Energy storage system

Abstract

An energy storage system is configured to allow smooth air circulation under normal operating conditions and to prevent the spread of smoke and fire in the event of a fire. The energy storage system includes: a container; an accommodating portion inside the container and accommodating the battery rack or the air conditioner, respectively; a separator between adjacent accommodating portions; a vent hole passing through the separator and connected with an adjacent accommodating portion; and a blocking member configured to block a flame or smoke generated in one of the adjacent receiving portions from passing through the vent hole. According to the present disclosure, by allowing air inside any one of the accommodating portions to be transmitted to the adjacent accommodating portion through the vent holes under normal operating conditions, the internal environment of the plurality of accommodating portions can be uniformly maintained.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] Various aspects of embodiments of this disclosure relate to an energy storage system. Background Technology

[0002] Generally speaking, an energy storage system (ESS) is a device that can store surplus electricity or electricity generated using renewable energy sources. ESS can be configured by mounting multiple battery modules in racks and housing multiple racks within a container. Battery modules can be constructed by assembling multiple secondary batteries that are electrically connected to each other into various structures.

[0003] In such an ESS (Emerging Energy Storage System), there is a risk that all components within the container could be exposed to fire and completely burned or otherwise damaged by fire should a fire occur due to thermal runaway during the charging and discharging of the secondary battery or other electrical defects in the secondary battery. To prevent this risk, fire-resistant compartments can be constructed by installing impermeable firewalls in the middle of the container. However, in this case, each compartment requires separate air conditioning equipment, which increases costs and is disadvantageous in terms of battery energy density.

[0004] The information disclosed above in the art that forms the background of this disclosure is intended only to improve the understanding of the background of this disclosure, and therefore may include information that does not constitute related art. Utility Model Content

[0005] One aspect of the embodiments of this disclosure relates to an energy storage system configured to allow smooth air circulation under normal operating conditions and to prevent the spread of fire in the event of an ignition.

[0006] These and other aspects and features of this disclosure will be described in, or will be apparent from, the following description of some embodiments of this disclosure.

[0007] According to one aspect of this disclosure, the energy storage system includes: a container; a housing portion inside the container and housing a battery rack or an air conditioner; a separator between adjacent housing portions; a vent through the separator and connected to an adjacent housing portion; and a blocking member configured to block flames or smoke generated in one of the housing portions from passing through the vent.

[0008] The blocking member may include louvers that extend from the partition and face the ventilation opening.

[0009] The blinds can be tilted relative to the partition.

[0010] The louvers can extend upwards from the bottom of the ventilation opening, and the distance from the louvers to the ventilation opening can increase towards the end of the louvers.

[0011] The blocking component may include: a blocking body, fixed to the separator and including mesh connected to the ventilation holes; and a coating on the surface of the blocking body, which expands in volume and closes the mesh when heated to a set temperature or higher.

[0012] The coating can be applied around the perimeter of the mesh.

[0013] The width of the mesh can satisfy the following expression 1:

[0014] Expression 1

[0015] Lt×α×2

[0016] Where L represents the width of the mesh, t represents the thickness of the coating, and α represents the minimum expansion rate of the coating.

[0017] The blocking member may include: a damping member rotatably connected to the partition and closing the vent by rotating in a first direction; and an adjusting member connected to the damping member and configured to selectively allow the damping member to rotate in the first direction in response to temperature changes.

[0018] The adjusting member may include: a rod connected to the damping member and applying a rotational force to the damping member in a first direction; and a rope connected to the container and the rod and applying a rotational force to the damping member in the opposite direction to the first direction, and the rope may be cut when heated to a set temperature or higher.

[0019] The rope can be placed above the receiving section.

[0020] The rope can pass through the pole, and both sides of the rope can be inside the receiving part.

[0021] The separator may include two or more separators, and the blocking member may include two or more blocking members, and ropes in the different blocking members may be connected to each other.

[0022] The damping component may include two or more dampers arranged in the longitudinal direction of the rod, and the sum of the areas of the dampers may be greater than the area of ​​the vent.

[0023] The blocking member may include: a movable partition facing the partition and movably mounted between a first position and a second position; a movable hole passing through the movable partition and facing the ventilation hole when the movable partition is in the first position; and a rope configured to allow the movable partition to be in the first position and configured to selectively allow the movable partition to move from the first position to the second position in response to a temperature change.

[0024] The rope can be attached to the container and the movable divider, and is cut when the rope is heated to a set temperature or higher.

[0025] The rope can be placed above the receiving section.

[0026] The rope can pass through the movable partition, and both sides of the rope can be inside the adjacent receiving section.

[0027] The separator may include two or more separators, the blocking member may include two or more blocking members, and ropes in the different blocking members may be connected to each other.

[0028] The blocking member may further include a guide rail configured to guide the movement of the movable separator.

[0029] The guide rail may include: a guide body fixed to the container; a first extension portion extending from one end portion of the guide body and facing the divider; and a second extension portion extending from the other end portion of the guide body and facing the movable divider. Attached Figure Description

[0030] The accompanying drawings illustrate some embodiments of this disclosure and, together with the detailed description of this disclosure, further describe aspects and features of this disclosure. However, this disclosure should not be construed as limited to the drawings:

[0031] Figure 1 A perspective view illustrating the configuration of an energy storage system according to a first embodiment of the present disclosure;

[0032] Figure 2 A front view illustrating the configuration of an energy storage system according to a first embodiment of the present disclosure;

[0033] Figure 3 A perspective view illustrating the configuration of the blocking member according to a first embodiment of the present disclosure;

[0034] Figure 4 For from and Figure 3 Perspective views illustrating the configuration of the blocking member according to the first embodiment of this disclosure from different angles;

[0035] Figure 5 and Figure 6 A view illustrating the operation of an energy storage system according to a first embodiment of the present disclosure;

[0036] Figure 7 A perspective view illustrating the configuration of an energy storage system according to a second embodiment of the present disclosure;

[0037] Figure 8 A front view illustrating the configuration of an energy storage system according to a second embodiment of the present disclosure;

[0038] Figure 9A perspective view illustrating the configuration of the blocking member according to a second embodiment of the present disclosure;

[0039] Figure 10 An enlarged view illustrating the configuration of the blocking member according to a second embodiment of the present disclosure;

