Information
-
Patent Grant
-
6522227
-
Patent Number
6,522,227
-
Date Filed
Monday, September 24, 200123 years ago
-
Date Issued
Tuesday, February 18, 200321 years ago
-
Inventors
-
Original Assignees
-
Examiners
- Donovan; Lincoln
- Nguyen; Tuyen T.
Agents
-
CPC
-
US Classifications
Field of Search
US
- 335 14
- 335 20
- 340 82506
- 361 62
- 307 23
-
International Classifications
-
Abstract
A remote operated device including: a plurality of circuit breakers; a first actuator in operable communication with a second actuator, the first actuator positions the second actuator at a circuit breaker of the plurality of circuit breakers, the second actuator mounted external to the plurality of circuit breakers, the second actuator moves a handle of the circuit breaker to an on position, an off position, or an off position, or performs a reset operation; and a controller in electronic communication with the first actuator and the second actuator.
Description
BACKGROUND OF INVENTION
In large commercial building, electricity savings are accomplished by turning lights on and off automatically at predetermined times. Two schemes are commercially available for implementing this service. One uses lighting contractors protected by circuit breakers and the other uses remote controlled circuit breakers. Both schemes rely on a user programmable logic device to command the circuit breaker to turn on and off. Both of these schemes effectively conserve electricity. However, one drawback of these schemes is that they are expensive to implement because each circuit breaker must include means for receiving signals from the logic device and contain individual motorized actuation means. Another drawback is that the circuit beakers used in such systems tend to be larger than normal circuit breakers to accommodate the means for receiving signals from the logic device and contain individual motorized actuation means.
SUMMARY OF INVENTION
The above discussed and other drawbacks and deficiencies of the prior art are overcome or alleviated by a remote operated device including: a plurality of circuit breakers; a first actuator in operable communication with a second actuator, the first actuator positions the second actuator at a circuit breaker of the plurality of circuit breakers, the second actuator mounted external to the plurality of circuit breakers, the second actuator moves a handle of the circuit breaker to an on position, an off position, or from a trip to off position (i.e., a reset operation); and a controller in electronic communication with the first actuator and the second actuator.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS
Referring to the exemplary drawings wherein like elements are numbered alike in the several Figures:
FIG. 1
is a front view of an electrical enclosure with a remote operated device;
FIG. 2
is a side view of the remote operated device in
FIG. 1
illustrating a second actuator and a circuit breaker in the “on” position;
FIG. 3
is the second actuator of
FIG. 2
positioned just before the second actuator turns the circuit breaker from the “on” position to the “off” position;
FIG. 4
is the second actuator of
FIG. 2
after the second actuator has moved the circuit breaker to the “off” position;
FIG. 5
is a side view of the remote operated device in
FIG. 1
illustrating a third actuator in the “extended” position;
FIG. 6
is a side view of the remote operated device in
FIG. 1
illustrating an alternative embodiment of a third actuator in the “extended” position;
FIG. 7
is the third actuator in
FIG. 5
in the “withdrawn” position; and
FIG. 8
is a schematic drawing of the remote operated device in
FIG. 1
attached to a computer system.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION
Referring to
FIG. 1
, a front view of an electrical enclosure
10
is illustrated. Electrical enclosure
10
may include a switchboard, panelboard, or any other type of enclosure that includes electrical devices. Electrical enclosure
10
comprises a frame
11
and a cover
12
. Cover
12
includes a plurality of apertures
14
through which handles
16
of circuit breakers
18
extend. Handles
16
extend generally perpendicular from cover
12
. Circuit breakers
18
are usually mounted in a first row
20
; however, sometimes circuit breakers
22
may be located adjacent to first row
20
. While circuit breakers
22
are shown to the left of first row
20
, circuit breakers
22
may also be located to the right of first row
20
. Circuit breaker
22
may also include a plurality of circuit breakers
22
arranged in a second row
24
. Electrical enclosure
10
also includes a remote operated device
30
that is mounted to cover
12
and allows an operator (not shown) to turn on, off, or reset one or more circuit breakers
18
and
22
from a remote location.
Remote operated device
30
includes a controller
32
, which extends through aperture
14
of cover
12
. Controller
32
is coupled by a line
34
with a first actuator
40
and by a line
36
with a second actuator
50
. Line
34
may be a wire, or any other type of connection that conducts electrical current. Line
36
is preferably a flex cable, which will allow second actuator
50
to move up and down along first row
20
.
