Storage container

Abstract

The invention proposes a storage container (1) for combustible material, • with a storage tray (7) designed to hold the combustible material, • and with an extinguishing agent container (11) designed to hold a material which has fire-fighting properties in the event of a fire, wherein the extinguishing agent container (11) is arranged higher than the storage tray (7), • and wherein the extinguishing agent container (11) is connected to the storage tray (7) via a connection permeable to the extinguishing agent, • and wherein the connection is interrupted by means of at least one valve which is normally closed and opens automatically in the event of a fire.

Description

[0001] The invention relates to a storage container for combustible material.

[0002] The safe storage of flammable material is particularly desirable when the material can catch fire seemingly without any external cause and, so to speak, spontaneously. This is known, for example, when certain chemicals are used, when cleaning rags soaked with such chemicals can catch fire without any other external ignition source simply due to suitable ambient temperatures and the appropriate ratio of chemical and oxygen concentration (ambient air). In the field of electrical energy storage, particularly with flammable electrical accumulators such as lithium-based accumulators such as lithium-ion batteries or lithium-polymer batteries, spontaneous combustion can occur if suitable boundary conditions exist, e.g. after mechanical damage to the battery due to a fall, impact, or the like, provided that other boundary conditions are also met in this case, such asa suitable ambient temperature.

[0003] Fire-retardant storage containers are known in practice; they may, for example, have a metallic body with a mineral lining. These storage containers can withstand fire for a certain period of time. With sufficiently tightly closing doors, the oxygen supply to the fire can be prevented, thus extinguishing the fire. However, the lithium-based batteries mentioned above have the problem that, in the event of a fire, they themselves produce all the substances required for combustion, including oxygen. Depending on the size of the battery, if the fire lasts sufficiently long, it cannot be ruled out that the duration of the fire will be exceeded, even if a fire-retardant storage container can withstand the fire. Accordingly, it cannot be ruled out that the fire could spread beyond the storage container.

[0004] In particular, due to the possibility of spontaneous ignition, there is a risk that the fire may also occur at times when no people are in the vicinity of the fire, for example overnight or on weekends.

[0005] The invention is based on the object of providing a storage container for combustible material which can be produced inexpensively and which enables the material to be stored as safely as possible even in the absence of supervisors and, in the event of a fire, enables the fire to be fought automatically as effectively as possible.

[0006] This object is achieved by a storage container according to claim 1. Advantageous embodiments are described in the subclaims.

[0007] In other words, the invention proposes arranging two separate compartments one above the other in a storage container. The combustible material is located in the lower compartment, and an extinguishing agent container is located above it. The term "extinguishing agent" is not used in the context of this proposal in a technical sense, because the fire may not be "extinguished" in the technical sense. Rather, the extinguishing agent to be used according to the proposal is a firefighting agent that is intended to at least impair the fire and, if possible, extinguish it, either by actually "extinguishing" it or by some other means.

[0008] According to the invention, the lower chamber is designed as a so-called storage trough. The term "storage trough" is intended to express that it is a space that is open at the top, allowing the extinguishing agent located above it to flow downwards and into this space, namely the storage trough.

[0009] For this purpose, according to the invention, there is at least one connection permeable to the extinguishing agent between the extinguishing agent container and the storage trough, so that the extinguishing agent can flow through this connection into the storage trough. The connection can be designed, for example, as a pipe, but it can also simply be an area in the bottom of the extinguishing agent container that is opened in the event of a fire, allowing the extinguishing agent to flow freely downwards from the extinguishing agent container and into the storage trough.

[0010] Finally, the invention further provides that the connection has at least one valve, which is generally closed, so that the extinguishing agent remains in the extinguishing agent container. However, in the event of a fire, the at least one valve opens automatically, allowing the extinguishing agent to flow out of the extinguishing agent container and through the connection into the storage trough.

[0011] Depending on the flammable material to be stored in the storage container, a suitable extinguishing agent is used. For example, for the safe storage of the aforementioned flammable accumulators, the extinguishing agent container can contain water during use. When the valve opens in the event of a fire and the water flows into the storage tank, the water counteracts the fire because the fire sustains itself at sufficiently high temperatures but gradually extinguishes as it cools. In addition to the heat capacity of the water, which leads to a cooling of the accumulator, the evaporative cooling of the water supports the cooling effect of the extinguishing agent.

