Switchgear bus support system and method

• US 7,633,741 B2
• Filed: 04/23/2007
• Issued: 12/15/2009
• Est. Priority Date: 04/23/2007
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Eaton Intelligent Power Limited (Eaton Corporation PLC.)
• Original Assignee: Cooper Technologies Company (Eaton Corporation PLC.)
• Inventors: Wycklendt, Dan, Myers, Timothy A., Hughes, David Charles, Steinbrecher, Brian Todd
• Primary Examiner(s): CHERVINSKY, BORIS LEO
• Application Number:
  US11/738,941
• Publication Number:
  US 20080259532A1
• Time in Patent Office: 967 Days
• Field of Search: None
• US Class Current: 361/611
• CPC Class Codes: H02B 11/26 Arrangements of fuses, resistors, voltage arresters or the like
• CPC Class Codes: H02B 13/01 with resin casing
• CPC Class Codes: H02G 5/025 Supporting structures
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 29/49117 Conductor or circuit manufacturing

Abstract

Apparatus, method, and system for rigidly supporting a switchgear bus assembly through the use of one or more support plates, thereby providing the primary support for the other active modules and bushings.

Claims

1. A busbar support system for a switchgear, comprising:

at least one busbar, each busbar being encapsulated within a solid dielectric medium, each busbar comprising at least one connection interface;

a first busbar support positioned along a first side of the busbar;

a second busbar support positioned along a second side of the busbar, wherein the busbar is coupled to at least one of the busbar supports, and wherein the busbar provides support for a plurality of active modules electrically coupled to the busbar; and

a plurality of switchgear components electrically and mechanically coupled to the connection interface, the switchgear components being suspended from the connection interface and supported by the connection interface and the first busbar support without additional support for the switchgear components.

2. The busbar support system of claim 1, wherein the first busbar support comprises at least one opening, each opening configured to slidably receive a connection interface for the busbar.

3. The busbar support system of claim 1, further comprising:

a support frame coupled to the first busbar support and the second busbar support, the support frame comprising;

a first frame support positioned along a first edge of the first and second busbar supports and substantially perpendicular to the first and second busbar supports, wherein the first frame support is coupled to the first edge of the first and second busbar supports;

a second frame support positioned along a second edge of the first and second busbar supports and substantially perpendicular to the first and second busbar supports, wherein the second frame support is coupled to the second edge of the first and second busbar supports; and

at least one frame support member, each frame support member having a first end and a second end, the first end coupled to the first frame support and the second end coupled to the second frame support.

4. The busbar support system of claim 1, wherein each of the first and second busbar supports comprises a metallic plate.

5. The busbar support system of claim 1, further comprising:

a first support bar positioned along a top edge of the first busbar support; and

a second support bar positioned along a top edge of the second busbar support,

wherein a first connection interface for a buswork component is positioned above and lies upon the first support bar, and a second connection interface for another buswork component is positioned above and lies upon the second support bar.

6. The busbar support system of claim 1, further comprising a ground plane positioned along the exterior of the solid dielectric medium.

7. The busbar support system of claim 1, wherein each of the first busbar support and the second busbar support comprises:

a first support panel positioned along the first side of the busbar, the first support panel comprising a first edge and a second edge, the second edge being below the first edge;

a first support channel positioned below and parallel to the first support panel, the first support channel comprising a top edge and a bottom edge, the top edge of the first support channel coupled to the second edge of the first support panel;

a second support panel positioned below and parallel to the first support channel, the second support panel comprising a top edge and a bottom edge, the top edge of the second support panel coupled to the bottom edge of the first support channel;

a second support channel positioned below and parallel to the second support panel, the second support channel comprising a top edge and a bottom edge, the top edge of the second support channel coupled to the bottom edge of the second support panel; and

a third support panel positioned below and parallel to the second support channel, the third support panel comprising a top edge and a bottom edge, the top edge of the third support panel coupled to the bottom edge of the second support channel;

wherein at least one of the support panels further comprises at least one opening, each opening configured to slidably receive a connection interface for the busbar.

