System for isolating power conductors using slidable insulating sheets

Patent metadata

Field	Value
Publication number	US-10720765-B2
Application number	US-201816133103-A
Country	US
Kind code	B2
Filing date	Sep 17, 2018
Priority date	Sep 17, 2018
Publication date	Jul 21, 2020
Grant date	Jul 21, 2020

Abstract

A system for isolating a power conductor includes a power conductor that extends between first and second flanking support structures. First and second collars are connected respectively to the first and second flanking support structures. The first and second collars each at least partially surround the power conductor and including respective first and second open tracks that cooperate with each other to define a sheet-receiving slot. An electrically insulating/insulative sheet is located in the sheet-receiving slot and extends continuously between the first and second collars. The sheet is secured in covering relation with the power conductor.

First claim

The following is claimed:

1. A system for isolating power conductors, said system comprising:
a power conductor that extends between first and second flanking support structures;
first and second collars connected respectively to the first and second flanking support structures, said first and second collars each at least partially surrounding the power conductor and including respective first and second open tracks that cooperate with each other to define a sheet-receiving slot; and,
an electrically insulative sheet located in the sheet-receiving slot and extending continuously between the first and second collars, said sheet secured in covering relation with the power conductor.

2. The system as set forth in claim 1 , wherein the electrically insulative sheet is operatively secured and defines a tubular structure that covers the power conductor between the first and second collars.

3. The system as set forth in claim 2 , wherein at least one sheet fastener is used to secure the electrically insulative sheet to itself such that the sheet defines said tubular structure.

4. The system as set forth in claim 2 , wherein the electrically insulative sheet includes at least one slit and at least one corresponding tab that is received and retained in the at least one slit to secure the electrically insulative sheet to itself.

5. The system as set forth in claim 1 , wherein each of the first and second collars comprise first and second collar components that are secured together.

6. The system as set forth in claim 5 , wherein the first and second collar components include respective first and second track portions that cooperate to define said track when said first and second collar components are connected together.

7. The system as set forth in claim 2 , wherein the sheet comprises first and second opposite lateral edges, at least one of said lateral edges comprising a stop portion that projects therefrom and that contacts one of the first and second collars to provide a stop when said sheet is operatively installed in the sheet-receiving slot.

8. The system as set forth in claim 2 , wherein the sheet comprises first and second opposite lateral edges that respectively include first and second stop portions that project therefrom that respectively contact the first and second collars to provide a stop when said sheet is operatively installed in the sheet-receiving slot.

9. The system as set forth in claim 1 , wherein the system has a maximum voltage rating of up to and including 600 Volts AC (VAC) and has a maximum current rating of up to and including 3200 Amperes (A).

10. A method for isolating a power conductor that extends between first and second flanking support structures, said method comprising:
connecting first and second collars respectively to the first and second flanking support structures such that said first and second collars each at least partially surround the power conductor and such that respective first and second open tracks of the first and second collars are arranged in opposed facing relation so as to define a sheet-receiving slot adapted to receive an electrically insulative flexible sheet; and,
slidably inserting an electrically insulative flexible sheet into the sheet-receiving slot so that said electrically insulative flexible sheet extends continuously between the first and second collars and forms a tubular structure arranged in covering relation with the power conductor between the first and second collars.

11. The method as set forth in claim 10 , further comprising securing first and second portions of the electrically insulative sheet together such that said electrically insulative sheet is secured to itself.

12. The method as set forth in claim 11 , wherein said step of securing said first and second portions of the electrically insulative sheet together comprises inserting at least one sheet fastener through the first and second portions of the sheet.

13. The method as set forth in claim 11 , wherein said step of securing said first and second portions of the electrically insulative sheet together comprises inserting a tab located on the first portion of the sheet through a slit located on the second portion of the sheet such that said tab is received and retained in the slit to secure the electrically insulative sheet to itself.

14. The method as set forth in claim 10 , wherein the step of connecting the first and second collars to the first and second flanking support structures comprises, for each of the first and second collars, connecting first and second collar components together to define the collar.

15. The method as set forth in claim 14 , further comprising:
defining the first open track of the first collar by aligning first and second track portions of the first and second collar components of the first collar; and,
defining the second open track of the second collar by aligning first and second track portions of the first and second collar components of the second collar.

16. The method as set forth in claim 10 , wherein said step of slidably inserting the electrically insulative sheet into the sheet-receiving slot comprises sliding said sheet into the sheet-receiving slot until a stop portion of the sheet contacts one of the first and second collars such that contact between the stop portion and the collar inhibits further sliding insertion of the sheet into the slot.

17. The method as set forth in claim 10 , wherein said step of slidably inserting the electrically insulative sheet into the sheet-receiving slot comprises sliding said sheet into the sheet-receiving slot until first and second stop portions that project respectively outwardly from the first and second lateral sides of the sheet contact the first and second collars, respectively, such that contact between the first and second stop portions and the respective first and second collars inhibits further sliding insertion of the sheet into the slot.

18. A system for isolating an associated power conductor, said system comprising:
first and second collars adapted to be connected respectively to first and second associated support structures with said first and second collars each at least partially surrounding an associated power conductor, said first and second collars including respective first and second open tracks that cooperate with each other to define a sheet-receiving slot; and,
an electrically insulative sheet adapted to be located in the sheet-receiving slot and define a tubular insulating structure that extends continuously between the first and second collars in covering relation with the associated power conductor.

19. The system as set forth in claim 18 , further comprising at least one fastener for securing the sheet to itself to define said tubular insulating structure.

Assignees

• Rockwell Automation Tech Inc

Inventors

• Serdynski David P
• Meyer Dean T

Classifications

• H02B1/14

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

• H01B17/56

  Insulating bodies · CPC title

• F16B33/004

  Sealing; Insulation (by means of washers F16B43/001) · CPC title

• H02G5/06 Primary

  Totally-enclosed installations, e.g. in metal casings · CPC title

• H02B1/21 Primary

  Bus-bar arrangements for rack-mounted devices with withdrawable units · CPC title