F O R M 2

THE PATENTS ACT, 1970
(39 of 1970)
&
The Patents Rules, 2003
COMPLETE SPECIFICATION
(See section 10; rule 13)

1. Title of the invention: FLEXIBLE TERMINAL ARRANGEMENT FOR SWITCHGEAR APPARATUS

2. Applicant(s):

(a) NAME : LARSEN & TOUBRO LIMITED
(b) NATIONALITY : An Indian Company
(c) ADDRESS : L & T House, Ballard Estate, Mumbai 400 001,
State of Maharashtra, India

3. PREAMBLE TO THE DESCRIPTION

The following specification particularly describes the invention and the manner in which it is to be performed:

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to a flexible terminal arrangement for switchgear apparatus. More particularly the present invention relates to a flexible terminal arrangement for switchgear apparatus to eliminate the watt loss at the contact between terminal face and the bus-bar link by eliminating the link.

BACKGROUND AND PRIOR ART OF THE INVENTION

Circuit Breaker primarily is available in two types: Fixed type circuit breakers and draw-out type circuit breakers. A fixed breaker is one in which fixed assembly is directly connected to connections from customer. Any repair or maintenance work usually needs removing these connections. A draw-out type circuit breaker primarily consists of a fixed part, moving part (comprising of current carrying pole capable of interrupting the main circuit with moving part adapter & with-drawable contact assemblies, basically same as fixed part in the first case) and a sliding-in arrangement resting to engage or disengage the basic moving part from fixed part in lieu of some maintenance or inspection. When basic moving part is disengaged from fixed part, live current carrying part of the main circuit must be isolated via safety device from any person working so as not to get shock or any mishap.

Connections need to be done on circuit breaker to carry current in and out of it. These connections are invariably done on terminals of fixed part. These connections are carried out at the final user workplace or at the intermediary’s place.

To effectively carry out these connections there are various schemes (orientations) of connecting bars which is preferred by various users. This calls for use of adaptors (with terminals of fixed part) to facilitate mounting of connecting bars. These adaptors are available in horizontal or vertical orientation which user can choose while ordering. However, it adds one extra joint for the connections resulting in the losses and needs prior planning.

If integrated adaptors are provided instead of separately mounted, then, though the losses are avoided, it limits the possible orientation of connecting bars which can be then connected only as per the integrated adaptor (horizontal or vertical). This orientation can be planned and ordered but it still takes away the flexibility from the user to change it once received. It becomes a cumbersome thing to change it if any last moment change is desired.

The prior art integrated or separately mounted terminal adaptors are used to get the desired orientation of terminals for connection bars.

The disadvantage of the above mentioned prior art includes, (a) additional electrical joint resulting in to losses, (b) extra cost of the additional adaptors, (c) need to plan in advance and order appropriately in case of integrated terminals and (d) lack of flexibility to change the orientation of connection bars once integrated terminals are received.

Thus there is a need to provide a flexible terminal arrangement for switchgear apparatus that eliminates the extra electrical joint thereby eliminating losses as in case of having integrated adaptor, it retains the flexibility of connecting the bars in any orientation without use of separate adaptors, it also eliminates the need to plan and pre-order any particular orientation of adaptors and also becomes a cost effective solution by eliminating extra adaptors and associated fixing hardware.

The present inventors found that the disclosed invention consists of a plurality of terminal assemblies mounted onto the cradle. The invention intends to provide a terminal with a termination protrusion that can be swiveled into a horizontal and vertical plane as required.

The invention also presents a means to eliminate the watt loss at the contact between terminal face and the bus-bar link by eliminating the link.

This is achieved by using a spring loaded terminal sub-assembly, mounted into the cavity created by the assembly of the side supports.

OBJECTS OF THE INVENTION

One object of the present invention is to overcome the disadvantages / drawbacks of the prior art.

A basic object of the present invention is to provide a flexible terminal arrangement for switchgear apparatus.

Another object of the present invention is to provide a flexible terminal arrangement for switchgear apparatus adapted to have cost effective solution by eliminating extra adaptors and associated fixing hardware.

Yet another object of the present invention is to provide a arrangement for switchgears adapted to retain the flexibility of connecting the bars in any orientation without use of separate adaptors.

