GB2541363A

GB2541363A - Mounting assembly

Info

Publication number: GB2541363A
Application number: GB1511919.1A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Bradley Edward
Original assignee: ELECTRICAL DISTRIB SOLUTIONS Ltd
Current assignee: ELECTRICAL DISTRIB SOLUTIONS Ltd
Priority date: 2015-07-08
Filing date: 2015-07-08
Publication date: 2017-02-22
Also published as: GB201511919D0

Abstract

A mounting assembly 10 for mounting an electrical installation 12 (Figure 2) in a chassis 14 (Figure 32); the assembly includes a pair of chassis parts 20 mountable to an inner side of the chassis, and a pair of installation parts 16 (i.e. mounting plate) slidably mounted to a respective one of the chassis parts, and profiled to supportingly engage with the respective side of the electrical installation, to enable the electric installation to be slid into position within the chassis; wherein the electrical installation is of a different configuration to the electrical installation originally intended to fit within the chassis. The electrical installation may be an air circuit breaker (ACB) retrofitted into a chassis. A projection may be included to prevent the installation parts from fully sliding out of the chassis. The chassis may include electrical connection parts 72 (Figure 28) to connect with connections in the electrical installation.

Description

Mounting Assembly

This invention concerns mounting assemblies for electrical installations, such as ACB’s (Air Circuit Breakers), and a method of mounting an electrical installation such as an ACB in a chassis intended for a different electrical installation.

Electrical installations such as ACB’s (Air Circuit Breakers) are installed in frames within electrical distribution boards or panels, which frames are commonly referred to as chassis. A mounting assembly is provided for mounting an ACB in a chassis such that the ACB can adopt a fully connected position wholly in the chassis, can be slid outwardly from the chassis to a test position, and can be slid further out of the chassis to be fully disconnected and thereafter removed therefrom.

The mounting assembly will generally comprise chassis parts mountable to respective inner sides of the chassis, and installation parts engageable respectively on either side with the ACB. The installation parts may include slide rails slidably engageable with the chassis parts to enable the ACB to be slid outwardly to the test position.

The mounting assembly will also generally comprise a control wiring connector rail mounted to an upper part of the chassis, and connectable to connections on the ACB. The mounting assembly will usually further include electrical connections on the rear of the ACB, engageable with main electrical connections in the chassis, when the ACB is in the connected position.

Over time, the design of ACB’s may change, but it is desirable if possible for newer designs of ACB’s to still be usable in chassis configured for earlier designs. Such chassis may though have different internal connections, configurations and/or dimensions.

According to a first aspect of the invention there is provided a mounting assembly for mounting an electrical installation such as an ACB in a chassis, the assembly including a pair of chassis parts each mountable respectively to an inner side of the chassis, and a pair of installation parts each slidably mounted to a respective one of the chassis parts, and profiled to supportingly engage with a respective side of the electrical installation, to enable the electrical installation to be accurately slid into position in the chassis, the assembly being configured to enable connectable mounting of an electrical installation in a chassis, when the electrical installation is of a different configuration to the electrical installation originally intended to fit within the chassis.

Each installation part may comprise a profiled plate profiled to extend around and receive projections on the side of the electrical installation. The profiled plates may have a profiled upper edge to supportingly receive the external profile on the respective side of the electrical installation. A projection may be provided on the profiled plates engageable with the chassis to prevent the profile plates being slid fully out of the chassis.

Each installation part may also comprise a slider part mounted on the profiled plate, which slider part is slidably engageable with a respective chassis part. A slider part may have a profiled upper edge to supportingly receive the external profile on the respective side of the electrical installation. The slider part may include a plurality of projections to space the slider part from the profiled plate to provide a correct position relative to the respective chassis part.

The assembly may include an upper electrical connection part which is selectively engageable with connections on an upper part of the electrical installation.

The upper electrical connection part may be selectively movable between a raised position clear of an electrical installation located in or entering the chassis, and a lowered position engaging with an electrical installation at least partially within the chassis.

The upper electrical connection part may be configured to automatically move from a raised to a lowered position as an electrical installation is slid into the chassis.

An electrical installation movement arrangement may be provided to permit manual movement of the electrical installation into the chassis or thereoutof, and the movement arrangement may be configured such that when the electrical installation extends partially into the chassis, actuation of the movement arrangement moves the upper electrical connection part to the lowered position prior to the electrical installation being slid further into the chassis.

