WO2003007625A1

WO2003007625A1 - Electric power and signal distribution system

Info

Publication number: WO2003007625A1
Application number: PCT/IT2001/000586
Authority: WO
Inventors: Giovanni Maccagnan
Original assignee: B.T.G. S.P.A.
Priority date: 2001-07-11
Filing date: 2001-11-22
Publication date: 2003-01-23
Also published as: ITTO20010680A1; ITTO20010680A0; WO2003007625A9

Abstract

An electric power and signal distribution system provides for connecting distribution modules (5) to one another in succession by means of connecting plates (28) and screws (29), and for connecting each distribution module (5) by means of screws (25) to a respective cabinet (3); each distribution module (5) having a duct (6), and at least one portion (15) of electric line which is housed inside the duct (6) and has a number of electric power distribution connectors (16).

Description

ELECTRIC POWER AND SIGNAL DISTRIBUTION SYSTEM

TECHNICAL FIELD The present invention relates to an electric power and signal distribution system for a telecommunications or data processing exchange.

BACKGROUND ART

As is known, at telecommunications exchanges, electric power and signals are distributed to a number of electronic devices by means of a system comprising a gantry structure defined by a row element, i.e. a duct or elongated box supporting electric power and signal distribution lines; a row panel, i.e. a post containing isolating switches for selecting electric power to the various devices; and an end-of-row post. The row panel and end-of-row post support the row element at each end to form the gantry structure .

The gantry structure houses a number of cabinets or frames arranged in succession and alternating with pedestals or posts for supporting intermediate parts of the row element; and each cabinet or frame comprises a compartment for housing a vertical succession of electronic devices.

The row element is equipped on top with a reticular structure, known as planar, for gathering signal distribution cables. The gantry structure and the cabinets arranged in succession inside it form a row defining a portion of a telecommunications exchange.

The power and signal distribution system described above has the drawback of requiring that the length of the row be defined beforehand, which seriously limits any extension of the row, in that, once the length of the row element is defined, electric power and signals can only be distributed to cabinets insertable within the gantry structure. Moreover, the gantry structure is designed to receive normally standard ETSI cabinets of given size, and limits replacement of an ETSI cabinet with 19-inch standard cabinets differing in size and mounting gauge from the ETSI cabinets for which the structure is designed, and vice versa. DISCLOSURE OF INVENTION

It is an object of the present invention to provide an electric power and signal distribution system designed to eliminate the drawbacks of known systems, and which, in particular, is highly flexible. According to the present invention, there is provided an electric power and signal distribution system, characterized by comprising a succession of distribution modules; first fastening means for mechanically and electrically connecting adjacent distribution modules; and second fastening means for connecting each distribution module to a respective cabinet; each distribution module comprising a duct, and at least one portion of electric line housed in said duct and having a number of distribution connectors.

The electric power and signal distribution system according to the present invention is highly flexible, by each module defining a unit connectable to other modules and to a respective cabinet, and enabling elimination of the gantry structure so that an additional cabinet can be added to the existing row at any time.

In one particularly advantageous embodiment of the present invention, the system comprises a second electric line of a higher voltage than the first electric line; the second electric line comprising electric cables, a terminal board, and a switch located along said electric cables to isolate an end portion of said electric cables .

The above solution provides for adding a further distribution module to the existing succession of distribution modules, by simply isolating the end portion of the electric cables of the last distribution module in the succession, so as to connect the end portion of the electric cables with no risk to the operator. In a further particularly advantageous embodiment of the present invention, the distribution system comprises modular elements that can be fitted to one another; each modular element comprising a cabinet for housing electronic devices, and one of said distribution modules fixed to said cabinet.

The modular element, in fact, is a cabinet with a top portion for electric power and signal distribution, and may be used to advantage not only for telecommunications but also data processing exchanges.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

A preferred, non-limiting embodiment of the present invention will be described by way of example with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which:

Figure 1 shows a front view of a distribution module of the distribution system according to the present invention;

Figure 2 shows a section along line II-II of the Figure 1 distribution module;

Figure 3 shows a plan view of the Figure 1 distribution module;

Figure 4 shows a section along line IV-IV of the Figure 3 distribution module; Figure 5 shows a smaller-scale, partly sectioned side view, with parts removed for clarity, of a modular element comprising the Figure 1 distribution module;

Figure 6 shows a front view, with parts removed for clarity, of a telecommunications exchange row comprising four distribution modules identical with the Figure 1 module .

