阅读说明：本技术 Pdu的插座连接架构 (PDU socket connection structure ) 是由 薇尔玛·巴克塔 内特·摩尔 约瑟·马丁内斯 多米尼克·巴克 于 2019-07-18 设计创作，主要内容包括：电源分配单元,包括伸长壳体和穿入所述伸长壳体的电源输入。电源输入可以包括接地母线,中性母线,和至少一条相线母线。多个电气插座可沿所述壳体布置。每个电气插座可以包括接受器和从该接受器伸出的多个间隔开的插座引脚。所述多个插座引脚可以包括接收接地母线的接地插座引脚,接收中性母线的中性插座引脚,以及接收相线母线的相线插座引脚。(A power distribution unit comprising an elongated housing and a power input penetrating the elongated housing. The power input may include a ground bus, a neutral bus, and at least one phase bus. A plurality of electrical receptacles may be disposed along the housing. Each electrical socket may include a receptacle and a plurality of spaced apart socket pins extending from the receptacle. The plurality of receptacle pins may include a ground receptacle pin to receive a ground bus, a neutral receptacle pin to receive a neutral bus, and a phase receptacle pin to receive a phase bus.)

1. An electrical outlet, comprising:

a receiver; and

a plurality of spaced apart receptacle pins extending from the receptacle, the plurality of receptacle pins including a ground receptacle pin configured to receive a ground bus, a neutral receptacle pin configured to receive a neutral bus, and a phase receptacle pin configured to receive a phase bus;

wherein the phase receptacle pin includes a terminal portion adapted to be placed in the receptacle and an arm portion extending transversely from the terminal portion.

2. The electrical socket of claim 1, wherein each of the spaced socket pins extends from the same end of the receptacle.

3. The electrical receptacle of claim 2, wherein the receptacle is an IEC-C13 type receptacle.

4. The electrical receptacle of claim 2, wherein the receptacle is an IEC-C19 type receptacle.

5. The electrical receptacle of claim 1, wherein each of the ground receptacle pin, the neutral receptacle pin, and the phase receptacle pin includes an associated detent to receive the ground busbar, the neutral busbar, and the phase busbar, respectively.

6. The electrical socket of claim 1, wherein each of the ground socket pin, the neutral socket pin, and the phase socket pin includes an associated stiffening rib.

7. The electrical socket of claim 1, wherein at least two of the plurality of spaced apart socket pins are differently configured.

8. The electrical receptacle of claim 7, wherein the receptacle is an IEC-C13-type receptacle, and wherein the ground receptacle pin and the neutral receptacle pin have the same configuration, and wherein the configuration of the phase receptacle pin is different from the same configuration.

9. An electrical outlet array comprising:

a plurality of receptacles mounted in longitudinal alignment with one another, each receptacle comprising:

a plurality of spaced apart receptacle pins extending from the same end of the receptacle, the plurality of receptacle pins including a ground receptacle pin configured to accept a ground bus, a neutral receptacle pin configured to accept a neutral bus, and a phase receptacle pin configured to accept a phase bus.

10. The electrical receptacle array as recited in claim 9, wherein the ground receptacle pins of the receptacles are longitudinally aligned with one another, the neutral receptacle pins of the receptacles are longitudinally aligned with one another, and each of the phase receptacle pins of adjacent receptacles are laterally offset from one another.

11. The electrical receptacle array as set forth in claim 10, wherein at least two of the phase receptacle pins include a first vertical portion, a second vertical portion, and an intermediate portion extending therebetween.

12. The electrical socket array as set forth in claim 10, wherein the intermediate portions of the phase socket pins have different lengths.

13. The electrical outlet array of claim 9, wherein each of the receptacles is an IEC-C13 type receptacle.

14. The electrical outlet array of claim 9, wherein each of the receptacles is an IEC-C19 type receptacle.

15. The electrical socket array of claim 9, wherein at least one of the ground socket pin, the neutral socket pin, and the phase socket pin includes associated strengthening ribs.

16. The electrical receptacle array as recited in claim 9, wherein each of the ground receptacle pins, the neutral receptacle pins, and the phase receptacle pins includes an associated detent to receive the ground bus, the neutral bus, and the phase bus, respectively.