[0040] Figure 11 and Figure 12 A view illustrating the operation of an energy storage system according to a second embodiment of the present disclosure;

[0041] Figure 13 A perspective view illustrating the configuration of an energy storage system according to a third embodiment of the present disclosure;

[0042] Figure 14 A front view illustrating the configuration of an energy storage system according to a third embodiment of the present disclosure;

[0043] Figure 15 A plan view illustrating the configuration of an energy storage system according to a third embodiment of the present disclosure;

[0044] Figure 16 A perspective view illustrating the configuration of a blocking member according to a third embodiment of the present disclosure;

[0045] Figure 17 For example, the ventilation hole is Figure 16 A perspective view of the blocking component in its closed state;

[0046] Figure 18 and Figure 19 A view illustrating the operation of an energy storage system according to a third embodiment of the present disclosure;

[0047] Figure 20 A perspective view illustrating the configuration of an energy storage system according to a fourth embodiment of the present disclosure;

[0048] Figure 21 A front view illustrating the configuration of an energy storage system according to a fourth embodiment of the present disclosure;

[0049] Figure 22 A plan view illustrating the configuration of an energy storage system according to a fourth embodiment of the present disclosure;

[0050] Figure 23 A perspective view illustrating, for the purpose of schematically illustrating, the state in which the movable partition according to the fourth embodiment of the present disclosure is disposed in the first position;

[0051] Figure 24 A perspective view illustrating, for the purpose of schematically illustrating, the state in which the movable partition according to the fourth embodiment of the present disclosure is disposed in the second position;

[0052] Figure 25 An enlarged view illustrating the arrangement of the guide rails according to the fourth embodiment of the present disclosure;

[0053] Figure 26 A cross-sectional view illustrating the arrangement of the guide rail according to the fourth embodiment of the present disclosure; and

[0054] Figure 27 and Figure 28 A view illustrating the operation of an energy storage system according to a fourth embodiment of the present disclosure. Detailed Implementation

[0055] In this document, some embodiments of the present disclosure will be described in more detail with reference to the accompanying drawings. The terms or words used in this specification and claims should not be construed as limited to their ordinary or dictionary meanings, and should be interpreted as meanings and concepts consistent with the technical spirit of the present disclosure, based on the principle that the inventor may, for his / her own lexicographer, appropriately define the concepts of the terms.

[0056] The embodiments described in this specification and the configurations shown in the accompanying drawings are provided as some exemplary embodiments of this disclosure and do not represent all technical ideas, aspects, and features of this disclosure. Therefore, it should be understood that various equivalents and modifications may exist to replace or modify the embodiments described herein at the time of filing this application.

[0057] It should be understood that when an element or layer is referred to as being "on," "connected to," or "attached to" another element or layer, it may be directly on, connected to, or attached to the other element or layer, or one or more intermediary elements or layers may be present. When an element or layer is referred to as being "directly on," "directly connected to," or "directly attached to" another element or layer, no intermediary element or layer is present. For example, when a first element is described as being "attached" or "connected" to a second element, the first element may be directly attached to or connected to the second element, or the first element may be indirectly attached to or connected to the second element via one or more intermediary elements.

[0058] In the accompanying drawings, the dimensions of various elements, layers, etc., may be enlarged for clarity of illustration. The same reference numerals denote the same or similar elements. As used herein, the term "and / or" includes any and all combinations of one or more of the associated enumerated items. Furthermore, the use of "may" in describing embodiments of this disclosure refers to "one or more embodiments of this disclosure." Expressions such as "at least one of..." and "any one of..." modify the entire list of elements when preceding / following it, and do not modify individual elements within the list. When phrases such as "at least one of A, B, and C," "at least one selected from the group of A, B, and C," or "at least one selected from A, B, and C" are used to specify a list of elements A, B, and C, the phrase may refer to any and all suitable combinations or subsets of A, B, and C, such as A, B, C, A and B, A and C, B and C, or A and B and C. As used herein, the terms "use" and "be used" may be considered synonymous with the terms "utilize" and "be exploited," respectively. As used herein, the terms “substantially,” “about,” and similar terms are used as approximations rather than terms of degree and are intended to describe the inherent biases in measurements or calculations that would be recognized by one of ordinary skill in the art.

[0059] It should be understood that although the terms “first,” “second,” and “third,” etc., may be used herein to describe various elements, components, regions, layers, and / or segments, these elements, components, regions, layers, and / or segments should not be limited by these terms. These terms are used to distinguish one element, component, region, layer, or segment from another element, component, region, layer, or segment. Therefore, without departing from the teachings of the exemplary embodiments, the first element, component, region, layer, or segment discussed below may be referred to as the second element, component, region, layer, or segment.

[0060] For ease of description, spatial relative terms such as “below,” “under,” “down,” “above,” and “above” are used herein to describe the relationship of one element or feature to another, as illustrated in the accompanying drawings. It should be understood that spatial relative terms are intended to encompass different orientations of the device in use or operation other than those depicted in the drawings. For example, if the device in the drawings is flipped, an element or feature described as “below” or “under” other elements or features will be oriented “above” or “above” other elements or features. Thus, the term “below” can encompass both above and below orientations. The device may be oriented in other ways (e.g., rotated 90 degrees or otherwise), and the spatial relative descriptors used herein should therefore be interpreted accordingly.

[0061] The terminology used herein is for the purpose of describing embodiments of this disclosure and is not intended to limit this disclosure. As used herein, unless the context clearly indicates otherwise, the singular form “a” is intended to include the plural form as well. It should be further understood that the terms “comprising” and / or “having” as used in this specification indicate the presence of described features, integers, steps, operations, elements, and / or components, but do not exclude the presence or addition of one or more other features, integers, steps, operations, elements, components, and / or groups thereof.

[0062] Furthermore, any numerical range disclosed and / or set forth herein is intended to include all subranges with the same numerical precision contained within the set forth range. For example, the range “1.0 to 10.0” is intended to include the range between the stated minimum of 1.0 and the stated maximum of 10.0 (and inclusive), that is, all subranges having a minimum value equal to or greater than 1.0 and a maximum value equal to or less than 10.0, such as, for example, 2.4 to 7.6. Any maximum numerical limit set forth herein is intended to include all lower numerical limits falling within it, and any minimum numerical limit set forth in this specification is intended to include all higher numerical limits falling within it. Therefore, the applicant reserves the right to amend this specification (including the claims) to expressly set forth any subranges contained within the range expressly set forth herein.

