Note: Descriptions are shown in the official language in which they were submitted.
INTEGRATED SWITCHGEAR ASSEMBLY
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS
[0001] This application claims priority to co-pending U.S. Provisional
Patent Application
No. 63/105,705, filed October 26, 2020, the entire content of which is
incorporated herein by
reference.
FIELD OF THE DISCLOSURE
[0002] The present disclosure relates to solid dielectric switchgear, and
more particularly to
reclosers.
BACKGROUND OF THE DISCLOSURE
[0003] Reclosers are switchgear that provide line protection, for example,
on overhead
electrical power lines and/or substations. Reclosers serve to segment the
circuits into smaller
sections, reducing the number of potentially impacted customers in the event
of a short circuit.
Previously, reclosers were controlled using hydraulics. More recently, solid
dielectric reclosers
have been developed for use at voltages up to 38 kV. Solid dielectric
reclosers may be paired
with electronic control devices to provide automation and "smart" recloser
functionality.
[0004] Reclosers and other switchgear are typically sold to an end user as
individual units.
The end user may then need to procure any required accessories, such as power
transformers,
lighting arrestors, or the like, often from various suppliers. The end user
must then mount the
switchgear and any required accessories, ensure the installation meets
required line-to-line and
line-to-ground clearance requirements, and perform all wiring between the
switchgear and the
accessories in the field.
SUMMARY OF THE DISCLOSURE
[0005] A need exists for fault protection and circuit segmentation in power
transmission
circuits, which typically operate at higher voltages (e.g., up to 1,100 kV).
Reclosers allow for
multiple automated attempts to clear temporary faults on overhead lines. In
power transmission
systems, this function is typically achieved using circuit breakers in
substations. The present
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Date recue/date received 2021-10-22
disclosure provides switchgear in the form of a recloser that can operate at
voltages up to 72.5
kV. Due to its higher voltage capabilities, a recloser according to the
present disclosure may
necessarily be larger, heavier, and require greater line-to-line and line-to-
ground clearances than
previously available reclosers. The present disclosure thus advantageously
provides an
integrated assembly to facilitate efficient installation of the recloser.
[0006] For example, the present disclosure provides, in one aspect, an
integrated assembly
including a switchgear apparatus configured for operation at voltages up to
72.5 kV and a mount
assembly configured for coupling to a pole and to support the switchgear
apparatus from the
pole. The mount assembly includes a crossbar, a pole mount configured for
coupling to the pole
and to be secured to the crossbar at different positions along a length of the
crossbar, and a
mounting bracket configured to support the switchgear apparatus on the
crossbar. The mount
assembly further includes a pair of crossbar mounts configured to be secured
to the mounting
bracket for supporting the mounting bracket on the crossbar at different
positions along the
length of the crossbar. Each crossbar mount of the pair of crossbar mounts
comprises a first arm
having a length extending in a plane, a second arm spaced apart from the first
arm and having a
length extending in the plane and parallel to the first arm, a third arm
extending between and
coupled to a distal end of each of the first and second arms, and a flange
extending between and
coupled to a proximal end of each of the first and second arms. The flange is
configured for
coupling to the mounting bracket, and the flange extends parallel to the third
arm. The first,
second, and third arms and the flange are positioned to form an enclosed space
to receive the
crossbar.
[0007] The present disclosure provides, in another aspect, an integrated
assembly including a
switchgear apparatus configured for operation at voltages up to 72.5 kV and a
mount assembly
configured for coupling to a pole and configured to support the switchgear
apparatus from the
pole. The mount assembly includes a crossbar, a mounting bracket configured to
support the
switchgear apparatus on the crossbar, a pair of crossbar mounts configured to
be secured to the
mounting bracket for supporting the mounting bracket on the crossbar at
different positions
along a length of the crossbar, and a pole mount configured for coupling to
the pole and to be
secured to the crossbar at different positions along the length of the
crossbar. The pole mount
includes a pair of spaced-apart plates each having a first end and a second
end opposite the first
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Date recue/date received 2021-10-22
end, a pair of spaced-apart rods extending between and coupled to each plate
of the pair of
spaced-apart plates adjacent the first end of each plate, and a pair of spaced-
apart elongate
members extending between and coupled to each plate of the pair of spaced-
apart plates adjacent
the second end of each plate. The pair of spaced-apart plates is spaced apart
to provide a space
to receive the crossbar therebetween and the pair of spaced-apart elongate
members is spaced
apart to provide a space to receive the pole therebetween.
[0008] The present disclosure provides, in another aspect, an integrated
assembly for
mounting switchgear apparatus configured for operation at voltages up to 72.5
kV to a pole, the
integrated assembly including a mount assembly configured for coupling to a
pole and
configured to support the switchgear apparatus from the pole. The mount
assembly includes a
crossbar, a first mounting bracket configured to support a first switchgear
apparatus on the
crossbar, a second mounting bracket configured to support a second switchgear
apparatus on the
crossbar, and a third mounting bracket configured to support a third
switchgear apparatus on the
crossbar. The mount assembly further includes a first pair of crossbar mounts
configured to be
secured to the first mounting bracket for supporting the first mounting
bracket on the crossbar at
different positions along a length of the crossbar, a second pair of crossbar
mounts configured to
be secured to the second mounting bracket for supporting the second mounting
bracket on the
crossbar at different positions along the length of the crossbar, and a third
pair of crossbar
mounts configured to be secured to the third mounting bracket for supporting
the third mounting
bracket on the crossbar at different positions along the length of the
crossbar. Each crossbar
mount of the first, second, and third pairs of crossbar mounts comprises a
first arm having a
length extending in a plane, a second arm spaced apart from the first arm and
having a length
extending in the plane and parallel to the first arm, a third arm extending
between and coupled to
a distal end of each of the first and second arms, and a flange extending
between and coupled to
a proximal end of each of the first and second arms. The flange is configured
for coupling to any
one of the first, second, and third mounting brackets. The third arm extends
parallel to the flange.
The first, second, third arms and the flange are positioned to form an
enclosed space to receive
the crossbar, and a support channel is positioned between the flange and the
crossbar. The
mount assembly further includes a first pole mount configured for coupling to
a first pole and to
be secured to the crossbar at different positions along the length of the
crossbar and a second
pole mount configured for coupling to a second pole and to be secured to the
crossbar at different
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Date recue/date received 2021-10-22
positions along the length of the crossbar. Each pole mount of the first and
second pole mounts
comprises a pair of spaced-apart plates. Each plate having a first end and a
second end opposite
the first end. Each pole mount further includes a pair of spaced-apart rods
extending between
and coupled to each plate of the pair of spaced-apart plates adjacent the
first end of each plate,
and a pair of spaced-apart elongate members extending between and coupled to
each plate of the
pair of spaced-apart plates adjacent the second end of each plate. Each pair
of spaced-apart
plates is spaced-apart to provide a space to receive the crossbar therebetween
and each pair of
spaced-apart elongate members is spaced apart to provide a space to receive
one of the first and
second poles therebetween. In an assembled state of the integrated assembly
the first plate of
each pair of spaced-apart plates abuts a first surface of the crossbar and the
second plate of each
pair of spaced-apart plates abuts a second surface of the crossbar opposite
the first surface. Each
elongate member of each pair of spaced-apart elongate members abuts a fourth
surface of the
crossbar opposite the third surface.
[0009] The present disclosure provides, in another aspect, a method of
installing an
integrated switchgear assembly on a pole. The method includes securing a first
portion of a pole
mount to a pole and moving a crossbar relative to the pole. An interrupter is
mounted to the
crossbar. The method further includes positioning the crossbar on the first
portion of the pole
mount, adjusting the position of the crossbar relative to the pole, and
securing a second portion
of the pole mount to the first portion of the pole mount. The crossbar is
received between the
first portion and the second portion when installed on the pole.