17. A power distribution unit comprising:

an elongated housing;

a power input penetrating the elongated housing, the power input being in electrical communication with each of the ground bus, the neutral bus, and the at least one phase bus; and

a plurality of electrical receptacles disposed along the housing, each electrical receptacle comprising:

a receiver; and

a plurality of spaced apart receptacle pins extending from the receptacle, the plurality of receptacle pins including a ground receptacle pin for receiving the ground bus, a neutral receptacle pin for receiving the neutral bus, and a phase receptacle pin for receiving the phase bus.

18. The power distribution unit of claim 17, wherein each of the ground receptacle pin, the neutral receptacle pin, and the phase receptacle pin includes an associated detent to receive the ground bus, the neutral bus, and the phase bus, respectively.

19. The power distribution unit of claim 18, wherein each of the ground receptacle pin, the neutral receptacle pin and the phase receptacle pin includes an associated stiffening rib.

20. The power distribution unit of claim 17, wherein the at least one phase bus comprises a plurality of phase buses, each phase bus corresponding to an associated phase of a three-phase power input, and wherein longitudinally adjacent sockets of the electrical socket have phase socket pins that receive different phase buses.

21. The power distribution unit of claim 20, wherein longitudinally adjacent ones of the ground receptacle pins are aligned with one another, longitudinally adjacent ones of the neutral receptacle pins are aligned with one another, and longitudinally adjacent ones of the phase receptacle pins are laterally spaced from one another.

22. The power distribution unit of claim 17, wherein at least some of the socket pins comprise a first vertical portion, a second vertical portion, and an intermediate portion extending therebetween.

23. The power distribution unit of claim 22, wherein the intermediate portions of the phase socket pins have different lengths.

24. The power distribution unit of claim 17, wherein the power input comprises an input power connector in electrical communication with the ground bus, the neutral bus, and the at least one phase bus.

25. The power distribution unit of claim 17, wherein the plurality of electrical outlets are arranged in one or more sets of similar configurations.

26. A power distribution unit comprising:

an elongated housing;

a plurality of electrical outlets disposed along the housing;

a power input penetrating the elongated housing, the power input in electrical communication with each of:

a ground bus interconnected with the plurality of electrical receptacles; and

a plurality of phase buses, each phase bus interconnected with a selected electrical socket of the plurality of electrical sockets;

wherein the ground busbar and the plurality of phase busbars are located in a same plane extending along the plurality of electrical receptacles.

27. The power distribution unit of claim 26, wherein the ground bus and the plurality of phase buses are parallel to each other along the plurality of electrical outlets.

28. The power distribution unit of claim 26, wherein each of the plurality of electrical outlets includes a receptacle and a plurality of spaced-apart outlet pins extending from the receptacle, the plurality of outlet pins including a ground outlet pin for receiving the ground bus and at least one phase outlet pin for receiving one of the plurality of phase buses.

29. A socket pin, comprising:

a terminal portion adapted to be placed in the receptacle;

an arm portion extending transversely from the terminal portion; and

a stop device carried by the arm portion and configured to receive a bus bar.

30. The socket pin according to claim 29, further comprising a connector portion extending from the arm portion, and wherein the stop is formed at a distal end portion of the connector portion.

31. The receptacle pin according to claim 30, wherein the terminal portion and the connector portion are parallel to each other.

32. The socket pin according to claim 30, wherein at least one of the terminal portion, the arm portion, or the connector portion comprises a reinforcing rib.

33. A socket pin kit, comprising:

a first socket pin and a second socket pin, each comprising:

a terminal portion adapted to be placed in the receptacle;

an arm portion extending transversely from the terminal portion; and

a stop carried by the arm portion and configured to receive a bus bar, wherein the stop is laterally offset from the terminal portion by a lateral distance;

wherein the lateral distance of the first socket pin is different from the lateral distance of the second socket pin.

34. The socket pin kit of claim 33, further comprising an electrical socket receptacle.

Technical Field

The present disclosure relates to devices, systems, and methods for use in power distribution, power management, and power monitoring applications. More particularly, the present disclosure relates to an improved socket pin connection architecture for Power Distribution Units (PDUs) that allows for simplified bus bar routing and that can be inexpensively manufactured by an automated manufacturing process. Accordingly, the PDU can be inexpensively manufactured so that manufacturing costs can be reduced, and the PDU can be assembled manually or by automation in a shorter time than existing PDU designs.