[0063] Referring to two compared elements, features, etc., as "identical" can mean that they are "substantially identical." Therefore, the phrase "substantially identical" can include situations considered to have low deviation in the art, such as deviations of less than 5%. Additionally, when a parameter is described as uniform in a given region, this can mean that it is uniform in terms of average value.

[0064] Throughout this specification, unless otherwise stated, each element may be singular or plural.

[0065] When any element is referred to as being arranged (or positioned) "above (or below)" or "on (or below)" a component (or located "above (or below)" or "on (or below)" a component), this may mean that the element is placed in contact with the upper (or lower) surface of the component, or it may mean that another component may be located between the component and any element arranged (or positioned) on (or below) the component (or located on (or below) the component).

[0066] Furthermore, it should be understood that when an element is referred to as being “connected,” “linked,” or “attached” to another element, these elements may be directly “connected,” “linked,” or “attached” to each other, or there may be one or more intermediary elements between them through which the element can be “connected,” “linked,” or “attached” to the other element. Additionally, when a part is referred to as being “electrically connected” to another part, that part may be directly electrically connected to the other part, or there may be one or more intermediary parts between them, such that the part and the other part are indirectly electrically connected to each other.

[0067] Throughout this specification, unless otherwise stated, when “A and / or B” is used, it means A, B, or A and B. That is, “and / or” includes any or all combinations of the listed items. Unless otherwise indicated, when “C to D” is used, it means C and below D.

[0068] The terminology used in this specification is for describing embodiments of this disclosure and is not intended to limit this disclosure.

[0069] Figure 1 A perspective view illustrating the configuration of an energy storage system according to a first embodiment of the present disclosure, and Figure 2 A front view illustrating the configuration of an energy storage system according to a first embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0070] refer to Figure 1 and Figure 2 The energy storage system according to this embodiment includes a container 100, a receiving portion 200, a separator 300, at least one ventilation hole 400, and at least one blocking member 500.

[0071] Container 100 can form the appearance of an energy storage system. Examples of container 100 can include various types of internally hollow closed structures, such as freestanding buildings, rooms within buildings, and containers. In addition... Figure 1 Besides the cuboid shape illustrated, container 100 can be any suitable shape, such as a polyhedron or a circle.

[0072] Examples of the receiving portion 200 may include an empty space inside the container 100. There may be multiple receiving portions 200. Figure 1 and Figure 2 An embodiment is illustrated in which three containment portions 200 are formed inside the container 100, but the number of containment portions 200 is not limited thereto, and the containment portions 200 may be any other suitable number, such as two or four, etc.

[0073] Each containing part 200 can be located in a different position inside the container 100. Figure 1 and Figure 2In the illustrated embodiments, a plurality of receiving portions 200 may be arranged in a row inside the container 100. In one or more embodiments, the plurality of receiving portions 200 may be arranged in a grid shape or vertically stacked inside the container 100. The shape and / or volume of each receiving portion 200 may be the same as or different from each other.

[0074] Each housing section 200 may house a battery rack 10 or an air conditioner 20.

[0075] The battery rack 10 may include a rack frame 11 with multiple storage spaces and multiple battery modules 12 that are electrically connected to each other within the storage spaces of the rack frame 11. The battery modules 12 may include multiple individual battery cells capable of storing and / or discharging electricity.

[0076] The air conditioner 20 may be a blower unit or a heating, ventilation and air conditioning (HVAC) unit configured to control the flow rate, temperature and humidity of the ambient air.

[0077] The battery holder 10 and the air conditioner 20 can each be housed in any pair of adjacent housing portions 200. Figure 1 and Figure 2 In the illustrated embodiment, of the three receiving portions 200 arranged in a row inside the container 100, the central receiving portion 200 may accommodate an air conditioner 20, and the receiving portions 200 on both sides (e.g., opposite sides of the central receiving portion 200) may each accommodate a battery holder 10. However, the arrangement of the battery holder 10 and the air conditioner 20 is not limited to this, and the design of the arrangement of the battery holder 10 and the air conditioner 20 can be modified to any other suitable configuration, wherein at least one of the battery holder 10 and the air conditioner 20 is accommodated in multiple receiving portions 200.

[0078] A separator 300 is located between a pair of adjacent receiving portions 200 and separates (divides or separates) the pair of adjacent receiving portions 200 from each other. According to this embodiment, the separator 300 may have a substantially flat shape. The separator 300 may be parallel (or substantially parallel) to the boundary between the pair of adjacent receiving portions 200. The separator 300 may be arranged such that two surfaces of the separator 300 face the pair of adjacent receiving portions 200. The area of ​​the separator 300 may be larger than the area of ​​the boundary between the pair of adjacent receiving portions 200. The separator 300 may be made of a non-combustible and fire-resistant material such as concrete, ceramic, or steel to prevent damage from flames or the like in the event of a fire. A plurality of separators 300 may be included. Each separator 300 may be arranged between any pair of receiving portions 200.

[0079] One or more ventilation holes 400 pass through the partition 300 and are connected on both sides to adjacent receiving portions 200. That is, each of the one or more ventilation holes 400 can serve as a path for air to pass through from one of the adjacent receiving portions 200 to the other. Each of the ventilation holes 400 can have any suitable configuration, wherein the area of ​​the ventilation hole 400 is smaller than the area of ​​the partition 300. At least one ventilation hole 400 can be multiple ventilation holes 400. Multiple ventilation holes 400 can be spaced apart from each other on the partition 300. Multiple ventilation holes 400 can be arranged in one row vertically or in two or more rows.

[0080] A blocking member 500 is configured to block flames or smoke generated in the receiving portion 200 from passing through the vent 400. In one or more embodiments, the blocking member 500 may be configured to allow air inside any receiving portion 200 to pass through the vent 400 to an adjacent receiving portion 200 under normal operating conditions, and to block flames or smoke generated in one receiving portion 200 from passing through the vent 400 to an adjacent receiving portion 200 in the event of a fire. At least one blocking member 500 may be a plurality of blocking members 500. The plurality of blocking members 500 may be located in the vent 400 of each partition 300, respectively.

