MODULE WITH A CONTAINMENT BOX FOR A MODULAR ELECTRIC BATTERY FOR AIRCRAFT AND MODULAR ELECTRIC BATTERY FOR AIRCRAFT

Abstract

The present invention relates to a modular electric battery (20) for an aircraft comprising several modules (10) for storing and supplying electrical energy arranged inside a housing (21), at least two electrical terminals (25) and a degassing system (24). Each module (10) comprises in particular a plurality of electrochemical cells (11) electrically connected to each other and arranged inside a containment box (12). Said degassing system (24) comprises a common outlet orifice (45) arranged in said housing (21) and degassing pipes (46) connecting said common outlet orifice (45) to a degassing orifice (41) arranged in said containment box (12) of each module (10) and provided with a first non-return device (42).In addition, said containment box (12) of each module (10) is configured such that flames inside said containment box (12) do not propagate outside said containment box (12). Abbreviated figure: figure 1.

Description

Title of the invention: Module with a containment box intended for a modular electric battery for aircraft and modular electric battery for aircraft

[0001] The present invention is in the field of devices for storing and supplying electrical energy intended in particular to equip aircraft.

[0002] The present invention relates to a module for storing and supplying electrical energy comprising a containment box and intended to be arranged in a modular electric battery for an aircraft as well as such a modular electric battery for an aircraft.

[0003] An electrical energy storage and supply system is for example composed of several electrochemical cells, generally identical, organized in series and in parallel in order to be able to deliver the required electrical voltage, maximum electrical power and quantity of electrical energy. Such an electrical energy storage and supply system can on the one hand supply electrical energy at a nominal electrical voltage and on the other hand receive electrical energy then allowing an electrical charge of this electrical energy storage and supply system. The term "rechargeable electric battery" or more simply "battery" is traditionally used to designate such an electrical energy storage and supply system.

[0004] The nominal electric voltage of a battery is defined by the product of the nominal electric voltage of a cell and the number of cells arranged in series, while the amount of electrical energy available in the battery is characterized by the electric capacity of the battery, which is equal to the product of the nominal electric capacity of a cell and the number of cells arranged in parallel.

[0005] Electrical energy storage and supply systems are used in the aeronautical field, in particular for supplying electrical equipment on board an aircraft on the ground, before starting the engines, for supplying electrical means, in particular for starting its engines, as well as for supplying equipment necessary for the flight of the aircraft and for its landing in the event of loss of normal on-board electrical generation. The increase in electronic flight assistance systems for aircraft in recent years has contributed to increasing the need for electrical energy and, consequently, the capacities of the electrical energy storage and supply systems equipping these aircraft.

[0006] In addition, the development of hybrid, or even fully electric, engines intended to equip certain aircraft also contributes to the increase in this need. in electrical energy and, consequently, the capacities of the electrical energy storage and supply systems equipping these aircraft.

[0007] As a result, the nickel-cadmium or lead technologies used today in the aeronautical field for electric batteries are beginning to be replaced by lithium technology, which has several advantages. First of all, the energy density of a battery using lithium technology is significantly higher than that of a battery using the other technologies mentioned. In fact, the mass of such a battery using lithium technology is lower than that of a battery using the other technologies mentioned, mass being an essential criterion in the aeronautical field.

[0008] In addition, a battery using lithium technology makes it easier to determine the state of charge of the battery as well as its state of aging.

[0009] On the other hand, a battery using lithium technology is much more sensitive to conditions of use, in particular to conditions of abusive use, for example overcharging, above its normal operating temperature, in an electrical short circuit, with an electrical under-discharge or with an electrical overvoltage. These demanding conditions of use can have significant consequences on the behavior of one or more electrochemical cells making up the battery, such as the appearance of internal defects, or even the destruction of these electrochemical cells.

[0010] In particular, a phenomenon of degassing of high-temperature fluids of the order of 200 to 1000 degrees Celsius (200 to 1000°C) and flammable fluids can take place within an electrochemical cell. A phenomenon of thermal runaway of an electrochemical cell can also occur, accompanied by sparks, or even flames, appearing in this electrochemical cell. These phenomena can then propagate on the one hand to the other electrochemical cells making up the battery and on the other hand outside the battery, causing the destruction of the battery as well as significant risks for the systems located near the battery and for the people on board the aircraft. These phenomena of degassing and thermal runaway generally remain transient, lasting from a few minutes to about fifteen minutes.

[0011] To mitigate or limit the effects of these phenomena which can be destructive, several solutions have been implemented on batteries using lithium technology.