Background

Power distribution units have long been used to supply power to electronic devices. A conventional Power Distribution Unit (PDU) is an assembly of a plurality of electrical "outlets" (also known as "receptors" or "outputs") that receives power from a source and distributes it through the outlets to one or more different electronic devices, each having a power cord plugged into a respective outlet of the PDU. In some applications, the PDU receives power from two different power inputs, commonly referred to as a "dual feed" or "dual input" PDU. Such dual inputs may provide additional power capability to the PDU and/or may provide redundant power to devices receiving power from the PDU outlet. The PDU may be used to power network devices (e.g., servers, routers, gateways, network switches) and other applications, for example, any of a variety of applications and settings in or on an electronics rack (e.g., an RETMA rack). For convenience, one or more PDUs located in a cabinet may be referred to as a cabinet power distribution unit (CDU).

The power distributed to small business or residential users is typically a "single phase" or "two phase" power source. In single-phase systems, a single alternating current with a sinusoidal voltage is distributed via a three-phase line connection consisting of a single-phase current supply conductor, a neutral return conductor, and a ground conductor. In a split-phase system, the two alternating voltage phase conductors and the ground are distributed over at least three phase lines. The two phase voltages are separated in time by a "phase difference" of 180 degrees-that is, the sinusoidal voltage on one phase line leads or lags the sinusoidal voltage on the other phase line by the amount of the phase difference. The effective voltage between the first phase line and the second phase line is therefore significantly greater than the effective voltage between each phase line and the neutral line. Thus, a three-phase, split-phase system may provide, for example, 120 volts in a phase-neutral circuit and 240 volts in a phase-phase circuit.

In larger commercial and industrial applications, three-phase systems may be employed. In three-phase systems, each voltage cycle on each phase line is 120 degrees, or one cycle¹/₃Out of phase with the voltage cycle of each of the other two phase lines. Three-phase systems are used in large commercial and industrial applications because three-phase devices are small, lightweight, and more efficient than single-phase or two-phase devices. Although three-phase circuits are somewhat more complex than single-phase or two-phase circuits, they are lighter in weight than single-phase circuits for the same load supported by the circuit. The three-phase circuit may also provide a wide voltage range, which may be used for single-phase or two-phase loads.

Three-phase power is generated by either circuit in two configurations: (i) "triangle"; or (ii) a "Y-shaped" configuration. This configuration is referred to as a wye or "Y" connection if one end of each arm of the three-phase load is centrally connected at the same point, to the neutral return conductor, and to the other end of the three phase phases (one for each phase). If the arms of a three-phase load are connected in series to form a closed loop, one phase line is connected to each junction of two adjacent arms, this configuration is referred to as a delta or "delta" connection.

One reason three-phase circuits are more complex than typical single-phase circuits is the need to maintain at least some degree of balanced load among each of the three phases. One indication of imbalance is the level of current flowing through each phase line. A load is considered unbalanced if the current level through one phase line is significantly different from the current level through a different phase line. In a wye-connected system, imbalance may also be represented by current flowing through the neutral line. Imbalance between loads can cause damage to the three-phase system, can cause excessive wear on components in the system (e.g., a three-phase generator), can cause increased power usage, and can be difficult and costly to adjust.

For example, high capacity data centers used in computer and communication network applications typically utilize three-phase power to provide operational power to equipment located in hundreds or thousands of equipment racks within the data center. Typically, three-phase power is supplied to the equipment racks through four or five wire inputs, providing lines for the voltage phases of a three-phase wye connection, a ground line, and a neutral line. A vertically or horizontally oriented power distribution unit is connected to the input and distributes power from different phases to multiple outputs. A three-phase PDU typically provides three or more output legs, one for each phase or pair of phases of the power provided by the three-phase plug deck. The PDU may be mounted on or adjacent to a given equipment rack to provide three or more legs of single or two phase power (each such leg from a three phase power input) to the rack or other equipment nearby.

