MODULAR ELECTRICAL-CABINET MOUNTING APPARATUS

Abstract

A modular electrical-cabinet mounting apparatus (110) is provided comprising a base wall assembly (122) defining a cabling void (124) and a multi-part support platform (126) which is mountable to the base wall assembly (122) to at least partly cover the cabling void (124). The support platform (126) comprises a plurality of individual platform members (132a, 132b, 140) which are interconnectable to form the support platform (126). At least two said platform members are formed as cabinet-support members (132a, 132b) having a cabling access aperture therethrough and the support platform (126) is configured to be selectively assembled so that the cabinet-support members (132a, 132b) are in a spaced-apart relationship along the length of the support platform (126).

Claims

1. A modular electrical-cabinet mounting apparatus comprising: a base wall assembly defining a cabling void; and a multi-part support platform which is mountable to the base wall assembly to at least partly cover the cabling void, the support platform comprising a plurality of individual platform members which are interconnectable to alter a length of the support platform; at least two said platform members being cabinet-support members each having a cabling access aperture therethrough, the support platform being configured to be selectively assembled so that the cabinet-support members are in a spaced-apart relationship along the length of the support platform.

2. The modular electrical-cabinet mounting apparatus as claimed in claim 1, wherein each cabinet-support member comprises a frame and a panel mounted on the frame, the cabling access aperture being formed through the panel.

3. The modular electrical-cabinet mounting apparatus as claimed in claim 2, wherein the frame has a width which matches or substantially matches a width of the base wall assembly.

4. The modular electrical-cabinet mounting apparatus as claimed in claim 2, wherein the panel comprises at least one cabinet locator.

5. (canceled)

6. The modular electrical-cabinet mounting apparatus as claimed in claim 1, wherein each cabinet support member comprises a cabinet plinth through which the cabling access aperture passes.

7. The modular electrical-cabinet mounting apparatus as claimed in claim 6, wherein the cabinet plinth is sub-divided into a plurality of plinth sections, each plinth section having an openable access door thereto.

8. The modular electrical-cabinet mounting apparatus as claimed in claim 1, wherein a plurality of different cabinet-support members is provided, each of the different cabinet-support members having a cabling access aperture of a different dimension.

9. The modular electrical-cabinet mounting apparatus as claimed in claim 1, wherein at least one platform member is provided as a cover panel.

10. The modular electrical-cabinet mounting apparatus as claimed in claim 9, wherein the cover panel is dimensioned so as to have a width greater than a width of a cabinet door of an electrical cabinet suitable for engaging with the multi-part support platform.

11. The modular electrical-cabinet mounting apparatus as claimed in claim 7, wherein a plurality of cabinet-support members is provided, a said cover panel being positioned between each consecutive pair of cabinet-support members to form the multi-part support platform.

12. The modular electrical-cabinet mounting apparatus as claimed in claim 7, wherein the cover panel is openable to permit user access to the cabling void.

13. The modular electrical-cabinet mounting apparatus as claimed in claim 1, wherein each of the platform members includes a seating element engagable with an inner perimeter of the base wall assembly.

14. (canceled)

15. The modular electrical-cabinet mounting apparatus as claimed in claim 1, wherein the base wall assembly is formed from a plurality of discrete wall sections which are interconnectable to form different dimensional variants.

16. The modular electrical-cabinet mounting apparatus as claimed in claim 1, further comprising a cabling duct engagable with the base wall assembly for providing lateral access to the cabling void.

17. The modular electrical-cabinet mounting apparatus as claimed in claim 16, wherein at least one platform member is provided as a cover panel, and wherein the cabling duct is aligned or substantially aligned to a center of the cover panel when the multi-part support platform is assembled.

18. (canceled)

19. The modular electrical-cabinet mounting apparatus as claimed in claim 1, in the form of a kit of parts.

20. A modular electrical-cabinet system comprising: a modular electrical-cabinet mounting apparatus as claimed in claim 1, and an electrical cabinet associated with each of the cabinet-support members, the or each cabinet being dimensioned to engage with and cover the corresponding cabling access aperture.