These and other advantages of the present invention will become readily apparent from the following detailed description taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

According to one of the aspect of the present invention the system is provided a flexible terminal arrangement for switchgear apparatus, said arrangement comprising :
a cradle means;
plurality of support means molded with said cradle means , said support means comprising :
a first side support means comprising :
a first front side support means mounted on said first side support means and
a first rear side support means mounted on said first side support means and
a second side support means comprising :
a second front side support means mounted on said second side support means and
a second rear side support means mounted on said second side support means ;
a sub terminal assembly substantially placed in-between said first side support means and second support means , said assembly comprising :
a side cover means , said side cover means comprising :
a first side cover means having substantially a C shaped mould ;
a second side cover means having substantially a C shaped mould;
plurality of holes placed on said first side cover and second side cover ;
plurality of engagement means formed substantially on the inner side of said C shaped mould ;
plurality of fastener means ;
plurality of hole for fasteners substantially on the outer side of C shaped mould and
plurality of hole for fastening substantially on the inner side of C shaped mould;
a terminal means, said terminal means comprising
a terminal protrusion means on the front side of said terminal means ;
terminal ear means;
plurality of holes for termination ;
such that said terminal means gets accommodated in-between said first sub terminal means and second sub terminal means
plurality of cavity on the rear side of said terminal means;
a disc means substantially placed in between said first and second front side support and sub terminal assembly, said disc means comprising : plurality of pip on said disc means .

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to a flexible terminal arrangement for switchgear apparatus.

The arrangement consists of a plurality of terminal assemblies mounted onto the cradle. The terminal with a termination protrusion that can be swiveled into a horizontal and vertical plane as required.

The invention also presents a means to eliminate the watt loss at the contact between terminal face and the bus-bar link by eliminating the link .This is achieved by using a spring loaded terminal sub-assembly, mounted into the cavity created by the assembly of the side supports.

The terminal sub-assembly is pushed towards the cradle and swiveled to the intended position.

According to one of the embodiment of the present invention there is provided a flexible terminal arrangement for switchgear apparatus. The arrangement comprising a cradle means; plurality of support means molded with said cradle means , a sub terminal assembly substantially placed in-between said first side support means and second support means , a disc means substantially placed in between said first and second front side support and sub terminal assembly where the disc means comprising plurality of pip on the disc means .

The support means comprises a first side support means and a second side support means

The first side support means comprising a first front side support means mounted on said first side support means and a first rear side support means mounted on said first side support means.

The second side support means comprising a second front side support means mounted on said second side support means and a second rear side support means mounted on said second side support means .

The first rear side support joins the second rear side support to form a substantially ring shaped modular profile.

The sub terminal assembly comprises a side cover means. The side cover means comprising a first side cover means having substantially a C shaped mould ;a second side cover means having substantially a C shaped mould; plurality of holes placed on the first side cover and second side cover ;plurality of engagement means formed substantially on the inner side of the C shaped mould ;plurality of fastener means ; plurality of hole for fasteners substantially on the outer side of C shaped mould and plurality of hole for fastening substantially on the inner side of C shaped mould; a terminal means,

The terminal means comprising a terminal protrusion means on the front side of the terminal means ; terminal ear means; plurality of holes for termination where the terminal means gets accommodated in-between the first sub terminal means and second sub terminal means and plurality of cavity on the rear side of the terminal means.

The first front side support means and second front side support means comprises plurality of spring and plurality of recess.

The first rear support means and second rear support means comprises plurality of pip.

The support means adapted to constrain the motion with the terminal assembly by engagement of the protrusion in the side support with the cavity of the ear of the terminal.

The first side cover means and second side cover means are fastened together by the fasteners means. The pip of support means accommodates in the holes /spring of first front side support and second front side support. The holes of side cover means are facing the first and second rear support means.

The spring push the support disc away from the cradle to push the terminal assembly away from the cradle and the terminal means is in horizontal state.

The pips in first and second rear side support means engage with corresponding holes of side cover means adapted to constrain the swiveling motion of the sub terminal assembly. The first front side support joins the second front side support to form a substantially ring shaped modular profile .

Features

 Novel way of providing multiple termination methods from the same terminal.
 Unique shape of terminal allowing swivel and a universal termination.
 Unique way of mounting the terminal in the cradle.

• Multiple positions of termination for the circuit breaker by changing the position of the terminals with respect to the cradle. The flexibility of termination is attained by manual actuation. Hence, the same breaker can be used for different types of terminations without changing the terminals or adding a link.

