Claims:
1. A modular switchgear assembly for electrically coupling a circuit breaker to a cradle terminal, the modular switchgear assembly comprising:
a jaw assembly that comprises a plurality of jaws clusters and a plurality of fingers configured with a breaker adapter wherein a plurality of springs are pre-loaded with said jaw assembly with the help of support pins;
a jaw cage operatively coupled with said jaw assembly wherein said fingers are positioned within the jaw cage such that circular portion of the fingers are available on bent side of the jaw cage and bent portion of the jaw cage fits in slots available in the breaker adapter; and
a cradle terminal is fixed on a terminal support by a holding bracket wherein said cradle terminal is configured to connect with the fingers of the jaw assembly by the action of spring force that provides adequate contact pressure at the connection terminal.
2. The assembly as claimed in claim 1, wherein said fingers have a circular profile that fits in profile of the breaker adapter.
3. The assembly as claimed in claim 1, wherein a protruded surface of the jaw cage rests in a slot available in a finger.
4. The assembly as claimed in claim 1, wherein extension springs are inserted in a jaw cluster from both ends and fits in a slot available in a finger.
5. The assembly as claimed in claim 1, wherein the jaw assembly is self-lockable on terminal of the breaker adapter.
6. The assembly as claimed in claim 1, wherein flaps available on jaw cage covers jaw spring and locks its movement sideways upto sufficient extent with the help of support pins.
7. The assembly as claimed in claim 1, wherein swiveling of jaw clusters is configured to be limited by wall of the jaw cage such that after required swiveling of jaw clusters wall of jaw cage comes in front of wall of breaker adapter which locks further swiveling of jaw clusters.
8. The assembly as claimed in claim 1, wherein said jaw cluster is configured to align itself so that it can accommodate the cradle terminal in a horizontal position.
9. The assembly as claimed in claim 1, wherein during rack-in condition, said fingers are held by the cradle terminal.
, Description:TECHNICAL FIELD
[0001] The present disclosure relates generally to switchgear devices for protecting electrical circuits against fault current conditions and distributing the electric current to power distribution systems such as but not limited to bus bars. In particular, the present invention discloses a modular assembly for use with switchgear devices that improves contact area and increases contact attraction of electrical contacts of the switchgear device that inturn improves thermal performance of the switchgear device.

BACKGROUND
[0002] Circuit breakers are most commonly used to protect electrical systems against overload and short circuit conditions. However, large circuit breakers that carry thousands of amperes of current are oftentimes installed into metal-enclosed switchgear assemblies. These switchgear assemblies have large electrical conductors called bus bars that transmit current from a power source, such as a power utility, through the circuit breakers, to loads that are protected by the circuit breaker. These large circuit breakers, which can weigh hundreds of pounds, are typically lifted into the switchgear and racked by mounting the circuit breakers into a draw-out cradle. Further, a manually controlled or remotely operated mechanism is typically utilized to crank the draw-out cradle and rack the circuit breaker into the switchgear and complete an electrical circuit which is protected by the breaker.
[0003] Switchgear assemblies are used to connect terminals of a device to terminals of the cradle during connected position using fingers of conductor loaded with spring force to provide adequate contact pressure at the joints. However, providing a conductive path with less resistance to flow of electric current between cradle and device terminals is critical in a withdraw type switching device as the mechanical joints formed by these conductors will play a crucial role in the heat generation of the device and heat flow in the system during an abnormal electrical condition such as short circuit or overload conditions.
[0004] There is therefore a need for a protection device that can protect electrical systems against fault current conditions and distribute the electric current to a power distribution device such as but not limited to a bus bar by improving contact area and increasing contact attraction of electrical contacts of the switchgear device and thus improving thermal performance of the switchgear device.

OBJECTS OF THE INVENTION
[0005] A general object of the present disclosure is to provide a modular assembly for use with a switchgear device that uses fewer components for assembly of a single modular unit.
[0006] Another object of the present disclosure is to provide a modular assembly for use with a switchgear device that is easy to assemble.
[0007] Another object of the present disclosure is to provide a modular assembly for use with a switchgear device that improves maintainability of circuit breaker integrated therewith.
[0008] Another object of the present disclosure is to provide a modular assembly for use with a switchgear device that increases contact area and ensures consistent contact pressure of electrical contacts of the switchgear device.
[0009] Another object of the present disclosure is to provide a modular assembly for use with a switchgear device that increases contact attraction between electrical contacts of the switchgear device.
[0010] Another object of the present disclosure is to provide a modular assembly for use with a switchgear device that enhances thermal performance of the switchgear device.
[0011] Another object of the present disclosure is to provide a modular assembly for use with a switchgear device that eliminates the problem of loss of spring force due to change in assembly dimension.
[0012] Another object of the present disclosure is to provide a modular assembly for use with a switchgear device that eliminates overheating of jaw cage.
[0013] Another object of the present disclosure is to provide a modular assembly for use with a switchgear device that enables high convection rate for the heat in the switchgear device.