21. The modular electrical-cabinet system as claimed in claim 20, wherein a door of each electrical cabinet opens towards or away from a subsequent electrical cabinet.

22. The modular electrical-cabinet system as claimed in claim 20, wherein each electrical cabinet is a rail controller-unit cabinet.

23. A method of providing a plurality of sequential electrical cabinets in a spaced apart relationship at a site requiring electrical cabling access, the method comprising the steps of: a] constructing a base wall assembly defining a cabling void, the base wall assembly having a length; b] interconnecting a plurality of individual platform members together to form a multi-part support platform which has a length greater than or equal to the length of the base wall assembly, wherein at least two said platform members are cabinet-support members having a cabling access aperture therethrough, the support platform selectively assembled so that the cabinet-support members are in a spaced-apart relationship along the length of the support platform; c] mounting the support platform to the base wall assembly; and d] mounting electrical cabinets onto the cabinet-support members.

24. (canceled)

25. (canceled)

Description

[0061] The invention will now be more particularly described, by way of example only, with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which:

[0062] FIG. 1 shows a plan representation of an electrical cabinet system by a railway line, in accordance with the state of the art;

[0063] FIG. 2 shows a front isometric representation of one embodiment of a modular electrical-cabinet mounting apparatus in accordance with the first aspect of the invention, in, combination with three electrical cabinets to form a modular electrical-cabinet system in accordance with the second aspect of the invention;

[0064] FIG. 3 shows a side view of the modular electrical-cabinet system shown in FIG. 2;

[0065] FIG. 4 shows an exploded representation of the modular electrical-cabinet mounting apparatus shown in FIG. 2;

[0066] FIG. 5 shows an enlarged representation of the connection means of the modular electrical-cabinet mounting apparatus of FIG. 4;

[0067] FIG. 6A shows an isometric representation of a first cabinet-support member of the modular electrical-cabinet mounting apparatus of FIG. 2;

[0068] FIG. 6B shows an isometric representation of a second cabinet-support member of the modular electrical-cabinet mounting apparatus of FIG. 2;

[0069] FIG. 6C shows an isometric representation of one of the frames for a cabinet-support member of the modular electrical-cabinet mounting apparatus of FIG. 2;

[0070] FIG. 7 shows an enlarged isometric representation of the interface between the first cabinet-support member and the base wall assembly of the modular electrical-cabinet mounting, apparatus of FIG. 2;

[0071] FIG. 8 shows a plan representation of a door-opening configuration of the modular electrical-cabinet system of FIG. 2;

[0072] FIG. 9 shows a front isometric representation of a second embodiment of a modular electrical-cabinet mounting apparatus in accordance with the first aspect of the invention;

[0073] FIG. 10 shows a front isometric representation of a third embodiment of a modular electrical-cabinet mounting apparatus in accordance with the first aspect of the invention;

[0074] FIG. 11 shows a front isometric representation of a fourth embodiment of a modular electrical-cabinet mounting apparatus in accordance with the first aspect of the invention; and

[0075] FIG. 12 shows a front isometric representation of a fifth embodiment of a modular electrical-cabinet mounting apparatus in accordance with the first aspect of the invention.

[0076] Referring to FIG. 1, an illustrative electrical-cabinet system for a railway is indicated globally at 10, which is in accordance with the state of the art.

[0077] A plurality of electrical cabinets 12 is positioned on a solid concrete slab 14, with cabling being introduced to the electrical cabinets 14 through a main trough 16 which runs parallel to the railway track 18, and also via inter-cabinet troughs 20. The concrete slab 14 provides a good mounting position for the electrical cabinets 14, but is difficult to install in a level condition, as well as being challenging to correcting install the troughs 16, 20.