• A new shape for the terminal wherein the protrusion from the terminal serves as a surface for termination, this eliminates the surface contact which would occur in case of an addition of another part to the terminal thus decreasing Watt-loss.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE ACCOMPANYING DRAWING

Other features as well as the advantages of the invention will be clear from the following description.
In the appended drawing:

Figure 1 illustrates Cradle showing vertical arrangement for termination
Figure 2: General View of the terminal assembly
Figure 3: General View of side support one
Figure 4: General view of side support two.
Figure 5: Exploded view of the terminal assembly
Figure 6: General View of the terminal sub-assembly
Figure 7: Exploded view of the terminal sub-assembly
Figure 8: Rear view of the terminal sub-assembly
Figure 9: Side view of the terminal sub-assembly
Figure No.10: Exploded partial view of the terminal assembly
Figure No.11: Exploded general view of the terminal sub-assembly.
Figure No.12: General View of the terminal assembly in the vertical state.
Figure No.13: General view of the terminal sub-assembly with the terminal-sub assembly pushed towards the cradle.
Figure No.14: Terminal assembly with the terminal sub-assembly pushed towards the cradle and being turned into a horizontal state.
Figure No.15: General view of the terminal assembly in a horizontal state.
Figure No.16: General view of the terminal
Figure No.17: Side view of the terminal
Figure No.18: front view of the terminal
Figure No. 19: General view of the support disc

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE ACCOMPANYING DRAWING

In the following detailed description, reference is made to the accompanying drawings that form a part hereof, and illustrate the best mode presently contemplated for carrying out the invention. Further functioning of the arrangement has been discussed below to describe the way it operates. However, such description should not be considered as any limitation of scope of the present system. The structure thus conceived is susceptible of numerous modifications and variations, all the details may furthermore be replaced with elements having technical equivalence. In practice the materials and dimensions may be any according to the requirements, which will still be comprised within its true spirit.
Constructional features :
1.support
12. side support one
121. rear side support one
1211. pip on rear side support one
122. front side support one
1221. recess in front side support one
1222. spring in front side support one

13. side support two
131. rear side support two
1311. pip on rear side support two
132. front side support two
1321. recess in front side support two
1322. spring in front side support two

2. support disc
21. pip in support disc

3. terminal sub-assembly
31. terminal
311. terminal cavity
312. terminal ear
313. terminal protrusion
314. holes for termination

32. terminal side cover
33. hole for fastening
34. engagement holes
35. step for adaptor engagement
4. cradle
41.cradle upper cross piece
42.cradle lower cross piece
5. fastener

The disclosed invention comprises of a terminal sub-assembly 3. The terminal sub-assembly 3 consists of a terminal 31 with side supports 12,13 attached. The supports constrain the motion with the terminal 3 by engagement of the protrusion 313 in the side support 12,13 with the cavity of the ear 312 of the terminal 3.

The terminal side covers 32 can be fastened together by fasteners 5 using the holes for termination 314 made in the terminal side covers 32.

The terminal sub assembly 3 is assembled between side support one 12 and side support two 13.
The support disc 2 is assembled between the front side supports one and two 122,132 and the terminal sub-assembly 3.

The pips 21 in the support disc 2 are meant to ingress in the recesses 1221 and 1321 in front side support one 122 and front side support two 132. The recess is the hole.

The motion and force acting on the support disc 2 is determined by the springs 1322 in the blind holes 34 of the front support side one 122 and those of front side support two 132.

Front side support one 122 and front side support two 133 have recesses 1221, and 1321 on the face facing the rear side support one 121 and rear side support two 131. The terminal side cover 32 has holes 34 on the face facing the rear side support one 121 and rear side support two 131.

The springs 1322 tend to push the support disc 2 away from the cradle 4. This in turn pushes the terminal sub-assembly 3 away from the cradle 4. The pips 1211 and 1311 in the rear side support one 121 and rear side support two 131 engage with the corresponding holes of the terminal side covers 34. Thus, the swiveling motion of the terminal sub-assembly 3 is constrained.

The positions achieved by the terminal sub-assembly 3 with respect to the terminal assembly shall depend on the number of engagement holes 34, and their positions.
Hence, a plurality of position is presented rotatably for the terminal 3.

