Metering assembly, switchboard case, adapter cradle and method of use

Patent metadata

Field	Value
Publication number	US-11927462-B2
Application number	US-202217689053-A
Country	US
Kind code	B2
Filing date	Mar 8, 2022
Priority date	Dec 12, 2018
Publication date	Mar 12, 2024
Grant date	Mar 12, 2024

Abstract

A metering assembly, switchboard case, adapter cradle and method of use are provided. A metering assembly of the present disclosure includes an intelligent electronic device (IED) disposed in a switchboard case. The switchboard case includes an enclosure which is connected to an electrical distribution system and a cover. The IED is mounted in a cradle which is removable from the enclosure. The cradle, or adaptor, interconnects electronics of the IED with an electrical circuit of the electrical distribution system. The cover includes a sealing mechanism which prevents removal of the cover and indicates when the cover has been tampered with. The cover further includes a sealed input/output interface which interconnects with input/output means of the IED disposed with the switchboard case. The enclosure and/or the cover have a gasket to seal the cover to the enclosure to making the switchboard case water-tight and enabled for used in outdoor applications.

First claim

What is claimed is:

1. A metering assembly comprising:
an enclosure having at least one first electrical connection disposed on an inner surface thereof, the at least one electrical connection coupled to at least one second electrical connection disposed on an outer surface of the enclosure, the at least one second electrical connection configured to be coupled to an electrical power distribution service;
a cradle configured for housing an intelligent electronic device (IED) and for being disposed in the enclosure, the cradle including at least one third electrical connection for coupling to the at least one first electrical connection, the at least one third electrical connection being coupled to at least one component of the IED; and
a cover configured to couple to an open end of the enclosure to enclose the IED in the enclosure,
wherein the enclosure further comprises a plate extending from the periphery of an open end of the enclosure in a perpendicular manner, the plate including a first surface and a second surface, the first surface of the plate includes a channel that surrounds the opening to the enclosure and the cover further comprises a corresponding lip configured on an inner surface of the cover so when the cover is placed on the plate the lip is disposed in the channel, wherein a gasket is disposed in the channel so when the cover is mounted on the plate, the gasket is compressed between the channel and the corresponding lip forming a water-tight seal preventing water or any other substance from entering the enclosure.

2. The metering assembly of claim 1 , wherein the IED is at least one of a Programmable Logic Controller (PLC), a Remote Terminal Units (RTU), an electric power meter, a panel meter, a protective relay, a fault recorder, a phase measurement unit, a serial switch, and a smart input/output device.

3. The metering assembly of claim 1 , further comprising a connection paddle configured to be disposed between the enclosure and the cradle for electrically coupling the at least one first electrical connection to the at least one third electrical connection.

4. The metering assembly of claim 3 , wherein the connection paddle includes a pivoting handle, wherein the pivoting handle is configured to extend beyond a plane of the enclosure when disposed in the enclosure to facilitate removal.

5. The metering assembly of claim 3 , wherein the connection paddle includes at least one grasping aperture configured to receive at least one member to grasp the connection paddle to facilitate removal of the connection paddle when disposed in the enclosure.

6. The metering assembly of claim 1 , wherein the cradle further comprises at least one gripping member to facilitate removal of the cradle from the enclosure.

7. The metering assembly of claim 1 , wherein the second surface of the plate is configured to make contact and secure the enclosure to a panel after the enclosure is disposed in a cutout of the panel, the second surface includes a channel configured to receive a gasket that prevents water from reaching the enclosure when secured to the panel.

8. The metering assembly of claim 1 , wherein the cover further includes a one-button release mechanism to facilitate removing the cover from the enclosure.

9. The metering assembly of claim 8 , wherein the cover further comprising a sealing mechanism to prevent access to the IED disposed in the enclosure and to indicate tampering.

10. The metering assembly of claim 1 , further comprising a retaining member disposed on the cradle and configured to maintain the at least one third electrical connection of the cradle at an appropriate position so that when the cradle is disposed in the enclosure the at least one third electrical connection of cradle does not make contact with the at least one first electrical connection of the enclosure.

11. A metering assembly comprising:
an enclosure having at least one first electrical connection disposed on an inner surface thereof, the at least one electrical connection coupled to at least one second electrical connection disposed on an outer surface of the enclosure, the at least one second electrical connection configured to be coupled to an electrical power distribution service;
a cradle configured for housing an intelligent electronic device (IED) and for being disposed in the enclosure, the cradle including at least one third electrical connection for coupling to the at least one first electrical connection, the at least one third electrical connection being coupled to at least one component of the IED; and
a cover configured to couple to an open end of the enclosure to enclose the IED in the enclosure,
wherein the cover further includes a one-button release mechanism to facilitate removing the cover from the enclosure.

12. The metering assembly of claim 11 , wherein the enclosure further comprises a plate extending from the periphery of an open end of the enclosure including a first surface and a second surface, the second surface of the plate configured to make contact and secure the enclosure to a panel after the enclosure is disposed in a cutout of the panel, the first surface including a retaining member configured to receive a latch of the one-button release mechanism to secure the cover to the enclosure.

13. The metering assembly of claim 12 , wherein the one-button release mechanism is coupled to the cover such that, upon actuating of a button portion of the one-button release mechanism, the latch pivots away from the retaining member to enable removal of the cover from the enclosure.

14. The metering assembly of claim 11 , further comprising a sealing mechanism to prevent access to the IED disposed in the enclosure and to indicate tampering.

15. The metering assembly of claim 14 , wherein the enclosure further comprises a plate extending from the periphery of an open end of the enclosure including a first surface and a second surface, the sealing mechanism includes at least one semi-circular member extending from the first surface and at least two semi-circular members extending from an outer surface of the cover, each semi-circular member including an aperture, when the cover is disposed over the plate, the at least one semi-circular member aligns with the at least two semi-circular members enabling a wire seal to be disposed through the apertures of the semi-circular members thereby sealing the cover to the enclosure.

16. The metering assembly of claim 11 , wherein the IED is at least one of a Programmable Logic Controller (PLC), a Remote Terminal Units (RTU), an electric power meter, a panel meter, a protective relay, a fault recorder, a phase measurement unit, a serial switch, and a smart input/output device.

17. A metering assembly comprising:
an enclosure having at least one first electrical connection disposed on an inner surface thereof, the at least one electrical connection coupled to at least one second electrical connection disposed on an outer surface of the enclosure, the at least one second electrical connection configured to be coupled to an electrical power distribution service;
a cradle configured for housing an intelligent electronic device (IED) and for being disposed in the enclosure, the cradle including at least one third electrical connection for coupling to the at least one first electrical connection, the at least one third electrical connection being coupled to at least one component of the IED; and
a cover configured to couple to an open end of the enclosure to enclose the IED in the enclosure,
wherein the enclosure further comprises a plate extending

Assignees

• Electro Industries/Gauge Tech
• Ei Electronics Llc

Inventors

• Banhegyesi Tibor
• Martinez Edward

Classifications

• G01D4/004 Primary

  Remote reading of utility meters to a fixed location · CPC title

• G01R21/133

  by using digital technique · CPC title

• H02G3/088 Primary

  Dustproof, splashproof, drip-proof, waterproof, or flameproof casings or inlets · CPC title

• H02G3/14

  Fastening of cover or lid to box · CPC title

• G01R1/04

  Housings; Supporting members; Arrangements of terminals · CPC title