Energy storage apparatus and energy storage system

Abstract

Provided in the present application are an energy storage apparatus and an energy storage system. The energy storage apparatus comprises: a battery rack; battery packs, which are arranged on the battery rack, wherein each battery pack comprises a housing and a pressure relief valve arranged on the housing, a through hole being provided one side of the housing; and a gas collection assembly, which comprises a ventilation pipeline and a gas extraction device, wherein the ventilation pipeline is connected to the housing of each battery pack and covers the pressure relief valve, and the gas extraction device is configured to discharge a gas that is discharged from the battery pack into the ventilation pipeline after the pressure relief valve is opened.

Description

Energy storage equipment and energy storage systems

[0001] This application claims priority to the Chinese patent application filed with the China Patent Office on December 27, 2023, with application number 202323624387.1. The entire contents of the above application are incorporated by reference into this application. Technical Field

[0002] The present application relates to the field of battery technology, and in particular to energy storage devices and energy storage systems. SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

[0003] With the increasing application of new energy battery systems in ships, energy storage, commercial vehicles, and other fields, the treatment of harmful gases caused by the explosion of the pressure relief valve when the battery system triggers thermal runaway has become a key consideration for the design of excellent battery systems. Related Technology When a battery system triggers thermal runaway, the battery pack directly discharges gas into the battery compartment where the battery pack is located. Adding a measuring device to monitor the concentration of harmful gases in the cabin gas to determine the current concentration value of the harmful gases, when the concentration of harmful gases in the cabin is too high, directly discharging them outside the cabin, cannot effectively and quickly discharge the gas in the cabin.

[0004] The embodiments of the present application provide an energy storage device and an energy storage system, which centrally treat the gas discharged from each battery pack through a ventilation duct and then quickly discharge it through a gas extraction device to avoid the accumulation of harmful gases in the cabin.

[0005] In a first aspect, an embodiment of the present application provides an energy storage device, comprising:

[0006] At least one battery rack;

[0007] At least one battery pack is mounted on the battery rack, each battery pack including a housing and a pressure relief valve mounted on the housing, a through hole being formed on one side of the housing, the pressure relief valve covering the through hole, the housing and the pressure relief valve cooperating to form a closed space within the battery pack;

[0008] A gas collection assembly includes a ventilation duct and a gas extraction device, wherein the gas extraction device is connected to the interior of the ventilation duct, the ventilation duct is connected to the shell of each battery pack and covers the pressure relief valve, and the gas extraction device is configured to discharge the gas discharged from the battery pack into the ventilation duct after the pressure relief valve is opened.

[0009] In a second aspect, an embodiment of the present application provides an energy storage system, comprising an energy storage cabinet and any one of the energy storage devices described above, wherein the energy storage device is disposed in the energy storage cabinet. Beneficial effects

[0010] Beneficial effects of this application:

[0011] In an embodiment of the present application, by connecting the ventilation duct to all battery packs in the energy storage device, and connecting the gas extraction device to the inside of the ventilation duct, the ventilation duct can centrally process the gas discharged from each battery pack and then quickly discharge it through the gas extraction device, thereby improving the technical problem of accumulation of harmful gases in the cabin. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0012] FIG1 is an axial schematic diagram of an energy storage device provided in an embodiment of the present application;

[0013] FIG2 is a schematic axial view of a battery pack according to an embodiment of the present application;

[0014] FIG3 is an axial schematic diagram of a ventilation duct provided in an embodiment of the present application;

[0015] FIG4 is an axial schematic diagram of a ventilation duct provided in an embodiment of the present application;

[0016] FIG5 is a schematic diagram of a power supply circuit of a gas extraction device provided in an embodiment of the present application;

[0017] FIG6 is an axial schematic diagram of a battery rack provided in an embodiment of the present application.