[0012] For example, the propagation of these phenomena of degassing and thermal runaway from an electrochemical cell to the other electrochemical cells of the same battery can be limited according to the internal organization of these electrochemical cells, and in particular by the use of insulation materials resistant to high temperatures and flames, or at least limiting their propagation. Such thermal insulation between electrochemical cells can be done, for example, by metallic or non-metallic materials based on silica or cork. Document US 9806310 describes, for example, a solution for thermal insulation of electrochemical cells.

[0013] A battery may also comprise heat dissipation devices for dissipating the heat generated by one or more electrochemical cells in order to limit the increase in their temperatures during their operation. These heat dissipation devices may be active, for example a forced ventilation system, or passive, namely without energy consumption. Document FR 3026565 is known, which describes a modular electric battery comprising a passive thermal protection and regulation device.

[0014] A battery may also comprise several sensors for monitoring the electrical voltage and the electrical current supplied by an electrochemical cell as well as its temperature, and a monitoring and protection system using the information supplied by these monitoring sensors in order to monitor the operation of the electrochemical cells of the battery and to ensure their protection as much as possible.

[0015] A battery may also include a balancing system for balancing the electrical voltages of the electrochemical cells of the battery in order to prevent one or more of them from being stressed more, which could lead to an increase in its temperature and, consequently, a phenomenon of degassing and thermal runaway.

[0016] A battery finally comprises a housing comprising at least the electrochemical cells and making it possible to limit the propagation of degassing and thermal runaway phenomena inside this housing and to prevent their propagation outside the housing. The housing thus ensures the confinement of the electrochemical cells, being for this purpose sealed and having suitable mechanical and thermal resistance.

[0017] This housing may also include a gas evacuation system in the event of the occurrence of a degassing or thermal runaway phenomenon in order to evacuate the hot gases present inside the housing to the outside of the battery. When the battery is fitted to an aircraft, this evacuation of gases must be done to the outside of the aircraft following the recommendations of the “DO311A” standard. This gas evacuation system may include a sealed wall that tears following the increase in pressure inside the housing, as described in document US 9806310.

[0018] Regulatory requirements in the aeronautical field take these into account various risks through specific requirements and standards have recently been updated in compliance with these regulatory requirements. These standards require in particular that the appearance of internal defects on one or more electrochemical cells does not have any harmful consequences outside the battery regardless of the precautions taken in the battery monitoring and protection systems.

[0019] These regulatory requirements imply that the risks associated with the use of lithium technology must be considered in the design of the battery and in its installation in the aircraft. In particular, the battery casing which ensures the containment of internal defects likely to affect one or more electrochemical cells of the battery and their consequences is designed and developed specifically for each new battery definition.

[0020] In fact, the consequences of the appearance of an internal defect on one or more electrochemical cells of a new battery must be analyzed and tested in order to validate compliance within the framework of the qualification and certification of this battery according to the regulatory requirements of the aeronautical field. This has the consequence of making the design and certification of batteries using lithium technology complex and costly.

[0021] The present invention then relates to a modular electric battery making it possible to overcome the limitations mentioned above, in particular by limiting the propagation of an internal defect of an electrochemical cell to a limited number of electrochemical cells of this modular electric battery while avoiding any propagation outside this modular electric battery and maintaining the supply of electrical energy.

[0022] The present invention also relates to modules for storing and supplying electrical energy comprising a containment box containing a plurality of electrochemical cells and intended to be assembled to form such a modular electric battery. In this way, an internal defect in an electrochemical cell of a module can propagate to the other electrochemical cells of this module, but not to the other modules of the modular battery, the modular battery remaining operational and capable of supplying electrical energy, the electrical capacity of the modular battery then being reduced compared to its nominal electrical capacity.

[0023] An object according to the present invention is a module for storing and supplying electrical energy intended for a modular electric battery, the module comprising: - a containment box, - a plurality of electrochemical cells electrically connected to each other and arranged inside the containment box, - at least two electrical terminals connected to the electrochemical cells and leaving the containment chamber, - electrochemical cell monitoring sensors, and - a degassing device.

[0024] The electrical energy storage and supply module according to the invention is remarkable in that the degassing device comprises a degassing orifice arranged in the containment box and configured so as to allow an outlet of gas or air from the containment box through the degassing orifice, the containment box being configured so that flames inside the containment box do not propagate outside the containment box. The degassing device thus allows the evacuation of gases located in the containment box.

[0025] The electrochemical cells are electrically connected to each other and arranged in series and / or in parallel inside the containment box so that the electrical energy storage and supply module is capable of delivering the required electrical voltage and electrical capacity.

[0026] Preferably, the degassing device of the electrical energy storage and supply module according to the invention comprises a first non-return device positioned at the degassing orifice and configured so as to allow an exit of gas or air from the containment box through the degassing orifice and to prevent an entry of air or gas into the containment box through the degassing orifice.