[0010] The present disclosure provides, in another aspect, an integrated
assembly including a
switchgear apparatus configured for operation at voltages up to 72.5 kV and a
mount assembly
configured for coupling to a pole and to support the switchgear apparatus from
the pole. The
mount assembly including a mounting bracket configured to support the
switchgear apparatus,
wherein the mounting bracket includes a flange that can be secured to either
one of (a) a crossbar
mount configured to support the mounting bracket on a crossbar at different
positions along the
length of the crossbar and (b) a bracket configured to support the mounting
bracket on the pole.
[0011] Other aspects of the disclosure will become apparent by
consideration of the detailed
description and accompanying drawings.
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Date recue/date received 2021-10-22
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0012] FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a recloser and/or switchgear
apparatus ("recloser")
according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.
[0013] FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional view of the recloser of FIG. 1.
[0014] FIG. 3 is an exploded perspective view of a housing of the recloser
of FIG. 1.
[0015] FIG. 4 is a perspective view of a head casting of the recloser of
FIG. 1.
[0016] FIG. 5 is a cross-sectional view of the recloser of FIG. 1, taken
through the head
casting of FIG. 4.
[0017] FIG. 6 is a perspective view of an assembly including the recloser
of FIG. 1 coupled to
a bracket in a vertical orientation.
[0018] FIG. 7 is a front perspective view of an integrated assembly
according to an
embodiment of the present disclosure.
[0019] FIG. 8 is a rear perspective view of the integrated assembly of FIG.
7.
[0020] FIG. 9 is a top view of the integrated assembly of FIG. 7.
[0021] FIG. 10 is an exploded view of the integrated assembly of FIG. 7,
illustrating a crossbar
exploded from corresponding pole mounts.
[0022] FIG. 11 is an exploded view of the pole mount of FIG. 10.
[0023] FIG. 12 is a partial perspective view of the integrated assembly of
FIG. 7, with a
mounting bracket exploded from a crossbar mount.
[0024] FIG. 12A is another partial perspective view illustrating the
mounting bracket of FIG.
12 exploded from the crossbar mount.
[0025] FIG. 13 is an exploded view of the crossbar mount of FIG. 12.
Date recue/date received 2021-10-22
[0026] FIG. 14 is a side view of a control cabinet usable with the
integrated assembly of FIG.
7.
[0027] FIG. 15 is a flowchart illustrating a method of installing an
integrated assembly
according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.
[0028] FIG. 16 is a plan view of an integrated assembly according to
another embodiment of
the present disclosure.
[0029] FIG. 17 is a side view of an integrated assembly according to
another embodiment of
the present disclosure.
[0030] FIG. 18 is a partial side view of the integrated assembly of FIG.
17, showing the
recloser of FIG. 1 coupled to a bracket in a vertical orientation.
[0031] FIG. 19 is a perspective view of the integrated assembly of FIG. 18.
[0032] FIG. 20 is a perspective view of the bracket of FIG. 18.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION
[0033] Before any embodiments of the disclosure are explained in detail, it
is to be
understood that the disclosure is not limited in its application to the
details of construction and
the arrangement of components set forth in the following description or
illustrated in the
following drawings. The disclosure is capable of supporting other embodiments
and of being
practiced or of being carried out in various ways. Also, it is to be
understood that the
phraseology and terminology used herein is for the purpose of description and
should not be
regarded as limiting. In addition, as used herein and in the appended claims,
the terms "upper",
"lower", "top", "bottom", "front", "back", and other directional terms are not
intended to require
any particular orientation, but are instead used for purposes of description
only.
[0034] FIG. 1 illustrates a recloser 10 according to an embodiment of the
present disclosure.
The recloser 10 includes a housing assembly 14, a vacuum interrupter ("VI")
assembly 18, a
conductor assembly 22, which in some embodiments may be a load-side conductor
assembly 22
and in other embodiments may be a source-side conductor assembly 22, and an
actuator
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Date recue/date received 2021-10-22
assembly 26. The VI assembly 18 includes a first terminal 30 extending from
the housing
assembly 14 along a first longitudinal axis 34, and the conductor assembly 22
includes a second
terminal 38 extending from the housing assembly 14 along a second longitudinal
axis 42
perpendicular to the first longitudinal axis 34. In other embodiments, the
second longitudinal
axis 42 may be obliquely oriented relative to the first longitudinal axis 34.
The actuator
assembly 26 may operate the VI assembly 18 to selectively break and/or
reestablish a conductive
pathway between the first and second terminals 30, 38. Although the recloser
10 is illustrated
individually in FIG. 1, the recloser 10 may be part of a recloser system
including a plurality of
reclosers 10, each associated with a different phase of a three-phase power
transmission system
and ganged together such that operation of the plurality of reclosers 10 is
synchronized.
[0035] Referring now to FIG. 2, the illustrated housing assembly 14
includes a main housing
46 with an insulating material, such as epoxy, that forms a solid dielectric
module 47. The solid
dielectric module 47 is preferably made of a silicone or cycloaliphatic epoxy.
In other
embodiments, the solid dielectric module 47 may be made of a fiberglass
molding compound. In
other embodiments, the solid dielectric module 47 may be made of other
moldable dielectric
materials. The main housing 46 may further include a protective layer 48
surrounding the solid
dielectric module 47. In some embodiments, the protective layer 48 withstands
heavily polluted
environments and serves as an additional dielectric material for the recloser
10. In some
embodiments, the protective layer 48 is made of silicone rubber that is
overmolded onto the solid
dielectric module 47. In other embodiments, the protective layer 48 may be
made of other
moldable (and preferably resilient) dielectric materials, such as
polyurethane.
[0036] With continued reference to FIG. 2, the main housing 46 includes a
first bushing 50
that surrounds and at least partially encapsulates the VI assembly 18, and a
second bushing 54
that surrounds and at least partially encapsulates the conductor assembly 22.
The silicone rubber
layer 48 includes a plurality of sheds 58 extending radially outward from both
bushings 50, 54.
In other embodiments, the sheds 58 may be formed as part of the dielectric
module 47 and
covered by the silicone rubber layer 48. In yet other embodiments, the sheds
58 may be omitted.
The first and second bushings 50, 54 may be integrally formed together with
the dielectric
module 47 of the main housing 46 as a single monolithic structure.
Alternatively, the first and
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Date recue/date received 2021-10-22
second bushings 50, 54 may be formed separately and coupled to the main
housing 46 in a
variety of ways (e.g., via a threaded connection, snap-fit, etc.).
[0037] The illustrated VI assembly 18 includes a vacuum bottle 62 at least
partially molded
within the first bushing 50 of the main housing 46. The vacuum bottle 62
encloses a movable
contact 66 and a stationary contact 70 such that the movable contact 66 and
the stationary contact
70 are hermetically sealed within the vacuum bottle 62. In some embodiments,
the vacuum
bottle 62 has an internal absolute pressure of about 1 millipascal or less.
The movable contact 66
is movable along the first longitudinal axis 34 between a closed position
(illustrated in FIG. 2)
and an open position (not shown) to selectively establish or break contact
with the stationary
contact 70. Due to the lack of conductive atmosphere within the bottle 62, the
vacuum bottle 62
quickly suppresses electrical arcing that may occur when the contacts 66, 70
are opened.
[0038] The conductor assembly 22 may include a conductor 74 and a sensor
assembly 78,
each at least partially molded within the second bushing 54 of the main
housing 46. The sensor
assembly 78 may include a current sensor, voltage sensor, partial discharge
sensor, voltage
indicated sensor, and/or other sensing devices. One end of the conductor 74 is
electrically
coupled to the movable contact 66 via a current interchange 82. The opposite
end of the
conductor 74 is electrically coupled to the second terminal 38. The first
terminal 30 is
electrically coupled to the stationary contact 70. The first terminal 30 and
the second terminal 38
are configured for connection to respective electrical power transmission
lines.
