AU2013403073B2

AU2013403073B2 - Single-lock operator device for an outdoor switchgear and switchgear

Info

Publication number: AU2013403073B2
Application number: AU2013403073A
Authority: AU
Inventors: Peter Hillier
Original assignee: ABB Technology AG
Current assignee: ABB Schweiz AG
Priority date: 2013-10-14
Filing date: 2013-10-14
Publication date: 2017-09-28
Anticipated expiration: 2033-10-14
Also published as: AU2013403073B9; WO2015055220A1; AU2013403073A1

Abstract

The invention relates to a single-lock operator device for an outdoor switchgear and a switchgear, in particular a medium voltage switchgear, with an automated single locking mechanism comprising a housing (1, 2) with a spring-loaded locking arrangement and a pivotable actuator (17) working together with said switchgear and comprising at least one adjusting lever (15, 16) movable or pivotable at least from a first final adjusting position to a second final adjusting position and vice versa, preferably two levers (15, 16) firmly interconnected are provided, wherein the spring-loaded locking arrangement comprises a pivotable spring-loaded first shaft (8) and a pivotable spring-loaded second shaft (10) being spaced apart and extending substantially parallel to one another, and wherein the first shaft (8) comprises a locking bolt (3) fixed permanently to the first shaft to lock the actuator (17) and/or the adjusting lever (15, 16) and wherein the locking bolt (3) comprises a recess (3A) for the engagement of a clamp (5) and wherein the first-shaft (8) at its distal end comprises a key insertion (9) and is pivotable at least from a first locking end position to a second locking end position and vice versa, and wherein the second shaft (10) comprises a release lever (4) with a clamp (5), wherein the release lever (4) is permanently fixed to the second shaft (10), and wherein in the second locking position the actuator (17) is unlocked and the clamp (5) of the release lever (4) is automatically engaged or meshed with the recess (3A) of the locking bolt (3) and interlocks the locking bolt (3) and when the at least one adjusting lever (15, 16) of the actuator (17) is moved or pivoted to a final adjusting position, the release lever (4) automatically releases the locking bolt (3) and in the final adjusting position the locking bolt (3) automatically locks the actuator (17) when the final adjusting position is reached.

Description

1 2013403073 07 Sep 2017

Single-lock operator device for an outdoor switchgear and switchgear

Description

The invention relates to a single-lock operator device to operate an outdoor switchgear, in particular a medium voltage switchgear, wherein by means of the operator device and a transmission rod the switch may be transferred between two operation conditions.

Known air-break and gas switches are designed to isolate parts of an electricity distribution network having an operating handle to operate the switch by means of a transmission rod. Safety and security means are provided to limit the accessibility of the operating handle and of the respective switch in order to minimize potential damage and injury to authorised and unauthorised users and the electricity network. The handling of said safety and security means requires relative complex unlock/switching and lock procedure with a relatively large number of manual steps.

It would be desirable to provide an improved operator device, providing easy to handle safety and security means to protect the respective switchgear against unauthorized access.

Accordingly, there is provided a single-lock operator device for an outdoor switchgear according to the features of claim 1. Further embodiments and refinements of said device as well as a switchgear comprising such a device are disclosed in further claims and the following description. A single-lock operator device for an outdoor switchgear, in particular a medium voltage switchgear, according to the invention comprises an automated single locking mechanism with a housing with a spring-loaded locking arrangement and with a pivotable and/or rotable actuator, wherein the

9466252 1 (GHMatters) P102871.AU 2 2013403073 07 Sep 2017 actuator works together or cooperates with said switchgear. Furthermore, the actuator comprises at least one adjusting lever movable or pivotable at least from a first final adjusting position to a second final adjusting position and vice versa, preferably two adjusting levers firmly interconnected are provided. The spring-loaded locking arrangement comprises a pivotable spring-loaded first shaft and a pivotable spring-loaded second shaft being spaced apart and extending substantially parallel to one another, and wherein the first shaft comprises a locking bolt fixed permanently to the first shaft to lock the actuator and/or the adjusting lever and wherein the locking bolt comprises a recess for the engagement of a clamp and wherein the first-shaft at its distal end comprises a key insertion and is pivotable at least from a first locking end position to a second locking end position and vice versa, and wherein the second shaft comprises a release lever with a clamp, wherein the release lever is permanently fixed to the second shaft, wherein in the second locking position the actuator is unlocked and the clamp of the release lever is automatically engaged or meshed with the recess of the locking bolt and interlocks the locking bolt and when the at least one adjusting lever of the actuator is moved or pivoted to a final adjusting position the release lever automatically releases the locking bolt and in the final adjusting position the locking bolt automatically locks the actuator when the final adjusting position is reached.