Brief description of the drawings

The improved socket pin connection architecture described herein may be better understood by referring to the following detailed description in conjunction with the accompanying drawings in which like reference numerals indicate identical or functionally similar elements:

FIG. 1 is a front perspective view of a Power Distribution Unit (PDU) of an exemplary embodiment;

FIG. 2 illustrates a cross-sectional perspective view of the PDU of FIG. 1 showing C13 and C19 receptacles;

FIG. 3A is a partial perspective side view of a socket pin configuration showing a representative number of sockets of the exemplary PDU of FIG. 2;

FIG. 3B is an end view showing a receptacle pin configuration of a representative receptacle of the exemplary PDU of FIG. 2;

FIG. 4 is a partial perspective view of a socket pin configuration of the PDU;

fig. 5A and 5B are plan views of truncated C13 offset receptacle pins associated with phase a and phase B;

fig. 5C is a plan view of a truncated standard receptacle pin associated with phase C;

fig. 6A and 6B illustrate plan and end views of the representative C13 receptacle shown in fig. 2;

FIG. 7 illustrates a cross-sectional perspective view of an input power connection to the exemplary PDU of FIG. 2;

fig. 8A and 8B are plan views of truncated C19 offset receptacle pins associated with phase a and phase B;

fig. 9 is an isometric view of a C13 socket pin kit in accordance with a representative embodiment; and

fig. 10 is an isometric view of a C19 socket pin kit in accordance with a representative embodiment.

Headings are provided herein for convenience only and do not necessarily affect the scope of the embodiments. Furthermore, the drawings are not necessarily drawn to scale. For example, the dimensions of some of the elements in the figures may be exaggerated or minimized to help improve the understanding of the embodiments. In addition, while the disclosed technology is amenable to various modifications and alternative forms, specific embodiments have been shown by way of example in the drawings and are described in detail below. However, this is not intended to unnecessarily limit the described embodiments. On the contrary, the embodiments are intended to cover all modifications, combinations, equivalents, and alternatives falling within the scope of the invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF EMBODIMENT (S) OF INVENTION

Various examples of the above-described apparatus will be described in more detail below. The following description provides specific details for a thorough understanding and enabling description of these examples. One skilled in the relevant art will understand, however, that the techniques and processes discussed herein may be practiced without many of these details. Likewise, one skilled in the relevant art will also appreciate that the technology may include many other features not described in detail herein. Additionally, some well-known structures or functions may not be shown or described in detail below to avoid unnecessarily obscuring the relevant description.

The terminology used below is to be interpreted in its broadest reasonable manner, even though it is being used in conjunction with a detailed description of some specific examples of embodiments. Indeed, some terms may even be emphasized below; however, any terminology intended to be interpreted in any limiting manner will be overtly and specifically defined as such in this section.

An improved PDU socket connection architecture is disclosed herein that allows electrical connections within a PDU to be simplified by utilizing multiple bus bars that can be wave welded after they are installed on a receptacle previously mounted to the front panel of the PDU. This provides significant gains in reducing wires, improving reliability (without manual soldering), reducing labor costs, and reducing the cost of these PDUs.

In some embodiments, the disclosed connection architecture includes offset pins that allow different phases or different phase pairs to allow uninsulated wires to interconnect with the receptacle, thereby facilitating wave soldering of the components of the PDU.

Fig. 1 is a front perspective view of a Power Distribution Unit (PDU)100 of an exemplary embodiment. The PDU 100 includes an elongated housing 102 configured to be mounted vertically into an electronics rack. As is well known, such vertically mountable PDUs 100 may be mounted into equipment racks at the rear of the equipment racks so as not to consume the vertical space of the equipment racks that will be used for computing equipment ("zero U"). The PDU 100, which is located on the back of the equipment rack, allows a power cord to extend from the back of the computing device for easy insertion of the PDU 100. Although a vertically mountable PDU 100 is shown in fig. 1, the concepts and features described herein may be incorporated into power distribution units having other form factors (e.g., horizontally mountable power distribution units, and power distribution units for other applications). Thus, the specific devices and applications discussed herein are for representative purposes only.

The power input 104 penetrates the PDU housing 102 and may receive power inputs from multiple power phases, such as a three-phase power input. In other embodiments, the power distribution unit may include different power inputs, each receiving power from a different power source or power phase. In some embodiments, a single phase may be connected to two or more circuit breakers for distributing a single phase supply to a plurality of outlets, creating an ac branch outlet configuration. PDU 100 includes, for example, three (group) or three (bank) power outlets 115, 117, 125 on its front side 108. Each set of power outlets 115, 117, 125 includes a plurality of individual power outlets, such as power outlets 115-a, 115-b, and 115-c of power outlet set 115, power outlets 117-a, 117-b, and 117-c of power outlet set 117, and power outlets 125-a, 125-b, and 125-c of power outlet set 125. The individual power outlets 115-a, 115-b and 115-c are adjacent to each other and, in this embodiment, each power outlet is interconnected with a different phase of the three-phase power from the power input 104. Similarly, power outlets 117-a, 117-b, 117-c, and 125-a, 125-b, 125-c are adjacent to each other, and each power outlet is interconnected with a different phase of three-phase power from power input 104. Thus, adjacent outlets within a group of outlets 115, 117, 125 are connected to different phases of the incoming power, thereby providing the ability to plug components directly above or below each other into power outlets having different phases of power within an equipment rack without having to route power cords to connect equipment to different groups or rows of outlets. Such a configuration provides more convenient load balancing in a three-phase system. In addition, cable management is simplified by providing a different power input or phase within each receptacle group along the length of the PDU.

