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US 7,688,572 B2Granted
Motor control center subunit having moveable line contacts and method of manufacture
AssigneeEaton Corporation
InventorsEdgar Yee, Robert Allan Morris, Scott Edward McPherren, Neal Edward Rowe
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
A system and method for connecting supply power to motor control components includes use of a motor control center subunit with moveable supply power contacts. After a motor control center subunit is secured into a motor control center compartment, the supply power contacts may be advanced to engage supply power buses. For disconnection, the supply power contacts may be retracted and isolated from the buses before physical removal of the subunit.
Claims31
A control module for a motor control center comprising:
- a control module housing having a plurality of conductive contacts therein, the control module housing having a front panel and designed to seat in a motor control center wherein the front panel forms a front face of the motor control center;
- an engagement mechanism attached to the housing and in operable association with the plurality of conductive contacts to move the plurality of conductive contacts between a retracted position and an extended position while the control module housing is seated in the motor control center and the front panel is in a closed position;
- and
- a control power conductor accessible from outside the control module housing and configured to engage a control power supply and conduct a control power to control components within the control module housing.
1 more element
A method of manufacturing a control module for a motor control center comprising:
- assembling a control module housing to seat in a motor control center compartment, the control module housing having at least a front panel constructed to securely seal against an inner periphery of the motor control center compartment to contain arc flash;
- disposing a moveable guide within the control module housing to guide motion of at least one supply contact from a first position to a second position;
- attaching the at least one supply contact to the moveable guide;
- providing for advancement of the at least one supply contact and the moveable guide when the front panel of the control module housing is secured against the motor control center compartment;
- and
- providing a control power contact accessible from outside the control module housing to engage a control power supply and provide control power to a motor control component of the control module.
3 more elements
A motor control center subunit comprising:
- a subunit housing designed to be installed in a motor control center and having a front panel to substantially seal against a periphery of an enclosure of the motor control center when the subunit housing is installed therein;
- an actuating mechanism disposed within the subunit housing and constructed to move a plurality of line connectors between a retracted position and an extended position;
- an isolator assembly configured to electrically shield the plurality of line connectors prior to engagement of the plurality of line connectors with a line power;
- a control power conductor accessible from outside the subunit housing and configured to engage a control power supply and conduct a control power to control components within the subunit housing;
- and
- wherein the front panel includes an opening formed therein designed to permit operation of the actuating mechanism when the subunit housing is installed in the motor control center and the front panel is substantially sealed against the periphery of the enclosure of the motor control center.
3 more elements
A motor control center comprising:
- a frame enclosing a supply power bus, the frame having at least one compartment;
- at least one control unit configured for substantially sealed installation in the at least one compartment, the control unit comprising:
- a front panel to form a front face of the motor control center when the at least one control unit is installed in the motor control center;
- at least one supply power contact;
- a drive configured to move the at least one supply power contact for engagement and disengagement with the supply power bus;
- a drive actuator designed to actuate the drive from outside the control unit when the control unit is installed in the at least one compartment and the front panel has substantially sealed the at least one control unit in the at least one compartment;
- and
- a control power contact accessible from outside the control unit and constructed to engage a control power supply and provide control power to a motor control component of the control unit.
5 more elements
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.