SUMMARY
[0014] The present disclosure relates generally to switchgear devices for protecting electrical circuits against fault current conditions and distributing the electric current to power distribution systems such as but not limited to bus bars. In particular, the present invention discloses a modular assembly for use with switchgear devices that improves contact area and increases contact attraction of electrical contacts of the switchgear device that inturn improves thermal performance of the switchgear device.
[0015] In an aspect, the present disclosure provides a modular switchgear assembly for electrically coupling a circuit breaker to a cradle terminal wherein the modular switchgear assembly consists of a jaw assembly that consists of a plurality of jaws clusters and a plurality of fingers configured with a breaker adapter wherein a plurality of springs are pre-loaded with said jaw assembly with the help of support pins, a jaw cage operatively coupled with said jaw assembly wherein said fingers are positioned within the jaw cage such that circular portion of the fingers are available on bent side of the jaw cage and bent portion of the jaw cage fits in slots available in the breaker adapter, and a cradle terminal that is fixed on a terminal support by a holding bracket wherein said cradle terminal is configured to connect with the fingers of the jaw assembly by the action of spring force that provides adequate contact pressure at the connection terminal.
[0016] In an embodiment, said fingers have a circular profile that fits in profile of the breaker adapter wherein during rack-in condition, fingers are held by the cradle terminal.
[0017] In an aspect, a protruded surface of the jaw cage rests in a slot available in a finger and extension springs are inserted in a jaw cluster from both ends and fits in a slot available in a finger.
[0018] In an aspect, the jaw assembly is self-lockable on terminal of the breaker adapter and flaps available on jaw cage covers jaw spring and locks its movement sideways upto sufficient extent with the help of support pins.
[0019] In an aspect, swiveling of jaw clusters is configured to be limited by wall of the jaw cage such that after required swiveling of jaw clusters wall of jaw cage comes in front of wall of breaker adapter which locks further swiveling of jaw clusters.
[0020] In an aspect, the jaw cluster is configured to align itself so that it can accommodate the cradle terminal in a horizontal position.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0021] The accompanying drawings are included to provide a further understanding of the present disclosure, and are incorporated in and constitute a part of this specification. The drawings illustrate exemplary embodiments of the present disclosure and, together with the description, serve to explain the principles of the present disclosure.
[0022] Fig. 1 illustrates an exemplary representation of a circuit breaker with breaker adapter mounted along with a jaw assembly in accordance with embodiments of the present disclosure.
[0023] Fig. 2 illustrates an exemplary representation of jaw assembly assembled on breaker adapter in accordance with embodiments of the present disclosure.
[0024] Fig. 3 illustrates an exemplary representation of breaker adapter configured with jaw assembly and cradle terminal in accordance with embodiments of the present disclosure.
[0025] Fig. 4A illustrates an exemplary exploded view of jaw assembly in accordance with embodiments of the present disclosure.
[0026] Fig. 4B illustrates an exemplary isometric view of jaw assembly in accordance with embodiments of the present disclosure.
[0027] Fig. 5A and Fig. 5B illustrate exemplary representations of extreme swivelling of jaw assembly in accordance with embodiments of the present disclosure.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION
[0028] The following is a detailed description of embodiments of the disclosure depicted in the accompanying drawings. The embodiments are in such details as to clearly communicate the disclosure. However, the amount of detail offered is not intended to limit the anticipated variations of embodiments; on the contrary, the intention is to cover all modifications, equivalents, and alternatives falling within the spirit and scope of the present disclosure as defined by the appended claims.
[0029] Embodiments explained herein relate to switchgear devices for protecting electrical circuits against fault current conditions and distributing the electric current to power distribution systems such as but not limited to bus bars. In particular, the present invention discloses a modular assembly for use with switchgear devices that improves contact area and increases contact attraction of electrical contacts of the switchgear device that inturn improves thermal performance of the switchgear device.
[0030] In an aspect, the present disclosure provides a modular switchgear assembly for electrically coupling a circuit breaker to a cradle terminal wherein the modular switchgear assembly consists of a jaw assembly that consists of a plurality of jaws clusters and a plurality of fingers configured with a breaker adapter wherein a plurality of springs are pre-loaded with said jaw assembly with the help of support pins, a jaw cage operatively coupled with said jaw assembly wherein said fingers are positioned within the jaw cage such that circular portion of the fingers are available on bent side of the jaw cage and bent portion of the jaw cage fits in slots available in the breaker adapter, and a cradle terminal that is fixed on a terminal support by a holding bracket wherein said cradle terminal is configured to connect with the fingers of the jaw assembly by the action of spring force that provides adequate contact pressure at the connection terminal.
[0031] In an embodiment, said fingers have a circular profile that fits in profile of the breaker adapter wherein during rack-in condition, fingers are held by the cradle terminal.
[0032] In an aspect, a protruded surface of the jaw cage rests in a slot available in a finger and extension springs are inserted in a jaw cluster from both ends and fits in a slot available in a finger.
[0033] In an aspect, swiveling of jaw clusters is configured to be limited by wall of the jaw cage such that after required swiveling of jaw clusters wall of jaw cage comes in front of wall of breaker adapter which locks further swiveling of jaw clusters.
[0034] In an aspect, the jaw cluster is configured to align itself so that it can accommodate the cradle terminal in a horizontal position.