In some embodiments, the PDU 100 of the present embodiment also includes a display that can provide a visual display of information related to the current provided to the PDU 100 by each phase or power input. In some embodiments, PDU 100 may include a Network Interface Card (NIC) having application firmware and hardware that access to connect PDU 100 with a computer network into a network. PDU 100 may include outlets 115, 117, 125 that may be switched to control the application of power from an input power source to a corresponding power source output. The PDU 100 may also provide power status sensing and/or load sensing with respect to the corresponding power outlet. In some embodiments, load sensing information for different inputs and/or outlets is reported over the network by the NIC. PDUs describing these functions are disclosed in applicant's us patent No. 8, 694, 272, granted on 8/4/2014 and us patent No. 8, 305, 737 granted on 6/11/2012.

Fig. 2 illustrates a partial perspective view of the PDU shown in fig. 1 showing C13 and C19 receptacles. In fig. 2, the rear cover portion of the housing of the PDU has been removed to show the interior portion of the PDU. The IEC-C19 type receptacle 256 and the IEC-C13 type receptacle 206 are disposed on the front side 208 of the PDU 100 and connect the bus bars 210A, 210B, 210C, 210D, and 210E. In this embodiment, each receptacle 206 or 256 is a "snap-in" receptacle connected to bus bars 210A, 210B, 210C, 210D, and 210E along the length of PDU 100. For example, 210A may be a neutral bus, 210B may be a ground bus, and 210C-210E may be phase buses. In some embodiments, as shown, the bus bars are parallel to each other along the length of the PDU 100. Bus bars 210A, 210B, 210C, 210D, and 210E are electrically connected to sockets 206, 256 by socket pins that extend from the sockets in a direction opposite front face 208. According to the disclosed embodiments, there may be two types of pins: standard socket pins and offset socket pins. The bus bar 210A snaps into a standard receptacle pin 212 to bus bar the neutral connection of the receptacle 206 mounted in the front face 208. Similarly, the ground strap 210B snaps into a standard receptacle pin 212 to busingly connect to the ground connection of the receptacle 206 mounted in the front face 208. In other words, longitudinally adjacent ones of the ground socket pins 212 are aligned with one another and longitudinally adjacent ones of the neutral socket pins 212 are aligned with one another. However, the remaining three-phase bus bars are only jammed into those receptacles they are intended to supply power (e.g., the offset receptacle pins 214 are only connected to the bus bar 210E for phase a). That is, the offset receptacle pins allow selective connection to only the receptacle that the phase bus is using. In other words, longitudinally adjacent ones of the phase socket pins are laterally spaced from one another such that longitudinally adjacent ones of the electrical sockets have phase socket pins that receive different phase buses. Thus, the offset socket pins of phase a will only allow the socket associated with phase a to be connected to phase a. Similarly, the offset socket pin of phase B will only allow the socket associated with phase B to connect to phase B. According to some embodiments, the socket pins of phase C are not biased. Those skilled in the art will appreciate that phase a may be any of L1, L2, or L3 in a wye configuration, or any of X, Y, or Z in a delta configuration, without a neutral bus.

As shown in fig. 2, the IEC-C19 type receptacles 256 and the IEC-C13 type receptacles 206 may be grouped together in an array that is mounted in longitudinal alignment with one another. For example, two IEC-C19 type receptacles 256 are placed adjacent to each other, and groups of IEC-C13 type receptacles 206 are located on either side of IEC-C19 type receptacles. Any suitable combination of sockets is possible. In some embodiments, the jack types may alternate between IEC-C19 and IEC-C13 type jacks. In some embodiments, the receptacles may comprise a unitary body, such as a molded bank of receptacles.