Alternatively, in another embodiment the spring-loaded locking arrangement comprises a pivotable spring-loaded first shaft and a second shaft being spaced apart and extending substantially parallel to one another, and wherein the first shaft comprises a locking bolt fixed permanently to the first shaft to lock the actuator and/or the adjusting lever and wherein the locking bolt comprises a recess for the engagement of a clamp and wherein the first-shaft at its distal end comprises a key insertion and is pivotable at least from a first locking end position to a second locking end position and vice versa, and wherein the second shaft comprises a pivotable spring-loaded release lever with a clamp, wherein the release lever is mounted or arranged at the

9466252 1 (GHMatters) P102871.AU 3 2013403073 07 Sep 2017 second shaft, and wherein in the second locking position the actuator is unlocked and the clamp of the release lever is automatically engaged or meshed with the recess of the locking bolt and interlocks the locking bolt and when the at least one adjusting lever of the actuator is moved or pivoted to a final adjusting position, the release lever automatically releases the locking bolt and in the final adjusting position the locking bolt automatically locks the actuator when the final adjusting position is reached.

In a further embodiment the end section of the key insertion comprises a cross-shaped slot.

Furthermore, an almost L-shaped key with a handle is provided comprising a cross-shaped salient, wherein the key may be used to pivot the first shaft and to unlock the actuator and to load the spring of the first shaft.

In a further refinement the actuator comprises two adjusting levers built in one piece and/or comprises a central plate having at least two recesses corresponding to the first and second final adjusting position, in which an engagement of the locking bolt in the respective recess and/or the actuator may be caused and/or effected.

Furthermore, the width of the respective recess in the plate may be aligned and/or adapted to the cross section of the locking bolt.

In another refinement a key channel is provided and arranged at the housing, wherein the key channel surrounds at least the end section of the key insertion.

Furthermore, at least the free end of the channel may have a cone-like shape.

Moreover, at least one transmission rod may provided connecting the actuator and the outdoor switchgear in a force-locked connection, so that the

9466252_1 (GHMatters) P102871.AU 4 2013403073 07 Sep 2017 switchgear may be switched by pivoting and/or moving the at least one adjusting lever of the actuator and the actuator respectively.

In a further refinement the operator device comprises mounting means for the mounting of the operator device to or at a mast or pylon.

In another embodiment the actuator comprises an actuator shaft arranged or oriented perpendicular to the first and second shaft and extending from outside the housing to the inside of the housing and/or being rigidly coupled to the at least one adjusting lever.

Furthermore, the actuator may comprise a triggering device fixedly arranged on the actuator shaft at the inside of the housing and working together and/or cooperating with the release lever, so that if the at least one adjusting lever is in a predefined position, in particular is in a horizontal position, a force is applied to the release lever to pivot and/or rotate the lever to push the clamp of the lever out of the recess of the locking bolt and to release the bolt.

Moreover, the triggering device may comprise a disk with a partly rotating or circumferential wall, wherein the wall extends to the inside of the housing in parallel to the actuator shaft.

In a further embodiment the rotary and/or circumferential wall comprises at least one protrusion, in particular a tip or corner, with falling sidewalls.

Furthermore, the falling sidewalls have curved upper edges.

In a further embodiment a position indicator is provided showing when the open or closed position of the actuator as well as of a respective switch or switchgear is attained or reached.

9466252J (GHMatters) P102871.AU 5 2013403073 07 Sep 2017

The invention also relates to an outdoor switchgear, in particular a medium voltage switchgear, arranged at a mast or pylon and comprising at least one off a single-lock operator device as described above and/or according to at least one embodiments of the invention.

Furthermore, a hook stick is provided to rotate or pivot the adjusting lever and/or to operate the actuator and to switch the pole switch of the switchgear in open or close position.

