Shutter interlock devices, systems, and methods of use thereof

Patent metadata

Field	Value
Publication number	US-10027096-B2
Application number	US-201615050941-A
Country	US
Kind code	B2
Filing date	Feb 23, 2016
Priority date	Feb 23, 2016
Publication date	Jul 17, 2018
Grant date	Jul 17, 2018

Abstract

A shutter interlock device for an electrical enclosure includes a shutter link defining a lock slot, an actuating member rotatably coupled to the electrical enclosure, and a sliding link. The sliding link includes a first end coupled to the actuating member, a second end opposite the first end, and a pin coupled to the second end, where a rotation of the actuating member causes the pin to selectively disengage the lock slot.

First claim

What is claimed is:

1. A shutter interlock device for an electrical enclosure, said shutter interlock device comprising:
a shutter link defining a lock slot;
an actuating member rotatably coupled to the electrical enclosure; and
a sliding link comprising:
a first end directly coupled to said actuating member;
a second end opposite said first end; and
a pin coupled to said second end, wherein a rotation of said actuating member causes said pin to selectively disengage the lock slot;
wherein the electrical enclosure includes at least one shutter, and wherein said shutter link further defines at least one link slot that is configured to rotatably couple said shutter link to the at least one shutter.

2. A shutter interlock device in accordance with claim 1 , wherein said pin extends away from said second end toward an interior of the electrical enclosure.

3. A shutter interlock device in accordance with claim 1 further comprising an actuating roller coupled to said actuating member.

4. A shutter interlock device in accordance with claim 1 further comprising a bias member coupled between said actuating member and the electrical enclosure, wherein said actuating member is rotatable between a first position and a second position.

5. A shutter interlock device in accordance with claim 4 , wherein said bias member is configured to maintain said actuating member in the first position until a sufficient force is exerted upon said actuating member and causes said actuating member to rotate to the second position.

6. A shutter interlock device in accordance with claim 4 , wherein said bias member is a spring.

7. A shutter interlock device for an electrical enclosure, said shutter interlock device comprising:
a shutter link defining a lock slot;
an actuating member rotatably coupled to the electrical enclosure; and
a sliding link comprising:
a first end directly coupled to said actuating member;
a second end opposite said first end; and

a pin coupled to said second end, wherein a rotation of said actuating member causes said pin to selectively disengage the lock slot; and
a lock bracket coupled to the electrical enclosure and defining a first lock aperture, wherein a second lock aperture is defined through said sliding link first end, the first and second lock apertures configured to receive a lock therethrough to prevent said pin from disengaging the lock slot.

8. An electrical enclosure comprising:
an access panel configured to receive at least one circuit breaker;
at least one voltage line terminal;
at least one shutter assembly coupled to said electrical enclosure and configured to cover said at least one voltage line terminal when the at least one circuit breaker is absent, and configured to expose said at least one voltage line terminal when the at least one circuit breaker is present;
a frame member coupled to said electrical enclosure; and
a shutter interlock device comprising:
a shutter link defining a lock slot;
an actuating member rotatably coupled to said electrical enclosure; and
a sliding link comprising:
a first end coupled to said actuating member;
a second end opposite said first end; and
a pin coupled to said second end, wherein a rotation of said actuating member causes said pin to selectively disengage the lock slot.

9. An electrical enclosure in accordance with claim 8 , wherein said pin extends away from said second end toward an interior of said electrical enclosure.

10. An electrical enclosure in accordance with claim 8 , wherein said at least one shutter assembly comprises at least one shutter, and wherein said shutter link further defines at least one link slot that is configured to rotatably couple said shutter link to said at least one shutter.

11. An electrical enclosure in accordance with claim 8 further comprising an actuating roller coupled to said actuating member.

12. An electrical enclosure in accordance with claim 8 further comprising a bias member coupled between said actuating member and said electrical enclosure, wherein said actuating member is rotatable between a first position and a second position.

13. An electrical enclosure in accordance with claim 12 , wherein said bias member is configured to maintain said actuating member in the first position until a sufficient force is exerted upon said actuating member and causes said actuating member to rotate to the second position.

14. An electrical enclosure in accordance with claim 12 , wherein said bias member is a spring.

15. An electrical enclosure in accordance with claim 8 further comprising a lock bracket coupled to said electrical enclosure and defining a first lock aperture, wherein a second lock aperture is defined through said sliding link first end, the first and second lock apertures configured to receive a lock therethrough to prevent said pin from disengaging the lock slot.

16. A method of operating a shutter for an electrical enclosure, the electrical enclosure including a shutter assembly and a voltage line terminal, said method comprising:
receiving, during a non-operational state of the electrical enclosure, at least one circuit breaker;
contacting, with the at least one circuit breaker, an actuating member rotatably coupled to the electrical enclosure to rotate the actuating member, wherein the rotation of the actuating member exerts a first force upon a first end of a sliding link coupled the actuating member;
causing, via the first force, movement of the sliding link, the sliding link further including a second end opposite the first end and having a pin coupled thereto, the movement disengaging the pin from a lock slot defined in a shutter link rotatably coupled to the shutter assembly; and
unlocking the shutter link to facilitate movement of the shutter assembly away from the voltage line terminal.

17. A method in accordance with claim 16 further comprising:
removing, during an operational state of the electrical enclosure, the at least one circuit breaker from the electrical enclosure.

18. A method in accordance with claim 17 further comprising:
relaxing a bias member coupled between the actuating member and the electrical enclosure; and
rotating the actuating member about a pivot point to exert a second force upon the first end of the sliding link in a direction opposite the first force.

19. A method in accordance with claim 18 further comprising:
causing, via the second force, movement of the sliding link; and
engaging the lock slot with the pin to lock the shutter assembly in a position covering the voltage line terminal.

Assignees

• Gen Electric

Inventors

• Jakkireddy Ayyappa Reddy
• Rajauria Samir
• Purohit Shravan
• Kurra Guru Moorthy
• Pokkula Lenin
• Kumar Naveen

Classifications

• H02B11/24 Primary

  Shutters or guards · CPC title

• H02B1/14

  Shutters or guards for preventing access to contacts (shielding of isolating-contacts in withdrawable switchgear H02B11/24) · CPC title