[0018] Reference numerals

[0019] 1. Battery rack; 11. Frame body; 12. Support plate; 13. Limiting structure; 2. Battery pack; 21. Shell; 22. Pressure relief valve; 3. Gas collection assembly; 31. Ventilation duct; 311. Main duct; 312. Branch duct; 3121. Connecting part; 32. Gas extraction device; 4. Battery management system; 41. Power supply; 42. Relay; 5. Emergency control power supply. Modes for Carrying Out the Invention

[0020] In this application, unless otherwise specified, directional words such as "upper" and "lower" generally refer to the upper and lower parts of the device in actual use or working state, specifically the direction of the drawings in the accompanying drawings; while "inside" and "outside" refer to the outline of the device.

[0021] As shown in Figures 1 and 2, the present application discloses an energy storage device, which includes at least one battery rack 1, at least one battery pack 2 and a gas collection assembly 3. The battery pack 2 is arranged on the battery rack 1. The number of battery racks 1 included in the energy storage device and the number of battery packs 2 placed on each battery rack 1 depend on the setting requirements of the energy storage device, and this embodiment does not make specific limitations.

[0022] Each battery pack 2 includes a housing 21 and a pressure relief valve 22 mounted on the housing 21. A through-hole (not shown) is provided on one side of the housing 21, connecting the interior of the housing 21 to the exterior. Gas generated within the housing 21 is discharged through the through-hole to the exterior of the battery pack 2. The pressure relief valve 22 covers the through-hole, partially contacting the housing 21. The housing 21 and the pressure relief valve 22 cooperate to form a closed space within the battery pack 2. To ensure the sealing of the battery pack 2, a sealing member such as foam or sealant is provided at the connection between the pressure relief valve 22 and the housing 21. Methods of connecting the pressure relief valve 22 to the housing 21 include, but are not limited to, fasteners such as screws and bolts, and threaded connections.

[0023] When the battery pack 2 triggers thermal runaway, the pressure inside the battery pack 2 increases due to the heat generated by the battery cells in the battery pack 2 and the explosion of the battery cell valves. When the pressure reaches the pressure limit that the battery pack 2 shell 21 can withstand, the pressure relief valve 22 explodes, and the through hole on the shell 21 is exposed. The gas generated in the battery pack 2 due to thermal runaway is discharged from the battery pack 2 through the through hole on the shell 21 to release the pressure.

[0024] The gas collection assembly 3 includes a ventilation duct 31 and a gas extraction device 32. The ventilation duct 31 is connected to the housing 21 of each battery pack 2 and covers the pressure relief valve 22. When any battery pack 2 triggers thermal runaway and the pressure relief valve 22 is opened, the gas inside the battery pack 2 is discharged into the ventilation duct 31. The gas extraction device 32 is in communication with the interior of the ventilation duct 31 and helps to discharge the gas discharged from the battery pack 2 into the ventilation duct 31.

[0025] Furthermore, a gas treatment device (not shown) can be added to the ventilation duct 31 to treat the gas discharged from the battery pack 2 into the ventilation duct 31, such as by filtering out dust and harmful gases, to prevent the gas from being directly discharged into the outside world and polluting the environment. The gas extraction device 32 can be an exhaust fan.

[0026] In this embodiment, the ventilation duct 31 is connected to all the battery packs 2 in the energy storage device. The ventilation duct 31 centrally processes the gas discharged from each battery pack 2 and then quickly discharges it through the gas extraction device 32 to avoid the accumulation of harmful gases in the cabin.

[0027] In some embodiments, as shown in FIG3 , ventilation duct 31 includes a main duct 311 and at least one branch duct 312. Each branch duct 312 is connected to main duct 311 and is connected to at least one battery pack 2. Therefore, when thermal runaway is triggered, the gas within each battery pack 2 enters main duct 311 through branch duct 312 for centralized treatment. A gas extraction device 32 is connected to the interior of main duct 311 to assist in the rapid discharge of gas within main duct 311.

[0028] The number of branch ducts 312 included in the ventilation duct 31 is unlimited, and the number of battery packs 2 connected to each branch duct 312 is unlimited. The corresponding number of battery packs 2 and the battery racks 1 for placing battery packs 2 can also be adjusted as needed. The cross-sections of the main duct 311 and branch ducts 312 can be any shape, such as circular or rectangular, and are not specifically limited in this embodiment.