[0035] Fig. 1 illustrates an exemplary representation of a circuit breaker 102 with breaker adapter 104 mounted along with a jaw assembly 106 wherein a breaker adapter 104 is configured with a jaw assembly 106 such that the jaw assembly 106 provides electrical connection between the breaker adapter 104 and a cradle terminal of a power distribution device such as but not limited to a bus bar.
[0036] Fig. 2 illustrates an exemplary representation of jaw assembly 106 assembled on breaker adapter 104 wherein the jaw assembly 106 that consists of a plurality of jaw clusters 202 is self-locked on breaker adapter 104 for ease of maintenance and breaker adapter 104 is designed in such a way that during rack-in and rack-out operations, fingers of the jaw assembly 106 remains intact with the breaker 102.
[0037] Fig. 3 illustrates an exemplary representation of breaker adapter 104 configured with jaw assembly 106 and cradle terminal 302 wherein when current flows from/to breaker adapter 104, it branches via contact jaw finger 402 (as shown clearly in Fig. 4A). Further, as current flows in same direction, the two entities separated by a distance will experience an attractive force which in turn strengthens the contact pressure of the breaker adapter terminal 104 and cradle terminal 302.
[0038] Fig. 4A illustrates an exemplary exploded view of jaw assembly wherein fingers 402 of plurality of jaw clusters 202 are configured to be trapped on a jaw cage 404 and springs 406 is pre-loaded on the jaw assembly 106 with help of support pin 408. Fingers 402 at one end acts as a single entity which nullifies eddy loop formed at individual finger level. Further, the disclosed assembly implies less number of components and lesser operational costs.
[0039] In an embodiment, said jaw cage 404 is designed such that assembly of jaw assembly 106 is highly simplified as it does not involve any secondary operation such as welding, riveting or bending during assembly of various components. Further, manufacturing of jaw cage 404 is very simple and economical due to its innovative design. Its manufacturing process involves simple punching and bending operations and design of the jaw cage 404 is such that sufficient tolerances and are provided that enhances life of the jaw cage 404. Additionally, as jaw cage 404 does not carry any load in service position, soft material can be used which reduces required capacity of punching tool as well as bending tool and thus, drastically reduces its manufacturing cost.
[0040] In an aspect, the jaw assembly 106 is self-lockable on terminal of the breaker adapter 104 and flaps available on jaw cage 404 covers jaw spring 406 and locks its movement sideways upto sufficient extent with the help of support pins 408.
[0041] Fig. 4B illustrates an exemplary isometric view of jaw assembly wherein fingers 402 are inserted in the jaw cage 404 with circular portion of fingers 402 on bent side of the jaw cage 404. Protrusion of jaw cage 404 goes in slot available on the finger 402. Further, an extension spring 410 is inserted in the jaw assembly 106 from both the ends & fits in slot available on the finger 402.
[0042] In an aspect, design of the jaw cage 404 allows flaps of the jaw cage 404 to cover the spring 406 and locking its movement sidewise with the help of support pins 408.
[0043] Fig. 5A and Fig. 5B illustrate exemplary representations of extreme swivelling of jaw assembly wherein Fig. 5A depicts left extreme position of swivelled jaw assembly 106 whilst Fig. 5B depicts right extreme position of swivelled jaw assembly 106.
[0044] In an aspect, cradle terminal 302 may not exactly come in front of jaw fingers 402 due to manufacturing & assembly tolerances. Moreover, when entry chamfer of cradle terminal 302 comes in front of the finger 402, swivelling of cluster 106 allows accommodating the cluster 106 in the cradle terminal 302.
[0045] While the foregoing describes various embodiments of the invention, other and further embodiments of the invention may be devised without departing from the basic scope thereof. The scope of the invention is determined by the claims that follow. The invention is not limited to the described embodiments, versions or examples, which are included to enable a person having ordinary skill in the art to make and use the invention when combined with information and knowledge available to the person having ordinary skill in the art.

ADVANTAGES OF THE INVENTION
[0046] The present disclosure provides a modular assembly for use with a switchgear device that uses fewer components for assembly of a single modular unit.
[0047] The present disclosure provides a modular assembly for use with a switchgear device that is easy to assemble.
[0048] The present disclosure provides a modular assembly for use with a switchgear device that improves maintainability of circuit breaker integrated therewith.
[0049] The present disclosure provides a modular assembly for use with a switchgear device that increases contact area and ensures consistent contact pressure of electrical contacts of the switchgear device.
[0050] The present disclosure provides a modular assembly for use with a switchgear device that increases contact attraction between electrical contacts of the switchgear device.
[0051] The present disclosure provides a modular assembly for use with a switchgear device that enhances thermal performance of the switchgear device.
[0052] The present disclosure provides a modular assembly for use with a switchgear device that eliminates the problem of loss of spring force due to change in assembly dimension.
[0053] The present disclosure provides a modular assembly for use with a switchgear device that eliminates overheating of jaw cage.
[0054] The present disclosure provides a modular assembly for use with a switchgear device that enables high convection rate for the heat in the switchgear device.