[0039] With continued reference to FIG. 2, the actuator assembly 26
includes a drive shaft 86
extending through the main housing 46 and coupled at one end to the movable
contact 66 of the
VI assembly 18. In the illustrated embodiment, the drive shaft 86 is coupled
to the movable
contact 66 via an encapsulated spring 90 to permit limited relative movement
between the drive
shaft 86 and the movable contact 66. The encapsulated spring 90 biases the
movable contact 66
toward the stationary contact 70. The opposite end of the drive shaft 86 is
coupled to an output
shaft 94 of an electromagnetic actuator 98. The electromagnetic actuator 98 is
operable to move
the drive shaft 86 along the first longitudinal axis 34 and thereby move the
movable contact 66
relative to the stationary contact 70. In additional or alternative
embodiments, the functionality
provided by the encapsulated spring 90 may be provided with an external spring
and/or a spring
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Date recue/date received 2021-10-22
positioned otherwise along the drive shaft 86. For example, the spring may be
instead positioned
at a first end or at a second end of the drive shaft 86.
[0040] The electromagnetic actuator 98 in the illustrated embodiment
includes a coil 99, a
permanent magnet 100, a spring 101, and a plunger 103 that is coupled to the
output shaft 94.
The coil 99 includes one or more copper windings which, when energized,
produce a magnetic
field that acts on the plunger 103 to move the output shaft 94. The permanent
magnet 100 is
configured to hold the plunger 103 and the output shaft 94 in a position
corresponding with the
closed position of the movable contact 66.
[0041] The spring 101 biases the output shaft 94 in an opening direction
(i.e. downward in
the orientation of FIG. 2) to facilitate opening the contacts 66, 70, as
described in greater detail
below. The force exerted by the spring 101 when the contacts 66, 70 are in the
closed position is
less than the magnetic holding force. Thus, the permanent magnet 100 provides
a strong
magnetic holding force to maintain the contacts 66, 70 in their closed
position against the biasing
force of the spring 101, without requiring any current to be supplied through
the coil 99.
[0042] In some embodiments, the actuator assembly 26 may include other
actuator
configurations. For example, in some embodiments, the permanent magnet 100 may
be omitted,
and the output shaft 94 may be latched in the closed position in other ways.
In additional or
alternative embodiments, the electromagnetic actuator 98 may be omitted or
replaced by any
other suitable actuator (e.g., a hydraulic actuator, etc.).
[0043] The actuator assembly 26 includes a controller (not shown) that
controls operation of
the electromagnetic actuator 98. In some embodiments, the controller receives
feedback from
the sensor assembly 78 and energizes and/or de-energizes the electromagnetic
actuator 98
automatically in response to one or more sensed conditions. For example, the
controller may
receive feedback from the sensor assembly 78 indicating that a fault has
occurred. In response,
the controller may control the electromagnetic actuator 98 to automatically
open the VI assembly
18 and break the circuit. The controller may also control the electromagnetic
actuator 98 to
automatically close the VI assembly 18 once the fault has been cleared (e.g.,
as indicated by the
sensor assembly 78).
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Date recue/date received 2021-10-22
[0044] Referring to FIGS. 4 and 5, the head casting 118 includes a main
body 126 and a
plurality of mounting bosses 130 spaced along the outer periphery of the main
body 126. In the
illustrated embodiment, the plurality of mounting bosses 130 includes a first
pair of bosses 130a
extending from the main body 126 in a first direction, a second pair of bosses
130b extending
from the main body 126 in a second direction opposite the first direction, and
a third pair of
bosses 130c extending from the main body 126 in a third direction orthogonal
to the first and
second directions. In other embodiments, the head casting 118 may include a
different number
and/or arrangement of mounting bosses 130.
[0045] The head casting 118 is couplable to the main housing 46 in a
plurality of different
orientations such that the pairs of bosses 130 (130a, 130b, 130c) may be
positioned in a number
of different rotational orientations about axis 34 with respect to the main
housing 46. That is, the
rotational orientation of the pairs of bosses 130 about the circumference of
the main housing 46
may be varied as desired by rotating the orientation of the head casting 118
and main housing 46
relative to one another about the axis 34 to a desired position before
coupling the head casting
118 and the main housing 46. In some embodiments, the head casting 118 may be
coupled to the
main housing 46 in at least three different orientations. In other
embodiments, the head casting
118 may be coupled to the main housing 46 in at least six different
orientations. In other
embodiments, the main housing 46, the head casting 118, and the actuator
housing 114 may be
coupled together in other ways (e.g., via direct threaded connections or the
like).
[0046] With reference to FIG. 5, the illustrated actuator assembly 26
includes a manual trip
assembly 102 supported by the head casting 118 and that can be used to
manually open the VI
assembly 18. The manual trip assembly 102 includes a handle 104 accessible
from an exterior of
the housing assembly 14. In the illustrated embodiment, the handle 104 of the
manual trip
assembly 102 extends along a side of the main body 126 opposite the third pair
of bosses 130c
and generally adjacent the connector 138. The handle 104 is preferably at a
grounded potential.
Because the head casting 118 is couplable to the main housing 46 in different
orientations, the
position of the handle 104 with respect to the main housing 46 is also
variable. As such, the
handle 104 may be accessible to an operator when the recloser 10 is in a wide
variety of different
mounting configurations. In the illustrated embodiment, the handle 104 is
rotatable about a first
rotational axis 105 to move a yoke 106 inside the head casting 118. The yoke
106 is engageable
Date recue/date received 2021-10-22
with a collar 110 on the output shaft 94 to move the movable contact 66 (FIG.
2) toward the open
position.
[0047] Exemplary operating sequences of the recloser 10 according to
certain embodiments
of the present disclosure will now be described with reference to FIG. 2.
During operation, the
controller of the recloser 10 may receive feedback from the sensor assembly 78
indicating that a
fault has occurred. In response to this feedback, the controller may initiate
a circuit breaking
sequence. In the circuit breaking sequence, the controller automatically
energizes the coil 99 of
the electromagnetic actuator 98. The resultant magnetic field generated by the
coil 99 moves the
plunger 103 and the output shaft 94 in an opening direction (i.e. downward in
the orientation of
FIG. 2). This movement greatly reduces the magnetic holding force of the
permanent magnet
100 on the plunger 103. For example, in some embodiments, the plunger 103 may
have a
resilient construction and retract inwardly and away from the permanent magnet
100 as the
plunger 103 moves in the opening direction, thereby creating an air gap
between the plunger 103
and the magnet 100. In other embodiments, the width of the plunger 103 may
decrease in the
opening direction to create an air gap between the plunger 103 and the magnet
100. In yet other
embodiments, the plunger 103 may include one or more non-magnetic regions
and/or a reduced
volume of magnetic material that may move into proximity with the permanent
magnet 100 as
the plunger 103 moves in the opening direction.
[0048] With the holding force of the permanent magnet 100 reduced, the
spring 101 is able
to overcome the holding force of the permanent magnet 100 and accelerate the
output shaft 94 in
the opening direction. As such, the coil 99 need only be energized momentarily
to initiate
movement of the output shaft 94, advantageously reducing the power drawn by
the
electromagnetic actuator 98 and minimizing heating of the coil 99.