[0029] When the branch pipe 312 is only connected to one battery pack 2, one end of the branch pipe 312 is connected to the interior of the main pipe 311, and the other end of the branch pipe 312 is connected to the pressure relief valve 22 of the battery pack 2. The other end cover of the branch pipe 312 is arranged on the pressure relief valve 22. In order to ensure the sealing of the connection between the branch pipe 312 and the pressure relief valve 22 of the battery pack 2, the connection between the pressure relief valve 22 and the branch pipe 312 is provided with sealing members such as foam and sealant. The connection method between the pressure relief valve 22 and the branch pipe 312 includes but is not limited to connection through fasteners such as screws and bolts, threaded connection, etc.

[0030] When branch pipes 312 connect multiple battery packs 2, one end of the branch pipes 312 communicates with the interior of the main pipe 311, and the other end of the branch pipes 312 connects to the pressure relief valve 22 of a battery pack 2. The branch pipes 312 also have at least one opening connected to the pressure relief valve 22 of the battery pack 2. To facilitate the connection between the opening provided in the ventilation pipe 31 and the pressure relief valve 22, the branch pipes 312 are provided with a connecting portion 3121. The connecting portion 3121 covers the pressure relief valve 22 of the battery pack 2 and communicates with the interior of the branch pipes 312 through the opening. To ensure the sealing between the branch pipes 312 and the pressure relief valve 22 of the battery pack 2, a sealing member such as foam or sealant is provided at the connection between the pressure relief valve 22 and the connecting portion 3121. The connection between the pressure relief valve 22 and the connecting portion 3121 includes, but is not limited to, connection via fasteners such as screws and bolts, or threaded connection. Furthermore, the connecting portion 3121 and the branch pipes 312 can be integrally formed or welded, which is not specifically limited in this embodiment.

[0031] In some embodiments, the main pipe 311 and each branch pipe 312 included in the ventilation duct 31 are separate components. In order to ensure the sealing of the ventilation duct 31, the main pipe 311 and the branch pipe 312 are welded together, or the main pipe 311 and the branch pipe 312 are connected by fasteners such as screws and bolts. At the same time, the connection between the main pipe 311 and the branch pipe 312 is provided with sealing members such as foam and sealant.

[0032] In some embodiments, at least one branch duct 312 is integrally formed with the main duct 311 to ensure the sealing of the ventilation duct 31 , for example, by using a casting process.

[0033] In some embodiments, one or more battery packs 2 may be placed on a battery rack 1, and one or more battery packs 2 may be connected to a branch pipe 312. Therefore, in order to facilitate the arrangement of the branch pipe 312, the pressure relief valve 22 of each battery pack 2 placed on the same battery rack 1 is connected to the same branch pipe 312.

[0034] In some embodiments, since the ventilation duct 31 is provided with an opening cover which is located on the pressure relief valve 22 of the battery pack 2, in order to ensure the sealing of the ventilation duct 31, a seal is provided at the connection between the ventilation duct 31 and the shell 21 of each battery pack 2, and the seal includes but is not limited to foam, sealant, etc.

[0035] In some embodiments, as shown in Figures 3 and 4 , the ventilation duct 31 has only openings communicating with the pressure relief valve 22 and the gas extraction device 32 of each battery pack 2. Seals are provided at the connections between the ventilation duct 31 and the pressure relief valve 22 of each battery pack 2. If the ventilation duct 31 includes a main duct 311 and branch ducts 312, the main duct 311 and branch ducts 312 are integrally formed or welded together, or seals are also provided at the connections between the main duct 311 and branch ducts 312. Therefore, when the ventilation duct 31 and the battery pack 2 are assembled, only the opening communicating with the gas extraction device 32 can discharge gas to the outside. Therefore, when the gas extraction device 32 is activated, a negative pressure is formed inside the ventilation duct 31, further accelerating the discharge of gas from the ventilation duct 31. This also helps accelerate the discharge of gas from the battery pack 2 after the pressure relief valve 22 of the battery pack 2 is opened.

