Portable actuator
First Claim
Patent Images
1. A portable actuator for remote operation of a circuit breaker, the portable actuator comprising:
- an actuator frame for supporting and positioning the portable actuator in relationship to a plurality of circuit breaker operating controls without obscuring a breaker status window and a spring status window;
a plurality of magnets for holding the actuator frame in a proper position relative to a pull handle and a faceplate associated with the circuit breaker, wherein the holding occurs by magnetic attraction;
at least one electric motor and an associated gearbox mounted to the actuator frame;
a linear actuator that transmits a rotational force produced by the at least one electric motor and the associated gearbox to a trip button, wherein the trip button is one of the plurality of circuit breaker operating controls;
a rotating arm having an anti-friction roller on one end of the rotating arm for applying a rotating motion to a close button, wherein the close button is a second one of the plurality of circuit breaker operating controls;
a safety interlock device that prohibits installation of the portable actuator to the circuit breaker when the portable actuator is not in a neutral position;
an angular sensor that senses an angular position of the associated gearbox;
a controller for operating the at least one electric motor; and
a control station for controlling the portable actuator, wherein the control station is configured to be operated remotely by a human operator.
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Accused Products
Abstract
Disclosed are various embodiments for a portable actuator for actuating a trip button and a close button of a circuit breaker. In one embodiment, the trip button is actuated by a linear actuator that transmits rotation forces produced by a motor to the trip button in response to a trip signal. The close button is actuated by a rotating arm that uses an anti-friction roller to apply a rotating motion to the close button in response to a close signal. The portable actuator is configured to receive the input signals from a remote location with a remote controller that is in electronic communication with the portable actuator.
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Citations
23 Claims
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1. A portable actuator for remote operation of a circuit breaker, the portable actuator comprising:
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an actuator frame for supporting and positioning the portable actuator in relationship to a plurality of circuit breaker operating controls without obscuring a breaker status window and a spring status window; a plurality of magnets for holding the actuator frame in a proper position relative to a pull handle and a faceplate associated with the circuit breaker, wherein the holding occurs by magnetic attraction; at least one electric motor and an associated gearbox mounted to the actuator frame; a linear actuator that transmits a rotational force produced by the at least one electric motor and the associated gearbox to a trip button, wherein the trip button is one of the plurality of circuit breaker operating controls; a rotating arm having an anti-friction roller on one end of the rotating arm for applying a rotating motion to a close button, wherein the close button is a second one of the plurality of circuit breaker operating controls; a safety interlock device that prohibits installation of the portable actuator to the circuit breaker when the portable actuator is not in a neutral position; an angular sensor that senses an angular position of the associated gearbox; a controller for operating the at least one electric motor; and a control station for controlling the portable actuator, wherein the control station is configured to be operated remotely by a human operator. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8)
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9. A system, comprising:
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a portable actuator, the portable actuator comprising; an actuator frame configured to engage a front cover of a circuit breaker and align with the circuit breaker; and a plurality of actuating mechanisms powered by an electric motor comprising at least one rotating arm, wherein the actuating mechanisms are configured to actuate a plurality of control buttons of the circuit breaker; and a remote controller configured to provide a plurality of signals to the portable actuator from a remote location. - View Dependent Claims (10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16)
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17. A system, comprising:
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a portable actuator, the portable actuator comprising; an actuator frame configured to engage a circuit breaker and align with the circuit breaker; and a plurality of actuating mechanisms powered by an electric motor comprising at least one rotating arm, wherein the actuating mechanisms are configured to actuate a plurality of control buttons of the circuit breaker; a remote controller configured to provide a plurality of signals to the portable actuator from a remote location; and wherein the actuator frame comprises a plurality of magnets for magnetically affixing the portable actuator with a faceplate associated with circuit breaker.
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18. A system, comprising:
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a portable actuator, the portable actuator comprising; an actuator frame configured to engage a circuit breaker and align with the circuit breaker; and a plurality of actuating mechanisms powered by an electric motor comprising at least one rotating arm, wherein the actuating mechanisms are configured to actuate a plurality of control buttons of the circuit breaker; a remote controller configured to provide a plurality of signals to the portable actuator from a remote location; and wherein the electric motor is controlled based on determining at least one of a linear force and a rotational force of the electric motor as a function of at least one of a current and a wattage associated with the electric motor.
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19. A system for remotely controlling a portable actuator, comprising:
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means for receiving an input signal from a remote location; means for electronically actuating a trip button of a circuit breaker based on the received input signal comprising at least one rotating arm; and means for electronically actuating a close button of a circuit breaker based on the received input signal. - View Dependent Claims (20, 21, 22, 23)
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Specification