First actuator
40
is located adjacent and parallel to first row
20
of circuit breakers
18
. First actuator
40
includes a motor
42
, which is preferably a stepper motor, mounted to cover
12
. Motor
42
is rotatably coupled to screw
44
so that when motor
42
is energized, motor
42
rotates screw
44
. Screw
44
is also mounted to cover
12
in a manner that allows screw
44
to rotate.
Second actuator
50
is mounted perpendicular to first actuator
40
. Second actuator
50
includes a body portion
52
, which is generally rectangular and includes a first end
54
and a second end
56
. First end
54
is located at first row
20
of circuit breakers
18
and second end
56
is threadably engaged with screw
44
. A guide
58
, which is parallel to first row
20
and mounted to cover
12
, supports body portion
52
.
Referring to
FIG. 2
, a detailed illustration of second actuator
50
is shown. Second actuator
50
includes a motor
60
mounted to a first side
62
of body portion
52
adjacent to guide
58
. Second actuator
50
also includes a plate
70
, which has a generally rectangular shape. Plate
70
, which includes a first side
72
, a second side
74
, a third side
76
, and a fourth side
78
, is located at first end
54
of body portion
52
. First side
72
, which faces first side
62
of body portion
52
, has a tab
80
that extends outward from first side
72
and extends the length of first side
72
from third side
76
to fourth side
78
. Body portion
52
has a slot
82
located at first side
62
to receive tab
80
so that plate
70
is slideably mounted to body portion
52
. Slot
82
extends past plate
70
on both third side
76
and fourth side
78
so that plate can slide along body portion
52
in the direction of an arrow
83
. Motor
60
is coupled to plate
70
by a shaft
79
.
Plate
70
is coupled to a first arm
90
and a second arm
92
that extend generally perpendicular from second side
74
. First arm
90
has a first surface
94
that faces a first surface
96
of second arm
92
. First arm
90
is located adjacent to a first side
102
of a handle
16
of circuit breaker
18
. Second arm
92
is located adjacent to a second side
104
of handle
16
. A soft slab
106
, such as an elastomer, is attached to first surface
94
of first arm
90
. Soft slab
106
is also attached to first surface
96
of second arm
92
, however, it is not depicted in FIG.
2
. Alternatively, arms
90
and
92
may be made from a soft matter, such as an elastomer.
Referring to
FIGS. 2-4
, handle
16
turns circuit breaker
18
to an on position
110
(see FIGS.
2
and
3
), an off position
112
(see FIG.
4
), or from a trip to off position to perform a reset operation. When circuit breaker
18
is in on position
110
, electrical contacts (not shown) within the circuit breaker are touching and allow current and/or voltage to travel through circuit breaker
18
. When circuit breaker
18
is in off position
112
, the electrical contacts are separated, which does not allow the current and/or voltage to travel through circuit breaker
18
. When circuit breaker
18
is in the trip position (not shown), circuit breaker
18
has tripped because a fault condition has been detected and acted upon.
In order to determine whether handle
16
is in on position
110
, off position
112
, or the trip position, a position sensor
114
is mounted to first surface
94
of first arm
90
and faces first side
102
of handle
16
. Position sensor
114
can sense the distance to handle
16
to determine whether handle
16
is in on position
110
, off position
112
, or the trip position. Alternatively, position sensor
114
can be mounted to first surface
96
of second arm
92
, which is not depicted in the figures. Position sensor
114
is coupled with controller
32
(shown in
FIG. 1
) by line
36
.
Referring to
FIGS. 1
,
5
-
7
, remote operated device
30
may also include a third actuator
120
, which is located in place of first arm
90
(
FIG. 6
) and/or second arm
92
(FIG.
5
). As shown in
FIG. 5
, third actuator
120
has replaced second arm
92
. Third actuator
120
allows second actuator
50
to extend to circuit breaker
22
, which is located in second row
24
. As shown in
FIG. 1
, circuit breaker
22
is located to the left of first row
20
; thus, second arm
92
would be removed and replaced with third actuator
120
. Third actuator
120
allows second actuator
50
to move to the left of first row
20
to reach circuit breaker
22
without interfering with handle
16
.
Third actuator
120
allows circuit breaker
22
, which is located in second row
24
to be turned on and off. A solenoid body
122
is coupled to second side
74
of plate
70
. Solenoid body
122
includes a plunger
124
, which can slide in and out of solenoid body
122
.
