, i.e. with the connecting member of the connecting rod Phase A in the upper wall, leads to an efficient heat removal of the circuit breakers and the energy stacking set. The use of individual circuit breaker mounting trays to support the circuit breakers and the method of coupling them will now be described. Figures 8A and 8B show views of the connector bar connector members 224, 226, 228 and their connection to transverse connector bars, here identified as 244, 246 and 248, which can be connected to the three phases of an external power source (FIG. not shown). A transverse connector bar 249 is also shown for the neutral line. Each of the connector bar connector members is connected to its corresponding transverse connector bar by a front connector 264 and a rear connector 262. This arrangement is used when the transverse connector bars are placed in the middle part of the circuit breaker assembly. To simplify the illustration, the energy stacking assembly is not shown in Figures 8A and 8B. Figures 9A, 9B and 9C show the method of connecting the connecting rod connector members 224, 226, 228 to transverse connecting rods which are positioned near the top of the circuit breaker assembly. By using additional vertical connecting rod connector members 250, the connecting rod connector members 224, 226, 228 can be connected to the transverse connecting bars 244 ', 246' and 248 'which are positioned near the top of the distribution board. A single channel of composite material, isolated 254, supports the three phases for short-circuit forces. This simple design is achieved by assembling the edge-to-edge transverse connector bars from the main connector bar connector members. A similar arrangement can be made with vertical connecting rod connector members when the transverse connecting bars are placed near the lower part of the distribution board. In this way, the present invention provides an arrangement where the needs of the individual user with respect to the height at which the power source comes to the distribution board are served using easily machined and substantially similar or identical connector members. However, although a preferred embodiment has been shown and described, it will be understood that there is no intention to limit the invention to such disclosure, but rather it is intended to cover all modifications and alternate constructions that fall within the spirit and scope of the invention, as defined in the appended claims.

Claims (21)

1. CLAIMS 1. A distribution board for supplying electrical power from a power source to a plurality of load centers, said distribution board comprising: (a) an energy stacking assembly including a plurality of elongated main connector bar members, vertically arranged substantially to distribute electrical power to the load centers; (b) at least one circuit breaker releasably connected to at least one member of the plurality of main linker members, said at least one circuit breaker located on a first side of the energy stack assembly, said at least one a circuit breaker providing an interruptible connection of at least one of the main linker members to one of the external load centers; (c) a plurality of transverse connecting rod members, each of said transverse connecting rod members receiving electrical energy from a different phase of an electric power source; and (d) a plurality of substantially vertically spaced connecting rod connector members disposed on a second side of the energy stacking assembly opposite the first side, each of said connector rod connecting members transmitting electrical energy from one of the connecting rod members transverse to one of the main connecting rod members.
2. 2. The distribution board of claim 1, further comprising a substantially vertical passage proximate the connecting rod connector members to allow air flow there to cool the connector bar connector members.
3. 3. The distribution board of claim 1, wherein at least one circuit breaker is mounted in a circuit breaker tray.
4. The distribution board of claim 1, wherein (i) at least one circuit breaker further comprises a plurality of circuit breakers, a circuit breaker of said plurality of circuit breakers corresponding to a phase "A" of the source of the circuit breaker. electrical power in an extreme upper position of the positions of the plurality of circuit breakers, and (ii) the uppermost end connector member of the plurality of spaced connecting rod connector members is operatively coupled to the "A" phase of the source of the circuit breaker. electric power to provide heat conduction away from the circuit breaker in the extreme top position.
5. 5. The distribution board of claim 1, wherein each connector member of the plurality of connector bar connector members is a simple attached member for reducing the amount of material required therefor.
6. The distribution board of claim 1, wherein the plurality of transverse connecting rod connecting members and the plurality of connecting rod connecting members are in a position near the middle part of the energy stacking assembly.
7. 7. The distribution board of claim 1, wherein the plurality of connector bar connector members are in a position near the middle part of the energy stacking assembly and the plurality of transverse connector members are in a selected position of (i) ) near the top of the energy stacking assembly, and (ii) near the bottom of the energy stacking assembly.
8. The distribution board of claim 7, further comprising a plurality of vertical connector rod connecting members for connecting the cross connector bar connector members to the connector bar connector members to provide flexibility in the location of the bar connector members transversal connector.
9. The distribution board of claim 8, further comprising an insulating channel made of composite material for supporting the plurality of vertical connector rod connecting members.
10. 10. The distribution board of claim 6, further comprising a front connector member and a rear connector member for connecting each member of the plurality of connector bar connector members to a corresponding transverse connector bar connector member to simplify the connection therebetween.