[0027] In this way, the degassing device advantageously ensures the evacuation of the gases located in the containment box and exerting sufficient pressure to act on the first non-return device formed for example by a non-return valve positioned in the degassing orifice. The calibration force of this first non-return device does not need to be significant, the function of this first non-return device being solely to prevent a fluid external to the containment box of the module from entering this containment box.

[0028] This electrical energy storage and supply module is intended to be associated with other electrical energy storage and supply modules according to the invention in order to form a modular electric battery intended to equip an aircraft.

[0029] Such a modular electric battery for aircraft comprises: - a housing, - at least one electrical energy storage and supply module arranged inside the housing, - at least two electrical terminals connected to this at least one electrical energy storage and supply module and exiting the housing, and - a degassing system.

[0030] The degassing system comprises at least one outlet orifice arranged in the housing and at least one degassing pipe connecting an outlet of the degassing system to the degassing port of at least one electrical energy storage and supply module. In this way, the degassing system of the modular battery ensures the evacuation of gases likely to leave the containment box of this at least one module via its degassing port from the housing of the modular battery. In addition, when the modular battery equips an aircraft, the outlet of the degassing system is connected by an aircraft evacuation pipe to the outside of the aircraft fuselage so that the gases coming from a module are evacuated outside the aircraft.

[0031] The degassing system may comprise as many outlet orifice(s) as the modular electric battery comprises electrical energy storage and supply module(s) and at least one third non-return device positioned at each outlet orifice. A degassing orifice of a module is then connected to a single outlet orifice of the degassing system. The degassing system also comprises as many third non-return devices as outlet orifice(s), each third non-return device being configured so as to allow an outlet of gas or air from the containment box of a module through the degassing orifice and the outlet orifice and to prevent an entry of air or gas into the containment box of this module through the outlet orifice and the degassing orifice.

[0032] When the degassing device of this at least one electrical energy storage and supply module that the modular electric battery comprises is provided with a first non-return device positioned at the degassing orifice, the degassing system comprises a single common outlet orifice arranged in the housing and at least one degassing pipe connecting the common outlet orifice to the degassing orifice of the at least one electrical energy storage and supply module. In this way, the degassing system of the modular battery ensures the evacuation of gases likely to leave the containment box of the at least one module via its degassing orifice from the housing of the modular battery.

[0033] Furthermore, the presence of the first non-return device at the degassing orifice of the containment box of the at least one module advantageously prevents a hot gas discharged from a module from entering another module of the modular battery and causing damage or leading to thermal runaway of one or more electrochemical cells of this module. Furthermore, when the modular battery equips an aircraft, the common outlet orifice of the degassing system is connected by an aircraft discharge pipe to the outside of the aircraft fuselage so that the gases coming from a module are discharged to the outside of the aircraft.

[0034] The confinement box of the at least one module ensures the confinement of the cells electrochemical cells thereby preventing sparks or flames from spreading outside this containment box and in particular to another module that the battery may contain as well as to the other components of the battery. For this purpose, the containment box of the at least one module is sealed, with the exception of the degassing orifice, and has mechanical and thermal properties suitable for achieving this containment. Furthermore, the module may comprise at least one thermal insulation device arranged in the containment box in order to limit heating generated outside the module during degassing or thermal runaway of one or more electrochemical cells of the module. A thermal insulation device is for example formed by a film composed of glass fibers and / or carbon fiber and ceramic composites.

[0035] In this way, degassing or thermal runaway of one or more electrochemical cells of a module of such a modular battery advantageously does not propagate to one or more other modules of the modular battery. Any heating is thus confined inside the containment box of a module allowing the immediate environment of this module to be insensitive to the internal defects of this module. The at least one degassing pipe of the degassing system of the modular battery must be adapted to withstand the high temperatures of the gases likely to be evacuated from a module.

[0036] Furthermore, when the modular battery comprises at least two modules, its architecture makes it possible to isolate a faulty module and advantageously keep the modular battery operational to provide electrical energy via at least one other module.

[0037] Such a modular battery composed of at least one module for storing and supplying electrical energy as previously described also makes it possible to limit its development and certification costs. Indeed, each new modular battery can be composed of a number of modules corresponding to the electrical voltage, the electrical power and the electrical capacity required for this new modular battery. Therefore, once a module is developed and validated, a battery comprising one or more of these modules can be developed quickly and at a limited cost.

[0038] Similarly, the compliance and certification of an electrical energy storage and supply module with respect to regulatory requirements in the aeronautical field are sufficient to guarantee the compliance and certification with respect to these regulatory requirements of a modular battery comprising one or more modules. Indeed, it is the module itself which guarantees the non-propagation of thermal runaway and degassing of an electrochemical cell outside a module in accordance with the regulatory requirements and not the modular battery. Consequently, compliance and certification with respect to regulatory requirements in the aeronautical field of a modular battery comprising one or more electrical energy storage and supply modules are acquired by the compliance and certification of the electrical energy storage and supply module and therefore do not require additional testing or additional expenses.

