Rockwell Automation Technologies Incorporated

Tomasz Lorek

Troy Micheal Bellows

Pawel Kokula

Artur Wiertek

Emily M Schimek

Krzysztof J Blok

Radoslaw Zacharzewski

Grzegorz A Naczynski

Artur J Wiertek

For latching an equipment unit door of an equipment unit in a control center, an apparatus includes a latch pin, the unit socket, and a structure socket. The latch pin includes a latch shaft with a latch interface disposed on a pin proximal end and a latch wing disposed on a pin distal end. The latch pin rotates to one of an open position, a unit latch position, and a structure latch position. The unit socket passes the latch wing in the open position and obstructs the latch wing from moving in a proximal direction in the unit latch position. The structure socket passes the latch wing in the unit latch position and obstructs the latch wing from moving in the proximal direction in the structure latch position.

Control center door latch

The present inventors have recognized that electrical units for Motor Control Centers (MCC's) can be improved to allow testing in a partially disconnected state while providing ingress protection through the use of sealing members without decreasing the size of the electrical unit. In particular, a full size electrical unit, able to advantageously accommodate a full array of electrical components like most other electrical units, can be partially withdrawn from an MCC for testing while still providing protection from the possibility of shock, gases and/or other hazards by way of sealing members such as gaskets and/or plates. Such sealing members can be mounted to the electrical unit to effectively seal the electrical unit with respect to the MCC when partially withdrawn.

Electrical unit for a motor control center with ingress protection

The detrimental effects of environmental hazards on units having withdrawable stabs or contacts may be overcome by using fixed feed units in compartments in a manner akin to withdrawable units. In particular, multiple fixed feed units may be provided in a single section or column by implementing vertical bus bars providing multiple connection points particular to fixed feed units. As a result, fixed feed units may be mounted to the vertical bus bars, as opposed to horizontal main bus bars or requiring complex wiring, thereby allowing multiple fixed feed units to be efficiently provided to maximize space. An electrically insulating bus support, which may be supplemented with bracing, may provide improved short-circuit protection. Electrically insulating covers over fixed feed unit connections may also provide electrical isolation in the system in accordance with industry standards. Moreover, in one aspect, fixed feed units and withdrawable units may be intermixed.

Fixed vertical distribution bus bar

Growing community of inventors

Radzionków, Poland

Tomasz Lorek