[0049] The output shaft 94 moves the drive shaft 86 with it in the opening
direction. As the
drive shaft 86 moves in the opening direction, the encapsulated spring 90,
which is compressed
when the contacts 66, 70 are closed, begins to expand. The spring 90 thus
initially permits the
drive shaft 86 to move in the opening direction relative to the movable
contact 66 and maintains
the movable contact 66 in fixed electrical contact with the stationary contact
70. As the drive
shaft 86 continues to move and accelerate in the opening direction under the
influence of the
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Date recue/date received 2021-10-22
spring 101, the spring 90 reaches a fully expanded state. When the spring 90
reaches its fully
expanded state, the downward movement of the drive shaft 86 is abruptly
transferred to the
movable contact 66. This quickly separates the movable contact 66 from the
stationary contact
70 and reduces arcing that may occur upon separating the contacts 66, 70. By
quickly separating
the contacts 66, 70, degradation of contacts 66, 70 due to arcing is reduced,
and the reliability of
the VI assembly 18 is improved.
[0050] The controller may then receive feedback from the sensor assembly 78
indicating that
the fault has been cleared and initiate a reclosing sequence. In additional
and/or alternative
embodiments, the controller may initiate the reclosing sequence after waiting
a predetermined
time period after the fault was originally detected, or in response to
receiving a signal from an
external controller commanding the controller to initiate the reclosing
sequence. In the reclosing
sequence, the controller energizes the coil 99 in an opposite current
direction. The resultant
magnetic field generated by the coil 99 moves the output shaft 94 (and with
it, the drive shaft 86
and the movable contact 66) in a closing direction (i.e. upward in the
orientation of FIG. 2).
[0051] The movable contact 66 comes into contact with the fixed contact 70,
restoring a
conductive path between the terminals 30, 38. The output shaft 94 and drive
shaft 86 continue to
move in the closing direction, compressing each of the springs 90, 101 to
preload the springs 90,
101 for a subsequent circuit breaking sequence. As the output shaft 94
approaches the end of its
travel, the plunger 103 of electromagnetic actuator 98 is influenced by the
permanent magnet
100, which latches the plunger 103 in its starting position. The coil 99 may
then be de-
energized. In some embodiments, the coil 99 may be de-energized a
predetermined time period
after the contacts 66, 70 are closed. This delay may inhibit the movable
contact 66 from
rebounding back to the open position.
[0052] In some circumstances, an operator may opt to manually initiate a
circuit breaking
operation to open the contacts 66, 70 using the manual trip assembly 102. In
some
embodiments, the manual trip assembly 102 may include a mechanical and/or an
electrical
interlock to lock the movable contact 66 in its open position when the manual
trip assembly 102
is actuated, thereby preventing the electromagnetic actuator 98 from reclosing
the contacts 66,
70.
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Date recue/date received 2021-10-22
[0053] Referring to FIG. 6, the illustrated recloser 10 may be coupled to a
mounting bracket
200 that interfaces with the bosses 130 on the head casting 118 to facilitate
mounting the recloser
in a variety of different orientations. The illustrated mounting bracket 200
includes a backing
frame 204, a first arm 208 extending perpendicularly from the backing frame
204, a second arm
212 extending perpendicularly from the backing frame 204 and spaced from the
first arm 208, a
first brace 216 extending at an angle between the backing frame 204 and the
first arm 208, and a
second brace (not shown) structured and oriented in the same manner as the
first brace 216
extending at an angle between the backing frame 204 and the second arm 212. As
such, the
illustrated mounting bracket 200 is generally U-shaped.
[0054] The recloser 10 is received within a space defined between the arms
208, 212 such
that the handle 104 and connector 138 face away from the backing frame 204. As
such, the
handle 104 and connector 138 are easily accessible when the recloser 10 is
attached to the
mounting bracket 200. The first arm 208 is coupled to the first pair of bosses
130a, and the
second arm 212 is coupled to the second pair of bosses 130b (e.g., with a
plurality of threaded
fasteners; not shown). The backing frame 204 is coupled to the third pair of
bosses 130c. Thus,
the mounting bracket 200 is attached to the head casting 118 of the recloser
10 on three different
sides to securely hold the recloser 10.
[0055] Referring to FIGS. 7-9, the recloser 10 may be part of a recloser
system or integrated
switchgear assembly 300 including first, second, and third reclosers 10a, 10b,
10c¨each
associated with a different phase of a three-phase power transmission system.
The reclosers 10a-
c may be electronically and/or mechanically ganged together to synchronize
operation between
each other (including, for example, opening and closing the contacts 66, 70 of
the reclosers 10a-
c). The integrated assembly 300 includes a mount assembly 302 configured for
coupling to a
plurality of poles (e.g., two poles 308) and to support the reclosers 10a-c
from the poles.
[0056] In the illustrated embodiment, the mount assembly 302 includes a
support element or
crossbar 304. The crossbar 304 is elongated along a longitudinal axis 305 that
extends centrally
through the crossbar 304. (FIG. 9). In some embodiments, an exterior of the
crossbar 304 is
galvanized. Alternatively, the crossbar 304 may include one or more other
corrosion-resistant
coatings. As described in greater detail below, the reclosers 10a, 10b, 10c
are coupled to the
13
Date recue/date received 2021-10-22
crossbar 304 without requiring any apertures or holes in the crossbar 304.
This maintains the
integrity of the galvanized or other corrosion-resistant coating and therefore
improves the
weather-resistance of the crossbar 304. In some embodiments, the crossbar 304
may include
drain holes (not shown) disposed in a bottom surface of the crossbar. In other
embodiments, the
crossbar 304 may be made of stainless steel and may not include drain holes
(i.e. the interior of
the crossbar 304 may be completely sealed).
[0057] The three reclosers 10a-c are supported on the crossbar 304 by
respective mounting
brackets 200. The first recloser 10a is positioned adjacent a first end 304a
of the crossbar 304,
and the second recloser 10b is positioned adjacent a second end 304b of the
crossbar 304
opposite the first end 304a. The third recloser 10c is centered along the
length of the crossbar
304 and between the reclosers 10a-b.
[0058] With reference to FIGS. 12-13, the mount assembly 302 of the
integrated assembly
300 further includes a plurality of crossbar mounts 400 that couple mounting
brackets 200 to the
crossbar 304. In some embodiments, each of the reclosers 10a-c and their
corresponding
mounting brackets 200 are coupled to a pair of crossbar mounts 400 (FIG. 7).
The crossbar
mounts 400 are configured to be secured to the crossbar 304 at different
positions along the
length of the crossbar 304 corresponding with the desired positions of the
mounting brackets 200
and the reclosers 10a-c along the length of the crossbar 304.
[0059] The illustrated crossbar mount 400 includes a first plate 404, a
first support channel
408, a second support channel 412, and a flange 416. With reference to FIG.
13, the first plate
404 includes a first arm 420 having a length 424 extending in a plane 428, a
second arm 432
spaced apart from the first arm 420 and having a length 436 extending in the
plane 428 and
parallel to the first arm 420, and a third arm 440 extending between and
coupled to a distal end
444, 448 of each of the first and second arms 420, 432, respectively. In the
illustrated
embodiment, the first plate 404 is C-shaped and the arms 420, 432, 440 are co-
planar. In other
words, the arms 420, 432, 440 all extend in the plane 428 in the illustrated
embodiment. The
first plate 404 abuts a first surface 306a, a second surface 306b, and a third
surface 306c of the
crossbar 304. (FIGS. 12-12A). Specifically, the first arm 420 abuts the first
surface 306a, the
second arm 432 abuts the second surface 306b, and the third arm 440 abuts the
third surface
14
Date recue/date received 2021-10-22
306c. In some embodiments, the first arm 420 is welded to the first surface
306a, the second arm
432 is welded to the second surface 306b, and the third arm 440 is welded to
the third surface
306c.