[0039] Furthermore, a module comprises various monitoring sensors in order to monitor the operation of the electrochemical cells and possibly anticipate the occurrence of a fault, such as degassing or thermal runaway. These monitoring sensors measure in particular the electrical voltage and the electrical current supplied by each electrochemical cell of the module as well as its temperature.

[0040] The electrical energy storage and supply module according to the invention may comprise a device for monitoring and managing the electrochemical cells arranged in the containment box and connected to the monitoring sensors. This monitoring and management device then uses the information provided by these monitoring sensors in order in particular to monitor the operation of the electrochemical cells of this module and to ensure their protection. Indeed, this monitoring and management device can cut off the supply of electrical energy by this module so as to limit, or even avoid, the risk of thermal runaway or degassing of one or more electrochemical cells. This monitoring and management device can also make it possible to balance the electrical voltages of the electrochemical cells of this module.In this way, the module is advantageously autonomous for the management and monitoring of the operation of its electrochemical cells.

[0041] A modular battery may also comprise a system for monitoring and managing the at least one module that it comprises and / or the electrochemical cells of this at least one module. In this case, this at least one module may not comprise a monitoring and management device, the monitoring and management system of the modular battery using the information provided by the monitoring sensors of this at least one module in order to monitor the operation of the electrochemical cells and ensure their protection. This monitoring and management system can then cut off the supply of electrical energy by a module so as to limit, or even avoid, the risk of thermal runaway or degassing of one or more of its electrochemical cells of this module and also balance the electrical voltages of the electrochemical cells of this at least one module.

[0042] Furthermore, an electrical energy storage and supply module according to the invention may comprise a charging and discharging device arranged in the confinement box and connected to the electrochemical cells. This charging device and discharge allows on the one hand to manage the electrical discharge of the electrochemical cells of this module when supplying electrical energy and on the other hand to manage the electrical charge of its electrochemical cells when the module receives electrical energy.

[0043] However, a modular battery may also comprise a charging and discharging system arranged in the housing of the modular battery and connected to each module that the modular battery comprises. This charging and discharging system makes it possible, in place of the charging and discharging device of each module, to manage the electrical discharging and charging of its electrochemical cells.

[0044] The electrical energy storage and supply module according to the invention may also comprise a heater arranged in the containment box. This heater makes it possible, when the internal temperature of the module is low, to heat the module and in particular the electrochemical cells to improve their operation and efficiency. In addition, when the module comprises a thermal insulation device arranged in the containment box as mentioned above, the temperature rise of the electrochemical cells is advantageously very rapid.

[0045] The module may also include a ventilation device for cooling the interior of the confinement box and in particular the electrochemical cells of this module. This ventilation device has an air inlet orifice arranged in the confinement box and a second check valve positioned at the level of the air inlet orifice and configured to allow air to enter the confinement box through the air inlet orifice and to prevent air or gas from exiting the confinement box through the air inlet orifice.

[0046] The ventilation device can thus allow air to circulate in the containment box and, consequently, cooling of the electrochemical cells of this module in order to advantageously limit or delay thermal runaway or degassing of one or more electrochemical cells and, consequently, improve the service life of the electrochemical cells. Outside air can in fact enter the containment box by exerting sufficient pressure on the second non-return device, formed for example by a non-return valve positioned in the air inlet orifice, then this air can, after having cooled the electrochemical cells, exit the containment box through the degassing orifice.

[0047] The calibration force of this second non-return device does not need to be significant, the function of this second non-return device being solely to prevent a fluid inside the containment box of the module from leaving the containment box through the air inlet orifice.

[0048] This ventilation device of a module preferably cooperates with a system of ventilation system included in the modular battery. This ventilation system is equipped with a common inlet port arranged in the housing and a ventilation duct connecting the common inlet port to the air inlet port of each module of the modular battery. In this way, the air circulating in a module is drawn from outside the modular battery.

[0049] In addition, the ventilation system may comprise at least one air drive device, such as a fan, for forcing air circulation in the at least one ventilation duct, the air circulation going from the common inlet orifice to the air inlet orifice of the at least one module. This air drive device advantageously makes it possible to ensure forced ventilation in the containment box of each module of the modular battery.

[0050] This ventilation device of a module can be replaced or supplemented by any other device, passive or active, for cooling the electrochemical cells.

[0051] Furthermore, the modular electric battery may comprise at least one protective barrier arranged between the degassing system and the at least one module. This protective barrier essentially provides thermal protection in order to limit heating of the at least one module during degassing of a module of the battery, hot gases then circulating in the degassing system of the battery. A protective barrier is for example formed by metal walls or walls composed of glass fibers and / or carbon fiber and ceramic composites.