8. The busbar support system of claim 1, wherein the busbar is configured to be rated to be energized to at least 5000 volts and carry at least 200 Amps of current.

9. The busbar support system of claim 1, wherein the active modules are encapsulated within the solid dielectric medium.

10. The busbar support system of claim 1, wherein the second busbar support comprises at least one opening, each opening configured to slidably receive a second connection interface for the busbar.

11. The busbar support system of claim 1, further comprising a second plurality of switchgear components electrically and mechanically coupled to a second connection interface, wherein the second switchgear components are suspended from the second connection interface and supported by the second connection interface and the second busbar support without additional support for the second switchgear components.

12. A busbar support system for a switchgear, comprising:

a means for conducting and distributing electricity through a common connection to a plurality of circuit means;

at least one connection means electrically coupled to the conducting and distributing means, the connection means comprising at least two means for connecting and distributing the electricity to the plurality of circuit means;

a first means for supporting the conducting and distributing means and the connection means positioned along a first side of the distributing means, the first support means comprising at least one means for slidably receiving the connection means; and

a second means for supporting the distributing means and the connection means positioned along a second side of the distributing means, the second supporting means comprising at least one means for slidably receiving the connection means, wherein the distributing means is positioned between and coupled to the first and second supporting means, each connection means being slidably coupled into a corresponding receiving means, wherein the first and second supporting means are substantially parallel.

13. A busbar support system for a switchgear comprising:

a busbar;

at least one buswork component coupled to the busbar, wherein the buswork component further comprises at least one connection interface;

a first busbar support positioned along a first side of the busbar; and

a second busbar support positioned along a second side of the busbar, such that the busbar is positioned between the first and second busbar supports;

wherein each busbar support comprises;

a first support panel comprising a first edge and a second edge, the second edge positioned below the first edge;

a first support channel positioned below and parallel to the first support panel, the first support channel comprising a top edge and a bottom edge, the top edge of the first support channel coupled to the second edge of the first support panel;

a second support panel positioned below and parallel to the first support channel, the second support panel comprising a top edge and a bottom edge, the top edge of the second support panel coupled to the bottom edge of the first support channel;

a second support channel positioned below and parallel to the second support panel, the second support channel comprising a top edge and a bottom edge, the top edge of the second support channel coupled to the bottom edge of the second support panel; and

a third support panel positioned below and parallel to the second support channel, the third support panel comprising a top edge and a bottom edge, the top edge of the third support panel coupled to the bottom edge of the second support channel;

wherein at least one of the support panels for each busbar support further comprises at least one opening, each opening configured to slidably receive a connection interface for one of the buswork components.

14. A method of manufacturing a busbar support system, comprising the steps of:

providing a first means for support, wherein the first support means comprises at least one means for slidably receiving a connection means;

coupling by coupling means a means for conducting and distributing electricity through a common connection to a plurality of circuit means to the first support means along a first side of the distributing means;

electrically coupling by coupling means at least one connection means to the distributing means, the connection means comprising at least one means for connecting and distributing the electricity to the plurality of circuit means; and

coupling by coupling means additional electrical transmission and switching means to the first and second connection means, wherein the additional transmission means is supported by the support means and the connection means without additional means for supporting the additional transmission means.

15. A system for power distribution, comprising;

a power generating means for generating electricity;

a power transmission means electrically coupled on a first end to the power generating means;

a first electrical isolation means electrically coupled to a second end of the power transmission means; and

an electrical transforming means electrically coupled to the first electrical isolation means and a second electrical isolation means, wherein each electrical isolation means comprises;

a means for conducting and distributing electricity through a common connection to a plurality of circuit means;

at least one connection means electrically coupled to the conducting and distributing means, the connection means comprising at least two means for connecting and distributing the electricity to the plurality of circuit means;

a first means for supporting the conducting and distributing means and the connection means positioned along a first side of the distributing means, the first support means comprising at least one means for slidably receiving the connection means; and

a second means for supporting the distributing means and the connection means positioned along a second side of the distributing means, the second supporting means comprising at least one means for slidably receiving the connection means, wherein the distributing means is positioned between and coupled to the first and second supporting means, each connection means is slidably coupled into a corresponding receiving means and the first and second supporting means are substantially parallel.