The upper electrical connection part may be configured such that as the electrical installation is slid into the chassis, the upper electrical connection part slidably moves with the electrical installation relative to the chassis.

The upper electrical connection part may include a frame with one or more openings therethrough, such that electrical connector elements can be mounted extending through the opening or openings, so as to be engageable with an electrical connection or a connections on the electrical installation.

The assembly may include rear electrical connection parts mountable on the rear of the electrical installation in place of original electrical connection parts, the electrical connection parts being configured to engage with electrical connections in the chassis.

According to a further aspect of the invention there is provided a method of mounting an electrical installation such as an ACB in a chassis intended for a different electrical installation, the method comprising using a mounting assembly according to any of the preceding eleven paragraphs.

An embodiment of the present invention will now be described by way of example only and with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which:-

Fig. 1 is a diagrammatic front perspective view of a mounting assembly according to the invention;

Fig. 2 is a diagrammatic partially removed rear perspective view of an electrical installation with the mounting assembly of Fig. 1;

Fig. 3 is a diagrammatic side view of a first component of the assembly of Fig. 1;

Fig. 4 is a diagrammatic rear perspective view of the component of Fig. 3;

Figs. 5 and 6 are respectively similar views to Figs. 3 and 4 but of a similar component of a prior mounting assembly;

Figs. 7, 8 and 9 are respectively diagrammatic side, front perspective and front views of a second component of the assembly of Fig. 1;

Figs. 10, 11 and 12 are respectively similar views to Figs. 7, 8 and 9 but of a similar component of a prior mounting assembly;

Figs. 13, 14 and 15 are respectively first side, perspective first side, and perspective second side views of the first and second components of the assembly of Fig. 1 mounted together;

Figs. 16 and 17 are respectively diagrammatic side and end views of a third component of the assembly of Fig. 1;

Figs. 18 and 19 are similar views respectively to Figs. 16 and 17 but of a similar component of a prior mounting assembly.

Figs. 20 and 21 are respectively diagrammatic side and end views of the first, second and third components mounted together along with a fourth component;

Figs. 22 and 23 are similar views respectively to Figs. 20 and 21 but of similar components of a prior mounting assembly;

Figs. 24, 25 and 26 are respectively diagrammatic plan, side and a perspective view from beneath, of a fifth component of the mounting assembly of Fig. 1;

Fig. 27 is a diagrammatic plan view of a similar component to the fifth component, but of a prior mounting assembly.

Fig. 28 is a diagrammatic rear perspective view of six components of the assembly of Fig. 1;

Fig. 29 is a diagrammatic side view of two of the six components of Fig. 28;

Fig. 30 is a diagrammatic rear view of an electrical installation;

Fig. 31 is a diagrammatic side view of the installation of Fig. 30;

Fig. 32 is a diagrammatic front perspective view of an empty chassis for receiving the electrical installation of Fig. 2; and

Fig. 33 is a detailed view of part of the chassis of Fig. 32.

The drawings show a mounting assembly 10 for mounting an electrical installation such as an ACB (air circuit breaker) 12 in a chassis 14. Electrical installations such as an ACB 12 are conventionally mounted in a chassis 14 such that the ACB 12 can be slid out of the chassis 14 for testing, and further removal. Over time the design of such electrical installations has developed and improved which has produced a new range of ACB’s, which often have different external profiles, dimensions and connections. Over time it may therefore be necessary to replace existing ACB’s with a new ACB. Unfortunately the new ACB will often not connectably fit within the chassis 14 intended for the older ACB.

Prior suggestions for modifying the mounting of a newer ACB in an older chassis have involved quite extensive amounts of work, including removal of some of the exterior features and casing of the newer ACB. This has generally led to a not insignificant amount of work, and often a relatively long downtime of the ACB. An alternative approach would be to replace the chassis 14 with a new chassis configured for the newer ACB. This is however again time consuming and relatively expensive, and again may lead to significant downtime of a unit.

The mounting assembly 10 is intended to enable a newer design of ACB 12 to be mounted in a chassis 14 intended for an earlier design of ACB. The mounting assembly 10 comprises a pair of installation parts comprising a respective profiled mounting plate 16 and a profiled slider part 18 mounted to a respective plate 16. A pair of chassis parts 20 are provided mountable each in respective sides of the chassis 14, on the inner side thereof.