[0012] The storage container according to the invention can therefore be manufactured inexpensively; it only needs to have the lower, watertight storage tray and the extinguishing agent container above it, as well as a connection that opens automatically in the event of a fire.

[0013] The storage container preferably has a power plug for supplying the storage container with electrical energy from the power grid. Alternatively, or particularly preferably, additionally, the storage container has a storage device for storing electrical energy, in particular a container accumulator. The power plug and / or the container accumulator of the storage container are / is designed, in particular, at least among other things, to actuate the valve. The container accumulator serves, in particular, as an emergency power supply in the event of a power grid failure.

[0014] In one embodiment, an electrical charging port is arranged in the storage trough and designed such that a rechargeable electric battery can be supplied with electrical energy and charged either directly or by means of a charger. The charging port can thus provide mains voltage, for example, via the mains plug and / or the container accumulator, so that the battery can be charged with an associated charger. The charging port can be designed, for example, as a USB socket, so that the battery can be connected directly to the charging port without its own charger. The charging port can be specially adapted to certain rechargeable batteries and provide their specific charging voltage, for example, 12 or 18 V. The charging port can optionally have a special shape to accommodate the battery directly, without an intermediate cable.

[0015] One design of the storage container provides for automatic interruption of the charging voltage. The charging port is electrically protected for this purpose, so that when the extinguishing agent is introduced into the storage tank, the electrical power supply to the charging port is automatically interrupted. This can be achieved, for example, by a residual current device (RCD), which automatically disconnects the charging port from the power supply in the event of an electrical short circuit, such as that caused by the inflowing extinguishing agent at the charging port. This protective function can be achieved using simple, commercially available means.

[0016] The storage tray is designed with an outlet opening so that the extinguishing agent can be drained in a controlled manner after filling the storage tray. Handling the storage tray is also made easier by the fact that the weight of the extinguishing agent can be drained from the storage tray. This allows the storage tray to be reused with minimal effort, even after a fire has occurred.

[0017] The outlet opening can be designed as a hose coupling, which is considered advantageous. This allows the extinguishing agent not only to be drained from the storage tank in a controlled manner, but also to be transported to a desired location. In the simplest case, a hose can be connected to the storage tank, and the extinguishing agent can flow through the hose to a lower location. However, with the help of a pump, the extinguishing agent can also be pumped upwards, for example, into a special tank, such as a vehicle, so that any extinguishing agent that may have been contaminated during the fire can be transported to a suitable disposal site.

[0018] In one embodiment, the outlet opening can be selectively opened or closed, so that it cannot be used only once, for example, by destroying a membrane or the like, to empty the storage tank. For example, a commercially available fitting, such as that used for IBC containers or other containers, can be used, which supports the most economical design of the storage container.

[0019] The storage container preferably comprises at least one first automatically operable valve, which is located in the connection between the extinguishing agent container and the storage trough and is thermally activated. With this design of the valve, the heat itself, which is generated in the event of a fire, causes it to move automatically, i.e., in particular without the use of additional components, from its closed position to the open position, so that the extinguishing agent can now flow into the storage trough.

[0020] A first variant of such a first (thermally actuated) valve consists in actuating the valve using an expansion element. The temperature-dependent expansion of the expansion element can, for example, be used to actuate a lever that forms a handle for the valve, such as a ball valve. Or the valve can be designed as a slide, and the expansion element acts directly on the slide to displace it. Particularly when the slide performs a pivoting movement, the position of the pivot bearing can be selected such that even a comparatively small movement of the expansion element achieves a large opening travel of the valve, so that a correspondingly large cross-sectional opening of the connection can be released and rapid flooding of the loading hull with extinguishing agent can be achieved.A second variant of such a first (thermally actuated) valve consists in actuating the valve using a melting element. The melting element is made, in particular, of polyamide. Preferably, the melting element is a polyamide screw. The melting element is, in particular, screwed into the connection. The melting point of the melting element is such that it melts in the event of a fire, releasing the connection. In particular, the valve comprises the expansion element and / or the melting element.

[0021] The valve comprises, in particular, a locking element and / or a spring. The valve is preferably held in its closed position by the locking element. The spring particularly tends to move the valve into its open position. The locking element is, in particular, designed such that it changes its shape under the influence of heat and thus no longer offers any resistance to the spring, or is formed by the expansion or fusible element, so that the spring now automatically moves the valve into its open position.