11. 11. A distribution board for mounting and supplying electrical power to a plurality of circuit breakers, said distribution board comprising: (a) a frame that includes a central mounting tray and at least one circuit breaker mounting tray selectively spaced from said central mounting tray for holding said circuit breakers, said central mounting tray and said at least one circuit breaker mounting strip defining an open area between said central mounting tray and said circuit breaker mounting tray whereby air flow by convection is allowed to wash the back surfaces of said circuit breakers and the heat radiated by said back surfaces is allowed to be transferred to the back structures of said distribution board; (b) an energy stacking assembly, having an upper end and a lower end, mounted on said frame, said energy stacking assembly including a plurality of elongated main linker members, vertically disposed substantially, binding in a manner releasable said circuit breakers, said main connecting rod members being selectively spaced with insulators therebetween such that ventilation passages are defined between said main connecting rod members, each of said vent passages defining an opening proximate said lower end of said connector. said energy stacking assembly and an opening proximate said upper end of said energy stacking assembly, thereby allowing convection air to be raised within said ventilation passages to cool said energy stacking assembly, and where The plurality of circuit breakers is are arranged on a first side of the energy stacking assembly; (c) a plurality of vertically spaced main connecting rod members, said plurality of main connecting rod members mounted in an external housing and connected to a source of electrical power; and (d) a plurality of vertically spaced connecting rod connector members disposed on a second side of the energy stacking assembly opposite the first side to allow efficient heat conduction away from the circuit breakers, each of said bar connecting members. connector transmitting electrical energy from a transverse connecting rod member to a main connecting rod member.
12. 12. The distribution board of claim 11, further comprising a substantially vertical passage proximate the connecting rod connector members for air passage to improve heat transfer therefrom.
13. The distribution board of claim 11, wherein the at least one circuit breaker tray comprises a plurality of circuit breaker trays disposed on a second side of the energy stacking assembly opposite the first side.
14. The distribution board of claim 1, wherein a circuit breaker corresponding to a phase "A" of the electrical power source is in an extreme upper position of the positions of the plurality of circuit breakers, and the upper member The end of the plurality of spaced connecting rod connector members is operatively coupled to the "A" phase of the electrical power source to provide heat conduction away from the circuit breaker in the upper end position.
15. 15. The distribution board of the claim 11, wherein each connector member of the plurality of connector bar connector members is a simple attached member to reduce the amount of material required therefor.
16. 16. The distribution board of claim 11, wherein the plurality of cross connector rod connector members and the plurality of connector bar connector members are in a position near the middle portion of the energy stack assembly.
17. The distribution board of claim 11, wherein the plurality of connector bar connector members is in a position near the middle part of the energy stacking assembly and the plurality of transverse connector bar members are in a selected position of (i) near the top of the energy stacking assembly, and (ii) near the bottom of the energy stacking assembly.
18. The distribution board of claim 7, further comprising a plurality of vertical connecting rod connecting members for connecting the cross-bar members to the connecting rod connecting members to provide flexibility in the placement of the connecting rod connector members. transversal
19. 19. The distribution board of claim 8, further comprising an insulating channel made of composite material for supporting the plurality of vertical connecting rod connecting members.
20. 20. A method of supplying electrical power to a plurality of circuit breakers from a power source having a plurality of phases, comprising: (a) releasably connecting each circuit breaker of the plurality of circuit breakers to a connecting rod of a plurality of main connecting rods arranged vertically substantially in an energy stacking assembly; (b) coupling each connecting rod of the plurality of main connecting rods to an associated connecting rod connecting member, said connecting rod connecting members spaced substantially in a vertical direction; and (c) connecting each member of the plurality of connector bar connector members to a transverse connector bar member connected to a phase of a plurality of phases of the power source. The method of claim 20, wherein the plurality of transverse connecting rod members is at a different height from the corresponding connecting rod connecting member, the method further comprising using a vertical connecting rod connector to connect each member of the plurality of connecting rod members to the corresponding transverse connecting rod member. Summary A distribution board for mounting and supplying electrical power to a plurality of circuit breakers has all circuit breakers mounted on one side of the vertical energy stack. The energy stack has vertical connector bars to which the circuit breakers are connected. Isolators and separators provide air ventilation paths through energy stacking. The main connector bar connectors on the other side of the energy stack of the circuit breakers are spaced vertically to allow for improved heat dissipation. Using vertical bus bar connectors, the connecting rod connector members can be connected to cross connector bus connectors at any height at the rear of the distribution board. The main connector bar connecting members are in a vertical chimney for improved heat dissipation. The circuit breaker in the highest place (phase "A") has the highest temperature and in the present invention, the main connector bar member for phase A is in the highest position to place it closer to the source of heat and thereby improve the heat conduction away from the circuit breakers. The improved air flow design allows for an increased assembly height and mounting of circuit breakers of any size anywhere in the energy stack. The location of the circuit breakers on one side of the energy stack allows the distribution board to be narrower, freeing up space for other devices. The depth of the housing is reduced due to the improved heat conduction.