[0036] In some embodiments, as shown in FIG5 , the energy storage device further includes a battery management system 4 , which is connected to each battery pack 2 . The battery management system 4 collects and monitors parameters of each battery pack 2 . The parameters of the battery pack 2 include but are not limited to temperature, humidity, gas pressure, etc. The battery management system 4 determines whether each battery pack 2 triggers thermal runaway based on the collected parameters.

[0037] The battery management system 4 is also connected to the gas extraction device 32, which is configured to control the opening and closing of the battery management system 4. Only when a battery pack 2 triggers thermal runaway, the gas extraction device 32 needs to be turned on to assist in the rapid discharge of gas in the battery pack 2.

[0038] When the battery management system 4 determines that any battery pack 2 triggers thermal runaway through the collected parameters, the battery management system 4 sends a start instruction to the gas extraction device 32, and controls the gas extraction device 32 to start based on the start instruction to extract gas in the ventilation duct 31.

[0039] It should be noted that the battery management system 4 determines through the collected parameters that the battery pack 2 triggers thermal runaway before the pressure relief valve 22 of the battery pack 2 explodes. Therefore, after the battery management system 4 controls the gas extraction device 32 to start, a negative pressure is formed in the ventilation duct 31, which allows the harmful gases generated by the battery pack 2 after the valve explodes to be discharged more quickly.

[0040] In some embodiments, the battery management system 4 includes a power supply 41 and a relay 42. The power supply 41 is configured to power the gas extraction device 32. The power supply 41 is connected to the gas extraction device 32 through a first switch K10. The relay 42 is connected to the first switch K10. The relay 42 controls the opening and closing of the first switch K10.

[0041] When the battery management system 4 does not issue a start command, the first switch K10 is open and the gas extraction device 32 is closed. When the battery management system 4 determines based on the collected parameters that the battery pack 2 has triggered thermal runaway and issues a start command, the relay 42 controls the first switch K10 to close based on the start command. The power supply 41 supplies power to the gas extraction device 32, which then turns on and assists in exhausting the gas within the ventilation duct 31.

[0042] In some embodiments, the energy storage device further includes an emergency control power supply 5, which is configured to supply power to the gas extraction device 32. The emergency control power supply 5 is connected to the gas extraction device 32 via a second switch K20. A relay 42 is connected to the second switch K20, and the relay 42 controls the opening and closing of the second switch K20. The emergency control power supply 5 is connected to the relay 41 via a first switch K10. That is, after the relay 42 controls the closing of the first switch K10 based on a start-up instruction, the emergency control power supply 5 is configured to supply power to the relay 42, keeping the coil of the relay 42 closed, thereby continuing to keep the first switch K10 and the second switch K20 closed.

[0043] When the battery management system 4 does not issue a start-up instruction, the first switch K10 and the second switch K20 are both in the open state, and the gas extraction device 32 is in the closed state. When the battery management system 4 determines through the collected parameters that the battery pack 2 triggers thermal runaway and issues a start-up instruction, the relay 42 controls the first switch K10 and the second switch K20 to close based on the start-up instruction, the emergency control power supply 5 supplies power to the relay 42 and the gas extraction device 32, the gas extraction device 32 is turned on, and the gas extraction device 32 assists in discharging the gas in the ventilation duct 31. When the battery management system 4 is powered off, since the emergency control power supply 5 continues to supply power to the relay 42, the first switch K10 and the second switch K20 remain in the closed state, and the gas extraction device 32 continues to work. Since the gas extraction device 32 will not be turned on until thermal runaway is triggered, and the operator needs to perform maintenance after thermal runaway, the operator will power off and disassemble the gas extraction device 32 during maintenance.

[0044] That is, the emergency control power supply 5 and the power supply 41 of the battery management system 4 are connected in parallel, and both supply power to the gas extraction device 32, ensuring that the power supply circuit is not interrupted by a power failure caused by a control signal from the battery management system 4. Furthermore, the specific circuits of the emergency control power supply 5 and the power supply 41 of the battery management system 4 are not specifically limited in this embodiment.

