A datacenter is a facility used to house a collection of computer servers and associated components, typically network hardware. The collection of computer servers is often called a “server cluster” or “server farm,” and is designed to accomplish server needs far beyond the capability of a single machine. The networking hardware typically includes network switches and/or routers which enable communication between the different parts of the server farm and the users of the server farm. Datacenters are commonly used for cluster computing, web services, remote data storage, web hosting, and other web services. Datacenters are increasingly being used by enterprises instead of, or in addition to, mainframe computers. As the demand for datacenters continues to increase, a need exists to limit the cost of operating a datacenter and/or to maintain availability of datacenter computing resources.
In various scenarios, datacenter components may undergo transfer events, in which power is switched from one power source to another power source. Such switching may occur, for example, between an on-site emergency generator and a utility grid, such as in response to a loss of power in the grid, or following restoration of grid power after an outage. Switching may also be performed to balance loads among different areas of a datacenter, such as during the introduction of new components to expand capacity or to isolate components, such as for maintenance. Specific sequences of actuating circuit breakers are often utilized to facilitate transfer events. Such sequences can be prone to human error, such as if a technician misunderstands the sequence, loses his or her place in the sequence, and/or otherwise unintentionally actuates circuit breakers out of order. Such errors can result in unacceptable losses in availability of datacenter computing resources and/or cause costly damage to datacenter components.
Various embodiments in accordance with the present disclosure will be described with reference to the drawings, in which:
In the following description, various embodiments will be described. For purposes of explanation, specific configurations and details are set forth in order to provide a thorough understanding of the embodiments. However, it will also be apparent to one skilled in the art that the embodiments may be practiced without the specific details. Furthermore, well-known features may be omitted or simplified in order not to obscure the embodiment being described.
Various embodiments herein are directed to a device that can be installed to restrict access to circuit breakers or other switching controls. The device can be installed as a cover over a circuit breaker, such as by attaching to a housing that frames the circuit breaker. When installed, an arm of the device is positioned so as to obstruct access for a human operator to a button or lever that controls switching of the circuit breaker. A lock secures the arm in the obstructing position and prevents full access to the circuit breaker until the lock is removed or unlocked. This may reduce a chance that the circuit breaker will be actuated by an unauthorized operator or out of a designated order, such as during a transfer event. The arm in the obstructing position also allows the circuit breaker to be actuated to open and disconnect the power supply through the circuit breaker in an emergency situation. This may allow the devices to be compliant with electrical codes that may require that circuit breakers be capable of shutting off at any given point in case of an emergency. Such emergency access can be provided, for example, through the position of the arm in the obstructing position and/or the features of the arm (such as a breakable glass panel covering a passage through the arm).
As an illustrative example, an arm can be positioned in the path of a circuit breaker lever such that the lever is permitted to move a sufficient distance to break the circuit (e.g., automatically or under a force supplied by human operator in an emergency), yet prevented by the arm from reaching a reset point from which the lever can be moved back to a closed position of the circuit. The arm can be secured in this position by a lock, thus deterring a human operator from actuating the circuit breaker out of order during a sequence of operations to facilitate a transfer event, yet allowing the circuit breaker to be actuated to shut off in an emergency.
As may accordingly be appreciated, devices disclosed herein may provide a physical component useful for directing human operators through a sequence of switching operations for a transfer event. Multiple of the devices can be used together to assist an operator in progressing through a sequence. For example, the devices can use indicia or a series of locks that open in a predetermined sequence to assist the operator in progressing through a sequence of switching operations for a transfer event. The devices can be additionally or alternatively be useful for preventing access to the circuit breakers by individuals without proper authorization. For example, an arm may be secured over a breaker by a lock that requires a particular key or other unlocking mechanism that can be maintained solely by authorized personnel.
Referring now to the drawings,
The device 100 can include an obstacle. The obstacle can be any structure that can be positioned to block actuation of a circuit breaker or some portion thereof. For example, the obstacle may block actuation to open, closed, and/or reset states or conditions of the circuit breaker. In the embodiment shown in
The arm 102 is secured via a base 106 to a housing 108 that frames the circuit breaker 150. The housing 108 can correspond to the structure in which the circuit breaker 150 is mounted, such as in a wall, in an electrical panel, or in a server rack in a datacenter. In some embodiments, the housing 108 forms a part of the circuit breaker 150. The base 106 can include any structure that facilitates mounting to the housing 108. In the depicted embodiment, the base 106 includes a first bar 110 and a second bar 112. The first bar 110 and the second bar 112 are each coupled with the housing 108 through mounting segments 114. In various embodiments, the mounting segments 114 include magnets that attach the base 106 to a metal surface of the housing 108. Additionally or alternatively, the mounting segments may use other mounting mechanisms, including but not limited to adhesives, bolts, rivets, or other fasteners. However, using magnets in lieu of such fasteners may cause less damage to the housing 108 and/or facilitate ease of removal (e.g., so that the device 100 can be utilized elsewhere if access restriction is no longer desired at the circuit breaker 150 where the device 100 is installed). In some embodiments, magnets may be selected so that an adhesion force of the magnets to the housing 108 warrants use of a pry bar or other tool to remove the device 100.