[0052] Furthermore, when the modular electric battery comprises at least two modules, the modular electric battery may also comprise at least one thermal insulation barrier arranged between two modules in order to provide thermal protection between these two modules so that heating of one module does not propagate, or at least in a limited manner, to another module. Such a thermal insulation barrier is for example formed by metal walls or walls composed of glass fibers and / or carbon and ceramic fiber composites.

[0053] The invention and its advantages will appear in more detail in the context of the description which follows with examples given for illustrative purposes with reference to the appended figures which represent: - figures 1 to 3, three embodiments of a modular electric battery.

[0054] Elements present in several distinct figures are assigned a single reference.

[0055] The three embodiments of a modular electric battery 20 shown in FIGS. 1 to 3 are intended to equip an aircraft and commonly comprise a housing 21, a control unit 22, two electrical terminals 25 emerging from the housing 21, at least two modules 10 for storing and supplying electrical energy and a degassing system 24. The control unit 22, the at least two modules 10 and the degassing system 24 are arranged inside the housing 21. Wired electrical connections 26 make it possible to electrically connect on the one hand the control unit 22 to the electrical terminals 25 of the modular electric battery 20 and on the other hand the control unit 22 to electrical terminals 15 of each module 10.

[0056] A first embodiment of a modular battery 20 shown in [Fig. 1] comprises two identical modules 10 while a second embodiment and a third embodiment of a modular battery 20 shown respectively in [Fig.2] and [Fig.3] comprise three identical modules 10.However, according to another embodiment, a modular battery 20 may comprise a single module 10 or more than three modules 10, depending on the electrical characteristics, namely the nominal electrical voltage, the maximum electrical power and the electrical capacity, that each module 10 must provide and the electrical characteristics required for the modular battery 20.

[0057] For example, each module 10 can deliver a nominal electrical voltage of 28 Volts (28V) and an electrical capacity of 15 Ampere-hours (15Ah). Consequently, the modular battery 20 according to the first embodiment can deliver a nominal electrical voltage of 28V and an electrical capacity of 30Ah while the modular battery 20 according to the second or third embodiment can deliver a nominal electrical voltage of 28V and an electrical capacity of 45Ah.

[0058] The degassing system 24 of the modular battery 20 comprises, for the first and second embodiments, a common outlet orifice 45 arranged in the housing 21 and degassing pipes 46 respectively connecting the common outlet orifice 45 to a degassing orifice 41 of a module 10. When the modular battery 20 is installed in an aircraft, the common outlet orifice 45 is connected via an evacuation pipe to the outside of the aircraft.

[0059] For the third embodiment, the degassing system 24 of the modular battery 20 comprises as many outlet orifices 43 as the modular electric battery 20 comprises modules 10, namely three outlet orifices 43, as well as three degassing pipes 46 respectively connecting an outlet orifice 43 to a degassing orifice 41 of a module 10. When the modular battery 20 is installed in an aircraft, the outlet orifices 43 are connected via an evacuation pipe to the outside of the aircraft.

[0060] For the first embodiment of the modular battery 20, each module 10 comprises a containment box 12, a plurality of electrochemical cells 11 electrically connected to each other and arranged inside the containment box 12, two electrical terminals 15 connected to the electrochemical cells 11 and exiting the containment box 12, monitoring sensors 19 of the electrochemical cells 11 and a degassing device 14.

[0061] The electrochemical cells 11 are identical and electrically connected to each other in parallel and in series so that the module 10 can deliver the required nominal electrical voltage, maximum electrical power and electrical capacity. Each module 10 comprises three series arranged in parallel of four electrochemical cells 11 connected in series.

[0062] In the event of operation under demanding, or even abusive, conditions, such as an overload, an electrical overvoltage or operation at high temperatures or even in the event of an electrical short circuit, internal damage to one or more electrochemical cells 11 may occur, with possible consequences for these electrochemical cells 11, phenomena of degassing or thermal runaway possibly accompanied by sparks or flames.

[0063] The module 10 is designed to resist such degradation of one or more electrochemical cells 11 and to prevent any propagation of this degradation to elements external to this module 10, namely in particular the other module 10 and the control unit 22 of the modular battery 20, as well as to any element or equipment external to the modular battery 20.

[0064] First of all, the containment box 12 is configured so that flames appearing inside the containment box 12, in particular following a thermal runaway of one or more electrochemical cells 11, do not propagate outside the containment box 12. For this purpose, the containment box 12 is sealed, with the exception of the degassing orifice 41, and has mechanical and thermal properties suitable for achieving this containment. Consequently, these flames have no effect on the other elements of the modular battery 20.