The further disclosure and explanation of the invention as well as advantageous embodiments and further developments are presented according to several illustrative embodiments and execution examples.

Figla, b exemplary embodiment single-lock operator device for an outdoor medium voltage switchgear according to the invention,

Fig. 2a-2h exemplary locking and switching process of a switch gear by means of a single-lock operator device.

In Fig. 1 a single-lock operator device for an outdoor medium voltage switchgear is disclosed comprising an automated single locking mechanism with a housing 2,1, wherein the housing comprises a trough like front cover 1 and a back plane 2, with a spring-loaded locking arrangement and with a pivotable and/or ratable actuator 17, wherein the actuator 17 works together or cooperates with said switchgear. Furthermore, the actuator 17 comprises two adjusting levers 15,16 movable or pivotable at least from a first final adjusting position to a second final adjusting position and vice versa and wherein the adjusting levers 15,16 are firmly interconnected and form or build one piece. The spring-loaded locking arrangement comprises a pivotable spring-loaded first shaft 8 and a pivotable spring-loaded second shaft 10 being spaced apart and extending substantially parallel to one another, and wherein the first shaft 8 comprises a locking bolt or block 3 fixed permanently to the first shaft 8 to lock the actuator 17 and/or the adjusting levers 15,16 as

9466252_1 (GHMatters) P102871.AU 6 2013403073 07 Sep 2017 well as a spring 8b, in particular a torsion spring, applying a torsional force to the first shaft and/or the locking bolt 3. Furthermore, the locking bolt 3 comprises a recess 3a (not explicitly shown in fig. 1, but shown in fig. 2a) for the engagement of a clamp. The first-shaft 8 at its distal end comprises a key insertion 9 and is pivotable at least from a first locking end position to a second locking end position and vice versa. The second shaft 10 comprises a release lever 4 with a clamp 5, wherein the release lever 4 is permanently fixed to the second shaft 10, wherein in the second locking position the actuator 17 is unlocked and the clamp 5 of the release lever 4 is automatically engaged or meshed with the recess of the locking bolt 3 and interlocks the locking bolt 3 and when the at least one adjusting lever 15,16 of the actuator 17 is moved or pivoted to a final adjusting position the release lever 4 automatically releases the locking bolt 3 and in the final adjusting position the locking bolt 3 automatically locks the actuator 17 when the final adjusting position is reached.

The end section of the key insertion 9 comprises a more or less crossshaped slot.

Furthermore, an almost L-shaped key 20 with a handle is provided comprising a cross-shaped salient, wherein the key may be used to pivot the first shaft 8 and to unlock the actuator 17 and to load the spring 8b of the first shaft.

According to the embodiment of fig. 1the actuator 17 comprises two adjusting levers 15,16 built in one piece and comprising a central plate 13 having at least two recesses 13a, 13b corresponding to the first and second final adjusting position, in which an engagement of the locking bolt 3 in the respective recess 13a, 13b and/or the actuator 17 may be caused and/or effected and finally the actuator may be locked in place and/or position.

9466252_1 (GHMatters) P102871.AU 7 2013403073 07 Sep 2017

Furthermore, the width of the respective recess 13a, 13b in the plate 13 may be aligned and/or adapted to the cross section of the locking bolt 3.

Accordingly also the housing comprises at least one feedthrough 1 b for the locking bolt.

Moreover, a key channel 18 or funnel is provided and arranged at the housing, wherein the key channel surrounds at least the end section of the key insertion 9, wherein the free end of the channel 18 may have a cone-like shape.

Furthermore, an almost L-shaped key with a handle is provided comprising a cross-shaped salient, wherein the key may be used to pivot the first shaft 8 and to unlock the actuator 17 and to load the spring 8b of the first shaft.

9466252_1 (GHMatters) P102871.AU 8 2013403073 07 Sep 2017

Moreover, at least one transmission rod may be provided connecting the actuator 17and the outdoor switchgear in a force-locked connection, so that the switchgear may be switched by pivoting and/or moving the at least one adjusting lever 15,16 of the actuator 17 and the actuator respectively.

The actuator 17 comprises an actuator shaft 19, in particular a screw, held and/or arranged in a pivot bearing 11,12 and oriented perpendicular to the first 8 and second 10 shaft and extending from outside the housing 1,2 to the inside of the housing 1,2 and/or being rigidly coupled to the at least one adjusting lever 15,16.