16. A system for power distribution, comprising;

a power generating plant for generating electrical power;

at least one electrical transmission cable electrically coupled on a first end to the power generating plant;

a high voltage switchgear electrically coupled to a second end of the electrical transmission cable; and

an electrical transformer electrically coupled to the high voltage switchgear and a lower voltage switchgear, wherein each switchgear comprises a bus support system comprising;

a busbar;

at least one T-body bus component coupled to the busbar, wherein the T-body bus component further comprises a first connection interface and a second connection interface;

a first busbar support plate positioned along a first side of the busbar, the first plate comprising at least one opening, each opening capable of slidably receiving the first connection interface for one of the T-body bus components; and

a second busbar support plate positioned along a second side of the busbar, the second plate comprising at least one opening, each opening capable of slidably receiving the second connection interface for one of the T-body bus components.

17. A busbar support system for a switchgear, comprising:

a busbar having a first side and a second side and comprising;

a female interface component having a first side and a second side, the first side of the female interface component being electrically coupled to the busbar, and

a female interface having a first side and a second side, the first side of the female interface being electrically coupled to the second side of the female interface component, wherein the first side of the busbar is electrically coupled to the second side of the female interface, and the second side of the busbar is electrically coupled to a T-body bus component;

at least one T-body bus component coupled to the busbar, wherein the T-body bus component comprises a first connection interface and a second connection interface, each connection interface comprising an elastomeric insulating housing positioned around the exterior of the connection interface;

a first metallic busbar support plate positioned along the first side of the busbar, the first busbar support plate comprising at least one opening, each opening configured to slidably receive the first connection interface for one of the T-body bus components;

a second metallic busbar support plate positioned substantially parallel to the first busbar support plate and along the second side of the busbar, wherein the busbar is positioned between the first and second busbar support plates, the second busbar support plate comprising at least one opening, each opening configured to slidably receive the second connection interface for one of the T-body bus components;

a support frame coupled to the first busbar support plate and the second busbar support plate, the support frame comprising;

a first frame support plate positioned along a first edge of the first and second busbar support plates and substantially perpendicular to the first and second busbar support plates, wherein the first frame support plate is coupled to the first edge of the first and second busbar support plates;

a second frame support plate positioned along a second edge of the first and second busbar support plates and substantially perpendicular to the first and second busbar support plates, wherein the second frame support plate is coupled to the second edge of the first and second busbar support plates; and

at least one frame support member, each frame support member having a first end and a second end, the first end coupled to the first frame support plate and the second end coupled to the second frame support plate, wherein each frame support member has a longitudinal axis that is substantially perpendicular to the first and second frame support plates, and each of the first and second busbar support plates has a vertical dimension substantially equal to a vertical dimension of the support frame;

a first plurality of switchgear components electrically and mechanically coupled to the first connection interface, wherein the coupling of the first switchgear components allows the first switchgear components to be suspended from the first connection interface and supported by the first connection interface and the first busbar support plate without additional support for the first switchgear components;

a second plurality of switchgear components electrically and mechanically coupled to the second connection interface, wherein the coupling of the second switchgear components allows the second switchgear components to be suspended from the second connection interface and supported by the second connection interface and the second busbar support plate without additional support for the second switchgear components; and

an enclosure positioned around the support frame and busbar support system and coupled to the support frame.