[0081] Figure 3 A perspective view illustrating the configuration of the blocking member 500 according to a first embodiment of the present disclosure, and Figure 4 For from and Figure 3 Perspective views illustrating the configuration of the blocking member 500 according to the first embodiment of this disclosure from different angles.

[0082] refer to Figure 3 and Figure 4 The blocking member 500 according to this embodiment may include at least one louver 510 (e.g., a plurality of louvers 510).

[0083] The louver 510 extends from the partition 300 and faces the ventilation hole 400. According to this embodiment, the louver 510 may have the shape of a plate extending from the partition 300 toward the receiving portion 200, and its inner surface faces the ventilation hole 400. The louver 510 may be made of the same material as the partition 300. The louver 510 may be inclined relative to the partition 300. Figure 3 and Figure 4In the illustrated embodiment, the louver 510 may extend upward from the lower side of the vent 400 and may be configured (e.g., oriented) such that the distance from the louver 510 to the vent 400 increases toward the end portion of the louver 510. Therefore, air with relatively low viscosity can pass smoothly through the vent 400, while smoke and flames with relatively higher viscosity than air (which move in a straight line and do not flow like air) can be blocked by the outer surface of the louver 510 and not introduced into the vent 400.

[0084] The area of ​​the louver 510 can be larger than the area of ​​the ventilation hole 400. Therefore, the louver 510 can prevent (or at least mitigate) flames or smoke from being directly introduced into the ventilation hole 400 without disturbing the outer surface of the louver 510.

[0085] In embodiments where the ventilation opening 400 includes a plurality of ventilation openings 400, the louvers 510 may include a plurality of louvers 510. The plurality of louvers 510 may extend from different locations on the separator 300, and each louver may face one of the plurality of ventilation openings 400 respectively.

[0086] The louver 510 can extend toward the adjacent receiving portion 200 that receives the battery holder 10. Figure 3 and Figure 4 The following embodiment illustrates this: the battery holder 10 and the air conditioner 20 are each housed in the pair of adjacent housing portions 200, and the louvers 510 are on or only on one surface of the partition 300. However, when all the battery holders 10 are housed in the pair of adjacent housing portions 200, the louvers 510 may be on both surfaces (opposite surfaces) of the partition 300.

[0087] The operation of the energy storage system according to the first embodiment of the present disclosure will be described below.

[0088] Figure 5 and Figure 6 A view illustrating the operation of an energy storage system according to a first embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0089] When no fire occurs, the air flowing inside any one of the housing sections 200 is transferred through the vent 400 to the interior of the adjacent housing section 200 and circulates among the multiple housing sections 200. During this process, the air conditioner 20 can continuously supply flow force to the air circulating in the multiple housing sections 200, and thus further improve the air circulation efficiency. Therefore, the internal environmental conditions of the multiple housing sections 200 can remain identical during normal operating conditions.

[0090] When a fire occurs in the battery rack 10 housed in any of the housing portions 200, the flame C generated in the area adjacent to the partition 300 increases in size due to continuous combustion and comes into contact with the outer surface of the louver 510 when it grows to a predetermined size or larger.

[0091] Because the louver 510 faces the ventilation hole 400, the flame C that comes into contact with the outer surface of the louver 510 can be prevented from being introduced into the ventilation hole 400, and thus the spread of fire through the ventilation hole 400 can be prevented (or at least mitigated).

[0092] In addition, the smoke B generated during the combustion of flame C comes into contact with the separator 300 and rises along the separator 300 due to the density difference with air A.

[0093] As the smoke B rises along the separator 300, it comes into contact with the outer surface of the louver 510.

[0094] Because smoke B has a relatively higher viscosity than air A, smoke B will not be introduced into ventilation hole 400 through the inner surface of louver 510, but will remain in contact with the outer surface of louver 510 and continue to move upward. By repeating this operation until smoke B reaches the upper part of partition 300, the spread of fire through ventilation hole 400 can be blocked.

[0095] The configuration of an energy storage system according to a second embodiment of the present disclosure will be described below.

[0096] Figure 7 A perspective view illustrating the configuration of an energy storage system according to a second embodiment of the present disclosure, Figure 8 A front view illustrating the configuration of an energy storage system according to a second embodiment of the present disclosure is provided. Figure 9 A perspective view illustrating the configuration of the blocking member according to a second embodiment of the present disclosure, and Figure 10 An enlarged view illustrating the configuration of the blocking member according to a second embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0097] refer to Figures 7-9 The energy storage system according to this embodiment includes a container 100, a housing portion 200, at least one partition 300, at least one ventilation hole 400, and at least one barrier member 500.

[0098] The energy storage system according to the second embodiment of this disclosure may be configured to differ from the energy storage system according to the first embodiment of this disclosure only in the detailed configuration of the blocking member 500.

[0099] Therefore, in describing the energy storage system according to the second embodiment of the present disclosure, only the detailed configuration of the blocking member 500, which was not described in the description of the energy storage system according to the first embodiment of the present disclosure, will be described.

[0100] The description of the energy storage system according to the first embodiment of this disclosure can be directly applied to the remaining components of the energy storage system according to the second embodiment of this disclosure.

[0101] Figure 9 An example is illustrated where the ventilation opening 400 extends continuously along the edge of the partition 300, but the shape of the ventilation opening 400 is not limited thereto, and the ventilation opening 400 may have any other suitable configuration, such as being located in the central portion (or substantially the central portion) of the partition 300, as multiple ventilation openings 400 in different locations of the partition 300, etc.

[0102] The blocking member 500 according to this embodiment may include a blocking body 521 and a coating 523.

[0103] The block 521 is fixed to the partition 300 and faces the vent 400. The block 521 can be inserted into the vent 400 and fixed to the inner surface of the partition 300, the outer peripheral surface of the partition 300 surrounding the vent 400. The shape and area of ​​the block 521 can correspond to the shape and area of ​​the vent 400.

[0104] A plurality of mesh openings 522, connected to or communicating with the ventilation openings 400, may be present in the barrier 521. The two sides of each mesh opening 522 may be connected to an adjacent receiving portion 200 via the ventilation openings 400. The plurality of mesh openings 522 may be spaced apart from each other and form a grid shape. Therefore, the barrier 521 may have a mesh shape, wherein multiple linear members intersect each other in a grid shape. In addition... Figure 10 In addition to the quadrilateral shape illustrated, the cross-sectional shape of the mesh 522 can have any other suitable shape, such as a circular shape.