Furthermore, the actuator may comprise a triggering device 6 fixedly arranged on the actuator shaft 19 at the inside of the housing 1,2 and working together and/or cooperating with the release lever 4, so that if the at least one adjusting lever 15,16 is in a predefined position, in particular is in a horizontal position, a force is applied to the release lever 4 to pivot and/or rotate the lever 4 to push the clamp 5 of the lever 4 out of the recess of the locking bolt 3 and to release the bolt 3.

Moreover, the triggering device 6 may comprise a disk 6a with a partly rotating or circumferential wall 6b, wherein the wall extends to the inside of the housing 1,2 in parallel to the actuator shaft 19.

The rotary and/or circumferential wall 6b comprises at least one protrusion, in particular a tip or corner, with falling sidewalls, wherein the falling sidewalls have curved upper edges, as disclosed in figures2a-2h.

Furthermore, a position indicator is provided showing when the open or closed position of the actuator as well as of a respective switch or switchgear is attained or reached.

9466252 1 (GHMatters) P102871.AU 9 2013403073 07 Sep 2017

Additionally, a hook stick may be used to rotate or pivot the adjusting lever and to operate the actuator and finally to operate for example a pole switch, and or to switch it in open or close position.

Moreover, at least one transmission rod may be provided connecting the actuator 27 and the outdoor switchgear in a force-locked connection, so that the switchgear may be switched by pivoting and/or moving the at least one adjusting lever of the actuator and the actuator respectively.

The operation process of the single-lock operator device including the locking unlocking process is disclosed in the figures 2a -2h.

In the figures 2a-2h a single-lock operator device according to figure 1 is presented, wherein said device passes several operation sates according to the different figures 2a-2h illustrating the unlock/switching/lock procedure. Accordingly, concerning the individual technical features of said device we refer to the description of figure 1.

According to the invention the locking block or bolt performs an automatic locking. In other words, the operator inserts the key (fig. 2a,b)- he then rotate the locking block or bolt to “click” into unlock position (fig. 2b,c). He then use a hook stick to rotate the pole switch open or close (fig. 2d-f), then in this action, the locking block releases (fig. 2g), then it clicks into the lock position again (fig. 2h). It can be done with additional springs and locking “sears”, wherein the rotating arm becomes kind of a trigger to release the locking bolt or block.

The locking block or locking bolt is spring loaded so that it automatically locks into position in the open and closed positions of the respective unit, which

9466252_1 (GHMatters) P102871.AU 10 2013403073 07 Sep 2017 has to be actuated, in particular a switch or switchgear. Then the key is inserted into a key funnel or key channel and/or the key insertion and is used to rotate the first shaft and the locking block or bolt into an unlock and latched position, and/or to strain or tense the spring of the locking bolt and/or the first shaft, so the adjusting levers can move or can be moved to operate the respective switch. Block or bolt shape is modified and adapted to become reliable to allow plenty of tolerance.

The key channel or funnel is provided to guide the key showing a more or less cone-shape end sector or area. A frame vandal or any other unauthorized person cannot move the actuator and/or the adjusting lever and/or the unit to be actuated - he must use the respective key to unlock the single-lock operator device and to operate and rotate the arms or levers and finally to operate the switch.

According to an exemplary embodiment the single-lock operator device is equipped with an automatic locking mechanism thus after each opening or closing operation of the respective switch or switchgear the single-lock operator device will be locked automatically. To close the unit, in particular the switch or switchgear, after unlocking the device and/or the actuator, turn the operating arm or lever of the operator device and in particular the actuator about 90° clockwise by pulling from the right-side end of the arm by one continuous movement. The switch is fully closed when the position indicator shows or indicates closed position and /or the locking bolt or block locks the actuator.

To open the unit, after unlocking the device and the actuator, turn the at least one adjusting lever of the single-lock operator device has to be turned or rotated about 90° counter clockwise by pulling from the left-side end of the arm or lever by one continuous movement. The switch is fully opened when the position indicator shows Open position. On both opening and closing opera-

9466252_1 (GHMatters) P102871.AU 11 2013403073 07 Sep 2017 tion if the arm or lever is not turned with one continuous movement and is stopped half-way the automatic locking mechanism will be reset and the arm will be locked again thus mechanism needs to be unlocked again using the operator key.