Fig. 3A is a partial perspective side view of a socket pin configuration showing a representative number of sockets of the exemplary PDU of fig. 2. In this embodiment, the cross-sectional view of the PDU depicts IEC-C13 type receptacles 306a, 306b, and 306C. Receptacles 306a, 306b, and 306c are mounted on a front face 308 of PDU 300. Standard (e.g., straight) socket pins 312 and 320 are connected to respective neutral and ground busses. The offset receptacle pin 314 is connected only to the bus bar for phase a, the offset receptacle pin 316 is connected to the bus bar for phase B, and the standard receptacle pin 318 is connected to the bus bar for phase C.

Fig. 3B is an end view showing a receptacle pin configuration of a representative receptacle of the exemplary PDU of fig. 2. Receptacle 306c is mounted on front face 308 of PDU 300. Fig. 3B shows the location of the offset receptacle pins 316 and 314. For example, fig. 3B illustrates how the offset socket pins 316 and 314 are offset or staggered relative to the standard socket pins 312, 320, and 318. By soldering (e.g., wave soldering) the standard receptacle pins 312, 320, 318 to the neutral bus, the ground bus, the bus for phase C; and the offset receptacle pins 316, 314 are soldered to the bus bars for phase B, phase a, while the receptacle 306 is electrically connected within the PDU. Accordingly, PDUs may be assembled in a relatively efficient and reliable manner. As shown in fig. 3B, the ends (i.e., the stops) of the socket pins 312, 314, 316, 318, and 320 are vertically aligned such that when the bus bars are attached to the pins, they lie in the same (e.g., horizontally oriented) plane, which facilitates wave soldering the connection. Another advantage of the connection architecture of the present disclosure having standard and offset socket pins is the elimination of a layered PCB that is advantageous for bus bars. This provides advantages over the embodiment based on a layered PCB construction described in applicant's U.S. patent No. 9,419,416 issued 8/16 2016. The bias pin configuration of the present disclosure provides significant gains in reducing wiring, improving reliability (without manual soldering), reducing labor costs, and reducing manufacturing costs of the PDU.

Fig. 4 is a partial perspective view of a socket pin configuration of PDU 400. In this embodiment, the PDU 400 includes an IEC-C13 type acceptor 406 and IEC-C19 type acceptors 456a, 456 b. The receptacles 406, 456a, 456b are mounted on the front face 408 of the PDU 400. The standard receptacle pins 412, 420, and 418 of the C13 receptor 406 snap into the neutral bus, the ground bus, and the bus for phase C. The standard receptacle pins 422 of the C-19 receptacle 456b snap into the same neutral bus as the standard receptacle pins 412. The standard receptacle pins 424 of the C19 receptacle 456b snap into the ground strap. The offset receptacle pins 428 of the C19 receptacle 456a snap into the bus bar for phase B. The offset receptacle pins 426 of the C19 receptacle 456b snap into the bus bar for phase a.

Fig. 5A and 5B are plan views of offset receptacle pins associated with phase a and phase B of a type C13 receptacle. Fig. 5A shows that offset receptacle pins 514 include a first vertical portion 514a and a second vertical portion 514c connected by an intermediate portion 514 b. Figure 5B shows that offset receptacle pins 516 include a first vertical portion 516a and a second vertical portion 516c connected by an intermediate portion 516B. It should be understood that the figures are truncated where the first vertical portions 514a and 516a extend to the receptacle. The first vertical portion, the second vertical portion, and the middle portion may also be referred to as a terminal portion, an arm portion, and a connector portion, respectively. The intermediate portions 514B, 516B are of different lengths to accommodate phase a and phase B while maintaining an electrical safety gap between the bus bars. Fig. 5A and 5B illustrate a securing stop 530 for securing a bus bar for an automated welding process (e.g., wave welding). For example, if the assembly is flipped for an automated welding process, the securing stops 530 secure the bus bar in place. In some embodiments, the bus bar may snap into the detent 530. The stop 530 may also be referred to as a clip or a notch. Fig. 5A and 5B also show dimples 552, 554 included in bias pins 514, 516. For example, the dimples 552, 554 may increase the strength of the construction to the leads 514, 516. The dimples 552, 554 may also be referred to as ribs, stiffeners, or pleats (darts). Although not shown in the figures, in some embodiments, the intermediate portions 514b, 516b may also include reinforcing ribs. The discussion in fig. 5A and 5B is for illustrative purposes. In some embodiments, the offset receptacle pins may be associated with any two phases of a three-phase power supply. The lengths of the middle portions of the offset receptacle pins will be different to accommodate the two phases and maintain an electrical safety gap between the bus bars, while the third phase may be attached to a standard pin without a middle portion (e.g., zero offset).

