Energy distribution system

• US 8,008,576 B2
• Filed: 02/15/2007
• Issued: 08/30/2011
• Est. Priority Date: 02/15/2006
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Tyco Electronics Brasil LTDA (TE Connectivity Ltd. (United Kingdom))
• Original Assignee: Tyco Electronics Brasil LTDA (TE Connectivity Ltd. (United Kingdom))
• Inventors: Fuzetti, Vagner
• Primary Examiner(s): Patel; Dhiru R
• Application Number:
  US12/279,269
• Publication Number:
  US 20090050344A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,657 Days
• Field of Search: 174/59, 439/312, 324/110, 324/142, 385/78
• US Class Current: 174/59
• CPC Class Codes: G01R 11/04 Housings; Supporting racks; Arrangements of terminals
• CPC Class Codes: H01R 13/622 Screw-ring or screw-casing H01R13/623 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: H01R 13/6397 with means for preventing unauthorised use
• CPC Class Codes: H01R 13/74 Means for mounting coupling parts in openings of a panel

Abstract

An energy distribution system (2) is provided having a metering box (6) having a housing portion (14) and a cover (16), the cover being lockable to the metering box. An energy meter (32) is provided in the metering box with a first connector (34) extending to a wall (20) of the metering box with a connectable portion of the connector extending through an opening (26). Incoming or outgoing cables to or from the power source can be connected to the connector (34), and the connectors (34,36) are lockable to each other where the disconnection of the connectors can only be made by opening the metering box cover (16) and disconnecting the connectors from the inside of the metering box.

Claims

1. A power distribution system, comprising:

a metering box having an internal volume and a plurality of through openings extending through one or more walls of said metering box, and said metering box further comprising at least one lockable cover enclosing the metering box;

an energy meter provided in said internal volume of said metering box;

a first connector positioned internal to said metering box and electrically connected to said energy meter, with a first connection interface provided at one of said plurality of through openings;

a first mating connector positioned external to said metering box and electrically connectable to said first connector;

said first connector and first mating connector being electrically connectable and lockable together, and being disconnectable only by accessing said internal volume of said metering box by opening said at least one lockable cover.

2. A power distribution system of claim 1, further comprising a second connector positioned internal to said metering box and electrically connected to said energy meter, with a second connection interface provided at another of said plurality of through openings, and a second mating connector positioned external to said metering box and electrically connectable to said second connector, said second connector and second mating connector being electrically connectable and lockable together, and being disconnectable only through said internal volume of said metering box.

3. A power distribution system of claim 1, wherein said first connector is comprised of a coaxial connector.

4. A power distribution system of claim 3, wherein said second connector is comprised of a coaxial connector.

5. A power distribution system of claim 3, wherein said first connector is comprised of a male coaxial connector.

6. A power distribution system of claim 5, wherein said first mating connector is comprised of a female coaxial connector.

7. A power distribution system of claim 6, wherein said first mating connector includes an internally threaded nut which mates with external threads on the first connector.

8. A power distribution system of claim 7, wherein said internally threaded nut of the first mating connector comprises a locking profile which locks to said first connector.

9. A power distribution system of claim 8, wherein said locking profile is comprised of ratchet teeth.

10. An energy distribution assembly, comprising:

a metering box having an internal volume and a plurality of through openings extending through one or more walls of said metering box, and said metering box further comprising at least one lockable cover enclosing the metering box;

an energy meter provided in said internal volume of said metering box;

an incoming cable;

an outgoing cable;

a first connector assembly connecting said incoming cable and said energy meter;

a second connector assembly connecting said outgoing cable and said energy meter; and

one of said first or second connector assemblies being electrically connectable and lockable together, and being disconnectable only through said internal volume of said metering box upon opening said at least one lockable cover.

11. An energy distribution assembly of claim 10, wherein said first connector assembly is comprised of a first connector positioned internal to said metering box and electrically connected to said energy meter, with a first connection interface provided at one of said plurality of through openings and a first mating connector positioned external to said metering box and electrically connectable to said first connector.

12. An energy distribution system of claim 11, wherein said first connector is comprised of a coaxial connector.

13. An energy distribution system of claim 12, wherein said first mating connector is comprised of a coaxial connector.

14. An energy distribution system of claim 12, wherein said first connector is comprised of a male coaxial connector.

15. An energy distribution system of claim 14, wherein said first mating connector is comprised of a female coaxial connector.

16. An energy distribution system of claim 15, wherein said first mating connector includes an internally threaded nut which mates with external threads on the first connector.

17. An energy distribution system of claim 16, wherein said internally threaded nut of the second connector comprises a locking profile which locks to said first connector.

18. An energy distribution system of claim 17, wherein said locking profile is comprised of ratchet teeth.

19. An energy distribution system of claim 10, wherein said second connector assembly is comprised of a second connector positioned internal to said metering box and electrically connected to said energy meter, with a second connection interface provided at another of said plurality of through openings, and a second mating connector positioned external to said metering box and electrically connectable to said second connector.

20. An energy distribution system of claim 19, wherein said second connector and said second mating connector are complementary coaxial connectors.