Method and apparatus for automatic engagement of arc reduction technology

Patent metadata

Field	Value
Publication number	US-10290452-B2
Application number	US-201715674704-A
Country	US
Kind code	B2
Filing date	Aug 11, 2017
Priority date	Aug 11, 2017
Publication date	May 14, 2019
Grant date	May 14, 2019

Abstract

An automatic actuator assembly including a passive actuator assembly and a detection assembly is operatively coupled to an arc reduction assembly. The passive actuator assembly is coupled to the arc reduction assembly and structured to move the arc reduction assembly between a disengaged, first configuration and an engaged, second configuration.

First claim

What is claimed is:

1. An automatic actuator assembly for an arc reduction assembly in an electrical component system, said electrical component system including a housing assembly with a number of doors, an arc reduction assembly and an electrical component, said electrical component structured to provide a power to external constructs, said arc reduction assembly structured to reduce the likelihood of an electrical arc within the electrical component system housing assembly, said arc reduction assembly structured to be in one of, and to move between, a disengaged, first configuration and an engaged, second configuration, said automatic actuator assembly comprising:
a passive actuator assembly coupled to said arc reduction assembly and structured to configure said arc reduction assembly in one of the said first configuration or said second configuration;
said passive actuator assembly further structured to receive and react to a proximity communication, wherein, when said proximity communication is not present, said passive actuator assembly configures said arc reduction assembly in said disengaged, first configuration, and wherein, when said proximity communication is present, said passive actuator assembly configures said arc reduction assembly in said engaged, second configuration;
a detection assembly, said detection assembly structured to detect at least one of the presence of a user adjacent said housing assembly or movement of the housing assembly door; and
said detection assembly further structured to provide a proximity communication to said passive actuator assembly.

2. The automatic actuator assembly of claim 1 wherein:
said detection assembly includes an electronic sensor assembly;
said sensor assembly structured to detect a user adjacent said housing assembly; and
said sensor assembly structured to provide a proximity communication to said passive actuator assembly.

3. The automatic actuator assembly of claim 2 wherein:
said passive actuator assembly is in electronic communication with said sensor assembly and is structured to receive a proximity communication signal; and
wherein said sensor assembly is structured to provide a proximity communication signal upon detecting a user adjacent said housing assembly.

4. The automatic actuator assembly of claim 3 wherein:
said passive actuator assembly is in electronic communication with said detection assembly and is structured to receive a proximity communication signal;
said sensor assembly includes a contact sensor;
said contact sensor includes a movable member structured to move between a first position and a second position that corresponds to the position of the associated housing assembly door; and
said detection assembly is structured to provide a proximity communication signal when said contact sensor movable member is in said second position.

5. The automatic actuator assembly of claim 3 wherein said sensor assembly is one of an induction proximity sensor, a pressure sensor, a sonic sensor, or an optical sensor.

6. The automatic actuator assembly of claim 1 wherein:
said detection assembly includes a mechanical interface assembly;
said mechanical interface assembly operatively coupled to an associated housing assembly door;
said mechanical interface assembly structured to move between a first configuration and a second configuration, wherein said mechanical interface assembly is in said first configuration when said associated housing assembly door is in a closed, first position, and wherein said mechanical interface assembly is in said second configuration when said associated housing assembly door is in an open, second position.

7. The automatic actuator assembly of claim 6 wherein:
said mechanical interface assembly includes a door interface member and a linkage assembly;
said passive actuator assembly includes a mechanical interface member;
said door interface member operatively coupled to the associated housing assembly door and structured to move between a first position and a second position that corresponds to the position of said associated housing assembly door;
said door interface member operatively coupled to said linkage assembly;
said linkage assembly operatively coupled to said mechanical interface member;
said mechanical interface member structured to move between a first position and a second position corresponding to the position of said associated housing assembly door; and
wherein said mechanical interface member is operatively coupled to said arc reduction assembly.

8. The automatic actuator assembly of claim 7 wherein said mechanical interface assembly is structured to provide a mechanical proximity communication.

9. The automatic actuator assembly of claim 6 wherein:
said passive actuator assembly is in mechanical communication with said detection assembly and is structured to receive a mechanical proximity communication; and
wherein; when said mechanical interface assembly is in said second configuration; said mechanical interface assembly provides said mechanical proximity communication.

10. The automatic actuator assembly of claim 6 wherein:
said mechanical interface assembly includes a biasing device; and
said mechanical interface assembly is biased toward said second configuration.

11. An electrical component system comprising:
a housing assembly with a number of doors;
an arc reduction assembly disposed within said housing assembly, said arc reduction assembly structured to reduce the likelihood of an electrical arc within the electrical component system housing assembly;
said arc reduction assembly structured to be in one of, and to move between, a disengaged, first configuration and an engaged, second configuration;
an electrical component disposed within said housing assembly, said electrical component structured to provide a power to external constructs;
an automatic actuator assembly substantially disposed within said housing assembly, said automatic actuator assembly including a passive actuator assembly and a detection assembly;
said passive actuator assembly coupled to said arc reduction assembly and structured to configure said arc reduction assembly in one of the said first configuration or said second configuration;
said passive actuator assembly further structured to receive and react to a proximity communication, wherein, when said proximity communication is not present, said passive actuator assembly configures said arc reduction assembly in said disengaged, first configuration, and a wherein, when said proximity communication is present, said passive actuator assembly configures said arc reduction assembly in said engaged, second configuration;
said detection assembly structured to detect at least one of the presence of a user adjacent said housing assembly or movement of the housing assembly door; and
said detection assembly further structured to provide a proximity communication to said passive actuator assembly.

12. The electrical component system of claim 11 wherein:
said detection assembly includes an electronic sensor assembly;
said sensor assembly structured to detect a user adjacent said housing assembly; and
said sensor assembly structured to provide a proximity communication to said passive actuator assembly.

13. The electrical component system of claim 12 wherein:
said passive actuator assembly is in electronic communication with said sensor assembly and is structured to receive a proximity communication signal; and
wherein said sensor assembly is structured to provide a proximity communication signal upon detecting a user adjacent said housing assembly.

Assignees

• Eaton Intelligent Power Ltd

Inventors

• Leeman Daniel Jason
• Secosky Forrest Dustin
• Wallace Brian Christopher
• Newman Paul

Classifications

• H03K17/945

  Proximity switches (H03K17/96 takes precedence) · CPC title

• H01H9/226

  the casing containing electrical equipment other than and operated by the switch · CPC title

• H01H71/10 Primary

  Operating or release mechanisms · CPC title

• H01H3/161

  for actuation by moving a closing member, e.g. door, cover or lid (the switch controlling enclosed equipment H01H9/226; switches operated by a removable member, wherein one single insertion movement of a key comprises an unlocking stroke and a switch actuating stroke, e.g. security switch for safety guards H01H27/002) · CPC title

• H01H2083/203

  with shunt trip circuits, e.g. NC contact in an undervoltage coil circuit · CPC title