[0045] In some embodiments, as shown in FIG6 , a battery rack 1 includes a frame body 11, at least one support plate 12, and at least one limiting structure 13. Each support plate 12 is connected to the frame body 11 and is configured to support a battery pack 2. When the battery rack 1 includes multiple support plates 12, each support plate 12 is spaced apart, and the spaces between adjacent support plates 12 are configured to accommodate a battery pack 2. Therefore, the maximum number of battery packs 2 that can be accommodated in the battery rack 1 can be adjusted by configuring the support plates 12.

[0046] A limiting structure 13 is provided on the support plate 12. The limiting structure 13 is configured to prevent the battery pack 2 from sliding off the support plate 12. Therefore, the limiting structure 13 is provided at the edge of the end surface of the support plate 12 where the battery pack 2 is placed. When the battery rack 1 includes multiple support plates 12, the support plates 12 are spaced apart, and the space between adjacent support plates 12 is configured to accommodate the battery pack 2. To facilitate the placement of the battery pack 2, only one side of the end surface of the support plate 12 where the battery pack 2 is placed is not provided with a limiting structure 13. The limiting structure 13 may be provided on one side of the end surface of the support plate 12 where the battery pack 2 is placed. The limiting structure 13 may extend entirely along the direction in which the battery pack 2 is placed, or the limiting structure 13 may include multiple baffles, with adjacent baffles spaced apart.

[0047] Among them, the energy storage equipment all includes the same battery rack 1, which is convenient for statistical management and cost reduction. Accordingly, when the ventilation duct 31 includes a main duct 311 and at least one branch duct 312, the pressure relief valve 22 of each battery pack 2 provided on the same battery rack 1 is connected to the same branch duct 312. Therefore, each branch duct 312 is connected to the battery pack 2 placed on the battery rack 1 of the same structure, so each branch duct 312 is set to the same structure. It should be noted that the ventilation duct 31 also includes a plugging cover (not shown in the figure). If an opening provided on a branch duct 312 does not have a battery pack 2 connected to it, the plugging cover is set on the opening of the branch duct 312 to seal it to prevent air leakage from the opening that is not connected to the battery pack 2.

[0048] The present application discloses an energy storage system, which includes an energy storage cabinet and the energy storage device described in any one of the above embodiments, wherein the energy storage device is arranged in the energy storage cabinet.

[0049] In one embodiment, the energy storage device includes:

[0050] At least one battery rack 1;

[0051] At least one battery pack 2 is provided on the battery rack 1. Each battery pack 2 includes a housing 21 and a pressure relief valve 22 provided on the housing 21. A through hole is provided on one side of the housing 21. The pressure relief valve 22 covers the through hole. The housing 21 and the pressure relief valve 22 cooperate to form a closed space inside the battery pack 2.

[0052] The gas collection assembly 3 includes a ventilation duct 31 and a gas extraction device 32. The gas extraction device 32 is connected to the interior of the ventilation duct 31. The ventilation duct 31 is connected to the shell 21 of each battery pack 2 and covers the pressure relief valve 22. The gas extraction device 32 is configured to discharge the gas discharged from the battery pack 2 into the ventilation duct 31 after the pressure relief valve 22 is opened.

[0053] In one embodiment, the ventilation duct 31 includes a main duct 311 and at least one branch duct 312, the at least one branch duct 312 is connected to the main duct 311, each branch duct 312 is connected to at least one battery pack 2, and the gas extraction device 32 is connected to the main duct 311.

[0054] In one embodiment, the at least one branch pipe 312 is integrally formed with the main pipe 311 .

[0055] In one embodiment, the pressure relief valve 22 of each battery pack 2 provided in the same battery rack 1 is connected to the same branch pipe 312 .

[0056] In one embodiment, a seal is provided at the connection between the ventilation duct 31 and the shell 21 of each battery pack 2 .

[0057] In one embodiment, the ventilation duct 31 is provided with only an opening communicating with the pressure relief valve 22 of each battery pack 2 and the gas extraction device 32 .