Fig. 5C is a plan view of a standard socket pin 518 associated with phase C. The standard receptacle pins 518 include a fixed stop 530 and an indentation 554. Although the dimples have been shown with the same reference numbers in the various figures herein, in alternative embodiments, the dimples in different pins may have different shapes, forms, sizes, or orientations. It should be understood that the figures are truncated where the socket pins 518 extend to the receptacle.

Fig. 6A and 6B show plan and end views of a representative IEC-C13 receptacle 606. For example, the receptacle 606 is similar to the receptacle 206 shown in fig. 2. Fig. 6B shows standard (e.g., straight) socket pins 612, 620, and 618. Standard receptacle pin 612 snaps into the neutral bus, standard receptacle pin 620 snaps into the ground bus, and standard receptacle pin 618 snaps into the bus for phase C. In some applications, pins that are commercially available are modified (e.g., a stop may be formed at the end of the pin) to match the size of the bus bar.

Fig. 7 illustrates a cross-sectional perspective view of an input power connection of the exemplary PDU of fig. 2. Input power connector 732 is connected to bus 710. The input power connector 732 also provides power to the power presentation board 734 and the receptacle 706 in the PDU. In some embodiments, power supply representation board 734 is optional and provides a visual representation when a phase is capable of delivering power to a load. For example, power supply presentation board 734 may include an LED that lights up when a phase voltage is present. Power supply presentation board 734 may include ground pin 703 and phase pins 705, 707, and 709 to connect to respective bus bars to sense whether power is available for each phase. Standard receptacle pin 712 snaps into the neutral bus, standard receptacle pin 720 snaps into the ground bus, and offset receptacle pin 726 snaps into the bus for phase a.

Fig. 8A and 8B are plan views of offset receptacle pins associated with phase a and phase B of a type C19 receptacle. Fig. 8A shows that the offset socket pins 826 include a first vertical portion 826a that is perpendicular to a second vertical portion 826c connected by an intermediate portion 826 b. Figure 8B shows that the offset receptacle pins 828 include a first vertical portion 828a perpendicular to a second vertical portion 828c connected by a middle portion 828B. It should be understood that the figure is truncated where the first vertical portions 826a and 828a extend into the receptacle. The intermediate portions 826B, 828B are of different lengths to accommodate phase a and phase B while maintaining an electrical safety gap between the bus bars. Fig. 8A and 8B illustrate a fixed stop device 830 for securing a bus bar of an automated welding process (e.g., wave welding). For example, if the assembly is flipped for an automated welding process, the fixed stop 830 holds the bus bar in place. Fig. 8A and 8B also show dimples 854 included in the bias pins 826, 828. For example, the dimples 854 can increase the strength of the construction of the pins 826, 828. The discussion in fig. 8A and 8B is for illustrative purposes. In alternate embodiments, the offset receptacle pins may be associated with any two phases of a three-phase power supply. The lengths of the middle portions of the offset receptacle pins will be different to accommodate two phases to maintain an electrical safety gap between the bus bars. In some embodiments, as shown in fig. 5A, 5B, 8A, and 8B, the offset socket pins are specific to the socket type (e.g., C13 or C19).

Fig. 9 shows a C13 socket pin kit 900 including a receptacle 908 and a plurality of interchangeable socket pins. Kit 900 may include standard or straight ground, neutral, and phase pins 902. Kit 900 also includes offset socket pins 904 and 906 that are interchangeable with one of standard pins 902. Thus, receptacle 908 can be configured to connect to one of three different phase busbars (e.g., 210C, 210D, or 210E; FIG. 2) by placing the appropriate receptacle pin in receptacle opening 910. Offset socket pins 904 and 906 include a terminal portion 920 adapted to be placed in receptacle opening 910 and an arm portion 922 extending transversely from terminal portion 920. The detent 926 is carried by the arm portion 922 via the connector portion 924. Offset socket pins 904 and 906 may have various arm portion lengths such that stop 926 is laterally offset from terminal portion 920 by a lateral distance, e.g., D₁Or D₂. In some embodiments, distance D₁About 0.65 inches, distance D₂About 0.32 inches.