[0060] The flange 416 extends between and is coupled to a proximal end 452,
456 of each of
the first arm 420 and the second arm 432, respectively. The flange 416 extends
parallel to the
third arm 440. In the illustrated embodiment, the flange 416 and the third arm
440 both extend
vertically, as viewed from the frame of reference of FIG. 12. The first arm
420, the second arm
432, the third arm 440, and the flange 416 are positioned to form an enclosed
space 460 in which
to receive the crossbar 304. In other words, the flange 416 and the first
plate 404 surround the
crossbar 304 on all four sides 306a-d. The first and second support channels
408, 412 are
coupled together and are positioned between the fourth surface 306d of the
crossbar 304 and the
flange 416.
[0061] The support channels 408, 412 improve the structural strength and
capacity of the
crossbar mounts 400. In the illustrated embodiment, the support channels 408,
412 are C-
channels that that include support ribs 464a-c. In some embodiments, a rib
(i.e., the middle rib
464b) is formed by axially abutting the two support channels 408, 412
together. In an assembled
state, the ribs 464a-c abuts a proximal surface (i.e., the fourth surface
306d) of the crossbar 304.
[0062] In the illustrated embodiment, the first plate 404, the first
support channel 408, and
the second support channel 412 are welded together to the crossbar 304, and
the flange 416 is
welded to the support channels 408, 412 opposite the crossbar 304. (FIGS. 12-
13). The welded
connection between the support channels 408, 412 and the crossbar 304 are
strong enough to
support the weight of the associated reclosers 10a, 10b, 10c and mounting
brackets 200 without
requiring any holes to be drilled through the crossbar 304. The first plate
404 of each crossbar
mount 400 at least partially surrounds the crossbar 304 and braces the
crossbar 304 to inhibit
twisting or other deformation of the crossbar 304. The first plate 404 also
includes one or more
apertures 415 (FIGS. 12A-13), which provide an attachment point to facilitate
lifting crossbar
304 into place on the poles 308 during on-site installation. In some
embodiments, however, the
first plate 404 may be omitted from the crossbar mount 400, such that the
crossbar mount 400
includes only the first and second support channel 408, 412 welded to the
crossbar 304, and the
Date recue/date received 2021-10-22
flange 416 welded to the support channels 408, 412. Furthermore, crossbar
mounts 400 with and
without the first plate 404 may be incorporated together into the same
integrated assembly 300.
[0063] With reference to FIGS. 12-12A, the flange 416 is configured for
coupling to the
mounting bracket 200. More specifically, the flange 416 is configured to be
bolted to a
corresponding flange 202 on the mounting bracket 200. Each of the flanges 416
and 202
includes a plurality of slotted holes 203 through which fasteners can be
received to secure two
flanges 416 and 202 together. In the illustrated embodiment, the flanges 416,
202 are bolted
together in a direct facing relationship.
[0064] Due to their high voltage capabilities, the reclosers 10a-c are
larger, heavier, and
require greater line-to-line and line-to-ground clearances than previously
available reclosers at
lower voltage classes. For example, the reclosers 10a-c may each weigh between
about 900
pounds and about 1,200 pounds in some embodiments, or between about 1,000
pounds and about
1,100 pounds in other embodiments. Despite the relatively large size and
weight of the reclosers
10a-c, the construction of the illustrated integrated assembly 300 and in
particular, the crossbar
304, allows the integrated assembly 300 to be mounted on electrical utility
poles 308 with the
reclosers 10a-c in a laterally-spaced or side-by-side arrangement. As such,
the illustrated
integrated assembly 300 may advantageously be installed in a wide variety of
locations
(including outside of electrical substations).
[0065] For example, the crossbar 304 may be coupled to first and second
parallel utility
poles 308 by respective pole mounts 312a, 312b (FIG. 8). In some embodiments,
at least a
portion of each of the pole mounts 312a, 312b is securely coupled (e.g.,
welded) to the pole 308.
In the illustrated embodiment, the pole mounts 312a, 312b are positioned
between the reclosers
10a-b and the recloser 10c along the length of the crossbar 304. In other
words, the pole mounts
312 are coupled to the poles 308 and coupled to the crossbar 304 at different
positions along a
length of the crossbar 304. In some embodiments, the pole mounts 312a, 312b
are part of the
mount assembly 302.
[0066] In the illustrated embodiment, the first pole mount 312a is
positioned between the
first recloser 10a and the third recloser 10c along the length of the crossbar
304, and the second
pole mount 312b is positioned between the second recloser 10b and the third
recloser 10c along
16
Date recue/date received 2021-10-22
the length of the crossbar 304. As such, the integrated assembly 300 may have
a center of
gravity CG that is between the two poles 308. In addition, the illustrated
integrated assembly
300 is configured such that the reclosers 10a-c and the utility poles 308 are
positioned on
opposite sides of the longitudinal axis 305, which may provide improved access
to the reclosers
10a-c (FIG. 9).
[0067] With reference to FIG. 11, each pole mount 312a, 312b includes a
pair of spaced-
apart plates 364, 368, a pair of spaced-apart rods 372, and a pair of spaced-
apart elongate
members 376. Each of the plates 364, 368 have a first end 364a, 368a and a
second end 364b,
368b opposite the first end 364a, 368a and configured to face the pole 308.
The lower plate 368
is positioned on the pole 308 beneath the upper plate 364. In the illustrated
embodiment, the
lower plate 368 is welded to the pole 308 while the upper plate 364 is
removably coupled to the
lower plate 368 by the rods 372, the elongate members 376, and a plurality of
fasteners. The
lower plate 368 includes a cut-out 380 configured to at least partially
receive the pole 308. In the
illustrated embodiment, the upper and lower plates 364, 368 each have a depth
D along the X-
axis that is greater than a depth E of the crossbar 304 along the X-axis (FIG.
9).
[0068] As explained in greater detail below, the lower plate 368 provides a
surface 369 on
which the crossbar 304 may rest during the process of installing the
integrated switchgear
assembly 300. In other words, the lower plate 368 provides a shelf on which
the crossbar 304
may rest during installation. Before the crossbar 304 is installed on the pole
mounts 312a, 312b,
the lower plate 368 and a plurality of reinforcement plates 384 disposed below
the lower plate
368 are welded to the pole 308. The reinforcement plates 384 are coupled to
the lower plate 368
opposite the surface 369 and are coupled to the pole 308. In the illustrated
embodiment, the pole
mount 312a includes three reinforcement plates 384. In other embodiments four
or more
reinforcement plates are included for each pole mount 312a, 312b. In still
other embodiments,
two or fewer reinforcement plates are included for each pole mount 312a, 312b.
The pair of
spaced-apart elongate members 376 extend upwards from the lower plate 368. In
some
embodiments, the elongate members 376 are also welded to the pole 308. In some
embodiments,
each elongate member 376 is an L-shaped bracket.
17
Date recue/date received 2021-10-22
[0069] With continued reference to FIG. 11, the pair of spaced-apart rods
372 extend
between and are coupled to each of the plates 364, 368 when assembled.
Specifically, the rods
372 extend through the upper plate 364 and the lower plate 368 adjacent the
first end 364a of the
upper plate 364 and the first end 386a of the lower plate 368. When the pole
mount 312 is
assembled, the elongate members 376 extend between and are coupled to the
second end 364b of
the upper plate 364 and the second end 386b of the lower plates 368. As
explained in greater
detail below, the plates 364, 368 are spaced apart to provide a space 385 to
receive the crossbar
304 therebetween. Likewise, the elongate members 376 are spaced apart to
provide a space in
which to receive the pole 308 therebetween.