[0022] The temperature-dependent change in shape of the blocking element or the melting element can be achieved by melting it, such as wax, or by softening it, such as plastic, or by assuming different, defined shapes depending on the temperature, such as so-called memory metal.

[0023] A thermally activated valve has the advantage of automatically ensuring its function regardless of any power supply - apart from the heat generated by the fire.

[0024] The storage container preferably comprises at least one second automatically actuatable valve for or in the connection between the extinguishing agent container and the storage trough. The second valve is designed differently from the first valve and, in particular, is at least not directly thermally actuatable. In a particularly preferred embodiment of the invention, the storage container has at least one first valve and at least one second valve, or a plurality of valves in each case. This significantly increases the reliability and fail-safety of the storage container. Alternatively, the storage container has at least one second valve without necessarily having to have a first valve.

[0025] The second valve is preferably an electrically activated valve designed to automatically open the connection to the storage trough in the event of a fire. Particularly if the storage container serves to accommodate accumulators, has a charging connection, a power plug, and / or a container accumulator, electrical energy is already available to enable electrical activation of the valve. Electrical activation of the valve enables large adjustment ranges by means of an electric motor drive, for example, by means of a spindle, a gear transmission, or the like, so that a large cross-sectional opening in the connection can be released within a short time, and the storage trough can be flooded with the extinguishing agent in a short time.

[0026] For example, a bimetallic switch can be used to electrically activate the valve. When a certain temperature influences and the resulting deformation occur, it opens a contact, thereby causing current to flow to an electric actuator of the valve. Alternatively, a thermocouple can be used, which, through a change in its electrical resistance, causes current to flow to drive the valve.

[0027] In one embodiment, the storage container has a sensor, in particular for forming the second valve. The sensor is preferably designed to detect the temperature prevailing in or above the storage trough. Alternatively or additionally, the sensor or a further sensor is preferably designed to detect the existence or content of a specific gas in the air. In particular, the at least one sensor is designed to detect at least one flammable gas and / or flammable smoke. This is preferably the kind of flammable gas that lithium-ion batteries evaporate before they ignite. The at least one sensor is in particular at least one conventional smoke detector, as used in buildings, or the sensor of a conventional smoke detector. By detecting flammable gas before it ignites, fires and the resulting damage can be prevented altogether.

[0028] Furthermore, the storage container has an electrically operated actuator, particularly for forming the second valve, which opens the valve or connection during use—i.e., when actuated. The actuator preferably comprises a servomotor or is designed as such. Connecting the servomotor significantly increases reliability compared to the use of other actuators.

[0029] Finally, the storage container further comprises, in particular for forming the second valve, an electronic control unit connected to these two components (sensor and actuator). The sensor provides input signals to the control unit, and the actuator is connected to an output of the control unit. Upon reaching a certain temperature value and / or gas value, which is determined by the at least one

[0030] When a signal is detected by the sensor, the electronic control system automatically activates the actuator, which starts the valve and opens the valve. The gas value indicates the presence or content of the gas. Activating the valve electrically and via a control system offers the possibility of precisely influencing the valve's behavior and, for example, precisely setting or changing a specific temperature and / or gas content threshold.

[0031] Furthermore, the electronic control system offers the option of controlling more than just the actuator as an output signal. In one embodiment, the control system automatically issues an alarm signal, e.g., in the form of a visual and / or acoustic signal, when a specific temperature or gas value detected by the at least one sensor is reached. In one embodiment, the control system is designed such that the alarm signal is transmitted via a mobile communications network. The control system accordingly has a connection to the mobile communications network, either directly or via a data line to a service that carries out the mobile communications transmission. In any case, the alarm signal can be used to inform almost any number of people about the fire, even if these people are not in the vicinity of the storage container.

[0032] The control system has functions that extend beyond those of the second valve. The control system can be used to connect the storage container to or integrate it into fire alarm systems. The control system also monitors variables other than the temperature and / or gas level that characterize the condition of the storage container. The control system preferably includes an optical and / or acoustic signaling device, including an LED display.