[0065] Then, the degassing device 14 comprises a degassing orifice 41 and a first non-return device 42. The degassing orifice 41 is arranged in the containment box 12 and the first non-return device 42 is for example a non-return valve, positioned at the level of the degassing orifice 4L.

[0066] The degassing orifice 41 of each module 10 is connected to a degassing pipe 46 of the degassing system 24 of the modular battery 20 so that in the event of an increase in the pressure inside the containment box 12, following in particular a degassing phenomenon or thermal runaway of one or more electrochemical cells 11, the gases are evacuated through the degassing orifice 41 outside the containment box 12, then outside the modular battery 20. via a degassing pipe 46 and the common outlet orifice 45.

[0067] In addition, the first non-return device 42 makes it possible to prevent an entry of air or gas via the degassing orifice 41 into the containment box 12 of a module 10, in particular in the event of a release of gas by the other module 10 of the modular battery 20.

[0068] The combined presence of the containment box 12 and the degassing device 14 of each module 10 and the degassing system 24 of the modular battery 20 advantageously makes it possible to make any element of the modular battery 20 external to a module 10 insensitive to any degradation of this module 10. In addition, the aircraft evacuation pipe connected to the common outlet orifice 45 of the modular battery 20 also makes it possible for any element or equipment of the aircraft external to the modular battery 20 to be insensitive to such degradation of this module 10.

[0069] Furthermore, the monitoring sensors 19 of each module 10 make it possible to measure in particular the electrical voltage and the electrical current supplied by each electrochemical cell 11 of the module 10 as well as its temperature in order to monitor the operation of the electrochemical cells 11 and possibly to anticipate the appearance of a fault or degradation.

[0070] In order to use the information provided by these monitoring sensors 19, the control unit 22 of the modular battery 20 comprises a monitoring and management system 28 capable of monitoring the operation of the electrochemical cells 11 of each module 10 and ensuring their protection. This monitoring and management system 28 can in particular cut off the supply of electrical energy by a module 10 so as to limit, or even avoid, the risk of damage occurring on one or more of its electrochemical cells 11. In addition, this monitoring and management system 28 also makes it possible to balance the electrical voltages of the electrochemical cells 11 of each module 10.

[0071] In addition, the control unit 22 of the modular battery also comprises a charging and discharging system 23. This charging and discharging system 23 is connected to each module 10 and makes it possible to manage the electrical discharging and charging of the electrochemical cells 11 of each module 10.

[0072] For the second embodiment of the modular battery 20, each module 10 comprises, as for the first embodiment, a containment box 12, a plurality of electrochemical cells 11 electrically connected to each other and arranged inside the containment box 12, two electrical terminals 15 connected to the electrochemical cells 11 and exiting the containment box 12, monitoring sensors 19 of the electrochemical cells 11 and a degassing device 14. Each module 10 also comprises a charging and discharging device 13, two additional electrical terminals 15', a heater 16, a ventilation device 17, a thermal insulation device 1 and a monitoring and management device 18 of the electrochemical cells 11.

[0073] The degassing device 14 of this second embodiment is similar to the degassing device 14 of the first embodiment. This degassing device 14 advantageously makes it possible, with the containment box 12, to make any element of the modular battery 20 external to a module 10 insensitive to any degradation of this module 10 and of one or more of its electrochemical cells 11 by confining, on the one hand, thermal runaway or flames inside the containment box 12 and, on the other hand, evacuating the gases that may be generated inside the containment box 12 to the outside of the modular battery 20. In addition, the aircraft evacuation pipe connected to the common outlet orifice 45 of the modular battery 20 also makes it possible to evacuate these gases to the outside of the aircraft.

[0074] The monitoring and management device 18 of each module 10 is arranged in the containment box 12 of this module 10 and is connected to the monitoring sensors 19 of this module 10. This monitoring and management device 18 uses the information provided by these monitoring sensors 19 and monitors the operation of the electrochemical cells 11 of this module 10 in order to ensure their protection. For this purpose, this monitoring and management device 18 can cut off the supply of electrical energy by this module 10 if a risk of thermal runaway or degassing is identified using this information. This monitoring and management device 18 also makes it possible to balance the electrical voltages of the electrochemical cells 11 of this module 10.

[0075] The thermal insulation device 1 of each module 10 is arranged in the containment box 12 of this module 10 in order to thermally insulate the containment box and thus limit the heating generated outside the module 10 during degassing or thermal runaway of one or more electrochemical cells 11 of this module 10.

[0076] The charging and discharging device 13 of each module 10 is arranged in the containment box 12 of this module 10 and is connected on the one hand to the electrochemical cells 11 and on the other hand to the two additional electrical terminals 15' of this module 10. These two additional electrical terminals 15' are also connected to the control unit 22 of the modular battery 20 so that the charging and discharging device 13 can manage in particular the electrical charging of the electrochemical cells 11 when the modular battery 20 receives electrical energy.