18. A busbar support system for a switchgear, comprising:

at least one busbar, each busbar comprising a connection interface;

a first busbar support positioned along a first side of the busbar and comprising at least one opening, each opening being configured to slidably receive the connection interface;

a second busbar support positioned along a second side of the busbar, wherein the busbar is coupled to at least one of the busbar supports, and wherein the busbar provides primary support for a plurality of active modules electrically coupled to the busbar; and

a plurality of switchgear components electrically and mechanically coupled to the connection interface, the switchgear components being suspended from the connection interface and supported by the connection interface and the first busbar support without additional support for the switchgear components.

19. The busbar support system of claim 18, further comprising:

a support frame coupled to the first busbar support and the second busbar support, the support frame comprising;

a first frame support positioned along a first edge of the first and second busbar supports and substantially perpendicular to the first and second busbar supports, wherein the first frame support is coupled to the first edge of the first and second busbar supports;

a second frame support positioned along a second edge of the first and second busbar supports and substantially perpendicular to the first and second busbar supports, wherein the second frame support is coupled to the second edge of the first and second busbar supports; and

at least one frame support member, each frame support member having a first end and a second end, the first end coupled to the first frame support and the second end coupled to the second frame support.

20. The busbar support system of claim 18, wherein each of the first and second busbar supports comprises a metallic plate.

21. The busbar support system of claim 18, further comprising:

a first support bar positioned along a top edge of the first busbar support; and

a second support bar positioned along a top edge of the second busbar support,

wherein a first connection interface for a buswork component is positioned above and lies upon the first support bar, and a second connection interface for a another buswork component is positioned above and lies upon the second support bar.

22. The busbar support system of claim 18, wherein the busbar is encapsulated within a solid dielectric medium.

23. The busbar support system of claim 22, further comprising a ground plane positioned along the exterior of the solid dielectric medium.

24. The busbar support system of claim 18, wherein each of the first busbar support and the second busbar support comprises:

a first support panel positioned along the first side of the busbar, the first support panel comprising a first edge and a second edge, the second edge being below the first edge;

a first support channel positioned below and parallel to the first support panel, the first support channel comprising a top edge and a bottom edge, the top edge of the first support channel coupled to the second edge of the first support panel;

a second support panel positioned below and parallel to the first support channel, the second support panel comprising a top edge and a bottom edge, the top edge of the second support panel coupled to the bottom edge of the first support channel;

a second support channel positioned below and parallel to the second support panel, the second support channel comprising a top edge and a bottom edge, the top edge of the second support channel coupled to the bottom edge of the second support panel; and

a third support panel positioned below and parallel to the second support channel, the third support panel comprising a top edge and a bottom edge, the top edge of the third support panel coupled to the bottom edge of the second support channel;

wherein at least one of the support panels further comprises at least one opening, each opening configured to slidably receive a connection interface for the busbar.

25. The busbar support system of claim 18, wherein the busbar is configured to be rated to be energized to at least 5000 volts and carry at least 200 Amps of current.

26. A busbar support system for a switchgear, comprising:

at least one busbar, each busbar being encapsulated within a solid dielectric medium;

a first busbar support positioned along a first side of the busbar;

a second busbar support positioned along a second side of the busbar, wherein the busbar is coupled to at least one of the busbar supports, and wherein the busbar provides support for a plurality of active modules electrically coupled to the busbar;

a first support bar positioned along a top edge of the first busbar support; and

a second support bar positioned along a top edge of the second busbar support,

wherein a first connection interface for a buswork component is positioned above and lies upon the first support bar, and a second connection interface for another buswork component is positioned above and lies upon the second support bar.