[0105] A coating 523 is applied to the surface of the barrier 521 and is configured to open or close the mesh 522 in response to temperature changes. In response to the coating 523 being heated to a set temperature or higher, the coating 523 can be configured to expand in volume and close the mesh 522. Thus, the coating 523 can keep the mesh 522 open under normal operating conditions, allowing airflow through the vent 400, and can close the mesh 522 in the event of a fire to limit (or at least mitigate) the passage of flames or smoke through the vent 400. The coating 523 according to this embodiment may include a foamable fire-resistant coating configured to form an insulating layer that expands several to tens of times its original size when the dried coating carbonizes in response to exposure to heat. The set temperature may be any suitable temperature within a temperature range capable of causing the coating 523 to expand in response to a fire occurring in one of the receiving portions 200.

[0106] The coating 523 may surround the periphery of the mesh 522. That is, the coating 523 may extend continuously along the boundary between the barrier 521 and the mesh 522.

[0107] In one or more embodiments, the width L of the mesh 522 may satisfy the following expression 1.

[0108] Expression 1

[0109] Lt×α×2

[0110] Where L represents the width of the mesh 522, and in embodiments where the mesh 522 has a polygonal shape, it can be the distance between opposite sides, or in embodiments where the mesh 522 has a circular shape, it can be the diameter of the mesh 522; t represents the thickness of the coating 523, and can be the distance between the inner and outer diameters of the coating 523 applied to the barrier 521; α represents the minimum expansion rate of the coating 523, and can be the value obtained by dividing the minimum expansion volume of the coating 523 by the initial volume of the coating 523 when the coating 523 is heated to a set temperature or higher. The minimum expansion rate α of the coating 523 can have any suitable value, depending on the type and proportion of the foamable refractory coating contained therein.

[0111] Referring to Expression 1, the width L of the mesh 522 can be less than or equal to the value obtained by multiplying the minimum expansion thickness of the coating 523 by 2. Therefore, even when the coating 523 expands to its minimum volume in the event of fire, the coating 523 can completely close the mesh 522.

[0112] The operation of the energy storage system according to a second embodiment of the present disclosure will be described below.

[0113] Figure 11 and Figure 12 A view illustrating the operation of an energy storage system according to a second embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0114] refer to Figure 11 In response to the absence of ignition (i.e., under normal operating conditions), the volume of the coating 523 applied to the surface of the barrier 521 remains at its initial volume, and the mesh 522 remains open.

[0115] Therefore, air flowing inside any of the housing portions 200 can receive the flow force from the air conditioner 20 to pass through the vent 400 and through the mesh 522, and can be transmitted to the interior of the adjacent housing portion 200.

[0116] refer to Figure 12 In response to a fire occurring in either of the housing portions 200 due to a malfunction of the battery holder 10 or the air conditioner 20, the temperature of the coating 523 increases.

[0117] In response to the coating 523 being heated to a set temperature or higher, the volume of the coating 523 around the periphery of each of the mesh 522 expands and closes the mesh 522.

[0118] When the mesh 522 is completely closed, the ventilation opening 400 separates from the receiving portion 200 and blocks (or at least mitigates) the spread of fire through the ventilation opening 400.

[0119] The configuration of an energy storage system according to a third embodiment of the present disclosure will be described below.

[0120] Figure 13 A perspective view illustrating the configuration of an energy storage system according to a third embodiment of the present disclosure, Figure 14 A front view illustrating the configuration of an energy storage system according to a third embodiment of the present disclosure is provided. Figure 15 A plan view illustrating the configuration of an energy storage system according to a third embodiment of the present disclosure is provided. Figure 16 A perspective view illustrating the configuration of the blocking member according to a third embodiment of the present disclosure, and Figure 17 For example, the ventilation hole is Figure 16 A perspective view of the blocking component in its closed state.

[0121] refer to Figures 13-17 The energy storage system according to this embodiment includes a container 100, a housing portion 200, at least one partition 300, at least one ventilation hole 400, and at least one barrier member 500.

[0122] The energy storage system according to the third embodiment of this disclosure may be configured to differ from the energy storage system according to the first embodiment of this disclosure only in the detailed configuration of the blocking member 500.

[0123] Therefore, in describing the energy storage system according to the third embodiment of the present disclosure, only the detailed configuration of the blocking member 500, which was not described in the energy storage system according to the first embodiment of the present disclosure, will be described.

[0124] The description of the energy storage system according to the first embodiment of this disclosure can be directly applied to the remaining components of the energy storage system according to the third embodiment of this disclosure.

[0125] The blocking member 500 according to this embodiment may include a damping member 531 and an adjusting member 533.

[0126] In the following text, such as Figure 16 and Figure 17 The example shown will describe an embodiment in which the ventilation opening 400 passes through all areas except for the two end portions of the separator 300.

[0127] The damping member 531 is rotatably connected to the separator 300 and opens or closes the vent 400 depending on the direction of rotation of the damping member 531. In one or more embodiments, the damping member 531 can close the vent 400 by rotating in a first direction and open the vent 400 by rotating in a second direction opposite to the first direction. Here, the first direction can be a clockwise or counterclockwise direction about the axis of rotation of the damping member 531.

[0128] The damping member 531 according to this embodiment may include a plurality of dampers 532.

[0129] The damper 532 may have a flat plate shape. The longitudinal direction of the damper 532 may be parallel (or substantially parallel) to the bottom surface of the container 100. The damper 532 is rotatably connected to the separator 300 on both sides in the longitudinal direction via a rotation axis. The width direction of the damper 532 is perpendicular (or substantially perpendicular) to the vent 400, allowing the damper 532 to open the vent 400. The damper 532 may be in a first direction (based on...) Figure 16 It rotates in a clockwise direction, and therefore the damper 532 may have an inner surface that faces the vent 400 and thus closes the vent 400.

[0130] The damper 532 may include a plurality of dampers 532. The plurality of dampers 532 may be spaced apart from each other at a predetermined distance in the vertical direction. The sum of the areas of the plurality of dampers 532 may be greater than the area of ​​the vent 400. In one or more embodiments, when the vent 400 is closed, some areas of a pair of adjacent dampers 532 may overlap each other. Therefore, when the plurality of dampers 532 are in a first direction (e.g., Figure 16 When fully rotated clockwise, the multiple dampers 532 can close the vent 400 without any gaps.