[0078] An alternative modular electrical-cabinet system 110 is indicated in FIGS. 2 and 3. The system 110 comprises a plurality of electrical cabinets 112a, 112b, which here comprise one full-width electrical cabinet 112a and two half-width electrical cabinets 112b. The electrical cabinets 112a, 112b are mounted onto a modular electrical-cabinet mounting apparatus 114.

[0079] The modular electrical-cabinet mounting apparatus 114 comprises a base wall assembly 122 which forms an enclosed or substantially enclosed perimeter for the modular electrical-cabinet mounting apparatus 114, defining a cabling void 124 therein, illustrated in FIG. 4, as well as a multi-part support platform 126 which is mountable to the base wall assembly 122 to at least partly cover the cabling void 124. The base wall assembly 122 may have one or more access openings in the perimeter which are engagable with one or more cabling ducts 128 to provide lateral access to the cabling void 124.

[0080] The multi-part support platform 126 can be seen in more detail in FIG. 4. The support platform 126 comprises a plurality of individual platform members which are interconnectable to form the support platform 126 in a desired configuration. Interconnection may be achieved via one or more fasteners, such as the fixing bolts 130 illustrated. Other connection means could be considered, however, such as interference fit, detent engagement, or indeed, the multi-part support platform 126 could be finalised by welding together, or otherwise integrally forming, the platform members with one another. Adjacent platform members may be connected by alignment of adjacent connection apertures 131 for instance, as can be seen more easily in FIG. 5 below.

[0081] The individual platform members may be provided in different forms. For example, there may be cabinet-support members 132a, 132b which include a cabinet locator 134a, 134b or receiver in an upper surface 136 thereof. The cabinet locator 134a, 134b is preferably dimensioned so as to be engagable with a specific class of electrical cabinet 112a, 112b. The cabinet locator 134a, 134b may include a locator hole, and thereby forms a cabling access aperture 138 through the upper surface 136 of each cabinet-support member 132a, 132b. The skilled reader will appreciate that the variety of electrical cabinets available precludes a complete recitation here.

[0082] Each cabinet-support member 132a, 132b may have a complete perimeter around its cabinet locator 134a, 134b which forms the upper surface 136, in order that a complete upper surface of the support platform 126 can be provided. This also minimises the risk of leak paths forming between an installed electrical cabinet 112a, 112b and its respective cabinet locator 134a, 134b, which might otherwise occur if a full perimeter surface was not present.

[0083] In addition to the cabinet-support members 132a, 132b, the multi-part support platform 126 may also include at least one further platform member, which may be provided as a cover panel 140. The cover panel 140 is preferably designed so as to be openable, for example, being hinged, or otherwise easily removable to permit user access to the cabling void 124. In particular, a user may be able to open the cover panel 140 to access and mounting apparatus within the cabling void 124, in order to operate on the electrical cabinets 112a, 112b at a more comfortable height.

[0084] The cover panels 140 may be arranged so as to sequentially interspace the cabinet-support members 132a, 132b, and therefore may also serve the function of providing a repeated spacing between adjacent cabinet-support members 132a, 132b. This may be carefully selected so as to be larger than a dimension of the access doors of the electrical cabinets 112a, 112b, preferably twice as large, and therefore preventing misplacement of the electrical cabinets 112a, 112b which can occur in the current state of the art.

[0085] The cover panels 140 have an upper surface 142 which when installed correctly, may provide a continuous, flush and/or contiguous surface for the support platform 126 with the upper surfaces 136 of the cabinet-support members 132a, 132b. Alternatively, and as can be seen in particular in FIG. 3, each cabinet-support member 132a, 132b may sit slightly proud of the upper surfaces 142 of the cover panels 140. The cover panel 140 itself may be connected to, and/or removably engagable with, a panel frame 143 which allows for the interconnection of the cover panel 140 as part of the multi-part support platform 126.

