Electricity: electrical systems and devices – Housing or mounting assemblies with diverse electrical... – For electronic systems and devices
Reexamination Certificate
1998-10-27
2001-01-16
Gandhi, Jayprakash N. (Department: 2841)
Electricity: electrical systems and devices
Housing or mounting assemblies with diverse electrical...
For electronic systems and devices
C361S614000, C361S827000, C312S349000
Reexamination Certificate
active
06175503
ABSTRACT:
TECHNICAL FIELD OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates in general to rack mounted rectifiers, and in particular to an interconnection system for rack mounted rectifiers.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
Prior art rack mounted rectifiers have been provided for mounting in rectifier cabinets. Such rectifiers have AC inputs and DC outputs. Rectifier cabinets have found extensive use in the rapidly expanding telecommunications industry, providing power for telephone switch gear and the like. Rectifier cabinets have been provided of modular design, in which rectifier modules were removably mounted within the cabinets. Typically, the rectifier modules may be “hot swapped;” that is, a portion of the rectifiers may be removed from the rectifier cabinets without having to shut down the entire cabinet such that power may be maintained by the equipment powered by the rectifier cabinet being serviced.
The mounting of rectifier modules within rectifier cabinets requires the proper alignment of various AC input and DC output contacts, and various signal connectors to enable operation of the rectifier modules. Once the modules are aligned and properly inserted into the racks of the rectifier cabinets, they are secured in place by a latch such that they cannot be removed from the cabinets while the latch is secured. Additional space is taken up by the latching mechanism and alignment members which are utilized for installing prior art rectifier modules into prior art rectifier cabinets. The industry for power equipment has generated predetermined modular unit sizes for determining the space utilized for modular rectifier components. The usage of additional space for alignment members and latching mechanisms prevents the size of rectifier cabinets from being reduced to more compact sizes.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
The present invention disclosed and claimed herein comprises and interconnect for engaging a rectifier module with a rectifier cabinet. A first portion of the interconnect includes AC output contacts, DC input contacts, a cabinet data signal connector and sidewalls which define an enclosed space of the rectifier cabinet. A second portion of the interconnect includes DC output contacts, AC input contacts, a module pin data signal connector and a housing which encloses a rectifier unit. A guide member is mounted to one of the first and second portions of the interconnect. A guide pin member hole is included with the other of the first and second portions of the interconnect for engaging with the guide pin member to align the first portion of the interconnect with the second portion of the interconnect for proper mating of the input and output contacts and the data signal connectors. A pair of data signal connector guide pin members are mounted to one of the data signal connectors for engaging within guide pin sockets of the other of the data signals connectors for aligning the data signal connectors for a mating engagement therebetween. One of the data signal connectors is moveably attached to a respective one of the rectifier module housing and the rectifier cabinet for moving to matingly engage with the other of the data signal connectors, which is rigidly attached to the respective one of the module or cabinet. Inserting the rectifier module within the partially enclosed space of the rectifier cabinet engages the housing with the sidewalls of the partially enclosed spaced, which aligns the guide member for engagement within a guide member hole to align the DC input and output connectors, the AC input and output connectors, and the data signal connectors in mating engagements.
In another aspect of the present invention, the guide pin members are mounted to the data signal connectors which are mounted to the cabinet, and the guide pin holes are mounted to the data signal connectors which are mounted to the housings of the rectifier modules.
In another aspect of the present invention, one of the sidewalls of the partially enclosed spaces of the rectifier cabinet has a slot disposed in the forward portion for receiving a latch member which is movably mounted to the housing of the rectifier module. The latch member is sized such that it will fit flush with an opposite side of the sidewall having the slot that on which the respective rectifier module is disposed. The latch member is moveable for extending and retracting in lineal directions.
In another aspect of the present invention, the one of the sidewalls having the slot formed therein is defined by a singular sheet of metal. The forward end of the singular sheet of metal is folded over into a doubled layer at the forward portion thereof in which the slot is disposed for receiving the latch member of the rectifier module.
REFERENCES:
patent: 4967311 (1990-10-01), Ferchau et al.
patent: 5132872 (1992-07-01), Hase
patent: 5764504 (1998-06-01), Brand et al.
Hogan Gerald Michael
Marzec Steven Jeffery
Ratner Lyle James
ADS, The Power Resource, Inc.
Gandhi Jayprakash N.
Howison, Chauza, Handley & Arnottl, L.L.P.
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