The arm 102 can couple with the base 106 in a way that facilitates various configurations of the arm 102. For example, the first bar 110 depicted in
Any suitable locking features can be used to secure the arm 102 in position. Locking features can include any structure that facilitates secure attachment that can be released upon operation of an appropriate key or other unlocking feature. For example, in
Additionally, locking mechanisms other than the hasps depicted and described herein can be utilized for securing or locking an arm or obstacle in a blocking or obstructing position. Non-limiting examples of other suitable locking mechanisms include a releasable bracket extending over the arm, a keyway that extends through the arm and secures the arm to the base when a key is turned in the keyway, and locks that may lock or unlock using electromagnets.
The arm 102 shown in
The bars 110 and 112 shown in
The arm 202 can include a structure that is configured for breaking by a human operator to allow the operator to gain access to the button 254 in case of an emergency. As one example illustrated in
Additionally, the arm 202 illustrated in
In some embodiments, the arm can be attached without a hinge. For example,
In some embodiments, other types of base can be used. For example, in contrast to the arrangement of
Other variations are within the spirit of the present disclosure. Thus, while the disclosed techniques are susceptible to various modifications and alternative constructions, certain illustrated embodiments thereof are shown in the drawings and have been described above in detail. It should be understood, however, that there is no intention to limit the disclosure to the specific form or forms disclosed, but on the contrary, the intention is to cover all modifications, alternative constructions, and equivalents falling within the spirit and scope of the disclosure, as defined in the appended claims.
The use of the terms “a” and “an” and “the” and similar referents in the context of describing the disclosed embodiments (especially in the context of the following claims) are to be construed to cover both the singular and the plural, unless otherwise indicated herein or clearly contradicted by context. The terms “comprising,” “having,” “including,” and “containing” are to be construed as open-ended terms (i.e., meaning “including, but not limited to,”) unless otherwise noted. The term “connected” is to be construed as partly or wholly contained within, attached to, or joined together, even if there is something intervening. Recitation of ranges of values herein are merely intended to serve as a shorthand method of referring individually to each separate value falling within the range, unless otherwise indicated herein and each separate value is incorporated into the specification as if it were individually recited herein. All methods described herein can be performed in any suitable order unless otherwise indicated herein or otherwise clearly contradicted by context. The use of any and all examples, or exemplary language (e.g., “such as”) provided herein, is intended merely to better illuminate embodiments of the disclosure and does not pose a limitation on the scope of the disclosure unless otherwise claimed. No language in the specification should be construed as indicating any non-claimed element as essential to the practice of the disclosure.
Disjunctive language such as the phrase “at least one of X, Y, or Z,” unless specifically stated otherwise, is intended to be understood within the context as used in general to present that an item, term, etc., may be either X, Y, or Z, or any combination thereof (e.g., X, Y, and/or Z). Thus, such disjunctive language is not generally intended to, and should not, imply that certain embodiments require at least one of X, at least one of Y, or at least one of Z to each be present.
Preferred embodiments of this disclosure are described herein, including the best mode known to the inventors for carrying out the disclosure. Variations of those preferred embodiments may become apparent to those of ordinary skill in the art upon reading the foregoing description. The inventors expect skilled artisans to employ such variations as appropriate and the inventors intend for the disclosure to be practiced otherwise than as specifically described herein. Accordingly, this disclosure includes all modifications and equivalents of the subject matter recited in the claims appended hereto as permitted by applicable law. Moreover, any combination of the above-described elements in all possible variations thereof is encompassed by the disclosure unless otherwise indicated herein or otherwise clearly contradicted by context.
All references, including publications, patent applications, and patents, cited herein are hereby incorporated by reference to the same extent as if each reference were individually and specifically indicated to be incorporated by reference and were set forth in its entirety herein.
Number | Name | Date | Kind |
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6791040 | Puhalla | Sep 2004 | B1 |
7262376 | Brojanac | Aug 2007 | B2 |
8748759 | Howard | Jun 2014 | B2 |
9373459 | Mininberg | Jun 2016 | B1 |
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