Device for installing and/or removing components from electrical equipment

• US 8,896,162 B1
• Filed: 09/28/2011
• Issued: 11/25/2014
• Est. Priority Date: 05/21/2010
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: CBS ArcSafe, Inc.
• Original Assignee: Finley Lee Ledbetter
• Inventors: Ledbetter, Finley Lee
• Primary Examiner(s): Amrany, Adi
• Application Number:
  US13/247,899
• Time in Patent Office: 1,154 Days
• Field of Search: 307/326, 901/2, 901/11, 901/31, 901/41
• US Class Current: 307/236
• CPC Class Codes: H01H 3/26 using dynamo-electric motor for storing energy in a spring motor H01H3/30
• CPC Class Codes: H01H 9/0235 specially adapted for remote control, e.g. of audio or video apparatus
• CPC Class Codes: H01H 9/226 the casing containing electrical equipment other than and operated by the switch
• CPC Class Codes: H02B 13/025 Safety arrangements, e.g. in case of excessive pressure or fire due to electrical defect
• CPC Class Codes: H02B 3/00 Apparatus specially adapted for the manufacture, assembly, or maintenance of boards or switchgear

Abstract

A robot for operating isolation switches while allowing an operator to remain outside of an arc flash zone can include a motor, bidirectional rotatable shaft, gear box, and magnet housings with magnets for engaging with metal. A first arm can be connected to the bidirectional rotatable shaft and can have a gripper. A second arm can connect to the bidirectional rotatable shaft, and can have a threadable member for depressing an interlock on the isolation switches. Stops can prevent the first arm from over-rotating. A magnetically securable controller portion can be in communication with a motor portion and remote switch operator. A remote control device can operate the remote switch operator to control and power the controller portion to operate the motor outside of the arc flash zone.

Claims

1. A robot for installing and/or removing electrical components from electrical equipment while allowing a human operator to remain outside of an arc flash zone, wherein the robot comprises:

a. a motor portion comprising;

i. a motor;

ii. a gear box connected to the motor;

iii. a bidirectional rotatable shaft extending from the gear box;

iv. a gear box power and signal cable in communication with the motor and configured to provide power and control signals to the motor;

v. a support plate connected to the motor, the gear box, or combinations thereof;

vi. a plurality of removable magnetically shielding magnet housings attached to the support plate, wherein each removable magnetically shielding magnet housing comprises a non-electric magnet disposed therein, and wherein each non-electric magnet is engaged with a rotatable handle configured to rotate the non-electric magnet to extend the non-electric magnet from one of the removable magnetically shielding magnet housings to engage with a magnetic surface surrounding the electrical equipment and to hold the motor portion to the magnetic surface;

vii. a first arm comprising;

1. a first arm body connected to the bidirectional rotatable shaft having a first arm body end with a first arm engagement portion; and

2. a gripper slidably disposed over the first arm body end, wherein the gripper has an engagement portion;

viii. an arm fastener securing the first arm body to the bidirectional rotatable shaft;

ix. a second arm comprising;

1. a second arm body connected to the bidirectional rotatable shaft;

2. an extension projecting from the second arm body; and

3. a threadable member disposed through the extension; and

x. a first stop and a second stop both projecting from the support plate, wherein each stop prevents over-rotation of the first arm;

b. a controller portion in communication with the motor portion through the gear box power and signal cable, wherein the controller portion comprises;

i. a controller comprising a controller circuit board and controller relays;

ii. a controller magnet disposed on the controller and configured to attach the controller to the magnetic surface proximate the motor portion;

iii. a power and signal-out interface plug in the controller portion for connecting to gear box power and signal cable; and

iv. a power and signal-in interface plug in the controller for receiving power and signals;

c. a remote switch operator in communication with the controller portion through a power and signal cable, wherein the power and signal cable is engaged with the power and signal-in interface plug, and wherein the remote switch operator is configured to remotely control and power the motor portion through the controller portion; and

d. a remote control device in communication with the remote switch operator for controlling the remote switch operator while allowing the operator to remain outside of the arc flash zone.

2. The robot of claim 1, wherein the first stop is positioned to support one of the plurality of removable magnetically shielding magnet housings.

3. The robot of claim 1, wherein each rotatable handle is spring loaded for applying an outward pressure to the non-electric magnets and ensuring a flush and secure engagement between the non-electric magnets and the magnetic surface.

4. The robot of claim 1, wherein the engagement portion and the first arm engagement portion are C-shaped.

5. The robot of claim 1, wherein:

a. the first arm has a length ranging from 4 inches to 12 inches, a width ranging from ¼

of an inch to ¾

of an inch, and a thickness ranging from ⅛

of an inch to ¼

of an inch; and

b. the second arm has a length ranging from 4 inches to 12 inches, a width ranging from ¼

of an inch to 2 inches, and a thickness ranging from ⅛

of an inch to ¼

of an inch.

6. The robot of claim 1, wherein the motor portion weighs from 5 pounds to 20 pounds.

7. The robot of claim 1, wherein the controller portion weighs from 0.5 pounds to 3 pounds.

8. The robot of claim 1, wherein the controller portion is physically separated from the motor portion and only connected with the motor portion via the gear box power and signal cable.

9. The robot of claim 1, wherein the first arm and the second arm are made of:

powder coated steel, rigid reinforced plastic, or a rigid material configured to not deform in the presence of temperatures of up to 105 degrees Fahrenheit.

10. The robot of claim 1, wherein the motor and the gear box are both contained in a housing supported by the support plate.

11. The robot of claim 1, wherein the support plate and the first stop are both made of rigid aluminum for providing lightweight rigorous support to the motor and the first arm.

12. The robot of claim 1, wherein the gripper is made of rubber or a non-conductive, rigid, and impact-resistant material.

13. The robot of claim 1, wherein the threadable member is removable from the extension.

14. The robot of claim 1, wherein:

a. the second stop is a solid metal rod projecting from a portion of the support plate opposite the motor;

b. the second stop has sufficient rigidity to prevent rotation of the first arm while the motor is rotating the bidirectional rotatable shaft in a first direction; and

c. the first stop is made of a material configured to prevent rotation of the first arm in a second direction.

15. The robot of claim 1, wherein the remote switch operator comprises:

a. a body and a closable lid;

b. a face plate within the body, wherein the face plate comprises a power plug, a close momentary push button, an open momentary push button, an on-off switch, and a circuit breaker;

c. a charger power supply connected to the power plug;

d. a circuit board beneath the face plate and engaged with two relays, wherein the two relays are engaged with at least one battery, and wherein the at least one battery is connected through the power plug to a power source for charging the at least one battery; and

e. a first cable configured to send signals between a transmitter/receiver in the body and one of the two relays, wherein the remote control device is in wireless or wired communication with the transmitter/receiver for remotely actuating the remote switch operator to actuate the robot while keeping the human operator out of the arc flash zone.