[0070] In an assembled state the upper plate 364 abuts the first surface
306a of the crossbar
304 (FIG. 7) and the lower plate 368 abuts the second surface 306b of the
crossbar 304, opposite
the first surface 306a (FIG. 12A). In some embodiments, in an assembled state,
each of the rods
372 abuts the fourth surface 306d of the crossbar 304 (FIG. 7). Also, in some
embodiments, in
an assembled state each of the elongate members 376 and the pole 308 abuts the
third surface
306c of the crossbar 304, opposite the fourth surface 306d (FIG. 9). In other
words, the pole
mounts 312a surround the crossbar 304 on all four sides 306a-d when fully
assembled (FIGS. 7-
9, 12A).
[0071] In practice in the field, the poles 308 may be slightly skewed with
respect to each
other, and/or a spacing between the poles 308, once installed, may differ
slightly from a planned
spacing. The pole mounts 312a, 312b advantageously provide tolerances that
allow for
adjustment during installation of the crossbar 304 to the poles 308 along at
least two different
orthogonal axes (e.g., an X-axis and a Y-axis, illustrated in FIG. 7). For
example, the pole
mounts 312a, 312b may be rotated about a longitudinal axis of each pole 308
(i.e. an axis parallel
to a Z-axis orthogonal to the X- and Y-axes) once the poles 308 are installed
in the ground and
prior to welding the mounts 312a, 312b to the respective poles. This allows
the mounts 312a,
312b to be aligned such that the ends 386a, 386b of the lower plates 368 are
co-planar, even if
one of the poles 308 is offset from the other pole 308 along the X-axis.
[0072] The pole mounts 312a, 312b also permit adjustment of the crossbar
304 relative to the
poles 308 along the Y-axis, which, in the illustrated embodiment, is parallel
to the longitudinal
18
Date recue/date received 2021-10-22
axis 305 of the crossbar 304. More specifically, the crossbar 304 is slidable
along the Y-axis
between the upper and lower plates 364, 368 prior to tightening the fasteners
provided at the
ends of the rods 372. (FIG. 11). Once the fasteners are tightened, the plates
364, 368 clamp the
crossbar 304 and inhibit further movement of the crossbar 304 along the Y-
axis. In some
embodiments, the crossbar 304 is adjustable at least 2.5 inches in either
direction along the Y-
axis relative to the pole mounts 312a, 312b. In some embodiments, the crossbar
304 is
adjustable at least 5 inches in either direction along the Y-axis relative to
the pole mounts 312a,
312b. This adjustability allows the poles 308 to be spaced closer or further
apart relative to one
another along the Y-axis while still permitting secure mounting of the
crossbar 304.
[0073] In some embodiments, the limits of adjustability along the Y-axis
may be defined by
flanges 390 coupled to the crossbar 304 on either side of one or both of the
crossbar mounts
312a, 312b (e.g., FIG. 12A). The flanges 390 may provide additional lifting
points to facilitate
installing the crossbar 304 on the poles 308.
[0074] Finally, because the pole mounts 312a, 312b are configured to be
welded to the poles
308, the pole mounts 312a, 312b can be attached to the poles 308 at any
desired height. In other
words, the position of each of the pole mounts 312a, 312b relative to the
poles 308 is adjustable
along a Z-axis orthogonal to each of the X and Y axes (FIG. 10). The pole
mounts 312a, 312b
can thus be welded to the poles 308 after the poles are installed in the
ground to ensure that the
pole mounts 312a, 312b are at the same height and that the crossbar 304, when
subsequently
attached to the pole mounts 312a, 312b, will be level.
[0075] Thus, the pole mounts 312a, 312b provide tolerances in each of the
X, Y, and Z
directions that account for misalignments in the poles 308 that may be
encountered during
installation of the integrated switchgear assembly 300 in the field.
[0076] The integrated assembly 300 may also include one or more electrical
accessory
components wired to one or more of the reclosers 10a-c. The electrical
accessory component(s)
may include but are not limited to one or more surge arrestors, power
transformers, wildlife
protectors, insulators, disconnect switches, control cabinets, or the like.
19
Date recue/date received 2021-10-22
[0077] For example, in the embodiment illustrated in FIGS. 7-9, the
integrated assembly 300
includes a first power transformer 316 coupled to the crossbar 304 at a first
end of the crossbar
304 and a second power transformer 320 coupled to the crossbar 304 at a second
end of the
crossbar 304 opposite the first end. The transformers 316, 320 each includes a
mounting plate
321 that is flat and permits the transformers 316, 320 to be free-standing
when not coupled to the
crossbar 304. The mounting plates 321 are welded to beam segments 304a, 304b,
which are in
turn bolted to the respective ends of the crossbar 304. The beam segments
304a, 304b extend
vertically, transverse to the axis 305 of the crossbar 304 and have an I-
shaped cross-section in
the illustrated embodiment. When coupled to the beam segments 304a, 304b, the
mounting
plates 321 of the transformers 316, 320 extend parallel to the longitudinal
axis 305 of the
crossbar 304. The power transformers 316, 320 may be configured to step down
the high
transmission voltage (e.g., 72.5 kV) from the reclosers 10a-c to a lower
voltage (e.g., 120 V). In
some embodiments, one or both power transformers 316, 320 may provide power to
the
controllers of the reclosers 10a-c.
[0078] The power transformers 316, 320 may be solid dielectric outdoor
power transformers;
however, the integrated assembly 300 may additionally or alternatively include
other types of
power transformers in other embodiments. In addition, the integrated assembly
300 may include
a different number of power transformers, or the integrated assembly 300 may
not include a
power transformer. The power transformers 316, 320 may be also positioned
elsewhere within
the integrated assembly 300 in other embodiments.
[0079] With continued reference to FIGS. 7-9, the illustrated integrated
assembly 300 further
includes a first group or plurality of surge arrestors 324 and a second group
or plurality of surge
arrestors 328. The first plurality of surge arrestors 324 may provide
lightning and/or surge
protection for the first terminals 30 of the respective reclosers 10a-c. The
second plurality of
surge arrestors 328 may provide lightning and/or surge protection for the
second terminals 38 of
the respective reclosers 10a-c.
[0080] In the illustrated embodiment, each of the first plurality of surge
arrestors 324 is
mounted on a support arm 332 that extends from the crossbar 304 on an opposite
side of the
longitudinal axis 305 from the reclosers 10a-c. The support arms 332 may be
welded to the
Date recue/date received 2021-10-22
crossbar 304 or attached to the crossbar 304 in other ways. In the illustrated
embodiment, the
support arms 332 are square tubing. Each of the second plurality of surge
arrestors 328 is
mounted on a support arm 336 that extends from the mounting bracket 200 of the
associated
recloser 10a-c. The support arms 336 may be welded to the mounting brackets
200 or attached
to the mounting brackets 200 in other ways. In the illustrated embodiment, the
support arms 336
are circular tubing. Thus, in a preferred embodiment, the interrupters and
accessories are all
welded to the crossbar 304 without having to drill holes in or penetrate the
crossbar 304.
[0081] The first plurality of surge arrestors 324 and the second plurality
of surge arrestors
328 are positioned on opposite sides of the longitudinal axis 305. (FIG. 9).
The surge arrestors
324, 328 are configured to be mounted independently of each other to the
integrated switchgear
assembly 300 and can be mounted to the mounting brackets 200, the crossbar 304
or other
suitable mounting locations on the integrated switchgear assembly 300. The
locations of the
surge arrestors 324, 328 have been positioned and spaced apart, in the
illustrated embodiment, to
account for the clearances needed for higher voltage components.
