US3728464A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Underground transformer enclosure, and method of installing the same
Assignee: Individual
•
Filing: 1972-04-17
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Granted: 1973-04-17
•
Expires: 1992-04-17
Abstract
Abstract The enclosure for buried transformers is formed of two separate fiberglass parts, namely a hole liner and a cover. The hole liner comprises two corresponding semicylindrical sections which are joined together and then mounted around the transformer, in vertical relationship. The cover comprises a top portion and a skirt portion, and includes depending conduits for convecting cooling air down to the bottom of the hole liner. The convected air then passes upwardly through a central opening in the top portion of the cover. In accordance with the method, earth is compacted around the hole liner, following which the cover is mounted in telescoped relationship around the upper region of the hole liner. The cover is supported on the compacted earth, not on the hole liner, which means that the cover position is readily adjusted in the event the grade changes.
Inventors
- 👤 R Griffing
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-06 12:52
CPC Classifications
H; H01; H01F; H01F41/00; H01F27/00; H01F27/02; H01F27/025; H01F27/06
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 30
Claim 1
Independent Claim
144 words
An enclosure for underground utility equipment, which comprises: a. a hole liner disposed in the ground, said hole liner having an open upper end, said hole liner enclosing utility equipment, and b. a cover having an upper wall and having a depending skirt which extends downwardly from said upper wall, the inner diameter of said skirt being greater than the outer diameter of said upper end of said hole liner, said skirt being telescoped downwardly around said upper end of said hole liner to prevent entrance of earth into said hole liner, said upper wall of said cover being spaced above said upper end of said hole liner, said skirt and thus said cover being supported by the earth at regions around said upper end of said hole liner, the support of said skirt and of said cover being independent of said hole liner.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
144 words
An enclosure for underground utility equipment, which comprises: a. a hole liner disposed in the ground, said hole liner having an open upper end, said hole liner enclosing utility equipment, and b. a cover having an upper wall and having a depending skirt which extends downwardly from said upper wall, the inner diameter of said skirt being greater than the outer diameter of said upper end of said hole liner, said skirt being telescoped downwardly around said upper end of said hole liner to prevent entrance of earth into said hole liner, said upper wall of said cover being spaced above said upper end of said hole liner, said skirt and thus said cover being supported by the earth at regions around said upper end of said hole liner, the support of said skirt and of said cover being independent of said hole liner.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
47 words
The invention as claimed in claim 1, in which said upper wall of said cover is at or above grade level and has an opening therethrough, and in which a protective element is removably mounted over said opening, said protective element being removable without moving said skirt.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
42 words
The invention as claimed in claim 1, in which said skirt has an outwardly-extending flange at the lower portion thereof, said flange resting on the earth to provide support for said cover, said flange being buried and thus serving as an anchor.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
24 words
The invention as claimed in claim 1, in which both said cover and said hole liner are formed of fiberglass and synthetic bonding resin.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
60 words
The invention as claimed in claim 4, in which said hole liner is cylindrical and has radially-outwardly extending flanges at the upper and lower ends thereof, in which said hole liner is formed of two semicylindrical sections each having outwardly-extending flanges at each side edge thereof, and in which means are provided to secure said last-mentioned flanges to each other.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
65 words
The invention as claimed in claim 1, in which said utility equipment is an underground transformer, in which said upper wall of said cover has an opening therethrough, and in which a protective element is removably mounted over said opening, said protective element being removable without moving said skirt, said protective element being adapted to permit passage of air therethrough for cooling of said transformer.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
174 words
An enclosure for underground transformers, which comprises: a. a hole liner adapted to be buried in the ground in vertical relationship, said hole liner having an open upper end, said hole liner being adapted to have an electrical utility transformer mounted therein, b. an exposed cover having an upper wall adapted to be posItioned over said upper end of said hole liner to prevent entrance of earth and of undesired objects into said hole liner, said upper wall of said cover being spaced above said upper end of said hole liner and said cover having opening means therethrough adapted to permit upward convection of cooling air from said transformer to the ambient atmosphere, and c. conduit means adapted to be mounted in dependent relationship on said cover and to extend downwardly therefrom to the space within said hole liner, said conduit means permitting downward convection of cooling air therethrough from the ambient atmosphere and to the vicinity of said transformer, said air then convecting upwardly and passing outwardly through opening means in said cover.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
174 words
An enclosure for underground transformers, which comprises: a. a hole liner adapted to be buried in the ground in vertical relationship, said hole liner having an open upper end, said hole liner being adapted to have an electrical utility transformer mounted therein, b. an exposed cover having an upper wall adapted to be posItioned over said upper end of said hole liner to prevent entrance of earth and of undesired objects into said hole liner, said upper wall of said cover being spaced above said upper end of said hole liner and said cover having opening means therethrough adapted to permit upward convection of cooling air from said transformer to the ambient atmosphere, and c. conduit means adapted to be mounted in dependent relationship on said cover and to extend downwardly therefrom to the space within said hole liner, said conduit means permitting downward convection of cooling air therethrough from the ambient atmosphere and to the vicinity of said transformer, said air then convecting upwardly and passing outwardly through opening means in said cover.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
36 words
