Transfer switch assembly

• US 20080158785A1
• Filed: 12/28/2007
• Published: 07/03/2008
• Est. Priority Date: 12/29/2006
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Cummins Power Generation IP, Inc.
• Original Assignee: Cummins Power Generation IP, Inc.
• Inventors: Bax, Randall L., Murray, Jerry, Ayana, Elias, Pautzke, Roger, Carney, Allen B., McCarthy, John
• Granted Patent: US 7,982,331 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 361/622
• CPC Class Codes: H05K 7/1432 specially adapted for power drive units or power converters
• CPC Class Codes: H05K 7/14322 wherein the control and power circuits of a power converter are arranged within the same casing

Abstract

A transfer switch assembly is disclosed that includes a power switch device with a number engagement landings and a printed circuit board defining an opening bordered by a number of tabs. The tabs engage the landings as the switch device extends through the openings, and can be fastened together.

Claims

1. A system, comprising:

an interface to an external power source;

a variable speed generator power source; and

a power transfer switch unit operatively coupled to the interface, the generator power source, and an output power bus, the power transfer switch unit being structured to switch between the external power source and the generator power source to transfer electric power to the output power bus, the power transfer switch unit including;

a contactor defining a number of landings between a first end portion and a second end portion, the landings each being separated from one another by a corresponding one of a number of dividing walls;

a printed circuit board carrying a number of power electronic devices, the printed circuit board including a first side opposite a second side and defining an opening therethrough, the opening being bordered by several tabs each separated from one another by a corresponding one of several notches, the tabs each including an edge clad with a metallic layer, the contactor being received through the opening to place each respective one of the dividing walls through a respective one of the notches, each respective one of the tabs being fastened to a respective one of the landings; and

an enclosure including a first enclosure wall opposite a second enclosure wall, the contactor and the printed circuit board being contained in the enclosure and at least one of the first end portion and the second end portion engaging the enclosure to position the printed circuit board between the first enclosure wall and the second enclosure wall.

2. The system of claim 1, further comprising a vehicle carrying the interface, the generator power source, and the power transfer switch unit.

3. The system of claim 1, wherein the power transfer switch unit includes another contactor fixed to the printed circuit board and extending through another opening in the printed circuit board to bear against the enclosure.

4. The system of claim 1, further comprising means for stacking the printed circuit board next to another printed circuit board in a spaced apart relationship within the enclosure and between the first wall and the second wall.

5. The system of claim 1, wherein the tabs each include an aperture, the landings each include a threaded hole, and the tabs are each fastened to the landings by a respective one of a number of screws.

6. The system of claim 1, wherein the electric power devices include a number of inductors, a number of capacitors, and one or more terminal block devices and further comprising another printed circuit carrying a number of solid state components.

7. An apparatus, comprising a power transfer switch unit including:

an electric power switching device defining a number of engagement landings between a first end portion and a second end portion;

a printed circuit board assembly including a printed circuit board carrying a number of power electronic devices, the printed circuit board including a first side opposite a second side and defining an opening bordered by a number of engagement fingers, the electric power switching device being connected to the printed circuit board to extend through the opening and to engage each of the fingers with a different one of the landings, the first end portion of the electric power switching device being positioned to extend past the first side of the printed circuit board and the second end portion of the electric power switching device being positioned to extend past the second side of the printed circuit board; and

an enclosure containing the electric power switching device and the printed circuit board assembly therein, the enclosure including a first wall opposite a second wall, at least one of the first end portion and the second end portion bearing against the enclosure to support the printed circuit assembly between the first wall and the second wall.

8. The apparatus of claim 7, further comprising a vehicle carrying a variable speed generator power source and an interface to selectively connect to a shore power source, the power transfer switch unit being connected to a power bus and structured to select between the shore power source and the generator power source to transfer electrical power to the power bus.

9. The apparatus of claim 7, wherein each respective one of the fingers is connected to a different one of the landings by a respective one of a number of fasteners.

10. The apparatus of claim 9, wherein the fingers each define an aperture, the landings each define a threaded hole, and the fasteners are each in the form of a screw extending through the aperture of the respective one of the fingers and engaging the threaded hole of the respective one of the landings.

11. The apparatus of claim 7, further comprising means for fastening the fingers to the landings.

12. The apparatus of claim 7, further comprising means for suspending the printed circuit assembly from the electric power switching device.

13. The apparatus of claim 7, further comprising a contactor extending through another opening in the printed circuit board, the contactor including a number of dividing walls separating the landings from one another, and the opening defining a number of notches each separating the fingers from one another, the notches each being sized and shaped to receive a corresponding one of the dividing walls therethrough.

14. The apparatus of claim 7, wherein the electric power switching device is a contactor, and further comprising another printed circuit board carrying a number of semiconductor devices with means for stacking in relation to the printed circuit board assembly.

15. The apparatus of claim 14, wherein the fingers each include an edge clad with a metallic layer.

16. An apparatus, comprising an electric power transfer switch unit including:

a power switching device defining a number of fastening landings each separated from one another by a corresponding one of a number of dividing walls;

a printed circuit board assembly including a printed circuit board carrying a number of electrical power devices, the printed circuit board defining an opening therethrough, the opening being bordered by a number of fastening fingers each separated from one another by a corresponding one of a number of notches, the fingers each including an edge clad with a metallic layer to provide thermal and electrical conductivity, the power switching device being received through the opening to engage each respective one of the fingers with a respective one of the landings and receive a respective one of the dividing walls through a respective one of the notches; and

a number of fasteners each connecting the respective one of the fingers to the respective one of the landings.

17. The apparatus of claim 16, further comprising an enclosure including a first wall opposite a second wall, the power switching device including a first end portion opposite a second end portion, and at least one of the first end portion and the second end portion engaging the enclosure to support the printed circuit assembly between the first wall and the second wall.

18. The apparatus of claim 16, further comprising a vehicle carrying a variable speed generator power source and an interface to selectively connect to a shore power source, the power transfer switch unit being connected to a power bus and structured to select between the shore power source and the generator power source to transfer electrical power to the power bus.

19. The apparatus of claim 16, wherein the fingers each define an aperture, the landings each define a threaded hole, and the fasteners are each in the form of a screw extending through the aperture of the respective one of the fingers and engaging the threaded hole of the respective one of the landings.

20. The apparatus of claim 16, further comprising means for suspending the printed circuit assembly from the electric power switching device.

21. The apparatus of claim 16, further comprising a contactor extending through another opening in the printed circuit board.

22. The apparatus of claim 16, wherein the power switching device is a contactor, and further comprising another printed circuit board carrying a number of semiconductor devices with means for stacking in relation to the printed circuit board assembly.