Generator set having two-piece terminal box

• US 20100102684A1
• Filed: 10/24/2008
• Published: 04/29/2010
• Est. Priority Date: 10/24/2008
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Caterpillar Incorporated
• Original Assignee: Caterpillar Incorporated
• Inventors: Dykes, James E.
• Granted Patent: US 7,978,460 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 310/68.R
• CPC Class Codes: H02K 5/225 Terminal boxes or connection arrangements specially adapted for submersible motors H02K5/132

Abstract

A terminal box for a use with a generator set is provided. The terminal box may have a customer connection, a first housing piece configured to be mounted proximate a generator of the generator set, and at least one cable housed within the first housing piece to electrically connect the generator with the customer connection. The terminal box may also have a second housing piece mounted to the first housing piece distal the generator, and at least one control component housed within the second housing piece to regulate a characteristic of electrical power produced by the generator.

Claims

1. A terminal box for a generator set, comprising:

a customer connection;

a first housing piece configured to be mounted proximate a generator of the generator set;

at least one cable housed within the first housing piece to electrically connect the generator with the customer connection;

a second housing piece mounted to the first housing piece distal the generator; and

at least one control component housed within the second housing piece to regulate a characteristic of electrical power produced by the generator set.

2. The terminal box of claim 1, wherein the customer connection is mounted to the first housing piece.

3. The terminal box of claim 1, further including:

a breaker housed within the first housing piece; and

at least a second cable housed within the first housing piece to electrically connect the generator to the breaker, wherein the at least a first cable electrically connects the breaker to the customer connection.

4. The terminal box of claim 1, wherein the first housing piece includes an opening configured to receive at least an end of the generator.

5. The terminal box of claim 1, wherein the customer connection includes at least one bus bar.

6. The terminal box of claim 1, wherein at least one of the first and second housing pieces has an L-shape.

7. The terminal box of claim 1, wherein a shape of the first housing piece substantially matches a shape of the second housing piece.

8. The terminal box of claim 1, further including a control panel mounted to the second housing piece.

9. The terminal box of claim 1, further including a voltage regulator housed within the second housing piece.

10. The terminal box of claim 1, further including at least one of an announciator, a communication device, a temperature detector, a load-share module, and an electric governor housed within the second housing piece.

11. The terminal box of claim 1, wherein at least one bus bar is associated with the generator, and the first housing piece is configured to house the at least one bus bar.

12. The terminal box of claim 1, wherein the first housing piece includes an assembly access opening substantially blocked by the second housing piece when the terminal box is assembled.

13. The terminal box of claim 1, wherein the second housing piece is located gravitationally higher than the first housing piece when the terminal box is mounted to the generator set.

14. The terminal box of claim 1, further including a single cable extending from the first housing piece to the second housing piece.

15. A method of assembling a generator set, comprising:

mounting a first housing piece proximate a generator;

electrically connecting the generator to a customer connection within the first housing piece;

mounting a second housing piece to the first housing piece after the step of electrically connecting; and

electrically connecting a control component within the second housing piece to a component within the first housing piece.

16. The method of claim 15, wherein mounting the first housing piece includes receiving at least a portion of the generator within the first housing piece.

17. The method of claim 15, wherein electrically connecting the generator to the customer connection includes electrically connecting the generator to a breaker, and electrically connecting the breaker to the customer connection.

18. The method of claim 15, wherein mounting a second housing piece to the first housing piece includes placing the second housing piece on top of the first housing piece and securing the first housing piece to the second housing piece.

19. The method of claim 15, wherein the step of electrically connecting the control component within the second housing piece to the component within the first housing piece is completed before the step of mounting the second housing piece to the first housing piece.

20. A generator set, comprising:

a prime mover;

a generator configured to be driven by the prime mover to create electrical power;

an anchor platform connecting the prime mover to the generator;

a customer connection; and

a terminal box configured to transmit the electrical power to the customer connection and to regulate the creation of electrical power, the terminal box including;

a first housing piece operatively mounted to the anchor platform;

a breaker housed within the first housing piece;

at least a first cable housed within the first housing piece to electrically connect the generator with the breaker;

at least a second cable housed within the first housing piece to electrically connect the breaker with the customer connection;

a second housing piece mounted to the first housing piece; and

at least one control component housed within the second housing piece and being configured to regulate a characteristic of electrical power produced by the generator.