Lockout, tagout device for slidelink energy isolation arrangement

Patent metadata

Field	Value
Publication number	US-10153102-B2
Application number	US-201615227584-A
Country	US
Kind code	B2
Filing date	Aug 3, 2016
Priority date	Aug 3, 2016
Publication date	Dec 11, 2018
Grant date	Dec 11, 2018

Abstract

A lockout, tagout (LOTO) device and associated implementation method for a switchable energy isolation device are provided. The isolation device includes first and second electrical terminal members and a slideable linkage disposed and in electrical communication therebetween for switching the electrical terminal members between isolated and non-isolated states. The LOTO device includes a cover member configured to extend over the terminal members and the linkage, and a fastener member coupled to the cover member. The fastener member is configured to engage the first or second electrical terminal member to secure the cover member to the isolation device. A tagging member is configured to engage the fastener member and a securing member engaged with the cover member, upon the cover member being secured to the isolation device, to prevent the fastener member from disengaging the first or second electrical terminal member without the tagging member disengaging the fastener member.

First claim

That which is claimed:

1. A lockout, tagout device for a switchable energy isolation device, the switchable energy isolation device including a first and second electrical terminal members and a slideable linkage being disposed and in electrical communication therebetween and configured to switch the first and second electrical terminal members between an isolated and a non-isolated state, the device comprising:
a cover member configured to engage the isolation device so as to extend over the first and second electrical terminal members and the slideable linkage therebetween;
a fastener member coupled to the cover member and configured to engage the first or second electrical terminal member so as to secure the cover member to the isolation device;
a securing member engaged with the cover member; and
a tagging member configured to engage the fastener member and the securing member, upon the cover member being secured to the isolation device, to prevent disengagement of the fastener member from the first or second electrical terminal member without disengagement of the tagging member from the fastener member; wherein the fastener member further includes serially-arranged first and second portions, the first portion configured to extend through an aperture defined by the cover member to engage the first or second electrical terminal member and cooperative with the second portion to secure the cover member to the isolation device.

2. The device of claim 1 , wherein the first portion of the fastener member has a diameter smaller than a diameter of the second portion of the fastener member, the second portion diameter being larger than a diameter of the aperture.

3. The device of claim 1 , wherein the first portion of the fastener member is configured engage the first or second electrical terminal member in a threaded engagement.

4. The device of claim 1 , wherein the fastener member and the securing member each define a tagging channel extending respectively therethrough, the tagging channels configured to receive the tagging member serially therethrough to secure the fastener member and the securing member together.

5. The device of claim 4 , wherein the tagging member is configured to form a continuous loop upon engagement with the tagging channels of the fastener member and the securing member.

6. The device of claim 5 , wherein the tagging member is configured to prevent the fastener member from disengaging the first or second electrical terminal member until the continuous loop of the tagging member is disengaged from the fastener member.

7. The device of claim 1 , wherein the cover member includes an indicia providing a visual warning that the slideable linkage of the switchable energy isolation device is disposed in the isolated state and a circuit in electrical communication with the isolation device has been de-energized.

8. The device of claim 1 , wherein the securing member is configured to engage the other of the first or second electrical terminal member so as to secure the cover member to the isolation device.

9. The device of claim 8 , wherein the tagging member configured to engage the fastener member and the securing member, and is configured to prevent disengagement of the securing member from the other of the first or second electrical terminal member without disengagement of the tagging member from the securing member.

10. A method of engaging a lockout, tagout device with a switchable energy isolation device, the switchable energy isolation device including a first and second electrical terminal members and a slideable linkage disposed and in electrical communication therebetween for switching the isolation device between an isolated and a non-isolated state, the method comprising:
engaging a cover member with the isolation device such that the cover member extends over the first and second electrical terminal members and the slideable linkage therebetween;
engaging a fastener member, coupled to the cover member, with the first or second electrical terminal member to secure the cover member to the isolation device;
engaging a tagging member with the fastener member and a securing member engaged with the cover member, upon the cover member being secured to the isolation device, to prevent disengagement of the fastener member from the first or second electrical terminal member without disengagement of the tagging member from the fastener member; wherein engaging the fastener member with the first or second electrical terminal member includes extending a first portion of the fastener member through an aperture defined by the cover member, the first portion of the fastener member having a diameter smaller than a diameter of a second portion of the fastener member serially extending therefrom, with the second portion diameter being larger than a diameter of the aperture.

11. The method of claim 10 , wherein engaging the fastener member with the first or second electrical terminal member includes engaging the fastener member with the first or second electrical terminal member in a threaded engagement.

12. The method of claim 10 , wherein engaging the tagging member with the fastener member and the securing member includes extending the tagging member serially through a tagging channel defined by each of the fastener member and the securing member, upon the cover member being secured to the isolation device.

13. The method of claim 12 , wherein engaging the tagging member with the fastener member and the securing member includes forming a continuous loop with the tagging member, upon the tagging member engaging the fastener member and the securing member, such that the fastener member is prevented from disengaging the first or second electrical terminal member without the continuous loop formed by the tagging member being disengaged from the fastener member.

14. The method of claim 10 further comprising engaging the securing member with the other of the first or second electrical terminal member so as to secure the cover member to the isolation device, the tagging member being configured to prevent disengagement of the securing member from the other of the first or second electrical terminal member without disengagement of the tagging member from the securing member.

Assignees

• Duke Energy Corp

Inventors

• Freeman Richard T

Classifications

• H01H2071/565

  using a add on unit, e.g. a separate rotary actuator unit, mounted on lever actuated circuit breakers · CPC title

• H01H9/22 Primary

  for interlocking between casing, cover, or protective shutter and mechanism for operating contacts {(explosion-proof cases H01H9/045; built-in fuses and interlocking mechanisms H01H9/104; by automatic release of circuit breakers H01H71/126)} · CPC title

• H01H9/283

  the part being removable · CPC title

• H01H9/282

  and a separate part mounted or mountable on the switch assembly and movable between an unlocking position and a locking position where it can be secured by the padlock · CPC title

• H01H15/02

  Details · CPC title