FIGS. 5 and 6
illustrate plunger
124
extending from solenoid body
122
and
FIG. 7
illustrates plunger
124
retracted inside solenoid body
122
. Solenoid body
122
is coupled to controller
32
by line
36
. When controller
32
energizes solenoid body
122
, plunger
124
is withdrawn into solenoid body
122
. When solenoid body
122
is no longer energized, a spring
126
located within solenoid body
122
pushes plunger
124
out of solenoid body
122
. A soft slab
128
, such as elastomer, is attached to a surface
130
of plunger
124
.
Referring to
FIG. 8
, controller
32
is operably coupled with a computer
140
by a data transmission media
142
. Computer
140
is a suitable electronic device capable of accepting data and instructions, executing the instructions to process the data, and presenting the results. Therefore, computer
140
can be a microprocessor, microcomputer, a minicomputer, an optical computer, a board computer, a complex instruction set computer, an ASIC (application specific integrated circuit), a reduced instruction set computer, an analog computer, a digital computer, a molecular computer, a quantum computer, a cellular computer, a superconducting computer, a supercomputer, a solid-state computer, a single-board computer, a buffered computer, a computer network, a desktop computer, a laptop computer, a scientific computer, a scientific calculator, or a hybrid of any of the foregoing. While computer
140
is shown as being separated from electrical enclosure
10
, computer
140
can also be mounted to and/or integrated with electrical enclosure
10
.
Data transmission media
142
includes, but is not limited to, twisted pair wiring, coaxial cable, and fiber optic cable. Data transmission media
142
also includes, but is not limited to, radio and infrared signal transmission systems. Computer
140
is configured to provide operating signals to controller
32
and to receive data from these components via data transmission media
142
.
In addition to being coupled to controller
32
, computer
140
may also be coupled to external computer networks such as a local area network (LAN)
144
and the Internet. LAN
144
interconnects one or more remote computers
146
, which are configured to communicate with computer
140
using a well-known computer communications protocol such as TCP/IP (Transmission Control Protocol/Internet Protocol), RS-232, ModBus, and the like. Additional electrical enclosures
10
may also be connected to LAN
144
with the computers
140
in each of these electrical enclosures
10
being configured to send and receive data to and from remote computers
146
and other electrical enclosures
10
. LAN
144
is connected to the Internet via a server computer
148
. This connection allows computer
140
to communicate with one or more remote computers
150
connected to the Internet.
While specific embodiments have been described in relation to first actuator
40
, second actuator
50
, and third actuator
120
, it will be appreciated by one skilled in the art that any type of actuator can be utilized in place of first actuator
40
, second actuator
50
, and third actuator
120
. For instance, a belt driver actuator or a solenoid could replace first and second actuators
40
and
50
. In addition a motor actuator could replace third actuator
120
.
Referring to
FIGS. 1-7
, the operation of remote operated device
30
is as follows. An operator (not shown), who can be located at computer
140
,
146
, or
150
, provides an input signal
156
, which travels along data transmission media
142
. Signal
156
indicates which circuit breaker is to be controlled and the position (on/off/trip) desired. Controller
32
receives signal
156
and determines location of circuit breaker to be controlled. Controller
32
sends a signal
158
to first actuator
40
directing first actuator
40
to move second actuator
50
to the circuit breaker to be controlled.
Once second actuator
50
is positioned over the circuit breaker to be controlled, position sensor
114
sends a signal
160
along line
36
to controller
32
indicating the position of the circuit breaker to be controlled. If the circuit breaker is in the position desired, signal
160
indicates an error and signal
160
is sent along data transmission media
142
to the operator. If the circuit breaker to be controlled is not in the desired position, controller
32
sends a signal
162
along line
36
, directing second actuator
50
to move handle
16
.
Second actuator
50
functions when motor
60
energizes and drives shaft
79
. If the circuit breaker is in on position
110
and off position
12
is desired, shaft
79
pushes plate
70
so that second arm
92
contacts handle
16
and pushes handle
16
to off position
112
. Once second arm
92
begins to push handle
16
, handle
16
will then flip to off position
112
.
FIGS. 2-4
illustrate handle
16
being pushed from left to right. As shown in those figures,
FIG. 2
illustrates on position
110
,
FIG. 3
illustrates arm
92
contacting handle
16
, and
FIG. 4
illustrates off position
112
. Although not shown in the Figures, if the operator desired to turn the circuit breaker from off position
112
to on position
110
, shaft
79
pulls plate
70
so that first arm
90
contacts handle
16
and moves handle
16
to on position
110
.
In addition, the operator could also verify the position of circuit breaker
18
. In that scenario, the operation provides input signal
156
to determine the position of a desired circuit breaker. In that case, first actuator
40
would position second actuator
50
over the specific circuit breaker. Position sensor
114
would then send signal
160
to the operator indicating the position of the desired circuit breaker.