[0058] In one embodiment, the energy storage device further includes a battery management system 4 connected to each of the battery packs 2 and the gas extraction device 32, and the battery management system 4 is configured to monitor the parameters of each of the battery packs 2. When the battery management system 4 determines that any of the battery packs 2 triggers thermal runaway based on the parameters, the battery management system 4 sends a start instruction to the gas extraction device 32 to control the start of the gas extraction device 32.

[0059] In one embodiment, the battery management system 4 includes a power supply 41 and a relay 42. The power supply 41 is connected to the gas extraction device 32 via a first switch. The relay 42 is configured to control the first switch to be closed based on the startup instruction of the battery management system 4.

[0060] In one embodiment, the energy storage device further includes an emergency control power supply 5, which is connected to the relay 41 through the first switch, and the emergency control power supply 5 is connected to the gas extraction device 32 through a second switch, and the relay 42 is configured to control the closure of the second switch based on the start-up instruction of the battery management system 4.

[0061] In one embodiment, the battery rack 1 includes a frame body 11, at least one support plate 12 and at least one limiting structure 13, each of the support plates 12 is connected to the frame body 11, the support plate 12 is configured to support the battery pack 2, and the limiting structure 13 is provided at the edge of the end face of the support plate 12 where the battery pack 2 is placed.

[0062] In the above embodiments, the description of each embodiment has its own focus. For parts that are not described in detail in a certain embodiment, reference can be made to the relevant descriptions of other embodiments.

Claims

1. An energy storage device, comprising: At least one battery rack; At least one battery pack, disposed on the battery rack, each battery pack including a housing and a pressure relief valve disposed on the housing, a through hole being provided on one side of the housing, the pressure relief valve covering the through hole, and the housing and the pressure relief valve cooperating to form a closed space inside the battery pack; A gas collection assembly, including a ventilation duct and a gas extraction device, the gas extraction device being internally connected to the ventilation duct, the ventilation duct being connected to the housing of each battery pack and covering the pressure relief valve, and the gas extraction device being configured to discharge the gas discharged into the ventilation duct from the battery pack after the pressure relief valve is opened.

2. The energy storage device according to claim 1, wherein, The ventilation duct includes a main duct and at least one branch duct, the at least one branch duct communicating with the main duct, each branch duct being connected to at least one battery pack, and the gas extraction device being connected to the main duct.

3. The energy storage device according to claim 2, wherein The at least one branch duct is integrally formed with the main duct.

4. The energy storage device according to claim 2, wherein, The pressure relief valves of each battery pack disposed on the same battery rack communicate with the same branch duct.

5. The energy storage device according to any one of claims 1-4, wherein, A seal is provided at the connection between the ventilation duct and the housing of each battery pack.

6. The energy storage device according to any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein, The ventilation duct is only provided with openings communicating with the pressure relief valve of each battery pack and the gas extraction device.

7. The energy storage device according to any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein, The energy storage device further includes a battery management system connected to each battery pack and the gas extraction device, the battery management system being configured to monitor the parameters of each battery pack, and when the battery management system determines that any one of the battery packs triggers a thermal runaway based on the parameters, the battery management system sends a start command to the gas extraction device to control the start of the gas extraction device.

8. The energy storage device according to claim 7, wherein The battery management system includes a power supply and a relay, the power supply being connected to the gas extraction device through a first switch, and the relay being configured to control the first switch to close based on the start command of the battery management system.

9. The energy storage device according to claim 8, wherein, The energy storage device further includes an emergency control power supply, the emergency control power supply being connected to the relay through the first switch, the emergency control power supply being connected to the gas extraction device through a second switch, and the relay being configured to control the second switch to close based on the start command of the battery management system.

10. The energy storage device according to any one of claims 1-4, wherein, The battery rack includes a frame body, at least one support plate, and at least one limiting structure, each support plate being connected to the frame body, the support plate being configured to support the battery pack, and the limiting structure being disposed at the edge of the end face of the support plate for placing the battery pack.

11. An energy storage system, comprising an energy storage cabinet and the energy storage device according to any one of claims 1-10, the energy storage device being disposed inside the energy storage cabinet.

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