System and method for deactivating a battery of an electrically operated vehicle

Abstract

System (2, 200, 300) for deactivating a battery (8, 202) of an electrically powered vehicle (204), comprising a housing (4, 206), wherein the housing (4, 206) forms a reaction chamber (6, 208) designed to accommodate the battery (8, 202), a first gas line (14, 224) with a first valve (16, 226) and a second gas line (18, 228) with a second valve (20, 230), a heating device (12, 212) for heating the reaction chamber (6, 208), and a control device (10, 210), wherein the first gas line (14, 224) is fluidically connected to the reaction chamber (6, 208) and the first valve (16, 226) is designed to adjust a gas inflow (22) through the first gas line (14, 224) into the reaction chamber (6, 208), wherein the second gas line (18, 228) is fluidically connected to the reaction chamber (6, 208) and the second valve (20, 230) is designed to adjust a gas outflow (24) through the second gas line (18,228) from the reaction chamber (6, 208), wherein the control device (10, 210) is configured to control the first valve (16, 226) and the second valve (20, 230) for carrying out a gas purge of the reaction chamber (6, 208) and the heating device (12, 212) for heating the reaction chamber (6, 208) for deactivating the battery (8, 202).

Description

[0001] The present invention relates to a system and a method for deactivating a battery of an electrically powered vehicle.

[0002] The recovery of burning or damaged electric vehicles, for example, due to an accident, is often associated with increased risks. In particular, there is the risk of the electric vehicle's battery catching fire. Electric vehicle batteries can catch fire due to internal or external triggers. External influences include mechanical deformation or damage to the battery caused by an accident, resulting in a short circuit and initially local overheating, which can subsequently spread further. Internal causes, such as manufacturing defects or overheating, can also lead to a battery fire.

[0003] Fires in electric vehicles are difficult to extinguish with conventional firefighting methods because the exothermic reaction that occurs when the battery ignites is self-intensifying, releasing oxygen bound in the battery. Such an exothermic reaction is often referred to as "thermal runaway" and is difficult to stop with foam, water, or other extinguishing agents used in conventional firefighting methods.

[0004] Furthermore, removing the battery from a severely damaged vehicle is often problematic, especially if the vehicle is so deformed that the battery can no longer be removed or is difficult to remove.

[0005] A current common practice among firefighters is to immerse the entire electric vehicle in a container filled with water for a period of several days. This cools the battery but leaves the actual problem of the battery unsolved, and the water contaminated with battery material is then to be disposed of as toxic waste.

[0006] Against this background, the object of the present invention is to provide means for safely recovering and deactivating burning or potentially burning electric vehicles and their battery storage systems.

[0007] The above-mentioned object is achieved according to the invention by a system for deactivating a battery of an electrically powered vehicle, comprising a housing, wherein the housing forms a reaction chamber designed to accommodate the battery, a first gas line having a first valve and a second gas line having a second valve, a heating device for heating the reaction chamber, and a control device, wherein the first gas line is fluidically connected to the reaction chamber and the first valve is designed to adjust a gas inflow through the first gas line into the reaction chamber, wherein the second gas line is fluidically connected to the reaction chamber and the second valve is designed to adjust a gas outflow through the second gas line from the reaction chamber, wherein in a closed state of the first valve and the second valve, the reaction chamber is substantially gas-tight,wherein the control device is configured to control the first valve and the second valve to perform a gas purge of the reaction chamber, and wherein the control device is configured to control the heating device to heat the reaction chamber for deactivation of the battery.,

[0008] This allows battery ignition or thermal runaway to be prevented safely and in a controlled manner, compared to existing solutions, for a relatively short period of time. The use of water is eliminated, meaning no contaminated water needs to be disposed of as toxic waste. In the event of an accident with impending but not immediately active thermal runaway or with thermal runaway already occurring, the battery, or the battery with the electric vehicle, can be thermally deactivated in a controlled manner.

[0009] After deactivation of the battery, the damaged electric vehicle or the deactivated battery can be transported or further processed, in particular recycled, relatively easily, since the chemical hazard of spontaneous combustion is essentially eliminated and complex protective measures against spontaneous combustion are no longer necessary.

[0010] A battery may contain one or more elements from the following list, but this list is not exhaustive: battery cell, battery module, or battery pack. The battery may, for example, contain lithium. The battery itself may be undamaged or intact. Alternatively or additionally, the battery may be functional. Furthermore, the battery may be mechanically deformed, chemically defective, or damaged altogether.

[0011] The reaction chamber is designed to accommodate the battery, for example, by the reaction chamber or the housing forming the reaction chamber having sufficiently large dimensions. The housing can have an opening with a door provided for gas-tight closure of the opening, allowing the battery to be introduced into and removed from the reaction chamber. Furthermore, conveying means can be provided to transport the battery or the vehicle with the battery into the reaction chamber.

[0012] Examples of heating devices for heating the reaction chamber include: an electric heater, a gas burner, a diesel burner, although this list is not exhaustive.

[0013] The control device can be a computer element provided on the housing. Alternatively or additionally, the control device can comprise a computer element provided for remote control, for example, on a server or a user terminal.

[0014] The control device is configured to control the first valve and the second valve to perform a gas purge of the reaction chamber. For this purpose, the control device is preferably connected to the first valve and the second valve in such a way that the opening and closing of the respective valves can be temporally coordinated via the control device. The gas purge can be performed using a protective gas such as argon, nitrogen, or carbon dioxide. The gas purge can remove oxygen from the atmosphere of the reaction chamber. In particular, the atmosphere of the reaction chamber can be rendered inert, including the battery arranged in the reaction chamber.

[0015] In addition, the control device is configured to control the heating device for heating the reaction chamber to deactivate the battery. Heating can cause organic chemical compounds, in particular electrolytes, to escape from the battery into the atmosphere of the reaction chamber. After the escape, the battery, or at least components thereof, can no longer be active or deactivated.

[0016] Overall, the combined effect of heating the reaction chamber or the battery accommodated therein with the removal of oxygen from the reaction chamber can prevent, control, or terminate spontaneous combustion of the battery accommodated in the reaction chamber, whereby the risk of spontaneous combustion is controlled and the battery is then essentially freed of organic chemical compounds and thus also deactivated.

[0017] The above-mentioned object is further achieved according to the invention by a method for deactivating a battery of an electrically powered vehicle, in which the battery is introduced into a reaction chamber, in which oxygen is led from the reaction chamber, in which in a heating-up period the reaction chamber is heated to a first predetermined temperature, in which in a dwell period the first predetermined temperature in the reaction chamber is substantially maintained, in which in a cooling-down period the reaction chamber is cooled to below a second predetermined temperature, in which the reaction chamber is purged with a protective gas during the heating-up period, the dwell period and the cooling-down period, wherein the battery is deactivated by heating the reaction chamber in the heating-up period and maintaining the predetermined temperature in the reaction chamber in the dwell period.

[0018] The process also allows a battery to be deactivated safely and relatively easily within a relatively short time, while avoiding toxic waste such as poisoned water.

[0019] To remove oxygen from the reaction chamber, the reaction chamber can be purged with a protective gas in a gas purging process. Argon, nitrogen, or carbon dioxide, for example, can be used as the protective gas.

[0020] An example of a predetermined temperature is a temperature of at least 300°C. At a temperature of at least 300°C, organic chemical compounds have essentially escaped from the battery. In combination with the gas purging of the reaction chamber, this can deactivate the battery.

[0021] Another example of a predetermined temperature is a temperature of at least 600°C. At such a temperature, not only is the battery deactivated, but pyrolysis of the battery or the battery with the electric vehicle also occurs in the reaction chamber.

[0022] The heating period can be longer than the dwell period. This allows the battery to heat up slowly, allowing organic chemical compounds contained within it to escape from the battery in a controlled manner. This can reduce the risk of explosion.

[0023] During the cooling period, the reaction chamber is cooled below a second predetermined temperature. An example of a second predetermined temperature is room temperature, in particular approximately 25°C or lower. Furthermore, during the cooling period, the heating device can be configured to cool the reaction chamber to the second predetermined temperature and maintain the temperature of the reaction chamber at the second predetermined temperature. In this way, cooling can be achieved not only of the air atmosphere in the reaction chamber, but also of the objects accommodated in the reaction chamber, such as the battery or the battery and components of the electrically powered vehicle.

[0024] This allows the battery, or the battery with the electric vehicle, to be removed or handled from the reaction chamber without danger to humans. Alternatively, the second predetermined temperature can be set to an amount higher than room temperature to keep the cooling period short.

[0025] Various embodiments of the system and the method are described below. The individual embodiments apply independently to the system and the method. Furthermore, the individual embodiments can be combined with one another as desired.

[0026] In one embodiment of the system, it is provided that the reaction chamber is designed to accommodate the battery and at least one further component of the electrically powered vehicle, in particular the electrically powered vehicle with the battery.

[0027] In one embodiment of the method, it is provided that the battery is introduced into the reaction chamber together with the electrically powered vehicle, in particular in a state mounted with the electrically powered vehicle.

[0028] This allows a battery, along with the vehicle on which it is mounted, to be loaded into the reaction chamber and deactivated without the need for disassembly. Disassembly, especially of vehicles with a battery, presents a particular challenge, particularly in terms of safety and practicality. With the proposed system, the battery, along with components assembled with the battery, can be easily loaded into the receiving chamber and deactivated.

[0029] For example, a damaged electric vehicle with a built-in battery pack can be loaded into the reaction chamber and the battery cells of the still-installed battery pack can be deactivated in a controlled manner by gas purging and heating.

[0030] Examples of electrically powered vehicles include: automobiles, passenger cars, bicycles, boats, trucks, motorcycles, scooters, mopeds, or similar, although this list is not exhaustive.

[0031] In one embodiment of the system, it is provided that the housing has a wall with an opening and an adjustable door for opening or closing the opening, wherein the door is designed to close the opening of the wall in a substantially gas-tight manner, that the wall and the door together form the reaction space, and that the wall and the door each have a material composition which is resistant up to a temperature of at least 300°C, in particular up to a temperature of at least 600°C.

[0032] This can cause organic chemical compounds to escape from the battery. At temperatures of 600°C or more, the battery and any components of the electric vehicle housed in the reaction chamber can be subjected to pyrolysis.

[0033] The material composition is preferably designed such that the housing or the wall and the door essentially retain their shape or are dimensionally stable at a temperature of at least 300°C, in particular at a temperature of at least 600°C. Alternatively or additionally, the material composition is preferably designed such that the housing or the wall and the door essentially do not scale or oxidize at a temperature of at least 300°C, in particular at a temperature of at least 600°C. An example of such a material composition is a steel alloy, in particular stainless steel.

[0034] In one embodiment of the system, it is provided that the wall, the door, the first gas line with the first valve and the second gas line with the second valve are designed to withstand an overpressure in the reaction chamber, in particular a pressure of 1.5 bar or more, or that the wall, the door, the first gas line with the first valve and the second gas line with the second valve are designed to withstand a negative pressure in the reaction chamber, in particular a pressure of 750 millibars or less, or that the wall, the door, the first gas line with the first valve and the second gas line with the second valve are designed to withstand a pressure in the range from 750 millibars to 1.5 bar in the reaction chamber.

[0035] By maintaining positive pressure in the reaction chamber, oxygen can be prevented from entering the reaction chamber and thus from maintaining or igniting a fire in the battery. Negative pressure can prevent harmful gases from escaping or leaking from the reaction chamber. The aforementioned advantages can be achieved for a pressure in the range of 750 millibars to 1.5 bar in the reaction chamber, and the material requirements for the system's housing are relatively easy to meet, especially for a mobile system.

[0036] In one embodiment of the system, it is provided that a gas treatment device with a thermal combustion device is connected downstream of the second valve.

[0037] In one embodiment of the method, it is provided that a gas purged from the reaction chamber is thermally post-treated.

[0038] This allows compliance with legal requirements regarding outgassing and, if necessary, gases that are removed from the reaction chamber during gas purging of the reaction chamber can be released into the atmosphere after thermal treatment.

[0039] In one embodiment of the plant, it is provided that a third gas line with a third valve is provided, wherein the third gas line connects an outlet of the thermal afterburning device to the reaction chamber, wherein the third valve is provided to allow or block a flow of purified protective gas from the outlet of the thermal afterburning device into the reaction chamber.

[0040] This allows the protective gas to be initially introduced into the reaction chamber through the first gas line, and then reused during continuous or repeated gas purging of the reaction chamber in a closed circuit formed by the second gas line, the thermal afterburner, the third gas line, and the reaction chamber. This allows for efficient use of the protective gas and avoids waste.

[0041] In one embodiment of the system, it is provided that the gas treatment device has a filter, in particular an absorption filter, and a return line, that the thermal combustion device is connected to the filter, in particular the absorption filter, that the filter, in particular the absorption filter, is connected to the return line, and that the return line is connected to the first gas line.

[0042] This allows gases removed from the reaction chamber during gas purging to be at least partially reused for gas purging. In particular, a protective gas can be used multiple times for gas purging.

[0043] An example of a filter is a filter with activated carbon.

[0044] In one embodiment of the system, it is provided that a temperature sensor is provided, that the temperature sensor is designed to detect a temperature in the reaction chamber, and that the control device is designed to create a temperature monitoring profile on the basis of temperatures detected by the temperature sensor.

[0045] This allows heating to be adapted to the existing conditions, for example, the size of the battery, the amount of organic chemical compounds contained in the battery, etc. For example, the temperature monitoring profile can be used to detect the initiation of a fire by heating the reaction chamber or the battery.

[0046] The heating device can be controlled based on the temperature monitoring profile. In particular, the control device can be configured to regulate the heating device based on the temperature monitoring profile. Preferably, the control device is configured to compare a temperature detected by the temperature sensor with a predetermined target temperature and to control the heating device to heat at the target temperature. The target temperature can belong to a predetermined target temperature profile.

[0047] Alternatively or additionally, the control device can be configured to regulate the first valve and the second valve based on the temperature monitoring profile. This allows the gas purging of the reaction chamber to be time-resolved to the heating of the reaction chamber, or the gas purging can be synchronized with the heating.

[0048] In one embodiment of the system, it is provided that the control device is configured to control the heating device with a heating period, with a dwell period and with a cooling period, wherein in the heating period the control device controls the heating device to heat the reaction chamber to a first predetermined temperature, wherein in the dwell period the control device controls the heating device to substantially maintain the first predetermined temperature in the reaction chamber, and wherein in the cooling period the control device controls the heating device to cool the reaction chamber to below a second predetermined temperature.

[0049] This allows for controlled battery deactivation over time. In particular, the heating period, the dwell period, and the cooling period can be predetermined to optimize the overall time until the battery is deactivated.

[0050] Parameters such as duration and target temperature for the heating period, the dwell period and the cooling period can be predetermined, in particular as a target temperature profile.

[0051] The warm-up period can be longer than the dwell period. For example, the warm-up period can be 2 hours and the dwell period 30 minutes. This allows organic compounds to escape from the battery relatively slowly and thus safely, achieving essentially complete deactivation of the battery.

[0052] In one embodiment of the system, it is provided that a gas sensor is provided, that the gas sensor is designed to detect a gas content in the reaction chamber, in particular to detect an oxygen content in the reaction chamber, and that the control device is designed to control the first valve and / or the second valve on the basis of at least one gas content, in particular oxygen content, detected by the gas sensor.

[0053] This allows the gas purge of the reaction chamber to be adjusted to the measured values in a time-resolved manner or the valves to be controlled.

[0054] Examples of gas sensors include an oxygen sensor, a flame temperature analyzer (FTA), and a device for detecting the lower explosive limit (LEL). When using an FTA and detecting a LEL, the shielding gas flow can be regulated through the first valve or into the reaction chamber during gas purging to prevent an explosion in the event of a sudden oxygen ingress.

[0055] In one embodiment of the system, it is provided that a pressure sensor is provided, that the pressure sensor is designed to detect a pressure in the reaction chamber, and that the control device is designed to adjust the pressure in the reaction chamber by controlling the first valve and / or the second valve on the basis of pressure values detected by the pressure sensor.

[0056] This allows the gas purge of the reaction chamber to be adjusted to the measured values in a time-resolved manner, or the valves to be controlled. Alternatively or additionally, negative or positive pressure in the reaction chamber can be tracked over time, or a pressure monitoring profile can be created, based on which the first and second valves can be controlled.

[0057] In one embodiment of the method, it is provided that the temperature, the oxygen content and the pressure in the reaction chamber are detected, that a heating device for the heating period, for the residence period and for the cooling period is controlled as a function of the detected temperature, and that at least one valve for the purging process is controlled as a function of the detected oxygen content and the detected pressure.

[0058] In one embodiment of the system, it is provided that the housing has at least one conveying means, in particular wheels, and / or that the housing is intended to be transported over roads by means of a transport device, in particular a lorry.

[0059] In one embodiment of the method, it is provided that the reaction chamber is part of a system according to the present disclosure, that before the battery is introduced into the reaction chamber or before the battery is introduced together with the electrically powered vehicle into the reaction chamber, the system is driven to an accident site of the electrically powered vehicle with the battery, and that the method according to the present disclosure is at least partially carried out at the accident site.

[0060] This allows the system to be mobile and deployed at different locations. For example, the system can be driven to the scene of an accident involving an electric vehicle, the damaged vehicle and its battery can be loaded into the system's reaction chamber, and the battery can be safely and easily deactivated on-site. Alternatively, the damaged vehicle can be loaded into the system's reaction chamber, gas purging can be initiated to prevent spontaneous combustion or thermal runaway of the battery, and the system can be driven to another location, where the warm-up period can be initiated to then deactivate the battery.

[0061] This eliminates the need for dangerous transport of the damaged vehicle with the risk of a thermal runaway.

[0062] Examples of a system with handling equipment include a roll container or a trailer for a truck. An example of a handling equipment is a truck with a crane.

[0063] It may be provided that after the cooling-off period, remains of the essentially deactivated battery and, if applicable, other components of the electrically powered vehicle are processed for reuse, for example by shredding or sorting out individual materials.

[0064] Further features and advantages of the system and the method will become apparent from the following description of embodiments, with reference to the attached drawings.

[0065] In the drawing show Fig. 1 shows a first embodiment of a system for deactivating a battery of an electrically powered vehicle; Fig. 2 shows a second embodiment of a system for deactivating a battery of an electrically powered vehicle; and Fig. 3 shows a third embodiment of a system for deactivating a battery of an electrically powered vehicle.

[0066] Fig. 1 shows a first embodiment of a system 2 for deactivating a battery of an electrically powered vehicle. The system 2 has a housing 4, wherein the housing 4 forms a reaction chamber 6. A battery 8 is accommodated in the reaction chamber 6. The system 2 further has a control device 10, a heating device 12 for heating the reaction chamber 6, a first gas line 14 with a first valve 16, and a second gas line 18 with a second valve 20.

[0067] The first gas line 14 and the second gas line 18 are each fluidically connected to the reaction chamber 6. The first valve 16 is designed to adjust a gas inflow 22 through the first gas line 14 into the reaction chamber 6, and the second valve 20 is designed to adjust a gas outflow 24 through the second gas line 18 from the reaction chamber 6. When the first valve 16 and the second valve 20 are closed, the reaction chamber 6 is essentially gas-tight.

[0068] The control device 10 is configured to control, on the one hand, the first valve 16 and the second valve 20 for gas purging of the reaction chamber 6, and, on the other hand, to control the heating device 12 for heating the reaction chamber 6.

[0069] To deactivate the battery 8, the control device 10 controls the first valve 16 and the second valve 20 to remove oxygen from the reaction chamber 6. Thus, a protective gas is admitted into the reaction chamber 6 through the first valve 16, and gas containing oxygen is discharged from the reaction chamber 6 through the second valve 20. This allows gas purging of the reaction chamber. In particular, purging can be performed in which a multiple of the volume of the reaction chamber is purged to ensure that as little oxygen as possible remains in the reaction chamber.

[0070] Furthermore, the control device 10 controls the heating device 12 during a heating period of approximately 2 hours to heat the reaction chamber 6 and the battery 8 to a first predetermined temperature, for example, approximately 300°C. Thus, the temperature slowly rises over the heating period from a starting temperature—here, the temperature of the environment of the system 2—to the first predetermined temperature. At the end of the heating period, the reaction chamber 6 has been brought to the first predetermined temperature, and the battery 8 has essentially the same temperature. At 300°C, the organic compounds that the battery 8 had before heating escape from the battery 8.

[0071] Following the heating period, the control device 10 controls the heating device 12 for a dwell period of approximately 30 minutes, during which the first predetermined temperature in the reaction chamber 6 is essentially maintained. During this dwell period, a substantially complete escape of the organic compounds from the battery 8 is achieved.

[0072] Subsequently, the control device 10 controls the heating device 12 for a cooling period such that the reaction chamber 6 is cooled to below a second predetermined temperature, here to the ambient temperature of the system 2.

[0073] During the heating period, the dwell period and the cooling period, the control device 10 controls the first valve 16 and the second valve 20 for purging the reaction chamber 6 with the protective gas.

[0074] By heating, maintaining the first temperature and cooling together with rinsing, the organic compounds that the battery 8 contained before the start of the process escape from the battery 8 and at the end of the cooling period the battery 8 is deactivated.

[0075] Fig. 2 shows a second embodiment of a system 200 for deactivating a battery 202 of an electrically powered vehicle 204.

[0076] The system 200 comprises a housing 206, wherein the housing 206 forms a reaction chamber 208, a control device 210, a heating device 212 for heating the reaction chamber 208, a protective gas source 214, a thermal afterburner 216, a temperature sensor 218, a gas sensor 220, and a pressure sensor 222. Furthermore, a first gas line 224 with a first valve 226, a second gas line 228 with a second valve 230, and a third gas line 232 with a third valve 234 are provided.

[0077] The housing 206 has a wall 236 with an opening 238 and a two-part, adjustable door 240a, 240b for opening and closing the opening 238. The door 240a, 240b is designed to seal the opening 238 of the wall 236 in a substantially gas-tight manner. The wall 236 and the door 240a, 240b together form the reaction chamber 208 and are made of stainless steel in order to withstand temperatures of at least 600°C without losing their shape, scaling, or oxidizing, and at the same time to withstand a pressure in the range of 750 millibars to 1.5 bar in the reaction chamber 208. This allows the system 200 to be operated either with a negative pressure or with an overpressure in the reaction chamber 208. Furthermore, in addition to deactivating the battery 202, the system 200 can also be used to pyrolyze the components of the battery 202 or of the electric vehicle 204 and the battery 202.

[0078] The reaction chamber 208, or the wall 236 and the door 240a, 240b of the housing 206, are dimensioned such that an electrically powered passenger car 204 with conventional dimensions can be fully inserted into the reaction chamber 208. For example, the reaction chamber 208 may have a length of approximately 7 meters, a width of approximately 2.5 to 3 meters, and a height of approximately 2.4 to 3 meters.

[0079] The system 200 is shown with the door 240a, 240b open to allow the electrically powered vehicle 204, here a passenger car 204, to be loaded into the reaction chamber 208. The passenger car 204 has the battery 202.

[0080] The first gas line 224 connects the protective gas source 214 to the reaction chamber 208 and the first valve is provided to allow or block a flow of protective gas from the protective gas source 214 into the reaction chamber 208.

[0081] The second gas line 228 connects the reaction chamber 208 to an inlet of the thermal afterburner 216, and the second valve is provided to allow or block a gas flow from the reaction chamber 208 into the thermal afterburner 216.

[0082] The third gas line 232 connects an outlet of the thermal afterburner 216 to the reaction chamber 208, and the third valve is provided to allow or block a flow of purified protective gas from the outlet of the thermal afterburner 216 into the reaction chamber 208.

[0083] In the illustrated embodiment, the heating device 212 is designed as an electric heater, which is provided for heating the reaction chamber 208 or the atmosphere contained therein and indirectly also the objects contained therein, such as the battery 202 or the electrically powered vehicle 204 with the battery 202, up to a temperature of at least 300°C, preferably up to a temperature of at least 600°C.

[0084] When using the system 200 to deactivate the battery 202, the electrically powered vehicle 204 with the battery 202 mounted thereon is introduced into a reaction chamber 208, and the door 240a, 240b is closed to seal the opening 238 in the wall 236. Then, the first valve is opened to admit protective gas, here argon, into the reaction chamber 208, and the second valve is opened to direct the oxygen-containing air, which is expelled from the reaction chamber 208 by the inlet of argon into the reaction chamber 208, into the thermal afterburner 216.

[0085] Based on the measured values output by the gas sensor 220, the control device 210 determines whether the first valve should be closed or remain open. For this purpose, the control device 210 can, for example, compare the measured values with a threshold value for an oxygen content, wherein the threshold value corresponds to the oxygen content of an inert atmosphere.

[0086] As soon as the threshold value is reached or exceeded, the control device 210 causes the first valve 226 to close and the third valve 234 to open. Protective gas recovered by the thermal afterburner 216 based on the gas discharged from the reaction chamber 208 then exits the third valve. The second valve and the third valve are then both open, and the gas streams flowing through them cause a continuous gas purge of the reaction chamber 208.

[0087] The oxygen content and gas pressure in the reaction chamber 208 are monitored by the control device 210 based on measured values regularly recorded by the gas sensor 220 and the pressure sensor 222, and the valves, in particular the first valve, are controlled accordingly as needed. For this purpose, the control device 210 can create recorded gas and pressure monitoring profiles or retrieve predefined gas and pressure profiles, and compare the measured values with these.

[0088] The heating device 212 is controlled by the control device 210 according to a predetermined heating profile, wherein the heating profile has a heating period of approximately 2 hours, a residence period of approximately 30 minutes, and a cooling period of approximately 2 to 3 hours. During the heating period, a first target temperature of approximately 300°C is specified, which is to be reached at the end of the heating period. This target temperature is specified for the residence period as the temperature to be maintained in the reaction chamber 208. During the cooling period, a second target temperature is specified, for example, approximately 25°C, to which the reaction chamber 208 is to be cooled. The control device 210 controls the heating device 212 based on the predetermined temperature profile and measured values acquired by the temperature sensor 218.

[0089] At the end of the cooling period, the gas purge is turned off and atmospheric pressure is set to safely open the door 240a, 240b of the housing 206 and remove the deactivated battery 202 together with the electrically powered vehicle 204 from the reaction chamber 208.

[0090] Fig. 3 shows a third embodiment of a system 300 for deactivating a battery of an electrically powered vehicle.

[0091] The system 300 has the same features as the system 200 from the Fig. 2 In addition, the system has 300 from the Fig. 3 Conveying means, in the present case in the form of a connecting element 302 for connection to a boom 304 of a truck 306 and wheels 308 for rolling on the ground when loading and unloading the housing on the truck 306. Thus, the system 300 from the Fig. 3 designed as a roll container.

[0092] In use, before the battery is introduced into the reaction chamber or before the battery is introduced together with the electrically powered vehicle into the reaction chamber, the system 300 can be driven to an accident site of the electrically powered vehicle and the battery can be at least partially deactivated at the accident site.

[0093] Alternatively, the system 300 can be driven to the accident scene and the damaged vehicle loaded into the reaction chamber. On-site, the atmosphere in the loaded reaction chamber can first be inerted, and the system, with the damaged vehicle and its battery, can be driven to a predetermined location where the battery can be safely deactivated. This allows an accident scene, for example, on a highway, to be cleared quickly and safely, and the battery can then be deactivated at another location.

Claims

1. System (2, 200, 300) for deactivating a battery (8, 202) of an electrically powered vehicle (204) - with a housing (4, 206), wherein the housing (4, 206) forms a reaction chamber (6, 208) which is designed to accommodate the battery (8, 202), - with a first gas line (14, 224) with a first valve (16, 226) and with a second gas line (18, 228) with a second valve (20, 230), - with a heating device (12, 212) for heating the reaction chamber (6, 208), and - with a control device (10, 210), - wherein the first gas line (14, 224) is fluidically connected to the reaction chamber (6, 208) and the first valve (16, 226) for Setting a gas inflow (22) through the first gas line (14, 224) into the reaction chamber (6, 208), - wherein the second gas line (18, 228) is fluidically connected to the reaction chamber (6, 208) and the second valve (20,230) is designed to adjust a gas outflow (24) through the second gas line (18, 228) from the reaction chamber (6, 208), - wherein in a closed state of the first valve (16, 226) and the second valve (20, 230), the reaction chamber (6, 208) is substantially gas-tight, - wherein the control device (10, 210) is designed to control the first valve (16, 226) and the second valve (20, 230) to carry out a gas purge of the reaction chamber (6, 208), and - wherein the control device is designed to control the heating device (12, 212) to heat the reaction chamber (6, 208) for deactivating the battery (8, 202).

2. System (2, 200, 300) according to claim 1, characterized by thatthe reaction chamber (6, 208) is designed to accommodate the battery (8, 202) and at least one further component of the electrically powered vehicle (204), in particular the electrically powered vehicle (204) with the battery (8, 202).

3. System (2, 200, 300) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized by - that the housing (4, 206) has a wall (236) with an opening (238) and an adjustable door (240a, 240b) for opening or closing the opening (238), - wherein the door (240a, 240b) is designed to close the opening (238) of the wall (236) in a substantially gas-tight manner, - that the wall (236) and the door (240a, 240b) together form the reaction chamber (6, 208), and - that the wall (236) and the door (240a, 240b) each have a material composition which is resistant up to a temperature of at least 300°C, in particular up to a temperature of at least 600°C.

4. System (2, 200, 300) according to claim 3, characterized by - that the wall (236), the door (240a, 240b), the first gas line (14, 224) with the first valve (16, 226) and the second gas line (18, 228) with the second valve (20, 230) are designed to withstand an overpressure in the reaction chamber (6, 208), in particular a pressure of 1.5 bar or more, or - that the wall (236), the door (240a, 240b), the first gas line (14, 224) with the first valve (16, 226) and the second gas line (18, 228) with the second valve (20, 230) are designed to withstand a negative pressure in the reaction chamber (6, 208), in particular a pressure of 750 millibars or less, or - thatthe wall (236), the door (240a, 240b), the first gas line (14, 224) with the first valve (16, 226) and the second gas line (18, 228) with the second valve (20, 230) are designed to withstand a pressure in the range of 750 millibars to 1.5 bar in the reaction chamber (6, 208).

5. System (2, 200, 300) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized by - that a gas treatment device with a thermal combustion device (216) is connected downstream of the second valve (20, 230).

6. System (2, 200, 300) according to claim 5, characterized by - thata third gas line (232) with a third valve (234) is provided, - wherein the third gas line (232) connects an outlet of the thermal afterburning device (216) to the reaction chamber (208), - wherein the third valve (234) is provided to allow or block a flow of purified protective gas from the outlet of the thermal afterburning device (216) into the reaction chamber (208).

7. System (2, 300) according to claim 5, characterized by - that the gas treatment device comprises a filter, in particular an absorption filter, and a return line, - that the thermal combustion device (216) is connected to the filter, in particular the absorption filter, - that the filter, in particular the absorption filter, is connected to the return line, and - that the return line is connected to the first gas line (14, 224).

8. System (2, 200, 300) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized by - that a temperature sensor (218) is provided, - that the temperature sensor (218) is designed to detect a temperature in the reaction chamber (6, 208), and - that the control device (10, 210) is configured to create a temperature monitoring profile based on temperatures detected by the temperature sensor (218).

9. System (2, 200, 300) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized by - thatthe control device (10, 210) is designed to control the heating device (12, 212) with a heating-up period, with a dwell period and with a cooling-down period, - wherein in the heating-up period the control device (10, 210) controls the heating device (12, 212) to heat the reaction chamber (6, 208) to a first predetermined temperature, - wherein in the dwell period the control device (10, 210) controls the heating device (12, 212) to substantially maintain the first predetermined temperature in the reaction chamber (6, 208), and - wherein in the cooling-down period the control device (10, 210) controls the heating device (12, 212) to cool the reaction chamber (6, 208) to below a second predetermined temperature.

10. System (2, 200, 300) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized by - that a gas sensor (220) is provided, - thatthe gas sensor (220) is designed to detect a gas content in the reaction chamber (6, 208), in particular to detect an oxygen content in the reaction chamber (6, 208), and - that the control device (10, 210) is configured to control the first valve (16, 226) and / or the second valve (20, 230) on the basis of at least one gas content, in particular oxygen content, detected by the gas sensor (220).

11. Installation (2, 200, 300) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized by - that a pressure sensor (222) is provided, - that the pressure sensor (222) is designed to detect a pressure in the reaction chamber (6, 208), and - that the control device (10, 210) is configured to adjust the pressure in the reaction chamber (6, 208) by controlling the first valve (16, 226) and / or the second valve (20, 230) on the basis of pressure values detected by the pressure sensor (222).

12. System (2, 200, 300) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized by - that the housing (4, 206) has at least one conveying means, in particular wheels (308), and / or - that the housing (4, 206) is intended to be transported over roads by means of a transport device, in particular a lorry (306).

13. A method for deactivating a battery (8, 202) of an electrically powered vehicle (204), - in which the battery (8, 202) is introduced into a reaction chamber (6, 208), - in which oxygen is removed from the reaction chamber (6, 208), - in which, in a heating-up period, the reaction chamber (6, 208) is heated to a first predetermined temperature, - in which, in a dwell period, the first predetermined temperature in the reaction chamber (6, 208) is substantially maintained, - in which, in a cooling-down period, the reaction chamber (6, 208) is cooled to below a second predetermined temperature, - in which the reaction chamber (6, 208) is purged with a protective gas during the heating-up period, the dwell period and the cooling-down period, - wherein, by heating the reaction chamber (6, 208) in the heating-up period and maintaining the predetermined temperature in the reaction chamber (6, 208) in the residence period the battery (8, 202) is deactivated.

14. Method according to claim 13, characterized by - that the battery (8, 202) is introduced into the reaction chamber (6, 208) together with the electrically powered vehicle (204), in particular in a state mounted with the electrically powered vehicle (204).

15. Method according to one of the preceding claims, characterized by - that a gas purged from the reaction chamber (6, 208) is thermally post-treated.

16. Method according to one of the preceding claims, characterized by - that the temperature, oxygen content and pressure in the reaction chamber (6, 208) are recorded, - that a heating device (12, 212) for the heating period, for the dwell period and for the cooling period is controlled as a function of the detected temperature, and - that at least one valve for the flushing process is controlled depending on the detected oxygen content and the detected pressure.

17. Method according to one of the preceding claims, characterized by - that the reaction chamber (6, 208) is part of a system (2, 200, 300) according to one of the preceding claims, - that before introducing the battery (8, 202) into the reaction chamber (6, 208) or before introducing the battery (8, 202) together with the electrically powered vehicle (204) into the reaction chamber (6, 208), the system (2, 200, 300) is driven to an accident site of the electrically powered vehicle (204) with the battery (8, 202), and - that the method according to one of the preceding claims is at least partially carried out at the scene of the accident.

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