[0077] The electrical discharge of the electrochemical cells 11 of this module 10 is carried out by the two electrical terminals 15 of the module 10 when supplying electrical energy. The control unit 22 of the modular battery 20 makes it possible to electrically connect on the one hand the two electrical terminals 15 of each module 10 to the electrical terminals 25 of the modular battery 20 when the modular battery 20 supplies electrical energy and on the other hand the two additional electrical terminals 15' of each module 10 to the electrical terminals 25 of the modular battery 20 when the modular battery 20 receives electrical energy.

[0078] The heater 16 of each module 10 is arranged in the containment box 12 of this module 10 and is connected to the electrical terminals 15 of the module 10. This heater 16 thus makes it possible to heat the interior of the containment box 12 of this module 10 and in particular the electrochemical cells 11 when this proves necessary.

[0079] The ventilation device 17 of each module 10 comprises an air inlet orifice 71 arranged in the containment box 12 of this module 10 and a second non-return device 72, for example a non-return valve, positioned at the air inlet orifice 71. This ventilation device 17 of each module 10 cooperates with a ventilation system 27 that the modular battery 20 comprises according to this second embodiment. This ventilation system 27 comprises a common inlet orifice 75 arranged in the housing 21 of the modular battery 20, ventilation ducts 76 connecting the common inlet orifice 75 to the air inlet orifice 71 of each module 10 and an air drive device 77, for example a fan.

[0080] This air drive device 77 allows air to circulate between the common inlet orifice 75 and the air inlet orifice 71 of each module 10 via the ventilation ducts 76. In this way, the air coming from outside the modular battery 20 can enter the containment box 12 of each module 10, cool the interior of the containment box 12 and in particular the electrochemical cells 11 located therein, then exit the module 10 via the degassing orifice 41 in order to be evacuated outside the modular battery 20 by the degassing system 24.

[0081] Furthermore, the second non-return device 72 prevents gases from being evacuated from the containment box 12 through the air inlet orifice 71.

[0082] The modular battery 20 according to this second embodiment also comprises a protective barrier 29 arranged between the degassing system 24 and each module 10. This protective barrier 29 is for example formed by a plate and makes it possible to limit the heating of each module 10 during degassing of a module 10, hot gases then circulating in the degassing pipes 46 of this degassing system 24.

[0083] The modular battery 20 according to the third embodiment is close to the modular battery 20 according to the second embodiment, the differences between them being located on the one hand at the level of the degassing device 14 of each module 10 and of the degassing system 24 of the modular battery 20 and on the other hand at the level of thermal insulation between modules 10.

[0084] The degassing device 14 of each module 10 of the modular battery 20 according to the third embodiment comprises only one degassing orifice 41 arranged in the containment box 12, but no first non-return device 42. The degassing system 24 of the modular battery 20 comprises, as previously mentioned, three outlet orifices 43 arranged in the housing 21 and three degassing conduits 46 respectively connecting an outlet orifice 43 to a degassing orifice 41 of a module 10 as well as three third non-return devices 44 positioned respectively at an outlet orifice 43.Each non-return device 44 is configured so as to allow an exit of gas or air from the containment box 12 of a module 10 through the degassing orifice 41 of this module 10 and through an outlet orifice 43 of the modular battery 20 and to prevent an entry of air or gas into the containment box 12 of this module 10 through this outlet orifice 43 and this degassing orifice 4L.

[0085] This modular battery 20 according to the third embodiment finally comprises two thermal insulation barriers 30 positioned respectively between two modules 10 and replacing the thermal insulation device 1 that each module 10 comprises in order to limit, or even prevent, heating of a module 10 from spreading to another module 10.

[0086] However, such a thermal insulation barrier 30 can be used within a modular electric battery 20 simultaneously and in addition to a thermal insulation device 1 present in each module 10 of this modular electric battery 20.

[0087] Naturally, the present invention is subject to numerous variations as to its implementation. Although several embodiments have been described, it is understood that it is not conceivable to exhaustively identify all possible modes. It is of course conceivable to replace a means described by an equivalent means without departing from the scope of the present invention.