The invention as claimed in claim 7, in which said conduit means comprise a substantial number of tubes mounted in dependent relationship from said cover, and extending downwardly to the lower end of said hole liner.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
31 words
The invention as claimed in claim 8, in which an air-transmissive element is mounted over said cover, said element covering both said opening means and the upper ends of said tubes.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
74 words
The invention as claimed in claim 9, in which said cover is formed of fiberglass and synthetic bonding resin, in which said opening means comprises an opening through the central region of said cover, in which portions of said cover around said opening are recessed downwardly in order to seat said air-transmissive element, and in which said tubes extend through said depressed portions of said cover and on opposite side portions of said opening.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
38 words
The invention as claimed in claim 7, in which a protective element is mounted in dependent relationship from said cover and generally parallel to said cover, said protective element being spaced beneath said opening means in said cover.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
119 words
The invention as claimed in claim 7, in which said conduit means comprises a substantial number of electrically nonconductive tubes mounted in dependent relationship from said cover, in which an air-transmissive grid is mounted over said cover and covers both said opening means and the upper ends of said tubes, in which said cover is formed of fiberglass and synthetic bonding resin, in which said opening means comprises a large opening through the central region of said cover, in which portions of said cover around said large opening are recessed downwardly in order to seat said grid, and in which said tubes extend through said recessed portions of said cover and on opposite side portions of said large opening.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
60 words
The invention as claimed in claim 12, in which an air-transmissive protective element is mounted in dependent relationship from said cover and generally parallel thereto, said protective element being spaced a substantial distance beneath said large opening in said cover, said protective element being supported by hangers which, in turn, are suspended from hanger supports bridged across said large opening.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
273 words
An enclosure for underground transformers, which comprises: a. a hole liner buried in the ground in vertical relationship, said hole liner having an open upper end which is below grade level, said hole liner having an electrical utility transformer mounted therein, b. a cover having an upper wall and having a depending skirt which extends downwardly from said upper wall, the inner diameter of said skirt being greater than the outer diameter of said upper end of said hole liner, said skirt being telescoped downwardly around said upper end of said hole liner to prevent entrance of earth into said hole liner, said upper wall of said cover being spaced above said upper end of said hole liner, said skirt and thus said cover being supported by the earth at regions around said upper end of said hole liner, the support of said skirt and of said cover being independent of said hole liner, said upper wall of said cover being at or above grade level and being exposed To view, and c. means to effect convective circulation of air from the ambient atmosphere down to the lower regions of said hole liner around said transformer to thereby effect cooling of said transformer, said circulation means comprising an opening in said cover adapted to permit upward convection of air from the vicinity of said transformer, said circulation means further comprising a plurality of conduits mounted in dependent relationship from said cover, the upper ends of said conduits communicating with the ambient atmosphere, the lower ends of said conduits communicating with said hole liner at regions spaced around the lower end of said transformer.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
273 words
An enclosure for underground transformers, which comprises: a. a hole liner buried in the ground in vertical relationship, said hole liner having an open upper end which is below grade level, said hole liner having an electrical utility transformer mounted therein, b. a cover having an upper wall and having a depending skirt which extends downwardly from said upper wall, the inner diameter of said skirt being greater than the outer diameter of said upper end of said hole liner, said skirt being telescoped downwardly around said upper end of said hole liner to prevent entrance of earth into said hole liner, said upper wall of said cover being spaced above said upper end of said hole liner, said skirt and thus said cover being supported by the earth at regions around said upper end of said hole liner, the support of said skirt and of said cover being independent of said hole liner, said upper wall of said cover being at or above grade level and being exposed To view, and c. means to effect convective circulation of air from the ambient atmosphere down to the lower regions of said hole liner around said transformer to thereby effect cooling of said transformer, said circulation means comprising an opening in said cover adapted to permit upward convection of air from the vicinity of said transformer, said circulation means further comprising a plurality of conduits mounted in dependent relationship from said cover, the upper ends of said conduits communicating with the ambient atmosphere, the lower ends of said conduits communicating with said hole liner at regions spaced around the lower end of said transformer.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
23 words
The invention as claimed in claim 14, in which said cover and said hole liner are formed of fiberglass and synthetic bonding resin.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
219 words
An enclosure for underground utility equipment, which comprises: a. a vertical hole liner formed of fiberglass and synthetic bonding resin, and having an open upper end, said hole liner being buried in the earth and with said upper end spaced below grade level, b. a cover formed of fiberglass and synthetic bonding resin, and having an upper wall and a depending skirt the inner diameter of which is greater than the outer diameter of said upper end of said hole liner, said skirt being telescoped downwardly over said upper end of said hole liner and with said upper wall of said cover spaced above said upper end of said hole liner, said skirt having an outwardly-extending flange at the lower end thereof and seated on the earth around said hole liner, said outwardly-extending flange on said skirt forming the sole support for said cover whereby said cover is supported independently of said hole liner and may be adjusted independently thereof, and c. a mass of material mounted around said skirt and above said flange at the lower end thereof and serving as a weight and support to maintain said cover against upward shifting, said mass of material being removable in order to permit shifting of said cover when desired in order to compensate for factors including change of grade.