Each mounting plate 16 has a profiled upper edge 22 which can supportingly receive a generally mid height transverse projection 24 provided on each side of the outside of the ACB. Each plate 16 has mounting holes 26 towards the upper edge 22 to permit mounting of a respective slider part 18 adjacent the upper edge. The slider part 18 has a profiled upper edge 28 with two recesses 30 corresponding to recesses 32 in the upper edge 22 of the mounting plate 16. The slider part 18 also has projecting parts 34 located adjacent respective ends of the recesses 30, and also between the recesses 30, to space the slider part 18 outwardly from the plate 16.

The plates 16 also mount at their front lower corners respective ACB removal arrangements 36. The arrangements 36 comprise a profiled plate 38 mounted on the outside of each of the mounting plates 16 and slidingly movable relative thereto by virtue of horizontal slots 40 in the profiled plate 38 in which respective projections 42 mounted on the mounting plates 16 engage, with the profiled plate 38 being spring urged into the chassis 14.

An out turned flange 44 is provided on the outer ends of the profiled plates 38 to permit manual engagement therewith to enable the profiled plates 38 to be slid outwardly against the sprung force. A catch (not shown) is provided which retains the ACB 12 in the chassis 14 unless the profiled plates 38 are pulled sufficiently outwardly from the chassis to disengage the catch. This therefore provides a safety arrangement preventing the relatively heavy ACB inadvertently falling out of the chassis 14. Projections 46 are provided at the distal edge of the plates 16, which prevents the plate 16 from sliding out of the chassis 14.

The chassis part 20 comprises a profiled housing 48 with mounting holes 50 to permit mounting onto the interior side faces of the chassis 14. The housing 48 has a central horizontally extending recess 52 with a lower upstanding flange 54. The recess 52 and flange 54 define a track 56 to slidingly receive a one of the slider parts 18.

The mounting assembly 10 also comprises an upper electrical connection part 58 which includes a profiled plate 60 which extends transversely above a top front part of the ACB 12. The plate 60 includes three rectangular openings 62 across its width, each with castellated profiled edges 64. The castellated edges 64 permit electrical connectors to be mounted thereto and to extend through the openings 62 to connect to connections provided on the top of the ACB 12 therebelow. The plate 60 has upturned front and rear edges 66, 68, and tabs 70 at each end.

The mounting assembly 10 further comprises a rear electrical connection part arrangement 72 to provide the main electrical connections to the ACB 12. As shown in Fig. 28 the arrangement 72 comprises six connection parts 74 each in the form of a copper connector comprising a base plate 76 extending vertically in use and mountable to the rear of the ACB 12, with a horizontally aligned block 78 extending rearwardly therefrom which is connectable to the electrical distribution board.

Horizontally extending through holes 80 with an enlarged head section 82 are provided through the connection parts 74 as shown in Fig. 28, with the top three parts 74 having four holes 80 towards each corner, and the lower three parts 74 each having six holes, one adjacent each corner, and two intermediate holes which also extend through the horizontal blocks 78.

Figs. 32 and 33 show the chassis 14 and in particular a winding arrangement 112 for moving the ACB 12 into and out of the chassis 14. The winding arrangement 112 is of a conventional design and will therefore now only be briefly described. A front facing plate 114 is provided extending across the front of the chassis 14 at a lower part thereof, defining an opening thereabove through which the ACB 12 can pass. The plate 114 rotatingly mounts a threaded bar 116 which extends rearwardly into the chassis 14. A profiled opening 118 is provided in the front end of the bar 116 to permit rotation thereof by an appropriately shaped tool. A slidable plate 120 is provided with an upturned front flange 122, through which flange 122 the bar 116 threadingly extends, such that rotation of the bar 116 causes the plate 120 to move forwards or rearwards relative to the chassis 14. Upstanding side plates 124 on each side guide the plate 120, and an in turned flange 126 on each plate 124 slidingly engages in a respective slot 128 on each side of the flange 122.

Two rows of openings 130 are provided in the plate 120 to form a rack, and a respective pair of pinion gears 132 are engageable with the rack. The gears 132 are mounted on a transverse axle 134 in the chassis 14, such that rotation of the axle 134 caused by movement of the plate 120 and engagement of the rack with the gears 132, moves the ACB 12 into or out of the chassis 14.