[0033] The arrangement of the extinguishing agent container above the storage trough can be achieved in various ways, e.g., by means of a frame that holds the extinguishing agent container. The storage container according to the invention is designed to be particularly immobile. In one embodiment, the storage container is designed as a cabinet. While a cabinet can also have an open compartment, the fundamentally closed design with side panels and, if necessary, cabinet fronts in front of the individual compartments, compared to an open frame, offers, firstly, high stability and, secondly, the possibility of accommodating other components in a protected manner in addition to the storage trough and the extinguishing agent container, e.g., the aforementioned control system, the aforementioned residual current device, or even the valve and drive.

[0034] The cabinet preferably has a lower compartment in which the storage tray is located. Above this compartment, there is preferably an upper compartment in which the extinguishing agent container is located. Due to the design as a cabinet with a substantially closed body, both the materials in the storage tray and the extinguishing agent in the upper compartment are largely protected from external influences.

[0035] In one embodiment of such a cabinet, the storage tray is particularly preferably designed in the form of a drawer. Compared to a cabinet compartment, which would have to be sealed watertight with a door to reliably contain the extinguishing agent in the event of a fire, a drawer can be designed as a tray, cost-effectively and with reliable sealing, ensuring that the extinguishing agent is held and permanently stored in the storage tray.

[0036] In one embodiment, the aforementioned drawer forms the front of the lower cabinet compartment. This eliminates the need for an additional door, ensuring quick, uncomplicated access to the storage tray. The drawer is automatically locked in the event of a fire, particularly via the control system. The lock is preferably released only after the coolant has been drained after the fire has been extinguished.

[0037] The extinguishing agent container can be designed as a welded construction. Particularly if the storage container is designed as a cabinet, it can be made of sheet metal, e.g., from folded and coated steel sheets. Therefore, the extinguishing agent container can be manufactured economically by the cabinet manufacturer, e.g., as a tank that is housed in the upper cabinet compartment, or the upper cabinet compartment can be designed as a tank entirely, so that in any case, no tank needs to be purchased as an additional part. Alternatively, in one embodiment, commercially available containers that are already equipped with inlet and outlet connections can be used as extinguishing agent containers.

[0038] The storage trough can also be designed as a welded construction, so that the storage container can be designed as a sheet steel construction, for example, except for a few purchased parts.

[0039] In one embodiment, the extinguishing agent container has a capacity of at least 100 l of extinguishing agent. In an embodiment considered advantageous, the extinguishing agent container has a capacity of at least 200 l. The comparatively large amount of water ensures that the extinguishing agent enables effective fire fighting even when the fire cannot be extinguished by the extinguishing agent, but rather when the extinguishing agent counteracts the fire through its cooling effect. Firstly, the large amount of water provides a corresponding heat capacity to absorb a large amount of heat from the burning material, e.g. an accumulator, and to cool the material accordingly. Furthermore, the large amount of water provides sufficient reserves even during a prolonged fire in view of the temperature-related evaporation and the associated reduction in the amount of water.

[0040] In one embodiment, the storage container is cooled or is to be cooled. For cooling, the storage container is designed, in particular, apart from the flow of water into the storage trough. The storage container, in particular the storage trough, preferably has a cooling device by means of which the storage trough can be cooled. In this way, the outbreak of a fire can be prevented, for example, by preventing the temperature level required for spontaneous ignition from being reached. Additionally, or exclusively as an alternative, the extinguishing agent can be cooled by means of the cooling device, so that it is particularly effective, in particular when used not for its fire-smothering effect but for its cooling effect, as can be the case with burning batteries.Especially when the extinguishing agent is cooled, thermal insulation can minimize energy consumption by keeping the extinguishing agent at a low temperature. The low temperature also counteracts bacterial influences, for example, when water is used as the extinguishing agent, so chemical stabilizers need to be used to a minimum or can even be eliminated entirely.

[0041] The storage container described above is intended for use especially for electrical batteries. Water should be used as the extinguishing agent.

[0042] Embodiments of the invention are explained in more detail below using purely schematic representations. Fig. 1a perspective view of a first embodiment of a storage container, Fig. 2a front view, with removed fronts, of the storage container of Fig. 1 , Fig. 3 a perspective view of a second embodiment of a storage container, Fig. 4 a view similar Fig. 2 on the embodiment of Fig. 3 , and Fig. 5 and 6 two further embodiments of storage containers.