[0131] Fire-retardant coatings may be applied to the surface of damper 532 to prevent (or at least mitigate) heat-induced damage in the event of a fire.

[0132] An adjusting member 533 is connected to a damping member 531 and is configured to selectively allow the damping member 531 to rotate in a first direction in response to temperature changes. That is, in response to the absence of temperature changes, the adjusting member 533 can limit the rotation of the damping member 531 in the first direction, such that the vent 400 remains open. Furthermore, in response to the adjusting member 533 being heated to a set temperature or higher (e.g., by a flame), the adjusting member 533 can allow the damping member 531 to rotate in the first direction, such that the vent 400 is closed.

[0133] The adjusting member 533 according to this embodiment may include a rod 534 and a rope 535.

[0134] Rod 534 is connected to damping member 531 and applies rotational force to damping member 531 in a first direction. In response to the absence of external force applied to damping member 531, rod 534 can rotate damping member 531 in the first direction under its own weight.

[0135] According to this embodiment, the rod 534 can be formed into a substantially rod shape. The rod 534 can be integrally connected to the edge surface of the damper 532 by welding, bolting, or other means. Multiple dampers 532 can be arranged in the longitudinal direction of the rod 534. Each damper 532 can be connected to different positions on the rod 534 in the longitudinal direction. Therefore, the rod 534 can synchronize the operation of multiple dampers 532, i.e., the rotational speed, rotational direction, rotational angle, etc., of the multiple dampers 534. The rod 534 can be provided as a pair of rods 534. This pair of rods 534 can be spaced apart from each other in the longitudinal direction of the damper 532, and they can be connected to both sides of the damper 532 in the longitudinal direction.

[0136] Rope 535 is connected to container 100 and rod 534, and applies rotational force to damping member 531 in a second direction opposite to the first direction. That is, rope 535 acts as a component to counteract the rotational force applied to damping member 531 in the first direction by the weight of rod 534 due to the tension on rope 535. Therefore, in response to the absence of fire, damping member 531 can keep vent 400 open.

[0137] In response to the rope 535 being heated to a set temperature or higher due to contact with flames or smoke, the rope 535 can be cut. Therefore, in the event of a fire, the rope 535 can release the rotational force acting on the damping member 531 in a second direction opposite to the first direction, and guide the damping member 531 to rotate in the first direction. The set temperature can be any suitable temperature within the temperature range capable of cutting the rope 535 in response to a fire occurring in the receiving portion 200.

[0138] The rope 535 may be positioned above the containment portion 200, where relatively hot air, smoke, etc., are concentrated due to convection during a fire. In one or more embodiments, the rope 535 may be supported on the top surface of the container 100 by means of a clamp (not shown). Therefore, the rope 535 can be quickly cut even when it does not come into direct contact with the flame due to the volume of the containment portion 200 itself.

[0139] Rope 535 can pass through the upper portion of rod 534, and its sides can be inside adjacent receiving portions 200. Therefore, rope 535 can be cut due to fire occurring only in either of the pair of adjacent receiving portions 200.

[0140] Ropes 535 provided in different blocking members 500 can be connected to each other. Figure 15 In the illustrated embodiment, when the three receiving portions 200 are arranged in a row, a pair of blocking members 500, which respectively open or close the ventilation holes 400 formed in the different partitions 300, can be respectively installed on both sides of the receiving portion 200 located at the center of the three receiving portions 200. The two sides of the rope 535 provided in each blocking member 500 can be inside the adjacent receiving portions 200, so that one end portion of the rope 535 provided on the different blocking members 500 can simultaneously be inside the central receiving portion 200 and can be connected to each other. Therefore, in response to a fire occurring in any of the multiple receiving portions 200, the multiple blocking members 500 can simultaneously close the ventilation holes 400 formed in the different partitions 300.

[0141] The operation of an energy storage system according to a third embodiment of the present disclosure will be described below.

[0142] Figure 18 and Figure 19 A view illustrating the operation of an energy storage system according to a third embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0143] refer to Figure 18In response to the absence of fire, the rotational force exerted by the rod 534 on the damper 532 in the first direction is counteracted by the tension of the rope 535 in a second direction different from the first direction (e.g., opposite to the first direction).

[0144] Therefore, the damper 532 remains perpendicular (or substantially perpendicular) to the vent 400 in its width direction, and the vent 400 remains open.

[0145] Because the vent 400 remains open, the air A flowing inside any of the housing portions 200 can receive the flow force from the air conditioner 20, and thus the air A can be transmitted through the vent 400 to the interior of the adjacent housing portion 200.

[0146] refer to Figure 19 In response to a fire occurring in either of the housing sections 200 due to a malfunction of the battery rack 10 or the air conditioner 20, flame C or smoke B comes into contact with the rope 535, and the temperature of the rope 535 increases.

[0147] Subsequently, in response to the rope 535 being heated to a set temperature or higher, the rope 535 is cut.

[0148] In response to the cutting of rope 535, the tension applied to damper 532 by rope 535 is released, and damper 532 rotates in the first direction due to the weight of rod 534.

[0149] The damper 532 rotates in the first direction to close the vent 400.

[0150] When the ventilation opening 400 is completely closed, the flames C and smoke B generated inside the housing portion 200 cannot be introduced into the ventilation opening 400, thereby preventing the spread of fire through the ventilation opening 400.

[0151] The configuration of an energy storage system according to a fourth embodiment of the present disclosure will be described below.

[0152] Figure 20 A perspective view illustrating the configuration of an energy storage system according to a fourth embodiment of the present disclosure, Figure 21 A front view illustrating the configuration of an energy storage system according to a fourth embodiment of the present disclosure, and Figure 22 A plan view illustrating the configuration of an energy storage system according to a fourth embodiment of the present disclosure is provided for illustrative purposes.

[0153] refer to Figures 20-22 The energy storage system according to this embodiment includes a container 100, at least one receiving portion 200, at least one partition 300, at least one vent 400, and at least one barrier member 500.

[0154] The energy storage system according to the fourth embodiment of this disclosure can be configured to differ from the energy storage system according to the first embodiment of this disclosure only in the detailed configuration of the blocking member 500.

[0155] Therefore, in describing the energy storage system according to the fourth embodiment of the present disclosure, only the detailed configuration of the blocking member 500, which was not described in the energy storage system according to the first embodiment of the present disclosure, will be described.