BEST MODE FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION

Number 1 in Figure 6 indicates as a whole a row of a telecommunications exchange not shown in the accompanying drawings. Row 1 comprises a row panel 2; cabinets 3; and a row element 4 for distributing electric power and signals to cabinets 3. Row element 4 is located on top of row panel 2 and cabinets 3 , and comprises four distribution modules 5 connected mechanically and electrically to one another. Cabinets 3 and row panel 2 are arranged side by side and adjacent to one another, and are all the same height H and width LI . Modules 5 are of a given length L2 equal to the width LI of cabinets 3 and row panel 2, so that each module 5 can be fixed indifferently to the top of, and so form a sort of extension of , each cabinet 3 or row panel 2 , without altering the width LI of row panel 2 or cabinet 3. With reference to Figures 1 to 4, each module 5 comprises a duct 6; electric power lines housed inside duct 6; and switches 7 and 8, the actuating members of which project through openings formed in duct 6.

With reference to Figure 2 , module 5 comprises two ducts 6 located symmetrically on opposite sides of a vertical plane P. Telecommunications exchange row 1 may be either one-sided, i.e. with control members along one face of row 1, or two-sided, i.e. with control members along two opposite faces of row 1. In the following description, reference is made to a two-sided row 1, it being understood that a one-sided row is equivalent to half a two-sided row 1, and obviously requires half the module 5 in Figure 2, in which plane P of symmetry theoretically separates two specularly symmetrical onesided row modules. In other words, a one-sided row only requires one duct 6.

Module 5 comprises two raceways 9, each adjacent to a respective duct 6; and two supporting plates 10 positioned crosswise to, and for supporting the ends of, ducts 6 and raceways 9, as shown clearly in Figure 3. Raceways 9 are located between ducts 6, and provide for housing fiber optic cables FO shown schematically in Figure 3.

Each duct 6 comprises a section 11 closed by a cover 13 extending up to the top of the duct, and houses, inside section 11, insulating supports 14, and rigid, electrically conducting bars 15, which define portions of 48 V, direct-current, electric power distribution lines and are separated from one another by insulating supports 14. Each bar 15 supports a number of distribution connectors or terminals 16, which are connected to distribution cables (not shown) and define power pickup points. Switches 7, also housed in duct 6, are safety switches, are fixed to section 11, and are covered by cover 13, from which only the control members of switches 7 project through openings 17 in cover 13. Each duct 6 houses cables 18, which define a portion of a 230 V, alternating-current, electric power distribution line, and are supported by a terminal board 19 and by switch 8, the control member of which projects from an opening 20 in cover 13. Section 11 has a number of openings 21 located beneath bars 15 and for passage of the connecting cables (not shown) between connectors 16 and cabinet 3, or the cables of row panel 2 located, in use, beneath one of modules 5. With reference to Figures 2, 3 and 5, raceway 9 comprises an open-topped section 22; and an elbow pipe 23 projecting laterally from section 22 to feed part of fiber optic cables FO downwards. Each pipe 23 can be attached selectively along section 22 to select the best point at which to branch off part of fiber optic cables FO from section 22.

With reference to Figures 2 and 4, each module 5 comprises holes 24 along ducts 6, by which to fix ducts 6 and the whole of module 5 to a cabinet 3 or a row panel 2 by means of screws 25.

With reference to Figure 6, when connected to one another, modules 5 form a distribution system 26 for distribution to cabinets 3 underneath. In addition to modules 5, distribution system 26 comprises a modular reticular structure 27, generally known as planar, located on top of modules 5 to gather and route cables C connecting cabinets 3 and shown in Figure 6. Distribution system 26 connects the adjacent, aligned bars 15 of two respective adjacent modules 5 by means of respective connecting plates 28 (shown by the dash lines in Figure 4) and screws 29, so as to electrically connect bars 15 and, at the same time, mechanically connect respective modules 5. With reference to Figures 5 and 6, each cabinet 3 is parallelepiped-shaped, and comprises two lateral walls 30, a bottom wall 31, a top wall 32, and a compartment 33 for housing electronic devices 34 and 35, two of which are shown by dash lines in Figure 6. Device 34 is of given size and designed for fitment to cabinet 3 according to a first so-called ETSI standard; whereas device 35 is of a larger given size than device 34 and designed for fitment to cabinet 3 according to a second normally so-called 19-inch standard. To house both devices 34 and 35 according to the first and second standard respectively, each cabinet 3 comprises two outer guides 36 for mounting devices 34, and two inner guides 37 for mounting devices 35. In other words, widthwise of cabinet 3, guides 37 in each inner pair are closer together than guides 36 in the respective outer pair, and can be removed either partly to house a device 34 in a given position, or totally in the event compartment 33 of cabinet 3 is occupied by a succession of devices 34. In actual use, a group of modules 5 is assembled by means of plates 28 and screws 29 to form a row element 4, the length of which can be adjusted by adding one or more modules 5 to form a row element 4 of variable length, which is then fixed to cabinets 3 and row panel 2 underneath.