27. A busbar support system for a switchgear, comprising:

at least one busbar, each busbar being encapsulated within a solid dielectric medium;

a first busbar support positioned along a first side of the busbar;

a second busbar support positioned along a second side of the busbar, wherein the busbar is coupled to at least one of the busbar supports, and wherein the busbar provides support for a plurality of active modules electrically coupled to the busbar,

wherein each of the first and second busbar support comprises

a first support panel positioned along the first side of the busbar, the first support panel comprising a first edge and a second edge, the second edge being below the first edge,

a first support channel positioned below and parallel to the first support panel, the first support channel comprising a top edge and a bottom edge, the top edge of the first support channel coupled to the second edge of the first support panel,

a second support panel positioned below and parallel to the first support channel, the second support panel comprising a top edge and a bottom edge, the top edge of the second support panel coupled to the bottom edge of the first support channel,

a second support channel positioned below and parallel to the second support panel, the second support channel comprising a top edge and a bottom edge, the top edge of the second support channel coupled to the bottom edge of the second support panel, and

a third support panel positioned below and parallel to the second support channel, the third support panel comprising a top edge and a bottom edge, the top edge of the third support panel coupled to the bottom edge of the second support channel,

wherein at least one of the support panels further comprises at least one opening, each opening configured to slidably receive a connection interface for the busbar.

28. A busbar support system for a switchgear, comprising:

at least one busbar, each busbar comprising a connection interface;

a first busbar support positioned along a first side of the busbar and comprising at least one opening, each opening being configured to slidably receive the connection interface;

a second busbar support positioned along a second side of the busbar, wherein the busbar is coupled to at least one of the busbar supports, and wherein the busbar provides primary support for a plurality of active modules electrically coupled to the busbar; and

a support frame coupled to the first busbar support and the second busbar support, the support frame comprising;

a first frame support positioned along a first edge of the first and second busbar supports and substantially perpendicular to the first and second busbar supports, wherein the first frame support is coupled to the first edge of the first and second busbar supports,

a second frame support positioned along a second edge of the first and second busbar supports and substantially perpendicular to the first and second busbar supports, wherein the second frame support is coupled to the second edge of the first and second busbar supports, and

at least one frame support member, each frame support member having a first end and a second end, the first end coupled to the first frame support and the second end coupled to the second frame support.

29. A busbar support system for a switchgear, comprising:

at least one busbar, each busbar comprising a connection interface and providing primary support for a plurality of active modules electrically coupled to the busbar;

a first busbar support positioned along a first side of the busbar and comprising at least one opening, each opening being configured to slidably receive the connection interface;

a second busbar support positioned along a second side of the busbar, wherein the busbar is coupled to at least one of the busbar supports, and wherein the busbar provides primary support for a plurality of active modules electrically coupled to the busbar;

a first support bar positioned along a top edge of the first busbar support; and

a second support bar positioned along a top edge of the second busbar support,

wherein a first connection interface for a buswork component is positioned above and lies upon the first support bar, and a second connection interface for another buswork component is positioned above and lies upon the second support bar.

30. A busbar support system for a switchgear, comprising:

at least one busbar, each busbar comprising a connection interface;

a first busbar support positioned along a first side of the busbar and comprising at least one opening, each opening being configured to slidably receive the connection interface; and

a second busbar support positioned along a second side of the busbar, wherein the busbar is coupled to at least one of the busbar supports, and wherein the busbar provides primary support for a plurality of active modules electrically coupled to the busbar,

wherein each of the first busbar support and the second busbar support comprises

a first support panel positioned along the first side of the busbar, the first support panel comprising a first edge and a second edge, the second edge being below the first edge,

a first support channel positioned below and parallel to the first support panel, the first support channel comprising a top edge and a bottom edge, the top edge of the first support channel coupled to the second edge of the first support panel,

a second support panel positioned below and parallel to the first support channel, the second support panel comprising a top edge and a bottom edge, the top edge of the second support panel coupled to the bottom edge of the first support channel,

a second support channel positioned below and parallel to the second support panel, the second support channel comprising a top edge and a bottom edge, the top edge of the second support channel coupled to the bottom edge of the second support panel, and

a third support panel positioned below and parallel to the second support channel, the third support panel comprising a top edge and a bottom edge, the top edge of the third support panel coupled to the bottom edge of the second support channel,

wherein at least one of the support panels further comprises at least one opening, each opening configured to slidably receive a connection interface for the busbar.