[0156] The description of the energy storage system according to the first embodiment of this disclosure can be directly applied to the remaining components of the energy storage system according to the fourth embodiment of this disclosure.

[0157] refer to Figures 20-22 According to this embodiment, the blocking member 500 may include a movable separator 541, a movable hole 542, and a rope 543.

[0158] The movable separator 541 faces the separator 300 and can move between a first position and a second position.

[0159] Figure 23 A perspective view illustrating the state of the movable partition in the first position according to the fourth embodiment of the present disclosure, and Figure 24 The state of the movable partition in the second position is illustrated schematically according to the fourth embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0160] refer to Figures 20-24 According to this embodiment, the movable partition 541 may have a substantially flat shape and may be parallel (or substantially parallel) to the partition 300. The inner surfaces of both the movable partition 541 and the partition 300 may face each other. A fire-resistant coating may be applied to the outer surface of the movable partition 541 to prevent (or at least mitigate) damage caused by heat in the event of a fire.

[0161] The movable divider 541 can be configured to move vertically in a direction perpendicular to (or substantially perpendicular to) the bottom surface of the container 100. In one or more embodiments, the height of the movable divider 541 may be less than the height of the divider 300. The state in which the movable divider 541 is in the second position may be a state in which the movable divider 541 is fully lowered and in contact with the bottom surface of the container 100. Further, the state in which the movable divider 541 is in the first position may be a state in which the movable divider 541 is raised to a predetermined height above the second position. In response to the absence of an applied external force, the movable divider 541 can be positioned in the second position by its own weight.

[0162] A movable hole 542 passes through a movable partition 541 and, in conjunction with the movement of the movable partition 541, selectively engages (e.g., aligns) with the vent 400. In response to the movable partition 541 being in a first position, the movable hole 542 may face the vent 400 and engage with the vent 400 to allow air to move through it. When the movable partition 541 is in a second position, the movable hole 542 may be misaligned with the vent 400, thereby blocking (or at least mitigating) the movement of air, flame, or smoke through the vent 400.

[0163] The movable hole 542 may include a plurality of movable holes 542. When the movable separator 541 is in a first position, the plurality of movable holes 542 may face the plurality of ventilation holes 400. The movable holes 542 may have a shape corresponding to (e.g., matching or substantially matching) the shape of the ventilation holes 400.

[0164] Rope 543 is connected to container 100 and movable divider 541 and is configured to selectively allow movable divider 541 to move from a first position to a second position in response to temperature changes.

[0165] In the absence of temperature change, rope 543 can be used as a component to position the movable partition 541 in a first position by offsetting its weight with its own tension. Therefore, in the absence of fire, vent 400 can remain open.

[0166] Furthermore, in response to the rope 543 being heated to a set temperature or higher by a flame or the like, the rope 543 can be cut. Therefore, in the event of a fire, the rope 543 releases the tension applied to the movable partition 541, causing the movable partition 541 to move to a second position by its own weight and close the vent 400. The set temperature can be any suitable temperature within the range that would allow the rope 543 to be cut in response to a fire occurring in the receiving portion 200.

[0167] The rope 543 can be positioned above the containment portion 200, where relatively hot air, smoke, etc., are concentrated due to convection in the containment portion 200 during a fire. In one or more embodiments, the rope 543 can be supported on the top surface of the container 100 by clamps or the like. Therefore, even if the rope 543 does not come into direct contact with the flame due to the volume of the containment portion 200 itself, the rope 543 can be cut quickly.

[0168] Rope 543 can pass through the upper portion of the movable divider 541, and its sides can be inside adjacent receiving portions 200. Therefore, rope 543 can be cut by ignition occurring only in either of the pair of adjacent receiving portions 200.

[0169] Ropes 543 provided in different blocking members 500 can be connected to each other. Figure 22 In the illustrated embodiment, when the three receiving portions 200 are arranged in a row, a pair of blocking members 500, which respectively open or close the ventilation holes 400 formed in different partitions 300, can be respectively installed on both sides of the receiving portion 200 located at the center of the three receiving portions 200. The two sides of the rope 543 in each blocking member 500 can be inside adjacent receiving portions 200, so that one end portion of the rope 543 provided on different blocking members 500 can simultaneously be inside the central receiving portion 200 and can be connected to each other. Therefore, in response to a fire occurring in any of the multiple receiving portions 200, the multiple blocking members 500 can simultaneously close the ventilation holes 400 in the different partitions 300.

[0170] According to this embodiment, the blocking member 500 may further include a guide rail 544 for guiding the movement of the movable partition 541. The guide rail 544 may be provided as a pair of guide rails 544. The pair of guide rails 544 may be on both sides of the partition 300 and the movable partition 541.

[0171] Figure 25 An enlarged view illustrating the arrangement of the guide rails according to the fourth embodiment of the present disclosure is provided. Figure 26 A cross-sectional view illustrating the configuration of the guide rail according to the fourth embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0172] refer to Figures 20-26 According to this embodiment, the guide rail 544 may include a guide body 544a, a first extension portion 544b, and a second extension portion 544c.

[0173] The guide body 544a is fixed to the container 100 and supports the first extension portion 544b and the second extension portion 544c, which will be described below. According to this embodiment, the guide body 544a may have a flat, cylindrical shape. The upper and lower portions of the guide body 544a may be fixed to the top and bottom surfaces of the container 100, respectively. The guide body 544a may be perpendicular (or substantially perpendicular) to the partition 300 and the movable partition 541. The inner surface of the guide body 544a may face the side surfaces of both the partition 300 and the movable partition 541.

[0174] The first extension portion 544b may extend from one end portion of the guide body 544a and may face the outer surface of the separator 300. The first extension portion 544b may be fixed to the outer surface of the separator 300 by welding, bolting, or the like.

[0175] The second extension 544c extends from the other end of the guide 544a and faces the outer surface of the movable partition 541. The outer surface of the movable partition 541 can slide in contact with the second extension 544c. Therefore, the relative angle and distance between the movable partition 541 and the partition 300 can remain constant (or substantially constant) when moved to the first position and the second position.

[0176] The operation of the energy storage system according to the fourth embodiment of the present disclosure will be described below.