[0082] With reference to FIGS. 8 and 9, the illustrated integrated assembly
300 further
includes a plurality of wildlife protectors 340 configured to protect the
terminals 30, 38 of the
reclosers 10a-c. For example, the wildlife protectors 340 may inhibit birds or
other animals from
making direct contact with the terminals 30, 38. In some embodiments, the
wildlife protectors
340 may substantially enclose the associated terminal 30, 38. The wildlife
protectors 340 may
be removable from the terminals 30, 38 to facilitate making electrical
connections with the
respective terminals.
[0083] With reference to FIGS. 7 and 12, the integrated assembly 300 may
further include a
grounding pad 394. In the illustrated embodiment, the grounding pad 394 is
positioned on the
mounting bracket 200. The grounding pads may be positioned in other suitable
locations on the
integrated switchgear assembly 300 in other embodiments. The grounding pads
394 are
positioned for easy access by a technician. In some embodiments, the grounding
pad 394
includes a NEMA 2-hole mounting pattern.
[0084] The integrated assembly 300 may further include a control cabinet
344 (FIG. 14)
coupled to one or both of the poles 308 (e.g., in the manner shown in FIG. 17.
The control
21
Date recue/date received 2021-10-22
cabinet 344 may enclose one or more controllers that control operation of the
reclosers 10a-c.
The illustrated control cabinet 344 includes three cable ports 348a, 348b,
348c. The cable ports
348a, 348b, 348c are configured to receive control cables that extend to the
connectors 138 (FIG.
6) of the respective reclosers 10a-c. In this way, connections between the
reclosers 10a-c and the
controller within the control cabinet 344 can be made quickly and easily by
the end-user. In
some embodiments, the control cabinet 344 may receive power from one or both
of the power
transformers 316, 320 to power the controllers within the control cabinet 344.
[0085] Referring to FIGS. 7-10, in the illustrated embodiment, the mounting
brackets 200,
the crossbar 304, the pole mounts 312a, 312b, the crossbar mounts 400, and the
support arms
332, 336 are each part of the mounting assembly 302 that is attachable to
electrical utility poles
308 to support the reclosers 10a-c and the various electrical accessory
components from the
poles 308. The mounting assembly 302 allows an end-user to install the
integrated assembly 300
on poles 308 at a work site as a single unit, reducing the number of
components to integrate on
site and the number of connection points to be made on the pole(s) 308. The
mounting
assembly 302 may also reduce the number of lifts and off-the-ground assembly
steps.
[0086] The integrated assembly 300 facilitates efficient installation of
switchgear, such as the
reclosers 10a-c. The integrated assembly 300 advantageously allows for
electrical accessory
components, including, but not limited to, one or more surge arrestors, power
transformers,
wildlife protectors, insulators, disconnect switches, and control cabinets to
be pre-assembled at
the factory and provided to an end-user as a complete kit, ready for
attachment to power lines.
[0087] For example, a method of assembling an integrated assembly 300 at
the factory may
include providing a crossbar 304, determining locations for each of a
plurality of crossbar
mounts 400 along a length of the crossbar 304 based on customer specifications
(e.g., line
spacing and configuration), and then welding each of the crossbar mounts 400
to the crossbar
304. The method may further include providing three reclosers 10a-c, and
coupling each of the
three reclosers 10a-c to a respective mounting bracket 200 (FIG. 6). The
mounting brackets 200
may then be coupled to the crossbar mounts 400 by aligning the flanges 202 on
the mounting
brackets 200 with the flanges 416 on the crossbar mounts 400 and fastening the
flanges 202, 416
together with a plurality of fasteners (FIG. 12).
22
Date recue/date received 2021-10-22
[0088] The method may further include providing one or more electrical
accessories, such as
one or more surge arrestors, power transformers, wildlife protectors,
insulators, disconnect
switches, or the like, and attaching the one or more electrical accessories to
the crossbar 304
and/or the mounting brackets 200. Primary wiring connections between each of
the components
of the integrated assembly 300 may also be made at the factory prior to
shipment to the end-user
and prior to mounting the integrated assembly 300 (e.g., on poles 308).
[0089] In further embodiments, electrical lugs and/or bundles of primary
wiring may also be
included as part of the integrated assembly 300. This greatly expedites
installation of the
integrated assembly 300 and reduces commissioning time. In addition, in yet
other
embodiments, the integrated assembly 300 may be functionally tested as an
assembly prior to
shipping the integrated assembly 300 to the end-user. As a result, the
integrated assembly 300
may advantageously be more reliable than assemblies that are constructed and
wired in the field
from a variety of different components.
[0090] With reference to FIG. 15, a method 500 for installing the
integrated assembly 300 on
the poles 308 is illustrated. The method 500 may be performed, for example,
after assembling
the integrated switchgear assembly 300 at the factory as described above, and
after the integrated
switchgear assembly 300 is shipped to a field location. The method 500
includes securing the
pole mounts 312a, 312b to the respective poles 308 (STEP 504). For example,
the lower plate
368, the elongated members 376, and the reinforcement plates 384 are first
positioned (e.g.,
rotated) with respect to a longitudinal axis of each of the poles 308 until
the ends 386a, 386b of
the lower plates 368 of the respective pole mounts 312a, 312b are co-planar.
The lower plates
368, elongated members 376, and reinforcement plates 384 are then welded, or
otherwise
secured, to each pole 308 in STEP 504.
[0091] Next, the method 500 includes moving the crossbar 304 relative to
the pole 308 with
the attached switchgear (e.g., the reclosers 10a-c) and any included
electrical accessories
mounted to the crossbar 304 (STEP 508). For example, the crossbar 304 is
lifted with a crane
such that the crossbar 304 moves with respect to the pole 308.
[0092] Next, the method 500 includes positioning the crossbar 304 on a
first portion of the
pole mounts 312a, 312b (e.g., the surface 369 of the lower plate 368) (STEP
512). For example,
23
Date recue/date received 2021-10-22
the crossbar 304 may be set and rested upon the lower plates 368 of the pole
mounts 312a, 312b
such that the lower plates 368 at least partially support the weight of the
crossbar 304 and the
attached components. In this sense, the plates 368 act as a shelf to support
the crossbar 304
during installation. Next, the method 500 includes adjusting the position of
the crossbar 304
relative to the poles 308 (STEP 516). In other words, the crossbar 304 may be
slid along the Y-
axis to the extent permitted by the pole mount 312a, 312b or otherwise moved
by the installer(s)
with respect to the poles 308 and the lower plates 368 of the pole mounts
312a, 312b as the
crossbar 304 remains supported by the plates 368. In this sense, adjustments
to the positioning
of the crossbar 304 can occur after the weight of the crossbar 304 is largely
being supported by
the poles 308 (via the pole mount 312a).
[0093] Next, the method 500 includes securing a second portion of each pole
mount 312a,
312b (e.g., the upper plate 364) to the first portion of the pole mount 312a
(STEP 520). For
example, each upper plate 364 is secured to the corresponding lower plate 368
with the pair of
spaced-apart rods 372 and is also secured to the elongate members 376. The
crossbar 304 is
thereby received between the first portion (e.g., upper plate 364) and the
second portion (e.g., the
lower plate 368) when installed on the pole 308. In other words, the plates
364, 368 are clamped
together by the rods 372 to secure the crossbar 304 relative to the pole 308
after adjustments to
the crossbar 304 position have been made.
[0094] FIG. 16 illustrates an assembly 300a according to another
embodiment. The
illustrated assembly 300a includes three reclosers 10a, 10b, 10c¨each
associated with an
electrical line L carrying a different phase of a three-phase power
transmission system. The
reclosers 10a-c may be electronically and/or mechanically ganged together to
synchronize
operation between the reclosers 10a-c (including, for example, opening and
closing the contacts
66, 70 of the reclosers 10a-c).
