Circuit breaker racking apparatus, systems, and methods of using same
AssigneeSiemens Industry, Inc.
InventorsThomas W. Hawkins, Jason A. Green, Benjamin Eric Heisey
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
Embodiments provide a circuit breaker racking apparatus having a frame configured to couple to a switchgear section configured to receive a circuit breaker; a coupling operable to couple to a racking handle of the circuit breaker to be racked to or from the switchgear section; and a drive member coupled to the coupling and remotely operable to rotate the coupling and racking handle to accomplish racking of the circuit breaker. System and method aspects are provided, as are other aspects.
Claims21
A circuit breaker racking apparatus, comprising:
- a frame connected to a switchgear section and configured to receive a circuit breaker, the switchgear section comprising a racking handle, the racking handle having an end extending external to the switchgear section;
- a coupling having first and second ends, and comprising a handle retainer at the second end to engage with the racking handle;
- and
- a drive member connected to the frame and connected to the coupling at the first end, and operable to rotate the coupling and racking handle to accomplish racking of the circuit breaker.
A switchgear racking system, comprising;
- a switchgear section including a circuit breaker compartment configured to receive a circuit breaker, the switchgear section comprising a racking handle, the racking handle having an end extending external to the switchgear section;
- a mounting bracket assembly coupleable to the switchgear section adjacent to the circuit breaker compartment;
- and
- a circuit breaker racking apparatus mounted to the mounting bracket assembly, the circuit breaker racking apparatus including:
- a frame connected to the switchgear section,
- a coupling having first and second ends, and comprising a handle retainer at the second end to engage with the racking handle, and
- a drive member connected to the frame and connected to the coupling at the first end, and operable to rotate the coupling and racking handle to accomplish racking of the circuit breaker.
A method of racking a circuit breaker, comprising:
- connecting a racking apparatus to a switchgear section configured to receive a circuit breaker, the switchgear section comprising a racking handle, the racking handle having an end extending external to the switchgear section,
- the racking apparatus comprising;
- a frame connected to a switchgear section,
- a coupling having first and second ends, and comprising a handle retainer at the second end, and
- drive member connected to the frame and connected to the coupling at the first end,
- engaging the racking handle with the handle retainer;
- selecting a configuration for a circuit breaker connection selected from the group of connected, disconnected and test;
- and
- racking the circuit breaker to the selected configuration by remotely commanding rotation of the coupling.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.