Alternatively, each module 5 is first fitted to a respective cabinet 3 by means of screws 25 to form a modular element ^'38, which is then connected to other modular elements 38 and to a row panel 2 to form row 1. Row 1 can even be extended when live, by switch 8 cutting off current along the end portion of cables 18, which can then be connected to terminal board 19 of the add-on module 5.

Reticular structure 27 is fitted on top of modules 5 to support cables C connecting the various cabinets 3; and fiber optical cables FO are housed inside raceways 9 to distribute signals to electronic devices 34 and 35. Module 5 provides for eliminating the gantry structure, by each cabinet 3 and row panel 2 supporting respective distribution modules 5, as well as for resizing row 1 at any time, even when live.

Claims

1) An electric power and signal distribution system, characterized by comprising a succession of distribution modules (5) ,- first fastening means (28, 29) for mechanically and electrically connecting adjacent distribution modules (5) ; and second fastening means for connecting each distribution module (5) to a respective cabinet (3) ; each distribution module (5) comprising a duct (6) , and at least one portion (15) of electric line housed in said duct (6) and having a number of distribution connectors (16) .

2) A system as claimed in Claim 1, characterized in that said distribution module (5) comprises a raceway (9) for housing cables (FO) .

3) A system as claimed in Claim 2, characterized in that said raceway (9) comprises a section (22) , and at least one elbow pipe (23) connectable to said section (22) ; said raceway (9) routing and distributing fiber optic cables (FO) .

4) A system as claimed in Claim 2 or 3, characterized by comprising supporting plates (10) fixed to the raceway (9) and to the duct (6) .

5) A system as claimed in any one of the foregoing Claims, characterized in that said portion of electric line comprises electrically conducting bars (15) spaced apart and supported by insulating elements (14) .

6) A system as claimed in Claim 5, characterized in that each electrically conducting bar (15) is substantially rigid.

7) A system as claimed in Claim 5 or 6, characterized in that said first fastening means (28, 29) comprise connecting plates (28) ,- and screws (29) for fixing one of said connecting plates (28) to two electrically conducting bars (15) of two respective adjacent distribution modules (5) .

8) A system as claimed in Claim 7, characterized in that said duct (6) comprises a cover (13) movable between a closed position, and an open position allowing access to said electrically conducting bars (15) .

9) A system as claimed in Claim 7 or 8, characterized by comprising a number of first switches (7) housed inside said duct (6) to cut off connection between said connectors (16) and respective user devices; each switch (7) having a control member accessible through a respective opening (17) in said duct (6) .

^■ 10) A system as claimed in Claim 9, characterized in that said cover (13) also permits access to said first switches (7) , and has a number of openings (17) .

11) A system as claimed in one of the foregoing Claims, characterized by comprising a second electric line of a higher voltage than the first electric line; the second electric line comprising electric cables (18) , a terminal board (19) , and a second switch (8) located along said electric cables (18) to isolate an end portion of said electric cables (18) . 12) A system as claimed in any one of the foregoing Claims, characterized by comprising two ducts (6) and two raceways (9) supported by respective supporting plates (10) symmetrically with respect to a given plane of symmetry (P) .

13) A system as claimed in any one of the foregoing Claims, characterized by comprising a number of modules (5) connected to one another by said first fastening means (28, 29) to form a row element (4) . 14) A system as claimed in any one of Claims 1 to

12, characterized by comprising modular elements (38) which can be fixed to one another; each modular element (38) comprising a cabinet (3) for housing electronic devices (34, 35), and one of said distribution modules (5) fixed to said cabinet (3) .

15) A system as claimed in Claim 14, characterized in that said cabinet (3) comprises a top wall (30) ; said module (5) being fixed to said top wall (30) .

16) A system as claimed in Claim 14 or 15, characterized in that said cabinet (3) is of a given width (LI) ; each module (5) being of a given length (L2) equal to the width (LI) of the cabinet (3) .

17) A system as claimed in one of Claims 14 to 16, characterized in that said cabinet (3) comprises two lateral walls (30) ; a first pair of guides (36) spaced a first distance apart to house first devices (34) ; and a second pair of guides (37) spaced a second distance apart to house second devices (35) differing in size from the