[0043] In Fig. 1 A storage container 1 is shown, which is designed as a cabinet and has a body with side panels 2, a lid 3, a base 4, and a rear wall. The cabinet has a lower compartment 5 and an upper compartment 6 arranged above it. Arranged in the lower compartment 5 is a watertight, upwardly open drawer, which forms a storage tray 7 and is intended for charging rechargeable batteries, in particular lithium-based rechargeable batteries.

[0044] The design of the storage tray 7 as a drawer enables quick and uncomplicated access from above to the contents of the lower cabinet compartment 5, for example, when accumulators are to be placed in or removed from the drawer and the storage tray is pulled out of the cabinet body for this purpose. The front of the cabinet in the area of ​​the lower cabinet compartment 5 is formed by the drawer front of the storage tray 7. In the area of ​​the upper cabinet compartment 6, the cabinet front is designed as a removable panel 8 due to the rarely required access to the upper cabinet compartment 6. Alternatively, the front can also be designed as a pivoting door.

[0045] The front of the storage trough 7 is provided with a handle 9. Furthermore, a drain valve 10 is schematically indicated at the front of the lower portion of the storage trough 7, which optionally opens or closes an outlet opening of the storage trough 7 and, due to its deep arrangement on the storage trough 7, enables its extensive emptying.

[0046] Fig. 2 shows the storage container 1 after removing the cladding panel 8 and the storage tray 7. The upper cabinet compartment 6 houses an extinguishing agent container 11, which was manufactured as a separate, prefabricated, and commercially available container and is therefore economically available. The extinguishing agent container 11 does not completely fill the upper cabinet compartment 6. Rather, space remains for installation of a residual current device, an electronic control system, and the like.

[0047] Below the extinguishing agent container 11, a gate valve 12 is indicated. This valve can selectively open a connection between the extinguishing agent container 11 and the lower cabinet compartment located below it. This valve is generally closed, and the connection is therefore impassable. In the illustrated embodiment, no thermal actuation of the valve is provided, but rather an electrical actuation of the valve by a servomotor, which is electrically controlled by the aforementioned electronic control system and which moves the gate valve 12 to its open position in the event of a fire. For this purpose, the electronic control system is connected to a sensor that detects the temperature prevailing in the upper area of ​​the lower cabinet compartment 5.

[0048] The lower cabinet compartment 5 is separated from the upper cabinet compartment 6 by a shelf 14. An opening in the shelf 14 creates the connection from an outlet opening of the extinguishing agent container 11 to the lower cabinet compartment 5. When the storage tray 7 is located in the lower cabinet compartment 5 and the gate valve 12 is opened, the extinguishing agent flows from the extinguishing agent container 11 into the lower cabinet compartment 5 and floods the storage tray 7 and the combustible material located therein.

[0049] The capacity of storage tray 7 is adapted to the extinguishing agent container. Assuming that storage tray 7 is partially filled with material, the extinguishing agent quantity represents approximately 80 to 90% of the capacity of storage tray 7. Relative to the volume of the combustible material, the extinguishing agent quantity has a significantly larger volume than the material itself, ensuring the desired cooling effect in the event of a fire.

[0050] Fig. 3 shows a second embodiment of a storage container 1, which is also designed as a cabinet. Below the cladding panel 8, the cabinet front is formed by a pivoting door 15, and the handle 9 is located on the side of the door 15 opposite the door hinge. The door 15 connects watertight to the furniture body, so that together with the body it forms the storage tray 7. In the event of a fire, if the lower cabinet compartment 5 has been flooded, the extinguishing agent can remain in the storage tray 7 for an extended period. This embodiment of the storage tray 7 is also equipped with a drain valve 10, which is arranged in the lower area of ​​the door 15.

[0051] Fig. 4 shows that the structure of the storage container 1 is essentially the same as that of the first embodiment. The storage container 1 of the Fig. 3 has an extinguishing agent container 11 in the upper cabinet compartment 6, the connection of which to the lower cabinet compartment 5 is interrupted by an optionally openable gate valve 12. This storage container 1 also has, in addition to the extinguishing agent container 11, an installation space in the upper cabinet compartment 6 for accommodating a residual current device, an electronic control system, a data modem, or the like.