Third actuator
120
is energized when the operator desires to operate circuit breaker
22
, which is located in second row
24
. The operator, who can be located at computer
140
,
146
, or
150
, provides signal
156
, which travels along data transmission media
142
. Controller
32
receives signal
156
and sends signal
158
to first actuator
40
to energize. First actuator
40
positions second actuator
50
so that second actuator
50
is just above or below second row
24
.
After second actuator
50
is properly aligned, controller
32
sends a signal
162
along line
36
to solenoid body
122
. Solenoid body
122
energizes, which causes plunger
124
to be withdrawn into solenoid body
122
. When plunger
124
is withdrawn, plate
70
then moves to the left. Because plunger
124
is withdrawn into solenoid body
122
, second actuator
50
can move to second row
24
without interfering with handle
16
. In addition, position sensor
114
is located on first arm
90
so as not to interfere with solenoid body
122
. Once second actuator
50
extends to second arm
24
, first actuator
40
activates to move second actuator
50
to the desired circuit breaker
22
. Alternatively, solenoid body
122
can be located in place of first arm
90
if circuit breaker
22
is located to the right of first row
20
.
In addition, third actuator
120
can be located at both first arm
90
and second arm
92
. In that embodiment, first actuator
40
positions second actuator
50
at the desired circuit breaker
22
. Because both arms
90
and
92
are replaced with third actuators
120
, then third actuator
120
will not interfere with handle
16
or the handle of circuit breaker
22
when second actuator
50
moves to position itself over second row
24
of circuit breakers
22
.
The remote operated device
30
can be installed on any typical electrical enclosure that has circuit breakers. The actuation means provided by remote operated device
30
is external to the circuit breakers, allowing standard circuit breakers to be utilized. Remote operated device
30
provides a number of advantages. First, remote operated device
30
is inexpensive to implement because a number of circuit breakers can be operated with one remote operated device; thus, each circuit breaker does not have to include actuation means. Another advantage is that the circuit beakers used with remote operated device
30
can be smaller than a circuit breaker with actuation means located within the circuit breaker. Finally, remote operated device
30
operates the circuit breakers in a sequential method. The sequential operation of the circuit breakers is preferred because the simultaneous switching of large loads can cause greater voltage fluctuations.
While the invention has been described with reference to a preferred embodiment, it will be understood by those skilled in the art that various changes may be made and equivalents may be substituted for elements thereof without departing from the scope of the invention. In addition, many modifications may be made to adapt a particular situation or material to the teachings of the invention without departing from the essential scope thereof. Therefore, it is intended that the invention not be limited to the particular embodiment disclosed as the best mode contemplated for carrying out this invention, but that the invention will include all embodiments falling within the scope of the appended claims.
Claims
- 1. A remote operated device comprising:a plurality of circuit breakers; a first actuator in operable communication with a second actuator, said first actuator positions said second actuator at a circuit breaker of said plurality of circuit breakers, said second actuator mounted external to said plurality of circuit breakers, said second actuator moves a handle of said circuit breaker to an on position, an off position, or performs a reset operation; and a controller in electronic communication with said first actuator and said second actuator.
- 2. The device of claim 1, wherein said plurality of circuit breakers are arranged in a row.
- 3. The device of claim 1, wherein said first actuator is mounted perpendicular to said second actuator.
- 4. The device of claim 2, wherein said first actuator is mounted parallel to said row of said plurality of circuit breakers.
- 5. The device of claim 1, further comprising a third actuator mounted to said second actuator.
- 6. The device of claim 5, wherein said third actuator is mounted perpendicular to said second actuator.
- 7. The device of claim 5, wherein said third actuator includes:a solenoid body; and a plunger in operable communication with said solenoid body.
- 8. The device of claim 1, wherein said first actuator includes:a motor; and a screw coupled to said motor.
- 9. The device of claim 1, wherein said second actuator includes:a body portion; a motor mounted to said body portion; a shaft coupled to said motor; a plate coupled with said shaft and slideably mounted to said body portion; and a first arm and a second arm extending from said plate.
- 10. The device of claim 9, wherein said first arm and said second arm are made from an elastomer.
- 11. The device of claim 1, further comprising a computer in operable communication with said controller.
- 12. The device of claim 1, further comprising a local area network in operable communication with said computer.
- 13. The device of claim 1, further comprising a position sensor in electronic communication with said controller.
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