Electricity: electrical systems and devices – Housing or mounting assemblies with diverse electrical... – For electronic systems and devices
Reexamination Certificate
1998-04-29
2001-03-20
Picard, Leo P. (Department: 2835)
Electricity: electrical systems and devices
Housing or mounting assemblies with diverse electrical...
For electronic systems and devices
C361S727000, C361S796000, C361S611000, C361S624000, C361S637000, C361S648000, C174S068200
Reexamination Certificate
active
06205029
ABSTRACT:
TECHNICAL FIELD OF THE INVENTION
The present invention is directed, in general, to a modular power supply and, more specifically, to a modular power supply chassis employing a bus bar assembly.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
It is not uncommon to find a power supply having a plurality of slots for receiving individual power supply modules. The modular architecture provides several advantages, including: granularity in the level of power that may be delivered to a load, tolerance of failure of one module without interruption of service, and an increase in the overall reliability of the system by sharing the load requirements among a plurality of redundant power supply modules. Additionally, the modular architecture enhances the flexibility of the power supply by allowing individual modules to be replaced with upgraded or enhanced modules without interruption of service. Finally, the modular architecture provides a robust system whereby untrained personnel can rapidly replace failed modules without interrupting service.
Conventionally, the power supply may employ multiple converters in separate modules that convert an AC or DC input voltage to an AC or DC output voltage. Again, the power supply may employ multiple converters in separate modules to increase the overall capacity and reliability of the power supply. The converters, in such a system, share the load to, among other things, evenly distribute stresses among the separate modules, while providing a regulated output to the load. Also, when a failure occurs in a modular system, it is possible to identify and shut down the failed unit without affecting the other parallel connected units, thereby minimizing the overall effects on the input of the load equipment.
Structurally, the modular power supply is housed in a chassis or framework that provides support for shelves that contain the individual power supply modules. The chassis generally includes U-shaped uprights that the shelves and other equipment of the modular power supply are attached to. The chassis further includes compartmentalized rear, side and often top panels to cover the power supply modules and other components that make-up the modular power supply. The chassis and panels form an exo-skeletal cabinet for the modular power supply. The chassis is often a freestanding framework with the panels added for aesthetic and safety purposes. The chassis may be mounted in an equipment cabinet and the shelves accommodate multiple power supply modules.
The modular power supply further includes a power distribution system that distributes power to and from the power supply modules therein. For instance, commercially provided AC power derived from the local utility is fed into the power supply modules, converted by the power supply modules (e.g., in this case, the power converter modules) and DC power is provided to a load coupled to the modular power supply via a power bus architecture. The input and output power, therefore, are distributed through the modular power supply by the power distribution system.
The power bus architecture generally includes a plurality of horizontal bus bars couplable to the power supply modules. The horizontal bus bars are typically supported by horizontal braces within the chassis or within the power unit tray. The horizontal bus bars are coupled together by at least one vertical main power bus. In addition to coupling the horizontal bus bars together, the main power bus provides a path for the output power to the load. Therefore, the power bus architecture of the modular power supply includes a plurality of horizontal bus bars and a vertical main power bus.
The construction of the modular power supply generally occurs according to the following general steps. First, the chassis is constructed providing the structural framework for the modular power supply. Second, the power distribution system is coupled to the frame. Third, power unit trays are individually loaded into the chassis proximate the horizontal braces. Fourth, power supply modules are placed on the power unit trays. In conjunction with loading the power supply modules onto the trays, the power supply modules are coupled to the AC input and control terminals and to the horizontal bus bars. Finally, panels may be placed about the chassis to complete the modular power supply.
While the present designs for the cabinet and power distribution system provide a workable construction for a modular power supply, there are limitations with such designs. The power supply modules dissipate heat in the process of generating or converting power. To promote the safe and efficient operation of the modular power supply, the heat must be removed from within the cabinet. Further, the modular power supply may be placed against a wall, back to back with another equipment frame, or even with equipment frames on both sides, thereby limiting ventilation to the sides or rear. The horizontal bus bars impede the airflow within the chassis. Consequently, powerful fans capable of moving a sufficient quantity of air through the chassis must be provided in connection with the power supply modules, and this air may be forced to exhaust upward.
In combination therewith, the chassis of the modular power supply must be of sufficient depth to provide a channel that facilitates the removal of the exhaust air upward from the power supply modules. The modular power supply, therefore, occupies a great deal of valuable floor space to accommodate the depth requirements compelled with the use of the horizontal bus bars in the power distribution system.
In addition, the location for the power supply modules is predetermined vertically by the positioning of connecting points on the main power bus. Thus, the fixed vertical increments for the location of the power supply modules prevalent in the prior art systems severely limits the flexibility of the power supply. For instance, if the power supply must be redesigned and a taller power supply module is to be employed, a total rework of the chassis must be undertaken to accommodate the taller module. Conversely, while the use of a smaller power module is possible, the ensuing extra space cannot be used thereby generating wasted space in the modular power supply.
Accordingly, what is needed in the art is a power distribution system having a simplified power bus architecture that facilitates a reduction of the overall footprint of the modular power supply by minimizing airflow restrictions therethrough and provides enhanced design flexibility not available in the prior art.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
To address the above-discussed deficiencies of the prior art, the present invention provides a chassis assembly for receiving power supply modules therein. In one embodiment, the chassis assembly includes: (1) a cabinet, (2) an elongated bus bar assembly configured to be supported within the cabinet from a mount coupled to the cabinet, the bus bar assembly having a pair of conductors capable of receiving a terminal connector of a power supply module received into the cabinet and (3) a shelf, oriented laterally with respect to the bus bar assembly, that supports at least one power supply module received into the cabinet, the bus bar assembly being substantially free of terminal connectors and adapted to eliminate a need for support of a portion of a weight of the bus bar assembly apart from the mount.
The present invention therefore introduces, among other things, a mount that supports a bus bar assembly within a cabinet to reduce the structural members that the bus bar assembly would otherwise require. This is in distinct contrast to bus bar design concepts found in the prior art, wherein complicated bus bar supports were required to maintain the bus bars in the proper location. Inasmuch as the mount bears a portion of the weight of the bus bar assembly, ancillary supports may be limited to providing support as against lateral or fore and aft displacement of the bus bar assembly. It should be appreciated that fore and aft is usually in the direction of insertion into and removal out of th
Byrne Vincent M.
Fontana Edward C.
Bui Tung Minh
Lucent Technologies - Inc.
Picard Leo P.
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