[0052] Fig. 5 shows a storage container 1 which, in contrast to the embodiments of the Fig. 1 bis 4 not directly on the floor, but rather on a base 16 with four legs. This facilitates handling of the batteries, as they can be inserted into or removed from the respective storage tray 7 at an ergonomically favorable height.

[0053] Fig. 6 shows two differences to the examples of the Fig. 1 bis 4 : as in Fig. 5 a storage container 1 stands on a base 16 with legs 17. Furthermore, Fig. 6 that two storage containers 1 can be stacked directly on top of each other. Deviating from the Fig. 6 In the exemplary embodiment shown, a single storage container 1 can also be designed in such a way that it has two or more storage troughs 7, one above the other, and the extinguishing agent container 11 arranged above each of them. By distributing the accumulators to be charged across several storage troughs 7, the ratio between combustible material and the amount of extinguishing agent can be maintained so advantageously that the extinguishing agent can be fed into the respective storage trough in a considerable excess of the volume of the combustible material. Reference symbol:

[0054] 1Storage container 2Chest 3Lid 4Floor 5Lower cabinet compartment 6Upper cabinet compartment 7Storage tray 8Cover plate 9Handle 10Drain valve 11Extinguishing agent container 12Sliding valve 14Shelf 15Door 16Base 17Leg

Claims

1. Storage container (1) for combustible material, with a storage trough (7) which is intended to hold the combustible material, and with an extinguishing agent container (11) which is intended to hold a material which has fire-fighting properties in the event of a fire, wherein the extinguishing agent container (11) is arranged higher than the storage trough (7), and wherein the extinguishing agent container (11) is connected to the storage trough (7) via a connection which is permeable to the extinguishing agent, and wherein the connection is interrupted by means of at least one valve which is basically closed and opens automatically in the event of a fire.

2. Storage container according to claim 1, characterized by that an electrical charging connection is arranged in the storage trough (7) which is intended to supply a rechargeable electric battery with electrical energy directly or by means of a charging device.

3. Storage container according to claim 2, characterized by that the charging connection is electrically protected in such a way that when the extinguishing agent is introduced into the storage trough (7), the electrical energy supply to the charging connection is automatically interrupted.

4. Storage container according to claim 3, characterized by a residual current device (RCD) that protects the charging port.

5. Storage container according to one of the preceding claims, characterized by that the bearing trough (7) has an outlet opening.

6. Storage container according to claim 5, characterized by that the outlet opening is designed as a hose coupling.

7. Storage container according to claim 5 or 6, characterized by that the outlet opening can be opened or closed as required.

8. Storage container according to one of the preceding claims, characterized byat least one thermally activated valve which is intended to automatically open the connection to the storage trough (7) in the event of a fire, wherein the valve is actuable by means of an expansion element and / or a melting element and / or comprises an expansion element and / or a melting element.

9. Storage container according to one of the preceding claims, characterized byat least one in particular further electrically activatable valve, which is intended to automatically open the connection to the storage trough (7) in the event of a fire, wherein the storage container comprises a sensor which detects the temperature and / or the existence or content of a gas in or above the storage trough (7), and at least one electrically operated actuator which opens the valve in use, and an electronic control, to which the sensor and the actuator are connected and which is designed in such a way that when a certain temperature or gas value detected by the sensor is reached, the actuator is automatically controlled and through the valve is opened.

10. Storage container according to claim 9, characterized by that the actuator includes a servo motor.

11. Storage container according to claim 9 or 10, characterized by thatthe control is designed in such a way that when a certain temperature and / or gas value detected by the sensor is reached, an alarm signal is emitted by the control, wherein the control is designed in particular in such a way that the alarm signal is transmitted via a mobile radio network.

12. Storage container according to one of the preceding claims, characterized by that the storage container (1) is designed as a cabinet, with a lower cabinet compartment (5) in which the storage tray (7) is located, and with an upper cabinet compartment (6) above it in which the extinguishing agent container (11) is located.

13. Storage container according to claim 12, characterized by that the storage tray (7) is designed as a drawer in the lower cabinet compartment (5).

14. Storage container according to claim 13, characterized by that the drawer forms the furniture front of the lower cabinet compartment (5).

15. Storage container according to one of claims 12 to 14, characterized by that the extinguishing agent container (11) is designed as a separate tank which is arranged within the upper cabinet compartment (6).

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