Claim 20
Dependent Claim
219 words
An enclosure for underground utility equipment, which comprises: a. a vertical hole liner formed of fiberglass and synthetic bonding resin, and having an open upper end, said hole liner being buried in the earth and with said upper end spaced below grade level, b. a cover formed of fiberglass and synthetic bonding resin, and having an upper wall and a depending skirt the inner diameter of which is greater than the outer diameter of said upper end of said hole liner, said skirt being telescoped downwardly over said upper end of said hole liner and with said upper wall of said cover spaced above said upper end of said hole liner, said skirt having an outwardly-extending flange at the lower end thereof and seated on the earth around said hole liner, said outwardly-extending flange on said skirt forming the sole support for said cover whereby said cover is supported independently of said hole liner and may be adjusted independently thereof, and c. a mass of material mounted around said skirt and above said flange at the lower end thereof and serving as a weight and support to maintain said cover against upward shifting, said mass of material being removable in order to permit shifting of said cover when desired in order to compensate for factors including change of grade.
Claim 21
Dependent Claim
47 words
The invention as claimed in claim 16, in which an electrical utility transformer is mounted in said hole liner, and in which means are provided to effect convective circulation of air through said cover and down into said hole liner to thereby air in cooling said transformer.
Claim 22
Dependent Claim
92 words
The invention as claimed in claim 17, in which said convective circulation means includes a large opening in the central region of said upper wall of said cover, and further includes a substantial number of vertical tubes extending through said upper wall of cover and downwardly into the lower portion of said hole liner in spaced relationship around the lower end of said transformer, said tubes permitting downward convection of air to the lower end of said hole liner and said central opening permitting upward convection of air from said hole liner.
Claim 23
Dependent Claim
52 words
The invention as claimed in claim 18, in which a protective louver is mounted in said cover in spaced relationship below said upper wall thereof, and in which a grid is removably secured to said upper wall of said cover over said opening therethrough and over the upper ends of said tubes.
Claim 24
Dependent Claim
38 words
The invention as claimed in claim 16, in which said hole liner is formed of two semicylindrical sections secured to each other, and in which said hole liner has outwardly-extending flanges at the upper and lower ends thereof.
Claim 25
Independent Claim
306 words
A method of providing an enclosure for an underground utility service element, which comprises: a. providing a hole liner adapted to be mounted in the earth in vertical relationship, b. excavating a hole in the earth having a depth substantially greater than the vertical dimension of said hole liner, and having a diameter larger than the diameter of said hole liner, c. mounting said hole liner in said hole in vertical relationship and with the upper end of said hole Liner spaced below the level of the grade around said hole, d. backfilling earth into said hole around said hole liner and to such a depth that the upper surface of the backfilled earth is spaced below the upper end of said hole liner, e. providing a cover element having an upper wall and having a depending skirt the inner diameter of which is larger than the diameter of the upper end of said hole liner, f. mounting said cover over said hole liner in telescoped relationship and with the lower portion of said skirt seated on the upper portion of the backfilled earth, g. correlating the elevation of the upper surface of said backfilled earth with the vertical dimension of said skirt and with the distance that the upper end of said hole liner is spaced below grade level, in such manner that said upper wall of said cover is spaced above said upper end of said hole liner and is flush with or somewhat above grade level, and h. backfilling material around said skirt and up to grade level whereby to maintain said cover in position and provide a decorative end product, whereby said cover may subsequently be raised or lowered to compensate for changes in grade level, by removing said cover and changing the level of the upper end of said backfilled earth.
