Restraint system for an energy storage device

• US 8,674,218 B2
• Filed: 12/15/2010
• Issued: 03/18/2014
• Est. Priority Date: 12/15/2010
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: General Electric Company
• Original Assignee: General Electric Company
• Inventors: Frutschy, Kristopher John, Waters, William, Peat, Keven, Brooker, Stephen
• Primary Examiner(s): Estrada, Angel R
• Application Number:
  US12/968,510
• Publication Number:
  US 20120152586A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,189 Days
• Field of Search: 174/50, 174/53, 174/57, 174/520, 174/559, 174/51, 220 32- 39, 220/4.02, 361/600, 361/601, 361/724, 361/715, 361/725, 361/679.01, 361/727, 361/728, 361/729, 361/730, 361/752, 361/796, 361/797, 248/220.21, 248/201, 248/225.11, 248/200, 248/205.1, 248/236, 248/235, 248/250, 312/223.1, 312/223.2, 312/351.1
• US Class Current: 174/50
• CPC Class Codes: H01M 50/209 adapted for prismatic or rectangular cells H01M50/216 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: Y02E 60/10 Energy storage using batteries
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 29/49959 Nonresilient fastener

Abstract

A system is employed to mount an electronic component on a shelf. A first restraining device is associated with a support structure in a first location. The first restraining device is configured to operably engage a mating piece associated with the electronic component. The support structure is configured to guide an electronic component along an axis of insertion when introduced to the shelf. A second restraining device is associated with the support structure in a second location. The second restraining device is configured to secure the electronic component via one or more fastening elements.

Claims

1. A system to mount an electronic component on a shelf, comprising:

a first restraining device associated with a support structure in a first location, the first restraining device configured to operably engage a mating piece associated with the electronic component, and the support structure configured to guide the electronic component along an axis of insertion when introduced to the shelf; and

a second restraining device associated with the support structure in a second location, the second restraining device configured to secure the electronic component via one or more fastening elements.

2. The system according to claim 1, wherein the first restraining device automatically secures the electronic component in response to an insertion of the electronic component into the shelf along the axis of insertion.

3. The system according to claim 1, wherein the first restraining device is a structure with an inclined slot to accommodate a wedge-shaped structure associated with the electronic component as the electronic component is inserted into the shelf.

4. The system according to claim 3, wherein at least one of the wedge-shaped structure and the structure with the inclined slot includes a rubber grip surface.

5. The system according to claim 4, wherein the wedge-shaped structure comprises a metal that is galvanically compatible with the structure with the inclined slot.

6. The system according to claim 1, wherein the second restraining device further comprises a first bracket disposed on a first face and a second bracket disposed on a second face, wherein the first bracket and the second bracket couple the electronic component to the support structure.

7. The system according to claim 6, wherein each of the first bracket and the second bracket is hinged, removable, or pivotally secured and is operable to move to a stowed configuration or location when the electronic component is not positioned in the cabinet.

8. The system according to claim 6, wherein each of the first bracket and the second bracket has a respective slot that aligns with a respective aperture defined by the support structure to secure the electronic component to the support structure.

9. The system according to claim 1, wherein at least one of the first and second restraining devices is electrically grounded and provides the electronic component a path to ground.

10. The system according to claim 1, wherein the electronic component is an energy storage device.

11. The system according to claim 1, wherein the first restraining device prevents movement of the electronic component in every direction except reverse of an insertion direction.

12. The system according to claim 1, wherein a degree of engagement of the electronic component to the support structure increases as the electronic component is moved along the axis of insertion from a first position further away from the shelf to a second position closer to the shelf.

13. The system according to claim 1, wherein the first restraining device is attached to the support structure or is formed integral thereto.

14. The system according to claim 1, further comprising a rear stopper element, which is proximate the first restraining device.

15. A method of securing an electronic component into a cabinet or rack, comprising:

sliding the electronic component onto a shelf within an interior volume of the cabinet or rack;

guiding the electronic component along an axis of insertion as the electronic component is slid onto the shelf;

engaging one or more mating pieces associated with a first side of the electronic component with one or more corresponding first restraining devices; and

placing one or more brackets associated with a second side of the electronic component proximate to one or more corresponding second restraining devices.

16. The method according to claim 15, wherein a degree of engagement of the electronic component to the first restraining devices increases as the electronic component is moved along the axis of insertion from a first position further away from the shelf to a second position closer to the shelf.

17. The method according to claim 15, wherein each of the one or more mating pieces is a wedge, and wherein each of the one or more corresponding first restraining devices is a structure having a slot which engages a respective one of the wedges on the electronic component.

18. A method of creating a landing zone for an electronic component, comprising:

providing a first front coupling device at a first end of a first support structure;

providing a first wedge bracket at a second end, distal to the first end, of the first support structure;

providing a second front coupling device at a first end of a second support structure;

providing a second wedge bracket at a second end, distal the first end, of the second support structure; and

mounting the first support structure and the second support structure to a shelf, in spaced apart relationship.

19. The method according to claim 18, further comprising:

mounting a first bracket to a first face of the electronic component; and

mounting a second bracket to a second face of the electronic component, the second face is opposite the first face, wherein the first and second brackets are selectively secured to the first and second front coupling devices.

20. The method according to claim 19, further comprising:

mounting a first foot to the first face, wherein the first foot is wedge shaped; and

mounting a second foot to the second face, wherein the second foot is wedge shaped.

21. The method according to claim 20, further comprising:

inserting the electronic component into the landing zone;

engaging the first foot into the first wedge bracket; and

engaging the second foot into the second wedge bracket.

22. The method according to claim 19, further comprising inserting the electronic component into the landing zone, securing the first bracket to the first coupling device, and securing the second bracket to the second coupling device.

23. A system to mount an electronic component on a shelf, comprising:

a first restraining device associated with a support structure in a first location, the first restraining device configured to operably engage a mating piece associated with the electronic component, and the support structure configured to guide the electronic component along an axis of insertion when introduced to the shelf; and

a second restraining device associated with the support structure in a second location, the second restraining device configured to secure the electronic component via one or more fastening elements,

wherein the first restraining device is a structure with an inclined slot to accommodate a wedge-shaped structure associated with the electronic component as the electronic component is inserted into the shelf, and

wherein at least one of the wedge-shaped structure and the structure with the inclined slot includes a rubber grip surface.

24. A system to mount an electronic component on a shelf, comprising:

a first restraining device associated with a support structure in a first location, the first restraining device configured to operably engage a mating piece associated with the electronic component, and the support structure configured to guide the electronic component along an axis of insertion when introduced to the shelf; and

a second restraining device associated with the support structure in a second location, the second restraining device configured to secure the electronic component via one or more fastening elements,

wherein the first restraining device is a structure with an inclined slot to accommodate a wedge-shaped structure associated with the electronic component as the electronic component is inserted into the shelf, and

wherein at least one of the wedge-shaped structure and the structure with the inclined slot includes a rubber grip surface, and

wherein the wedge-shaped structure comprises a metal that is galvanically compatible with the structure with the inclined slot.

25. A system to mount an electronic component on a shelf, comprising:

a first restraining device associated with a support structure in a first location, the first restraining device configured to operably engage a mating piece associated with the electronic component, and the support structure configured to guide the electronic component along an axis of insertion when introduced to the shelf; and

a second restraining device associated with the support structure in a second location, the second restraining device configured to secure the electronic component via one or more fastening elements,

wherein the second restraining device includes a first bracket disposed on a first face and a second bracket disposed on a second face, wherein the first bracket and the second bracket couple the electronic component to the support structure.

26. A system to mount an electronic component on a shelf, comprising:

a first restraining device associated with a support structure in a first location, the first restraining device configured to operably engage a mating piece associated with the electronic component, and the support structure configured to guide the electronic component along an axis of insertion when introduced to the shelf; and

a second restraining device associated with the support structure in a second location, the second restraining device configured to secure the electronic component via one or more fastening elements,

wherein the second restraining device includes a first bracket disposed on a first face and a second bracket disposed on a second face, wherein the first bracket and the second bracket couple the electronic component to the support structure,

and wherein each of the first bracket and the second bracket is hinged, removable, or pivotally secured and is operable to move to a stowed configuration or location when the electronic component is not positioned in the cabinet.

27. A system to mount an electronic component on a shelf, comprising:

a first restraining device associated with a support structure in a first location, the first restraining device configured to operably engage a mating piece associated with the electronic component, and the support structure configured to guide the electronic component along an axis of insertion when introduced to the shelf; and

a second restraining device associated with the support structure in a second location, the second restraining device configured to secure the electronic component via one or more fastening elements,

wherein the second restraining device includes a first bracket disposed on a first face and a second bracket disposed on a second face, wherein the first bracket and the second bracket couple the electronic component to the support structure,

and wherein each of the first bracket and the second bracket has a respective slot that aligns with a respective aperture defined by the support structure to secure the electronic component to the support structure.