[0086] The base wall assembly 122 may itself be modular. As illustrated in FIG. 4, the base wall assembly 122 may comprise a plurality of individual wall sections 144 which can be interconnected in a selectable manner to build the base wall assembly 122 to a desired dimension, and in particular, to a desired length. It is preferred that a width of the base wall assembly 122 be maintained, as it is desirable for the width of the base wall assembly 122 be matched to that of the platform members of the support platform 126.

[0087] By increasing the number of wall sections 144 along the length of the base wall assembly 122, support platforms 126 of differing lengths can be accommodated. It may also be possible to provide for non-rectangular configurations, such as L- or T-shaped base wall assemblies 122, which may, increase the utility of the whole apparatus. Furthermore, the wall sections 144 may not only be connectable in an end-to-end relationship, but may be stacked on top of one another to increase the height of the base wall assembly 122 to suit the depth of foundation, required to accommodate the cabling void 124.

[0088] The cable ducts 128 can be seen in FIG. 4 in more detail, which are provided as elongate channels having a subsidiary cabling void therein. The bodies of the cable ducts 128 may be reinforced so as to provide sufficient structural support to an upper portion thereof, which may serve as a walking surface. The upper portion may therefore be positioned so as to be flush or substantially flush with the upper surface of the support platform 126, in use.

[0089] FIG. 4 shows the access openings 145 for connecting the cable ducts 128 to the cabling void 124. These access openings 145 could be pre-formed in the base wall assembly 122. However, it is preferred that one or more removable portions be provided in the base wall assembly 122, for example, frangible doors or covers, which could be selectively removed to allow for strategic positioning of the cabling ducts 128.

[0090] One strategically useful position of a cabling duct 128, which also results in an aesthetically pleasing symmetric appearance, is so as to be aligned with a centre of each cover panel 140. In this regard, the cables are always introduced into the cabling void 124 in a user accessible part of the modular electrical-cabinet mounting apparatus 110.

[0091] One example of a connection method of the multi-part support platform 126 can be seen in FIG. 5. The two-part fastener 130a, 130b can be inserted through adjacent connection apertures 131 of support platforms, here shown as a base frame 143 for a cover panel 140, and a frame 146 of the cabinet-support member 132a. The bolt 130a can be engaged with the nut 130b at different positions along the base frame 143 and frame 146 to ensure a secure connection, and this can be repeated along the length of the multi-part support platform 126.

[0092] FIGS. 6A and 6B show, respectively, the first and second different cabinet-support members 132a, 132b for supporting full-width and half-width electrical cabinets 112a, 112b. Each cabinet-support member 132a, 132b may be formed having a frame 146, such as that shown in FIG. 6C, to which is mounted a plate 148 which forms the upper surface 136 of the cabinet-support member 132a, 132b.

[0093] As previously noted, a cabling access aperture 138 is formed in the upper surface 136, which may be a panel, of each cabinet-support member 132a, 132b, and this forms the cabinet locator. However, the cabinet locator may comprise additional location elements, such as the secondary locators 150 shown. These secondary locators 150 may be dimensioned to receive pins attached to the electrical cabinets 112a, 112b in lieu of feet. Alternatively, said secondary locators may align to corresponding apertures on the electrical cabinets 112a, 112b, in order that additional fasteners, such as screw-threaded fasteners, may be used to connect the electrical cabinets 112a, 112b to their respective cabinet-support members 132a, 132b. Indeed, and as can be seen in FIG. 5C in particular, the frame 146 may include a plurality of fastener receivers 151 which are aligned to the secondary locators 150 to act as guides when the installer drills into the base wall assembly 122, allowing the base wall assembly 122 to be connected to the multi-part support platform 126. This may again be achieved via one or more fasteners 130.

[0094] The, preferably rectangular, frame 146 of each cabinet-support member 132a, 132b may be identical regardless of the size of electrical cabinet 112a, 112b to be supported. In this way, there is a consistent and repeatable dimension associated with each cabinet-support member 132a, 132b.