The mounting assembly 10 can be used to mount the ACB 12 in the chassis 14 in the following manner. The chassis parts 20 are mounted to the inside walls of each sides of the chassis 14. The installation parts incorporating the profiled plates 16 and slider parts 18 are mounted on the chassis parts 12 such that the slider parts 18 are slidably movable along the tracks 56. The upper electrical connection part 58 will be in a raised position as shown in Fig. 2, clear of the ACB 12. The connection parts 74 can be mounted on the rear of the ACB with bolts or screws extending through the holes 80, with the heads of the screws or bolts locating in the respective head sections 82. The screws or bolts locate in respective opening 84 in the rear of the ACB as shown in Fig. 30, which illustrates the configuration of openings 84 provided.

With the installation parts extending outwardly from the chassis 14, the ACB 12 is located so as to rest on the upper edge 22 of the mounting plate 16 and also the upper edge 28 of the slider part 18. The winder mechanism is then turned and this initially lowers the upper electrical connection part 58 onto the top of the ACB 12, and any connection parts (not shown) mounted in the opening 62 will connect to respective connections in the top of the ACB 12, to provide control connections for the ACB 12.

Further winding will cause the ACB 12 to be accurately slid into the chassis 14. As is conventional a pair of sprung arms 86 are provided towards the rear of the chassis 14 on each side, as shown in Fig. 2 in a C configuration with a central pivot 88. As the slider part 18 moves into the chassis with the ACB 12, the pointed inner ends 90 of the slider parts 18 engage with the centre of the C of the sprung arms 86 causing them to move apart, and this causes shutters (not shown) over openings in the rear of the chassis to open to enable the blocks 78 to enter thereinto to provide the main electrical connection between the ACB 12 and the electrical distribution boards.

The mounting assembly 10 is provided to enable an ACB 12 in the form of a newer model to locate in the chassis 14 originally designed for an older model with different connections. Figs. 5 and 6 show a mounting plate 100 for mounting the original ACB intended for the chassis 14. As can be seen from Figs. 3 and 4 the mounting plate 16 has a different profile to the mounting plate 100, and particularly in the upper edge 22 thereof. This amended profile means that the plate 16 can be used with the different profile provided on the sides of the casing of the ACB 12 without any required modification to the casing of the ACB 12, relative to the casing provided on the original ACB.

Figs. 10, 11 and 12 show a slider part 102 for slidably mounting the original ACB. As can be seen the slider part 18 has a different profile relative to the slider part 102, so as to engage with the side of the casing of the ACB 12, without requiring any modification thereof. Also the slider part 18 has the projections 34 which help to ensure that the ACB 12 is correctly aligned in the chassis 14.

Figs. 18 and 19 show a chassis part 104 of the original ACB again defining a track 106 for the slider part 102 to move along. The different cross sectional profiles of the chassis parts 20 and 104 can be seen.

Figs. 22 and 23 show in combination the mounting plate 100, slider part 102 and chassis part 104 for the original ACB. In comparison, Figs. 20 and 21 show the mounting plate 16, slider part 18 and chassis part 20, and it can be seen that a different profile is provided usable with the ACB 12 in the chassis 14, to provide for accurate alignment of the ACB 12 therein.

Fig. 27 shows the plate 108 of the upper electrical control part for the original ACB, which plate 108 has a different arrangement of openings 110 for use with different connections on the top of the original ACB. Also the plate 108 is wider than the plate 60. For mounting with the ACB 12, the plate 108 is replaced by the plate 60.

With a chassis intended for use with the ACB 12, the rear connection parts extend vertically rather than horizontally, as with the connection parts 74. To mount the ACB 12 in the chassis intended for the original ACB, the connection parts 74 are mounted on the rear of the ACB 12. The mounting of the connection parts 74 on the rear of the ACB 12 replicates the connections provided on the original ACB, thereby permitting mounting of the ACB 12 in the chassis 14 which was originally intended for use with an original ACB with horizontally extending rear connection parts.

There is thus descried a mounting assembly for an electrical installation such as an ACB which provides for accurate alignment and ready mounting and removal of the ACB in the chassis. The assembly also permits an ACB to be used in a chassis intended for a different design of ACB, without requiring any modification to the ACB. This therefore enables existing ACB’s to be replaced with newer versions in a relatively quick and straightforward operation in contrast to previous arrangements which have required significant amendment of the ACB.