Claims

Claims

1. Modular electric battery (20) for aircraft comprising: - a housing (21), - at least one module (10) for storing and supplying electrical energy arranged inside said housing (21), said at least one module (10) comprising: • a containment box (12) configured so that flames inside said containment box (12) do not propagate outside said containment box (12), • a plurality of electrochemical cells (11) electrically connected to each other and arranged inside said confinement box (12), • at least two electrical terminals (15) connected to said electrochemical cells (11) and exiting said containment box (12), • monitoring sensors (19) of said electrochemical cells (11), and • a degassing device (14) comprising a degassing orifice (41) arranged in said containment box (12) and configured so as to allow an outlet of gas or air from said containment box (12) through said degassing orifice (41), - at least two electrical terminals (25) connected to said at least a module (10) and emerging from said housing (21), and - a degassing system (24), characterized in that said degassing system (24) comprises at least one outlet orifice (43) arranged in said housing (21), at least one third non-return device (44) positioned at said at least one outlet orifice (43) and at least one degassing pipe (46) connecting an outlet orifice (43) to said degassing orifice (41) of said at least one module (10), a degassing orifice (41) of a module (10) being connected to a single outlet orifice (43), said at least one third non-return device (44) being configured so as to allow an outlet of gas or air from said containment box (12) of at least one module (10) through said degassing orifice (41) and said outlet orifice (43) and to prevent an entry of air or gas into said containment box (12) of at least one module (10) through said outlet orifice (43) and said degassing orifice (41).

2. Modular electric battery (20) for aircraft comprising: a box (21), at least one module (10) for storing and supplying electrical energy arranged inside said housing (21), said module (10) comprising: • a containment box (12) configured so that flames inside said containment box (12) do not propagate outside said containment box (12), • a plurality of electrochemical cells (11) electrically connected to each other and arranged inside said confinement box (12), • at least two electrical terminals (15) connected to said electrochemical cells (11) and exiting said containment box (12), • monitoring sensors (19) of said electrochemical cells (11), and • a degassing device (14) comprising a degassing orifice (41) arranged in said containment box (12) and configured so as to allow an outlet of gas or air from said containment box (12) through said degassing orifice (41), at least two electrical terminals (25) connected to said at least one module (10) and exiting from said housing (21), and a degassing system (24), characterized in that said degassing system (24) comprises a common outlet orifice (45) arranged in said housing (21) and at least one degassing pipe (46) connecting said common outlet orifice (45) to said degassing orifice (41) of said at least one module (10) and said degassing device (14) of said at least one module (10) comprises a first non-return device (42) positioned at said degassing orifice (41) of said at least one module (10), said first non-return device (42) being configured so as to allow an exit of gas or air from said containment box (12) of said at least one module (10) through said degassing orifice (41) and to prevent an entry of air or gas into said containment box (12) of said at least one module (10) through said degassing orifice (41).

3. Modular electric battery (20) according to any one of claims 1 to 2, characterized in that said at least one module (10) comprises a charging and discharging device (13) arranged in said containment box (12) and connected to said electrochemical cells (11).

4. Modular electric battery (20) according to any one of claims 1 to 3, characterized in that said at least one module (10) comprises a heater (16) arranged in said containment box (12).

5. Modular electric battery (20) according to any one of claims 1 to 4, characterized in that said at least one module (10) comprises a ventilation device (17) provided with an air inlet orifice (71) arranged in said containment box (12) and a second non-return device (72) positioned at said air inlet orifice (71) and configured so as to allow air to enter said containment box (12) through said air inlet orifice (71) and to prevent air or gas from leaving said containment box (12) through said air inlet orifice (71).

6. Modular electric battery (20) according to any one of claims 1 to 5, characterized in that said at least one module (10) comprises a device (18) for monitoring and managing said electrochemical cells (11) arranged in said containment box (12) and connected to said monitoring sensors (19).

7. Modular electric battery (20) according to any one of claims 1 to 6, characterized in that said at least one module (10) comprises at least one thermal insulation device (1) arranged in said containment box (12).

8. Modular electric battery (20) according to any one of claims 1 to 7, characterized in that said modular electric battery (20) comprises at least one protective barrier (29) arranged between said degassing system (24) and said at least one module (10).

9. Modular electric battery (20) according to any one of claims 1 to 8, characterized in that, when said modular electric battery (20) comprises at least two modules (10), said modular electric battery (20) comprises at least one thermal insulation barrier (30) arranged between two modules (10).

10. Modular electric battery (20) according to any one of claims 1 to 9, characterized in that, when said at least one module (10) comprises a ventilation device (17), said modular electric battery (20) comprises a ventilation system (27) provided with a common inlet orifice (75) arranged in said housing (21) and a ventilation duct (76) connecting said common inlet orifice (75) to said air inlet orifice (71) of said at least one module (10).

11. Modular electric battery (20) according to claim 10, characterized in that said ventilation system (27) comprises at least one air drive device (77) for forcing air circulation in said at least one ventilation duct (76), said air circulation going from said common inlet orifice (75) to said air inlet orifice (71) of said at least one module (10).

12. Modular electric battery (20) according to any one of claims 1 to 11, characterized in that said modular electric battery (20) comprises a monitoring and management system (28) for said at least one module (10) and / or said electrochemical cells (11) of said at least one module (10). "Module with a containment box intended for a modular electric battery for aircraft and modular electric battery for aircraft"

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