[0095] The frame 146 preferably provides the interface between the base wall assembly 122 and the multi-part support platform 126, and here this is achieved by the provision of seating elements, such as the projecting location tabs 152 which depend from the inner perimeter of the frame 146. The location tabs 152 prevent dislocation of the support platform 126 with respect to the base wall assembly 122 preferably by abutment with the inner perimeter along at least two walls for each frame 146. The location tabs 152 may also include engagement means for an additional connector, such as the aperture 154 for a fastener which is shown. Typically, fastening would only be required in the location tabs 152 in the four corners of the multi-part support platform 126.

[0096] This abuttable engagement can be seen best in FIG. 7. The location tabs 152 may even be formed so as to project slightly outwardly in order to create an additional interference fit with the base wall assembly 122. Other forms of seating element could be provided, however. For instance, a full perimeter skirt which sits inside or around the base wall assembly could also be considered.

[0097] If an engineer needs to work on a particular electrical cabinet 112a, 112b, then they can follow a simple process. A cover panel 140 adjacent to the desired electrical cabinet 112a, 112b can be selected and opened, with the engineer stepping in so that the electrical cabinet 112a, 112b is positioned at a comfortable relative working height. Additionally, the engineer has unfettered access to the cabling within the cabling void 124, rather than needing to engage with an inter-cabinet trough buried in concrete, as is the case in the state of the art.

[0098] The doors 156 of the electrical cabinets 112a, 112b can be configured to open towards or away from adjacent electrical cabinets 112a, 112b. A schematic representation of this door opening scheme is shown in FIG. 8. The schematic shown is not to scale—it is purely indicative of relative door positions, rather than the true length of electrical cabinets. It is preferred that each cover panel 140 be dimensioned to be at least as wide as the width of one said door 156, and more preferably, to be at least twice as wide as the width of a said door 156, so that doors can be opened on both sides of the cover panel 140.

[0099] Further embodiments of modular electrical-cabinet mounting apparatuses are shown in FIGS. 9 and 10 respectively. Identical or similar components to those described in relation to the first embodiment of the mounting apparatus above will be referred to using identical or similar reference numerals, and further detailed description will be omitted for brevity.

[0100] The modular electrical-cabinet mounting apparatus 214 of FIG. 9 has a cabinet-support member 232a dimensioned for a full-width electrical cabinet, and a cabinet-support member 232b dimensioned for a half-width electrical cabinet, which are separated by a single cover panel 240. This allows for a relatively short base wall assembly 222 to be constructed, having a single cable duct 228 access. Each cabinet-support member 232a, 232b incorporates a gland tray 258 for engaging with cables passed therethrough. This will assist with preventing water ingress into the cabling void.

[0101] The modular electrical-cabinet mounting apparatus 314 of FIG. 10 has a cabinet-support member 332a dimensioned for a full-width electrical cabinet, and a cabinet-support member 332b dimensioned for a half-width electrical cabinet, again, but now has an additional cover panel 340 which extends from one side of the second cabinet-support member 340. This allows for the base wall assembly 322 to be increased in size in order to accommodate a further cable duct 328. Again, each cabinet-support member 332a, 332b incorporates a gland tray 358 for engaging with cables passed therethrough.

[0102] Whilst the cabinet-support members of the preceding embodiments have all been formed as individual frameworks having a flat plate thereon which forms an upper surface of the multi-part support platform, this is not necessarily required.

[0103] A further embodiment of the modular electrical-cabinet mounting apparatus is shown in FIG. 11. Identical or similar components to those described in relation to the earlier embodiments of the mounting apparatus above will be referred to using identical or similar reference numerals, and further detailed description will be omitted for brevity.