The present invention also comprises any combination of preferred embodiments as well as individual features and developments provided in case they do not exclude each other.

In the claims which follow and in the preceding description of the invention, except where the context requires otherwise due to express language or necessary implication, the word “comprise” or variations such as “comprises” or “comprising” is used in an inclusive sense, i.e. to specify the presence of the stated features but not to preclude the presence or addition of further features in various embodiments of the invention.

9466252_1 (GHMatters) P102871.AU

Claims

Claims

1. A single-lock operator device for an outdoor switchgear, with an automated single locking mechanism comprising a housing with a spring-loaded locking arrangement and a pivotable actuator working together with said switchgear and comprising at least one adjusting lever movable or pivotable at least from a first final adjusting position to a second final adjusting position and vice versa, wherein the spring-loaded locking arrangement comprises a pivotable spring-loaded first shaft and a pivotable spring-loaded second shaft being spaced apart and extending substantially parallel to one another, and wherein the first shaft comprises a locking bolt fixed permanently to the first shaft to lock the actuator and/or the adjusting lever and wherein the locking bolt comprises a recess for the engagement of a clamp and wherein the first-shaft at its distal end comprises a key insertion and is pivotable at least from a first locking end position to a second locking end position and vice versa, and wherein the second shaft comprises a release lever with a clamp, wherein the release lever is permanently fixed to the second shaft, and wherein in the second locking position the actuator is unlocked and the clamp of the release lever is automatically engaged or meshed with the recess of the locking bolt and interlocks the locking bolt and when the at least one adjusting lever of the actuator is moved or pivoted to a final adjusting position7the release lever automatically releases the locking bolt and in the final adjusting position the locking bolt automatically locks the actuator when the final adjusting position is reached.
2. Single-lock operator device according to claim 1, wherein the end section of the key insertion comprises a cross-shaped slot.
3. Single-lock operator device according to claim 1 or 2, wherein an almost L-shaped key with a handle is provided comprising a cross-shaped salient.
4. Single-lock operator device according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the actuator comprises two adjusting levers built in one piece and/or a central plate having at least two recesses corresponding to the first and second final adjusting position and the engagement of the locking bolt.
5. Single-lock operator device according to claim 4, wherein the width of the respective recess in the plate is aligned and/or adapted to the cross section of the locking bolt.
6. Single-lock operator device according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein a key channel is provided and arranged at the housing and surrounding at least the end section of the key insertion and wherein at least the free end of the channel has a cone-like shape.
7. Single-lock operator device according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein at least one transmission rod is provided connecting the actuator and the outdoor switchgear in a force-locked connection, so that the switchgear may be switched by pivoting and/or moving the lever of the actuator and the actuator respectively.
8. Single-lock operator device according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the operator device comprises a mounting means to be mounted or arranged at a mast.
9. Single-lock operator device according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the actuator comprises an actuator shaft arranged or oriented perpendicular to the first and second shaft and extending from outside the housing to the inside of the housing and being rigidly coupled to the at least one adjusting lever.
10. Single-lock operator device according to claim 9, wherein the actuator comprises an actuator comprises a triggering device fixedly arranged on the actuator shaft at the inside of the housing and working together and/or cooperating with the release lever, so that if the at least one adjusting lever is in a predefined position, a force is applied to the release lever to pivot and/or rotate the lever to push the clamp of the lever out of the recess of the locking bolt and to release the bolt.
11. Single-lock operator device according to claim 10, wherein the predefined position is in a horizontal position.
12. Single-lock operator device according to any one of claims 9 to 11, wherein the triggering device comprises a disk with a partly rotating wall, wherein the wall extends to the inside of the housing in parallel to the actuator shaft.
13. Single-lock operator device according to claim 12, wherein the rotary wall comprises at least one protrusion with falling sidewalls.
14. Single-lock operator device according to claim 13, wherein the protrusion comprises a tip or corner.
15. Single-lock operator device according to any one of the preceding claims wherein the outdoor switchgear comprises a medium voltage switch-gear.
16. Single-lock operator device according to any one of the preceding claims wherein two levers firmly interconnected are provided.