The terminal assembly as a whole is assembled in the cradle 4 between the upper cross-piece 41 and the lower cross-piece 42.

The terminal consists of a plurality of symmetric cavities 311 such that the terminal 3 provides the same engagement expected between the breaker (not shown in the figure) and the cradle 4.
This would ensure the similar operational conditions in all of the positions of the terminal 3.
The terminal assembly design is such that the springs 1322,1222 do not experience the force experienced by the terminal 3 in a short circuit condition.

The user is required to press the terminal 3 towards the breaker (not shown in the figure) and rotate it in the pressed condition so that the protrusion of the terminal 313 becomes perpendicular to its original position.
The user must align the terminal 3 to its new position so that the pips in the rear side support one 1211 and rear side support two 1311 are aligned with the holes in the terminal side covers 34. The user may let go of the terminal sub-assembly 3 so that the aforementioned pips 1211,1311 now engage with the corresponding holes 34 and constraining the further motion of the terminal sub-assembly 3.

The terminal must be free and detached from any connection while turning it. The breaker (not shown in the figure) must be kept in an isolated state while changing the position of the terminal.

Advantages:
• Multiple positions of termination for the same breaker using the same terminals
• Flexibility of terminals
• Overall profile, design and appearance of the flexible terminal
• The mechanism of achieving flexibility in the new flexible terminal
• Various sizes and shapes of new flexible terminal
• Feature of integrated adaptor in the new flexible terminal

WE CLAIM:

1. A flexible terminal arrangement for switchgear apparatus, said arrangement comprising :

(a) a cradle means;

(b) plurality of support means molded with said cradle means , said support means comprising :

a first side support means comprising :
a first front side support means mounted on said first side support means and
a first rear side support means mounted on said first side support means and

a second side support means comprising :
a second front side support means mounted on said second side support means and
a second rear side support means mounted on said second side support means ;

(c) a sub terminal assembly substantially placed in-between said first side support means and second support means , said assembly comprising :
a side cover means , said side cover means comprising :
a first side cover means having substantially a C shaped mould ;
a second side cover means having substantially a C shaped mould;
plurality of holes placed on said first side cover and second side cover ;
plurality of engagement means formed substantially on the inner side of said C shaped mould ;
plurality of fastener means ;
plurality of hole for fasteners substantially on the outer side of C shaped mould and
plurality of hole for fastening substantially on the inner side of C shaped mould;

a terminal means, said terminal means comprising
a terminal protrusion means on the front side of said terminal means ;
terminal ear means;
plurality of holes for termination ;
such that said terminal means gets accommodated in-between said first sub terminal means and second sub terminal means

plurality of cavity on the rear side of said terminal means;

(d) a disc means substantially placed in between said first and second front side support and sub terminal assembly, said disc means comprising : plurality of pip on said disc means .

2. Arrangement as claimed in claim 1 wherein said first front side support means comprises plurality of spring and plurality of recess.
3. Arrangement as claimed in claim 1 wherein said second front side support means comprises plurality of spring and plurality of recess.
4. Arrangement as claimed in claim 1 wherein said first rear support means comprises plurality of pip.
5. Arrangement as claimed in claim 1 wherein said second rear support means comprises plurality of pip.
6. Arrangement as claimed in claim 1 wherein support means adapted to constrain the motion with the terminal assembly by engagement of the protrusion in the side support with the cavity of the ear of the terminal.
7. Arrangement as claimed in claim 1 wherein said first side cover means and second side cover means are fastened together by said fasteners means.
8. Arrangement as claimed in claim 1 wherein said pip of support means accommodates in the holes /spring of first front side support and second front side support.

9. Arrangement as claimed in claim 1 wherein said holes of side cover means are facing the first and second rear support means.

10. Arrangement as claimed in claim 1 wherein said spring push said support disc away from said cradle to push said terminal assembly away from said cradle.

11. Arrangement as claimed in claim 10 wherein said terminal means is in horizontal state.

12. Arrangement as claimed in claim any of the preceding claims wherein said pips in first and second rear side support means engage with corresponding holes of side cover means adapted to constrain the swiveling motion of the sub terminal assembly.

13. Arrangement as claimed in claim 1 wherein said first front side support joins the second front side support to form a substantially ring shaped modular profile .

14. Arrangement as claimed in claim 1 wherein said first rear side support joins the second rear side support to form a substantially ring shaped modular profile.