[0104] Instead of flat plates, each cabinet-support member 432d of the modular electrical-cabinet mounting apparatus 414 is provided as a cabinet plinth 460 from which a perimetric flange 462 extends, the perimetric flange 462 forming the upper surface 436 of the multi-part support platform 426. The perimetric flange 462 may extend continuously around the cabinet plinth 460, or only part of the way around, with adjacent cabinet-support members 432d providing the necessary overlap to cover the cabling void 424.

[0105] In this embodiment, the base wall assembly 422 has been constructed so as to be able to receive three cabinet-support members 432d thereon, with each cabinet-support member 432d having a width equal to that of the base wall assembly 422.

[0106] An alternative embodiment of the modular electrical-cabinet mounting apparatus is shown in FIG. 12. Identical or similar components to those described in relation to the fourth embodiment of the mounting apparatus above will be referred to using identical or similar reference numerals, and further detailed description will be omitted for brevity.

[0107] In the further embodiment, the modular electrical-cabinet mounting apparatus 514 has a base, wall assembly 522 which has a smaller cabling void 524, dimensioned so that only two cabinet-support members 532d are required to cover the cabling void 524.

[0108] In either of the fourth or fifth embodiments, the cabinet-support members 432d; 532d are formed so as to have one or more raised access doors 464; 564 to permit an engineer to access the cabinet plinth 460; 560. This potentially obviates the need to provide a cover panel for the multi-part support platform, since the electrical cabinets will sit higher on top of the cabinet plinths 460; 560. An engineer can work on the electrical cabinet at a safe height, and will be able to access cables coming up through the cabling void 524, and through the cabling access apertures in the cabinet-support members 432d; 532d via the access doors 464; 564. Ventilation may also be provided to improve airflow into the cabling void without increasing the prospect of water ingress.

[0109] In the depicted embodiments, cover trays 466; 566 are illustrated which cover the tops of different sections of the cabinet plinths 460; 560. It will be appreciated that these can be removed and/or replaced with gland trays as required.

[0110] Where a plurality of different sections of the cabinet plinths 460; 560 are provided, each separate section may have a different access door 464; 564, so that there can be no tangling or mixing of the cables into or out of the different sections, and the engineer can work on each independently,

[0111] Hinged or pivotable access doors 460; 560 are shown, which fold down, but these access doors 460; 560 may hinge upwardly, laterally, or may indeed be completely removable to simplify user access thereto.

[0112] These additional embodiments of the invention highlight how the system can be readily adapted to cope with different dimensional variations which may be more or less appropriate for different contexts. As such, it is preferred that the components be provided as a kit of parts to allow for on-site assembly of the system to suit requirements.

[0113] The above-described modular electrical-cabinet systems have been thus far detailed in the context of rail controller-unit cabinet. However, it will be, appreciated that other contexts could be considered. For example, cabinets containing electrical equipment are utilised in the telecommunications, motorway communications, and power and energy distribution industries. The present invention is applicable in all of these contexts, and is not intended to be solely limited to use in the rail network.

[0114] It is therefore possible to provide a mounting apparatus for electrical cabinets which is modular. This allows the user to more readily build and install the electrical cabinets on site, in accordance with any location specific parameters which may make the installation of a concrete slab more problematic. Not only does the modular cabinet arrangement improve the ease of installation, it also simplifies the ease with which maintenance on the cabinets can be performed, since there is a much simpler means of access into the cabling void below the electrical cabinets.

[0115] The words ‘comprises/comprising’ and the words “having/including” when used herein with reference to the present invention are used to specify the presence of stated features, integers, steps or components, but do not preclude the presence or addition of one or more other features, integers, steps, components or groups thereof.

[0116] It is appreciated that certain features of the invention, which are, for clarity, described in the context of separate embodiments, may also be provided in combination in a single embodiment. Conversely, various features of the invention which are, for brevity, described in the context of a single embodiment, may also be provided separately or in any suitable sub-combination.

[0117] The embodiments described above are provided by way of examples only, and various other modifications will be apparent to persons skilled in the field without departing from the scope of the invention as defined herein.