[0095] Each of the reclosers 10a-c of the assembly 300a may be coupled to a
pole 308 by a
respective mounting bracket 200a in a vertically spaced or stacked
arrangement. That is, the
reclosers 10a-c may be vertically spaced apart along a longitudinal axis 309
of the pole 308.
This arrangement may be referred to as a line-over-line arrangement. In the
illustrated
embodiment, the mounting brackets 200a are each directly coupled to the pole
308 by fasteners
24
Date recue/date received 2021-10-22
and/or welding, with each of the reclosers 10a-c oriented horizontally. As
such, the axis 34 that
extends through the first terminal 30 of each recloser 10a-c is oriented
generally parallel with the
lines L and generally perpendicular to the longitudinal axis 309 of the pole
308. Of course,
depending on the orientation of the pole 308, the possible varied orientations
of a particular
recloser 10a-c relative to the ground may be different from those illustrated
in the exemplary
embodiment of FIG. 16. In other embodiments, one or more of the reclosers 10a-
c may be
mounted with the axis 42 at different orientations, by rotating the
recloser(s) 10a-c about the axis
34 relative to the respective mounting bracket 200a. The mounting brackets
200a thus
advantageously provide the flexibility to mount the reclosers 10a-c on the
pole 308 in a variety
of different orientations to best suit a particular installation.
[0096] The assembly 300a may include one or more electrical accessory
components wired
to one or more of the reclosers 10a-c. The electrical accessory component(s)
may include but are
not limited to one or more surge arrestors, power transformers, wildlife
protectors, insulators,
disconnect switches, control cabinets, or the like.
[0097] For example, in the embodiment illustrated in FIG. 16, the assembly
300a includes a
power transformer 316 coupled the pole 308 via a transformer mount 317. In
some
embodiments, the transformer mount 317 may space the power transformer 316 a
distance away
from the pole 308 to provide clearance based on the operating voltage of the
power transformer
316. The power transformer 316 may be configured to step down the high
transmission voltage
(e.g., 72.5 kV) from the reclosers 10a-c to a lower voltage (e.g., 120 V). In
some embodiments,
the power transformer 316 may provide power to the controllers of the
reclosers 10a-c.
[0098] The power transformer 316 may be a solid dielectric outdoor power
transformer;
however, the assembly 300a may additionally or alternatively include other
types of power
transformers in other embodiments. In other embodiments, the assembly 300a may
include a
different number of power transformers, or the assembly 300a may not include a
power
transformer. The illustrated assembly 300a also includes a fuse or disconnect
switch 360 with a
switch mount 361 that is coupled to the pole 308. The disconnect switch 360
may be configured
to disconnect power from the reclosers 10a-c to the power transformer 316 in
some
embodiments.
Date recue/date received 2021-10-22
[0099]
With continued reference to FIG. 16, the illustrated assembly 300a further
includes a
plurality of surge arrestors 328 that may provide lightning and/or surge
protection for the
respective reclosers 10a-c. In the illustrated embodiment, each of the
plurality of surge arrestors
328 is mounted on a support arm 336 that extends from the mount 200 of the
associated recloser
10a-c. In other embodiments, however, the surge arrestors 328 may be
positioned elsewhere
within the assembly 300a, and in some embodiment, the assembly 300a may
additionally or
alternatively include one or more surge arrestors 328 mounted support arms 336
that extend
directly from the pole 308.
[00100] In the illustrated embodiment, the mounting brackets 200, the
transformer mount 317,
the switch mount 361, and the support arms 336 are each part of a mounting
assembly 302a that
is attachable to an electrical utility pole 308 to support the reclosers 10a-c
and the various
electrical accessory components from the pole 308. Because the assembly 300a
may be provided
with all of its components as a kit, the mounting assembly 302a of the
assembly 300a may be
already configured to provide the electrical components of the assembly 300a
with required
clearances. In some embodiments, pre-sized wires may be provided together with
the integrated
assembly to facilitate electrically connecting the electrical components of
the assembly 300a
after the mounting assembly 302a is attached to the pole 308.
[00101] Thus, the present disclosure advantageously provides an assembly 300a
that
facilitates efficient installation switchgear, such as the reclosers 10a-c.
The assembly 300a
advantageously allows for electrical accessory components, including but not
limited to one or
more surge arrestors, power transformers, wildlife protectors, insulators,
disconnect switches,
and control cabinets to be pre-assembled at the factory and provided to an end-
user as a complete
kit, ready for attachment to power lines. This greatly expedites installation
of the assembly 300a.
In addition, in some embodiments, the assembly 300a may be functionally tested
as an assembly
prior to shipping the assembly 300a to the end-user. As a result, the assembly
300a may be more
reliable than assemblies that are constructed and wired in the field from a
variety of different
components.
[00102] With reference to FIGS. 17-20, an assembly 300b according to another
embodiment
is illustrated. Like the assembly 300a described above with reference to FIG.
16, the illustrated
26
Date recue/date received 2021-10-22
assembly 300a includes three reclosers 10a, 10b, 10c¨each coupled to a pole
308 by a
respective mounting bracket 200 in a vertically spaced or stacked arrangement.
That is, the
reclosers 10a-c may be spaced apart along a longitudinal axis 309 of the pole
308. In the
illustrated embodiment, mounting brackets 200 are coupled to the pole 308 such
that each of the
reclosers 10a-c is oriented vertically, with the axis 34 that extends through
the first terminal 30
of each recloser 10a-c oriented generally parallel with the longitudinal axis
309 of the pole 308.
[00103] With continued reference to FIGS. 18-20, each one of the reclosers 10a-
10c is
coupled to the pole 308 by a mounting assembly 302b including a pole mount
bracket 600. In
the illustrated embodiment, the mounting bracket 200 is fastened to the pole
mount bracket 600,
which itself is secured to the pole 308, via a weld for example (FIG. 20). The
pole mount
bracket 600 includes a flange 604 similar to the flange 416 and is configured
to be coupled to the
flange 202 of the mounting bracket 200. In the illustrated embodiment, the
flange 604 includes a
plurality of slotted holes 203 that correspond to the slotted holes 203 on the
flange 202. In other
words, the mounting bracket 200 includes the flange 202 that can be secured to
either one of a
crossbar mount 400 that is configured to support the mounting bracket 200 on
the crossbar 304
(FIG. 7) or the pole mount bracket 600 configured to support the mounting
bracket 200 on the
pole 308 in a vertical configuration (FIG. 17). As such, the recloser 10a and
the mounting
bracket 200 are modular, interchangeable, and can be mounted in either a
vertically-spaced or
line-over-line configuration (e.g., FIG. 17), or a laterally-spaced or side-by-
side configuration
(e.g., FIG 7). Specifically, the mounting bracket 200 is secured to the pole
mount bracket 600
when the recloser 10a is mounted to the pole 308 in a vertically-spaced or
line-over-line
configuration and the mounting bracket 200 is secured to the crossbar mount
400 when the
recloser 10a is mounted to the pole 308 in a laterally-spaced or side-by-side
configuration.
[00104] With continued reference to FIG. 20, the pole mount bracket 600
includes a pair of
the flanges 604 with each one coupled at their lower end to a triangular-
shaped side frame 608a,
608b. The two side frames 608 are spaced apart and are coupled together by
various cross
members 612a-612e. The pole mount bracket 600 is coupled to the pole 308 by a
welding
process, for example. In some embodiments, cross members (e.g., the cross
member 612a and
the cross member 612b) each includes a plate 616 that are welded to the pole
308.
27
Date recue/date received 2021-10-22
[00105] Although the disclosure has been described in detail with reference to
certain
preferred embodiments, variations and modifications exist within the scope and
spirit of one or
more independent aspects of the disclosure as described.
[00106] Various features and advantages of the disclosure are set forth in the
following
claims.
28
Date recue/date received 2021-10-22