It is to be realised that a wide range of modifications may be made without departing from the scope of the invention. For instance the components may take a different form dependent on the particular connections on the ACB. The slider part and profiled plate may potentially be integrally formed.

Whilst endeavouring in the foregoing specification to draw attention to those features of the invention believed to be of particular importance it should be understood that the Applicant claims protection in respect of any patentable feature or combination of features hereinbefore referred to and/or shown in the drawings whether or not particular emphasis has been placed thereon.

Claims

1. A mounting assembly for mounting an electrical installation such as an ACB in a chassis, the assembly including a pair of chassis parts each mountable respectively to an inner side of the chassis, and a pair of installation parts each slidably mounted to a respective one of the chassis parts, and profiled to supportingly engage with a respective side of the electrical installation, to enable the electrical installation to be accurately slid into position in the chassis, the assembly being configured to enable connectable mounting of an electrical installation in a chassis, when the electrical installation is of a different configuration to the electrical installation originally intended to fit within the chassis.

2. A mounting assembly according to claim 1, in which each installation part comprises a profiled plate profiled to extend around and receive projections on the side of the electrical installation.

3. A mounting assembly according to claim 2, in which the profiled plates have a profiled upper edge to supportingly receive the external profile on the respective side of the electrical installation.

4. A mounting assembly according to claims 2 or 3, in which a projection is provided on the profiled plates engageable with the chassis to prevent the profiled plates being slid fully out of the chassis.

5. A mounting assembly according to any of the preceding claims, in which each installation part also comprises a slider part mounted on the profiled plate, which slider part is slidably engageable with a respective chassis part.

6. A mounting assembly according to claim 5, in which the slider part has a profiled upper edge to supportingly receive the external profile on the respective side of the electrical installation.

7. A mounting assembly according to claims 5 or 6, in which the slider includes a plurality of projections to space the slider part from the profiled plate to provide a correct position relative to the respective chassis part.

8. A mounting assembly according to any of the preceding claims, in which the assembly includes an upper electrical connection part which is selectively engageable with connections on an upper part of the electrical installation.

9. A mounting assembly according to claim 8, in which the upper electrical connection part is selectively movable between a raised position clear of an electrical installation located in or entering the chassis, and a lowered position engaging with an electrical installation at least partially within the chassis.

10. A mounting assembly according to claim 9, in which the upper electrical connection part is configured to automatically move from a raised to a lowered position as an electrical installation is slid into the chassis.

11. A mounting assembly according to any of the preceding claims, in which an electrical installation movement arrangement is provided to permit manual movement of the electrical installation into the chassis or thereoutof.

12. A mounting assembly according to claim 11 when dependent on claim 8, in which the movement arrangement is configured such that when the electrical installation extends partially into the chassis, actuation of the movement arrangement moves the upper electrical connection part to the lowered position prior to the electrical installation being slid further into the chassis.

13. A mounting assembly according to claim 8 or any of claims 9 to 12 when dependent on claim 8, in which the upper electrical connection part is configured such that as the electrical installation is slid into the chassis, the upper electrical connection part slidably moves with the electrical installation relative to the chassis.

14. A mounting assembly according to claim 8 or any of claims 9 to 13 when dependent on claim 8, in which the upper electrical connection part includes a frame with one or more openings therethrough, such that electrical connector elements can be mounted extending through the opening or openings, so as to be engageable with an electrical connection or a connections on the electrical installation.

15. A mounting assembly according to any of the preceding claims, in which the assembly includes rear electrical connection parts mountable on the rear of the electrical installation in place of original electrical connection parts, the electrical connection parts being configured to engage with electrical connections in the chassis.

16. A method of mounting an electrical installation such as an ACB in a chassis intended for a different electrical installation, the method comprising using a mounting assembly according to any of the preceding claims.

17. A mounting assembly for mounting an electrical installation, the assembly being substantially as hereinbefore described and with reference to the accompanying drawings.

18. A method of mounting an electrical installation, the method being substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to the accompanying drawings.

19. Any novel subject matter or combination including novel subject matter disclosed herein, whether or not within the scope of or relating to the same invention as any of the preceding claims.