Claim 26
Independent Claim
306 words
A method of providing an enclosure for an underground utility service element, which comprises: a. providing a hole liner adapted to be mounted in the earth in vertical relationship, b. excavating a hole in the earth having a depth substantially greater than the vertical dimension of said hole liner, and having a diameter larger than the diameter of said hole liner, c. mounting said hole liner in said hole in vertical relationship and with the upper end of said hole Liner spaced below the level of the grade around said hole, d. backfilling earth into said hole around said hole liner and to such a depth that the upper surface of the backfilled earth is spaced below the upper end of said hole liner, e. providing a cover element having an upper wall and having a depending skirt the inner diameter of which is larger than the diameter of the upper end of said hole liner, f. mounting said cover over said hole liner in telescoped relationship and with the lower portion of said skirt seated on the upper portion of the backfilled earth, g. correlating the elevation of the upper surface of said backfilled earth with the vertical dimension of said skirt and with the distance that the upper end of said hole liner is spaced below grade level, in such manner that said upper wall of said cover is spaced above said upper end of said hole liner and is flush with or somewhat above grade level, and h. backfilling material around said skirt and up to grade level whereby to maintain said cover in position and provide a decorative end product, whereby said cover may subsequently be raised or lowered to compensate for changes in grade level, by removing said cover and changing the level of the upper end of said backfilled earth.
Claim 27
Dependent Claim
38 words
The invention as claimed in claim 21, in which said method further comprises employing a cover having an outwardly-extending flange at the lower region of said skirt, and effecting said backfilling of said last-mentioned material above said flange.
Claim 28
Dependent Claim
56 words
The invention as claimed in claim 21, in which said method further comprises employing a hole liner having an open lower end, and providing gravel at the bottom of said hole in order to adjust the vertical position of said hole liner and in order to aid in effecting drainage of water from said hole liner.
Claim 29
Independent Claim
238 words
A method of providing an enclosure for an underground utility service element, which comprises: a. providing a hole liner adapted to be mounted in the earth in vertical relationship, b. excavating a hole in the earth having a diameter larger than the diameter of said hole liner, c. mounting said hole liner in said hole in vertical relationship, d. backfilling earth into said hole around said hole liner and to such a depth that the upper surface of the backfilled earth is spaced below the upper end of said hole liner, e. providing a cover element having an upper wall and having a depending skirt the inner diameter of which is larger than the diameter of the upper end of said hole liner, f. mounting said cover over said hole liner in telescoped relationship and with the lower portion of said skirt seated on the upper portion of the backfilled earth, g. correlating the elevation of the upper surface of said backfilled earth with the vertical dimension of said skirt in such manner that said upper wall of said cover is flush with or somewhat above grade level, and h. backfilling material around said skirt whereby to maintain said cover in position and provide a decorative end product, whereby said cover may subsequently be adjusted to compensate for changes in grade level, by removing said cover and changing the level of the upper end of said backfilled earth.
Claim 30
Independent Claim
238 words
A method of providing an enclosure for an underground utility service element, which comprises: a. providing a hole liner adapted to be mounted in the earth in vertical relationship, b. excavating a hole in the earth having a diameter larger than the diameter of said hole liner, c. mounting said hole liner in said hole in vertical relationship, d. backfilling earth into said hole around said hole liner and to such a depth that the upper surface of the backfilled earth is spaced below the upper end of said hole liner, e. providing a cover element having an upper wall and having a depending skirt the inner diameter of which is larger than the diameter of the upper end of said hole liner, f. mounting said cover over said hole liner in telescoped relationship and with the lower portion of said skirt seated on the upper portion of the backfilled earth, g. correlating the elevation of the upper surface of said backfilled earth with the vertical dimension of said skirt in such manner that said upper wall of said cover is flush with or somewhat above grade level, and h. backfilling material around said skirt whereby to maintain said cover in position and provide a decorative end product, whereby said cover may subsequently be adjusted to compensate for changes in grade level, by removing said cover and changing the level of the upper end of said backfilled earth.
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USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1976-04-16 | 1976-10-16 | 1977-04-17 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1980-04-16 | 1980-10-16 | 1981-04-17 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1984-04-16 | 1984-10-16 | 1985-04-17 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |