Assembly comprising a wall feed-through system

Abstract

Assembly comprising a wall (14) and a wall feed-through system (10) configured to allow an electrical conductor (12) to be fed through the wall (14) and comprising an electrical conductor (12) intended to be mounted in a first through-hole (14a) passing through a wall (14) and comprising a shoulder (12a) and a threaded portion (17), on the opposite side to the shoulder (12a). The wall feed-through system (10) comprises a sealing member (18) configured to isolate the electrical conductor (12) from the wall (14) and configured to allow the electrical conductor (12) to be centred in the through-hole (14a) passing through the wall (14), said sealing member (18) being mounted between the shoulder (12a) of the electrical conductor (12) and a first surface (14b) of the wall (14), and a fastening member (22) configured to fasten the electrical conductor (12) and the sealing member (18) to the wall (14), and an insulating member (24, 30) partially surrounding at least the electrical conductor (12) and bearing axially between a second surface (14c) of the wall (14), the opposite surface from the first surface (14b) of the wall (14), and the fastening member (22).

Description

[0001] DESCRIPTION

[0002] TITLE: Assembly comprising a wall crossing system

[0003] Technical field of the invention

[0004] The present invention relates to the field of electrical energy accumulators such as batteries, particularly in the aeronautical field, which are likely to undergo thermal runaway, known as thermal runaway, with the acronym "TR" in English terms.

[0005] More particularly, the invention relates to electrical components known as "wall feedthroughs" configured to pass one or more conductors through a wall while insulating the conductor from said wall.

[0006] State of the prior art

[0007] Electrical energy accumulators include electrochemical elements or cells likely to undergo thermal runaway which must be contained, particularly in the aeronautics sector.

[0008] Electric energy accumulators or batteries are therefore made up of a containment zone capable of resisting an event characteristic of thermal runaway, such as fire, high temperature gas, or even an explosion.

[0009] In order to provide electrical energy, electrical energy accumulators are equipped with a power circuit configured to connect to other electrical systems of an aircraft. The power circuit generally passes through the wall of said containment area.

[0010] It is known to use sealed wall penetrations or wall passes allowing the power circuit of an energy accumulator to pass through the wall of the containment zone, while limiting thermal conduction between the electrical conductors and the connectors.

[0011] We know of watertight wall crossings of the stuffing box type made of plastic material and including a silicone seal or made of metallic material.

[0012] We also know of sealed wall penetrations made of metallic material including a seal capable of withstanding high temperatures and pressures or even sealed connectors in which the electrical conductor of the power circuit is sealed by ceramic material or glass.

[0013] However, during thermal runaway of an energy storage element such as a battery, the temperature and pressure can increase significantly to exceed 800°C and 2 bars respectively, which generates stress on the wall crossings.

[0014] Indeed, the internal heat of the battery is intended to be conveyed via the electrical power conductors, which can alter the mechanical properties of the connector, or even compromise the sealing of the connector.

[0015] Existing solutions for wall penetrations made of plastic or including silicone seals cannot withstand high temperatures and pressures.

[0016] Wall penetrations containing a sealing material are not removable. Furthermore, the process of solidifying the sealing material requires a high-temperature furnace, which is difficult to apply to large parts that need to maintain their precise shape and dimensional tolerances. Indeed, the material tends to deform in very high-temperature furnaces.

[0017] There is a need to optimize wall penetrations so that they are resistant to high temperatures and pressures, i.e. above 800°C and 2 bars, as well as high voltages and high currents, while maintaining a small dimensional footprint and being simple to implement.

[0018] Statement of the invention

[0019] The present invention therefore aims to overcome the aforementioned drawbacks.

[0020] The objective of the invention is to improve wall feedthroughs so that they are resistant to high temperatures and pressures, i.e. above 800°C and 2 bars, as well as high voltages and high currents, while maintaining a small dimensional footprint and being simple to implement.

[0021] Another object of the invention is to be able to dismantle the wall crossing.

[0022] The subject of the invention is an assembly comprising a wall and a wall crossing system or wall pass-through configured to allow the passage of an electrical conductor through the wall and comprising an electrical conductor intended to be mounted in a first through hole of a wall.

[0023] The electrical conductor comprises a shoulder and a threaded portion, on the side opposite the shoulder.

[0024] Said wall crossing system comprises:

[0025] - a sealing member configured to insulate the electrical conductor from the wall and configured to allow the centering of the electrical conductor in the through hole of the wall, said sealing member being mounted between the shoulder of the electrical conductor and a first surface of the wall,

[0026] - a fixing member configured to fix the electrical conductor and the sealing member to the wall, and

[0027] - an insulating member at least partially surrounding the electrical conductor and axially supported between a second surface of the wall, opposite the first surface of the wall and the fixing member.

[0028] Thus, the wall crossing system is configured to allow the passage of said electrical conductor through a wall.

[0029] The sealing member prevents any contact between the electrical conductor and the wall.

[0030] Advantageously, the sealing member comprises at least a first support portion bearing axially against the first surface of the wall.

[0031] In other words, said first support portion is sandwiched between the shoulder of the electrical conductor and the wall.

[0032] Advantageously, the conductor comprises a body having an outside diameter smaller than the inside diameter of the through hole in the wall and mounted in a bore of the sealing member. Advantageously, the fixing member comprises in particular a body, for example cylindrical, provided with a tapping cooperating with a thread of a threaded zone of the electrical conductor.

[0033] Thus, the fixing member allows reversible fixing of the electrical conductor and the sealing member on the wall.

[0034] The electrical conductor may comprise, at at least one, or even each, of its free ends, a connection system configured to connect an additional electrical system, such as for example lugs, cables, conductive bars or other types of connectors.

[0035] Alternatively, the connection system could have a different shape, including, but not limited to, a flat and a through hole.

[0036] Advantageously, the electrical conductor has the form of a metal bar.

[0037] Advantageously, the electrical conductor is made of conductive material, for example metallic material. The electrical conductor is preferably made of copper or aluminum.

[0038] Advantageously, at least the sealing member and the insulating member are made of non-conductive material, such as for example ceramic material, or composite material or another insulating material.

[0039] Thus, the electrical conductor and the wall are electrically insulated from each other by means of the sealing member and the insulating member.

[0040] According to one embodiment, the sealing member comprises a second portion, for example cylindrical, with an external diameter less than the external diameter of the first portion and equal to the internal diameter of the through hole in the wall.

[0041] Thus, the second portion is inserted into the through hole in the wall and ensures satisfactory sealing.

[0042] Alternatively, it could be provided that the sealing member does not comprise a second portion extending into the hole in the wall.

[0043] According to one embodiment, the second portion of the sealing member extends axially beyond the through hole in the wall. In other words, the axial dimension of the second portion is greater than the thickness of the wall.

[0044] According to one embodiment, the internal diameter of the hole in the insulation member is less than the internal diameter of the hole in the wall, for example in order to leave a radial clearance between said insulation portion and the second portion of the sealing member.

[0045] According to one embodiment, the outer diameter of the body of the fixing member is greater than the inner diameter of the through hole in the wall.

[0046] For example, the outer diameter of the fastener is smaller than the inner diameter of the through hole in the wall.

[0047] For example, the fixing member has an outside diameter smaller than the inside diameter of the hole in the insulation member, the fixing member comprising a shoulder bearing on the insulation portion.

[0048] According to one embodiment, the insulation member and the fixing member are produced in the form of a single monolithic part.

[0049] In this embodiment, the entire fixing member can be made of non-conductive material.

[0050] For example, according to one variant, the insulating member has an outer diameter greater than the outer diameter of the body of the electrical conductor and comprises a hole with an inner diameter smaller than the outer diameter of said body.

[0051] According to one embodiment, the axial dimension of the second portion of the sealing member is less than the thickness of the wall and the internal diameter of the insulation portion is equal to the external diameter of the electrical conductor.

[0052] In the case where the axial dimension of the second portion of the sealing member is less than the thickness of the wall, it could be provided that the internal diameter of the insulation portion is equal to the external diameter of the electrical conductor.

[0053] According to one embodiment, in the case where the insulating member is separate from the fixing member, the fixing member is made of conductive material, for example of metallic material, such as for example stainless steel, steel, or titanium, or other metallic material.

[0054] According to one embodiment, the outer diameter of the fixing member is less than the inner diameter of the through hole in the wall.

[0055] Alternatively, the body of the fixing member has an outside diameter greater than the inside diameter of the hole in the insulation portion and the fixing member comprises a cylindrical interface with an outside diameter greater than the inside diameter of the hole in the insulation portion bearing axially on the insulation portion.

[0056] According to an alternative embodiment, the body of the fixing member has an outside diameter smaller than the inside diameter of the hole in the insulation portion, the fixing member comprising a shoulder with an outside diameter greater than the inside diameter of the hole in the insulation portion resting on the insulation portion.

[0057] According to another aspect, the invention relates to a vehicle comprising at least one energy accumulator comprising a confinement zone delimited by a confinement zone wall and a wall crossing system of the assembly as described previously.

[0058] Brief description of the drawings

[0059] Other aims, characteristics and advantages of the invention will appear on reading the following description, given solely by way of non-limiting example, and made with reference to the indexed drawings in which:

[0060] [Fig 1], is a perspective view of a wall-mounted wall-through system according to a first embodiment;

[0061] [Fig 2] is an exploded perspective view of the wall penetration system of Figure 1;

[0062] [Fig 3] is a sectional view of the wall penetration system of Figure 1;

[0063] [Fig 4] is a sectional view of a wall-mounted wall-through system according to a second embodiment; [Fig 5] is a sectional view of a wall-mounted wall-through system according to a third embodiment;

[0064] [Fig 6] is a sectional view of a wall-mounted wall-through system according to a fourth embodiment; and

[0065] [Fig 7] is a sectional view of a wall-mounted wall-through system according to a fifth embodiment.

[0066] Detailed description of at least one embodiment

[0067] With reference to the example illustrated in Figures 1 to 3, a wall crossing or wall pass-through system 10 is configured to allow the passage of an electrical conductor 12 through a wall 14.

[0068] The wall 14 is, for example, the wall of a containment zone of an electrical energy accumulator or battery capable of resisting an event characteristic of thermal runaway, such as fire, high temperature gas, or even an explosion.

[0069] The wall 14 comprises a through hole 14a into which the electrical conductor 12 of the wall crossing system 10 is inserted.

[0070] The electrical conductor 12 here has the shape of a metal bar called a “bus bar” in Anglo-Saxon terms.

[0071] As illustrated, the electrical conductor 12 comprises a cylindrical body 13 comprising at each of its free ends 13a, 13b, a connection system 15, 16, comprising, in a non-limiting manner, a flat 15a, 16a and a through hole 15b, 16b.

[0072] The connection system 15, 16 is configured to connect an additional electrical system (not shown), such as, for example, terminals, cables, busbars or other types of connectors. Alternatively, the connection system could have a different shape.

[0073] The electrical conductor 12 further comprises a shoulder 12a and a threaded portion 17, on the side opposite the shoulder 12a.

[0074] The outer diameter of the body 13 of the electrical conductor 12 is less than the inner diameter of the through hole 14a of the wall 14. The wall crossing system 10 further comprises a sealing member 18 configured to insulate the electrical conductor 12 from the wall 14.

[0075] As illustrated in the figures, the sealing member 18 comprises a bore 18a into which the body 13 of the electrical conductor 12 is inserted. The sealing member 18 is configured to allow the centering of the electrical conductor 12 in the through hole 14a of the wall 14 while avoiding any contact between said electrical conductor 12 and the wall 14.

[0076] The sealing member 18 comprises a first bearing portion 19 bearing axially against a first surface 14b of the wall 14. Said first bearing portion 19 is sandwiched between the shoulder 12a of the electrical conductor 12 and the wall 14.

[0077] In the example illustrated in Figures 1 to 3, the sealing member 18 comprises a second portion 20, cylindrical, with an outside diameter less than the outside diameter of the first portion 19 and equal to the inside diameter of the through hole 14a of the wall 14.

[0078] Thus, the second portion 20 is inserted into the through hole 14a of the wall 14 and ensures satisfactory sealing.

[0079] The second portion 20 extends, here, axially beyond the through hole of the wall 14. In other words, the axial dimension of the second portion 20 is greater than the thickness of the wall 14.

[0080] Alternatively, as can be seen in Figures 4 and 5, the second portion 20 of the sealing member does not extend axially beyond the through hole of the wall 14. In other words, the axial dimension of the second portion 20 is less than the thickness of the wall 14.

[0081] The wall crossing system 10 further comprises a fixing member 22 configured to fix the electrical conductor 12 and the sealing member 18 to the wall 14.

[0082] As illustrated in the figures, the fixing member 22 comprises a body 23, here cylindrical, provided with a thread 23a cooperating with the thread of the threaded zone 17 of the electrical conductor 12. Thus, the fixing member 22 allows reversible fixing of the electrical conductor 12 and of the sealing member 18 on the wall 14. In the example illustrated in Figures 1 to 3, the outside diameter of the body 23 of the fixing member 22 is greater than the inside diameter of the through hole 14a of the wall 14.

[0083] Alternatively, it could be provided that the outside diameter of the body 23 of the fixing member 22 is less than the inside diameter of the through hole 14a of the wall 14, as can be seen in Figures 4 to 6.

[0084] In the example illustrated in Figures 1 to 3, the fixing member 22 comprises an insulation portion 24 with an outside diameter greater than the outside diameter of the body 23 and comprising a hole 24a with an inside diameter less than the outside diameter of the body 23.

[0085] The insulation portion 24 bears axially against a second surface 14c of the wall 14, opposite the first surface 14b.

[0086] The inner diameter of the hole 24a of the insulation portion 24 is less than the inner diameter of the hole 14a of the wall 14 in order to allow radial clearance between said insulation portion 24 and the second portion 20 of the sealing member 18.

[0087] Alternatively, in the case where the axial dimension of the second portion 20 of the sealing member 18 is less than the thickness of the wall 14, it could be provided that the internal diameter of the insulation portion 24 is equal to the external diameter of the electrical conductor 12, as can be seen in Figures 4 and 5.

[0088] The electrical conductor 12 and the wall 14 are made of conductive material, for example metallic material.

[0089] The electrical conductor 12 is preferably made of copper or aluminum.

[0090] The wall is made, for example, of stainless steel, steel, titanium, or other metallic material.

[0091] The sealing member 18 and the fixing member 22 are made of non-conductive material, such as for example ceramic material, or composite material or another insulating material.

[0092] The electrical conductor 12 and the wall 14 are electrically insulated from each other by means of the sealing member 18 and the fixing member 22.

[0093] Figure 4 illustrates another embodiment, in which the same elements bear the same references and which differs from the embodiment illustrated in Figures 1 to 3 only by the fact that the axial dimension of the second portion 20 of the sealing member 18 is less than the thickness of the wall 14, and that the insulation portion 30 is a separate part from the fixing member 22. The internal diameter of the insulation portion 30 is equal to the external diameter of the electrical conductor 12.

[0094] As illustrated in Figure 4, the insulation portion 30 is an additional insulation member 30, in the form of an insulating washer, mounted between the body 23 of the fixing member 22 and the second surface 14c of the wall 14.

[0095] The insulating portion 30 is made of non-conductive material, such as for example ceramic material, or composite material or another insulating material.

[0096] Figure 5 illustrates another embodiment, in which the same elements bear the same references and which differs from the embodiment illustrated in Figure 4 only by the fact that the sealing member 18 does not comprise a second portion extending into the hole 14a of the wall 14.

[0097] Figure 6 illustrates another embodiment, in which the same elements bear the same references and which differs from the embodiment illustrated in Figures 1 to 3 only by the fact that the insulation portion 30 is a separate part from the fixing member 22. The internal diameter of the insulation portion 30 is greater than the internal diameter of the hole 14a in the wall 14.

[0098] As illustrated in Figure 6, the insulation portion 30 is an additional insulation member 30, in the form of an insulating washer, mounted between the body 23 of the fixing member 22 and the second surface 14c of the wall 14.

[0099] The insulating portion 30 is made of non-conductive material, such as for example ceramic material, or composite material or another insulating material.

[0100] As illustrated in FIG. 6, the body 23 of the fixing member 22 has an outside diameter smaller than the inside diameter of the hole 30a of the insulation portion 30. The fixing member 22 comprises a shoulder 22a with an outside diameter greater than the inside diameter of the hole 30a of the insulation portion 30 bearing on the insulation portion 30.

[0101] Figure 7 illustrates another embodiment, in which the same elements bear the same references and which differs from the embodiment illustrated in Figure 6 only by the fact that the body 23 of the fixing member 22 has an outside diameter greater than the inside diameter of the hole 30a of the insulation portion 30 and that the fixing member 22 comprises a cylindrical interface 22b with an outside diameter greater than the inside diameter of the hole 30a of the insulation portion 30 in axial support on the insulation portion 30.