[0177] Figure 27 and Figure 28 A view illustrating the operation of an energy storage system according to a fourth embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0178] refer to Figure 27 In response to the absence of fire, the tension caused by the rope 543 counteracts the weight of the movable partition 541, and thus the movable partition 541 remains in the first position.

[0179] Therefore, the movable hole 542 faces the ventilation hole 400 (e.g., aligned with the ventilation hole 400), and the ventilation hole 400 remains in the open state.

[0180] When the vent 400 remains open, the air A flowing inside any of the housing portions 200 can receive the flow force from the air conditioner 20, so the air A can be transmitted through the vent 400 to the interior of the adjacent housing portion 200.

[0181] refer to Figure 28 In response to a fire occurring in either of the housing sections 200 due to a malfunction of the battery rack 10 or the air conditioner 20, flame C or smoke B comes into contact with the rope 543, and the temperature of the rope 543 increases.

[0182] Subsequently, in response to the rope 543 being heated to a set temperature or higher, the rope 543 is cut.

[0183] In response to the cutting of rope 543, the tension applied to movable partition 541 by rope 543 is released, and movable partition 541 moves to the second position under its own weight.

[0184] In response to the movable partition 541 moving to the second position, the movable hole 542 is misaligned with the ventilation hole 400, and the ventilation hole 400 is closed.

[0185] When the ventilation opening 400 is completely closed, the flames C and smoke B generated inside the housing portion 200 cannot be introduced into the ventilation opening 400, and thus can block (or at least mitigate) the spread of fire through the ventilation opening 400.

[0186] According to this disclosure, by allowing air inside any one containment to be transferred to an adjacent containment through a ventilation hole under normal operating conditions, the internal environment of multiple containments can be maintained uniformly.

[0187] According to this disclosure, by preventing flames or smoke generated in any one containment section from being transmitted through ventilation holes to adjacent containment sections when a fire occurs, the spread of fire to the entire area of ​​the container can be prevented.

[0188] However, the effects that can be obtained through this disclosure are not limited to those described above, and those skilled in the art will clearly understand from the description of this disclosure other technical effects not mentioned.

[0189] Although this disclosure has been described with reference to embodiments shown in the accompanying drawings, these embodiments are merely illustrative, and it should be understood that those skilled in the art can derive various modifications and equivalent other embodiments based on these embodiments.

Claims

1. An energy storage system, characterized in that, include: container; Multiple housing portions are located inside the container, each of the multiple housing portions housing a battery rack or an air conditioner; A separator between adjacent receiving portions of the plurality of receiving portions; A ventilation hole passes through the partition and connects to the adjacent receiving portion; as well as A blocking member is configured to block flames or smoke generated in one of the adjacent receiving portions from passing through the vent.

2. The energy storage system according to claim 1, characterized in that, The blocking member includes at least one louver extending from the partition and facing the ventilation opening.

3. The energy storage system according to claim 2, characterized in that, The at least one louver is tilted relative to the partition.

4. The energy storage system according to claim 3, characterized in that, The at least one louver extends upward from the lower side of the ventilation hole, and the distance from the at least one louver to the ventilation hole increases toward the end portion of the at least one louver.

5. The energy storage system according to claim 1, characterized in that, The blocking component includes: A blocking body, fixed to the partition and including a plurality of mesh openings connected to the ventilation holes; and A coating is provided on the surface of the barrier, the coating being configured to expand and close the plurality of mesh openings in response to being heated to a set temperature or higher.

6. The energy storage system according to claim 5, characterized in that, The coating surrounds the periphery of the plurality of mesh openings.

7. The energy storage system according to claim 6, characterized in that, The width of the mesh in the plurality of meshes satisfies the following expression 1: Expression 1 L≤t×α×2 Where L represents the width of the mesh, t represents the thickness of the coating, and α represents the minimum expansion rate of the coating.

8. The energy storage system according to claim 1, characterized in that, The blocking component includes: A damping member, rotatably connected to the partition, is configured to close the vent by rotating in a first direction; and An adjusting member is connected to the damping member and is configured to selectively allow the damping member to rotate in the first direction according to temperature changes.

9. The energy storage system according to claim 8, characterized in that, The adjusting component includes: A rod, connected to the damping member, and configured to apply a rotational force to the damping member in the first direction; and A rope, connected to the container and the rod, is configured to apply a rotational force to the damping member in a direction opposite to the first direction. The rope is configured to be cut in response to being heated to a set temperature or higher.

10. The energy storage system according to claim 9, characterized in that, The rope is above the adjacent receiving section.

11. The energy storage system according to claim 9, characterized in that, The rope passes through the pole, and both sides of the rope are inside the adjacent receiving portion.

12. The energy storage system according to claim 9, characterized in that, The separator includes multiple separators, the blocking member includes multiple blocking members, the rope includes multiple ropes, and the multiple ropes provided in different blocking members are connected to each other.

13. The energy storage system according to claim 9, characterized in that, The damping member includes a plurality of dampers arranged in the longitudinal direction of the rod, wherein the sum of the areas of the plurality of dampers is greater than the area of ​​the vent.

14. The energy storage system according to claim 1, characterized in that, The blocking component includes: A movable partition, facing the partition and movably arranged between a first position and a second position; A movable hole, passing through the movable partition and facing the ventilation hole in response to the movable partition being in the first position; and A rope is configured to allow the movable divider to be in the first position and to selectively allow the movable divider to move from the first position to the second position in response to a temperature change.

15. The energy storage system according to claim 14, characterized in that, The rope is connected to the container and the movable divider, and the rope is configured to be cut in response to being heated to a set temperature or higher.

16. The energy storage system according to claim 14, characterized in that, The rope is above the adjacent receiving section.

17. The energy storage system according to claim 14, characterized in that, The rope passes through the movable divider, and both sides of the rope are inside the adjacent receiving portion.

18. The energy storage system according to claim 14, characterized in that, The separator includes multiple separators, the blocking member includes multiple blocking members, the rope includes multiple ropes, and the multiple ropes in the different blocking members are connected to each other.

19. The energy storage system according to claim 14, characterized in that, The blocking member further includes a guide rail configured to guide the movement of the movable separator.

20. The energy storage system according to claim 19, characterized in that, The guide rail includes: The guide body is fixed to the container; A first extension portion extends from one end portion of the guide body and faces the separator; and The second extension portion extends from the other end of the guide body and faces the movable separator.

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