Fig. 10 shows a C19 socket pin kit 1000 similar to the C13 socket pin kit 900. The kit 1000 includes a receptor 1008 and standard ground and neutral pins 1003. The kit 1000 also includes offset socket pins 1002, 1004, and 1006 that are interchangeable with one another. Thus, receptacle 1008 can be configured to connect to one of three different phase busbars (e.g., 210C, 210D, or 210E; FIG. 2) by placing the appropriate receptacle pins in receptacle openings 1010. The offset receptacle pins 1002, 1004, and 1006 include a terminal portion 1020 adapted to be placed in the receptacle opening 1010 and an arm portion 1022 extending transversely from the terminal portion 1020. The stops 1026 are carried by the arm portions 1022 via connector portions 1024. The offset receptacle pins 1002, 1004, and 1006 may have various arm portion lengths such that the retainer 1026 is laterally offset from the terminal portion 1020 by a lateral distance, e.g., D₁Or D₂. In some embodiments, C19 distance D₁About 0.48 inch, C19 distance D₂About 0.16 inches. Can be used forIt is to be understood that in the figures, the offset socket pins 1004 and 1006 may have the same arm portion distance D₂(ii) a However, they extend in opposite directions from the terminal portion 1020.

Although the discussion herein is directed to ac phases, such discussion is for illustrative purposes only. Other embodiments may implement ac branch distribution or even socket (by phase) grouping using the systems and methods of the present disclosure. Some embodiments of the invention may be applicable to bus bar connected single phase connections.

It should be understood that this embodiment, as well as the other embodiments described herein having IEC-C13 and IEC-C19 type receptacles, are merely exemplary, and that any of a variety of other types of receptacles may alternatively be used. For example, the "acceptor" may be any of the other NEMA types (e.g., NEMA 5-15R, NEMA 6-20R, NEMA 6-30R, or NEMA 6-50R) or IEC types (e.g., IEC C19). It should also be understood that "socket" is not limited to a three prong receptacle; alternatively, one or more "receptacles" may be configured for two or more prongs in a mating male connector. It should also be understood that the "receptacle" is not limited to having a female prong receptacle. Further, while the PDU of the present embodiment includes 54 outlets, it should be understood that this is only an example and that the PDU may include a different number of outlets.

The previous description of the invention is provided to enable any person skilled in the art to make or use the invention. Various modifications to the disclosure will be readily apparent to those skilled in the art, and the generic principles defined herein may be applied to other variations without departing from the spirit or scope of the disclosure. In this disclosure, the terms "example" or "exemplary" mean an example or instance, and do not imply or require any preference for that example. Thus, the present invention is not intended to be limited to the examples and designs described herein but is to be accorded the widest scope consistent with the principles and novel features disclosed herein.

Remarks for note

The foregoing description and drawings are illustrative and are not to be construed as limiting. Numerous specific details are described to provide a thorough understanding of the present invention. However, in some instances, well-known details are not described in order to avoid obscuring the description. In addition, various modifications may be made without departing from the scope of the embodiments.

Reference in the specification to "one embodiment" or "an embodiment" means that a particular feature, structure, or characteristic described in connection with the embodiment is included in at least one embodiment of the invention. The appearances of the phrase "in one embodiment" in various places in the specification are not necessarily all referring to the same embodiment, nor are separate or alternative embodiments necessarily mutually exclusive of other embodiments. In addition, various features are described which may be exhibited by some embodiments and not by others. Similarly, various requirements are described which may be requirements for some embodiments but not other embodiments.

The terms used in this specification generally have their ordinary meanings in the art, in the context of the invention, and in the specific context in which each term is used. It will be understood that the same thing can be said in more than one way. Thus, alternative language and synonyms may be used for any one or more of the terms discussed herein, and whether or not a term is set forth or discussed herein does not imply any special meaning. Synonyms for some terms are provided. The recitation of one or more synonyms does not exclude the use of other synonyms. The use of examples anywhere in this specification, including examples of any terms discussed herein, is illustrative only and is not intended to further limit the scope and meaning of the disclosure or any exemplified terms. Also, the present invention is not limited to the various embodiments presented in this specification. Unless defined otherwise, all technical and scientific terms used herein have the same meaning as commonly understood by one of ordinary skill in the art to which this invention belongs. In case of conflict, the present document, including definitions, will control.