[0102] In the example illustrated in Figures 4 to 7, the fixing member 22 is made of conductive material, for example of metallic material, such as for example stainless steel, steel, or titanium, or other metallic material.

[0103] The portion or second insulating member 30 makes it possible to insulate the fixing member 22 from the wall 14.

[0104] Thanks to the invention, the wall feed-through system is fixed in a removable manner to a wall, while allowing the electrical connector to be isolated from said wall. The wall feed-through system is configured to be resistant to high temperatures and pressures, i.e. greater than 800°C and 2 bars, as well as to high voltages and high currents, while maintaining a small dimensional footprint and being simple to implement.

Claims

CLAIMS 1. Assembly comprising a wall (14) and a wall-through system (10) configured to allow the passage of an electrical conductor (12) through the wall (14) and comprising an electrical conductor (12) intended to be mounted in a first hole (14a) passing through a wall (14), characterized in that the electrical conductor (12) comprises a shoulder (12a) and a threaded portion (17), on the side opposite the shoulder (12a), and in that said wall-through system (10) comprises: - a sealing member (18) configured to insulate the electrical conductor (12) from the wall (14) and configured to allow the centering of the electrical conductor (12) in the through hole (14a) of the wall (14), said sealing member (18) being mounted between the shoulder (12a) of the electrical conductor (12) and a first surface (14b) of the wall (14), - a fixing member (22) configured to fix the electrical conductor (12) and the sealing member (18) on the wall (14), and - an insulating member (24, 30) at least partially surrounding the electrical conductor (12) and axially supported between a second surface (14c) of the wall (14), opposite the first surface (14b) of the wall (14) and the fixing member (22).

2. Assembly according to claim 1, in which the sealing member (18) comprises at least a first bearing portion (19) bearing axially against the first surface (14b) of the wall (14).

3. Assembly according to claim 1 or 2, in which the conductor comprises a body (13) having an outside diameter smaller than the inside diameter of the through hole (14a) of the wall (14) and mounted in a bore (18a) of the sealing member (18).

4. Assembly according to claim 3, in which the fixing member (22) comprises a tapping (23a) cooperating with a thread of a threaded zone (17) of the electrical conductor (12).

5. An assembly according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the electrical conductor (12) comprises at least at least one of its free ends (13a, 13b), a connection system (15, 16) configured to connect an additional electrical system.

6. An assembly according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the electrical conductor (12) has the form of a metal bar.

7. Assembly according to any one of the preceding claims, in which the electrical conductor (12) is made of conductive material.

8. Assembly according to any one of the preceding claims, in which at least the sealing member (18) and the insulating member (24, 30) are made of non-conductive material.

9. Assembly according to any one of the preceding claims, in which the sealing member (18) comprises a second portion (20) with an external diameter less than the external diameter of the first portion (19) and equal to the internal diameter of the through hole (14a) of the wall (14).

10. An assembly according to claim 9, wherein the second portion (20) of the sealing member (18) extends axially beyond the through hole in the wall (14).

11. Assembly according to claim 9 or 10, in which the internal diameter of the hole (24a, 30a) of the insulating member (24, 30) is less than the internal diameter of the hole (14a) of the wall (14).

12. Assembly according to any one of claims 9 to 11, in which the outside diameter of the body (23) of the fixing member (22) is greater than the inside diameter of the through hole (14a) of the wall (14).

13. Assembly according to any one of claims 1 to 11, in which the outside diameter of the fixing member (22) is less than the inside diameter of the through hole (14a) of the wall (14).

14. Assembly according to claim 13, in which the fixing member (22) has an outside diameter smaller than the inside diameter of the hole (30a) of the insulation member (30), the fixing member (22) comprising a shoulder (22a) bearing on the insulation portion (30).

15. Assembly according to any one of the claims previous, in which the insulating member (24) and the fixing member (22) are produced in the form of a single monolithic part.

16. Assembly according to claim 9, in which the axial dimension of the second portion (20) of the sealing member (18) is less than the thickness of the wall (14), and the internal diameter of the insulation portion (30) is equal to the external diameter of the electrical conductor.

17. Assembly according to any one of claims 1 to 14 or 16, in which the fixing member (22) is made of conductive material.

18. Vehicle comprising at least one energy accumulator comprising a confinement zone delimited by a confinement zone wall (14) and a wall crossing system of the assembly of any one of the preceding claims.

Images