Thermal runaway control system for an electrical storage device, particularly for vehicles

Abstract

Thermal Runaway Control System for an Electrical Storage Device, Particularly for Vehicles. The invention relates to a thermal runaway control system (100, 200) for an electrical storage device (1), particularly for vehicles, for example automobiles, comprising a housing (2) configured to receive the electrical storage device (1) within a first compartment (3) of the housing (2), characterized in that the thermal runaway control system (100, 200) comprises a reservoir (4) containing a thermal runaway control substance and in that the reservoir (4) is disposed outside the first compartment (3). [Figure 1]

Description

Title of the invention: Thermal runaway control system for an electrical storage device, particularly for vehicles. Technical field

[0001] The present invention relates to the field of thermodynamics and more specifically concerns a thermal regulation system for a vehicle, in particular an automobile, of an electrical storage device. Previous technique

[0002] An electrical storage device presents a risk of thermal runaway, which can lead to a fire. To reduce the spread of fire to all the cells in a battery pack, it is known to compartmentalize the cells into different sections, each block of cells being separated from another block by a fire-resistant wall, generally made of a flame-retardant material. These walls allow the fire to be contained to only a portion of the electrical cells. However, these fire-resistant walls take up space in the battery pack and thus reduce the battery's energy density. These fire retardants also have the disadvantage of reducing the surface area available for the thermal regulation of the electrical cells. Description of the invention

[0003] The present invention aims at least partially to remedy the disadvantages previously described and relates to a thermal runaway control system for an electrical storage device, particularly for a vehicle, for example an automobile, comprising a housing configured to receive the electrical storage device within a first compartment of the housing, characterized in that the thermal runaway control system includes a reservoir comprising a thermal runaway control substance and in that the reservoir is disposed outside the first compartment.

[0004] Thus, the present invention allows the electrical storage device located in the first compartment of the housing to be separated from the storage of the thermal runaway control substance. This therefore optimizes the energy density of the electrical storage device and also avoids occupying surface area of ​​the electrical storage device, thus freeing it up for a thermal regulation device.

[0005] According to one aspect of the invention, the thermal runaway control substance is configured to be a fire retardant. It is thus understood that the dielectric fluid described above cannot be considered a substance thermal runaway control given its heat exchange and heat transfer functions which are functions contrary to a fire retardant.

[0006] According to one aspect of the invention, the thermal runaway control substance is a substance whose main characteristics are to be difficult to ignite, preferably non-flammable, or even preferably incombustible.

[0007] According to one aspect of the invention, the thermal runaway control substance is a means of preventing or slowing down the spread of fire from the electrical storage device.

[0008] According to one aspect of the invention, the thermal runaway control substance comprises a material classified between MO and M2 of the NF P. 92.507 standard, preferably between MO and M1 and even more preferably classified MO.

[0009] According to one aspect of the invention, the thermal runaway control substance can be a liquid, a gas or a dispersible solid in the form of, for example, a powder.

[0010] According to one aspect of the invention and according to a first embodiment of the invention, the reservoir forms a second compartment of the housing.

[0011] According to one aspect of the invention, the second compartment of the case is attached to the first compartment by a separating wall.

[0012] According to one aspect of the invention, the separating wall forms at least in part an upper face of the first compartment.

[0013] According to one aspect of the invention and alternatively, the separating wall forms at least in part a lower face of the first compartment.

[0014] According to one aspect of the invention and alternatively, the separating wall forms at least in part a lateral face of the first compartment.

[0015] According to one aspect of the invention, the separating wall includes means for distributing the thermal runaway control substance.

[0016] According to one aspect of the invention, the distribution means are, for example, heat-sensitive lids covering hermetically sealed openings below a threshold value between 80°C and 100°C, and no longer covering the openings at a temperature between 80°C and 100°C. The openings and lids can be of any shape, namely rectangular, oblong, circular, etc.

[0017] According to one aspect of the invention, the second compartment comprises a plurality of divisions, each division comprising at least one means for distributing the thermal runaway control substance. This has the advantage of targeting a part of the storage device where thermal runaway occurs rather than another part that is still thermally stable.

[0018] According to one aspect of the invention and according to a second embodiment of the invention, the thermal runaway control system of an electrical storage device comprises at least one nozzle for distributing the thermal runaway control substance into the first compartment and a controller configured to control, by means of a measurement of the temperature of the electrical storage device, a distribution of the thermal runaway control substance.

[0019] According to one aspect of the invention, the controller may be an optimized battery management system or "BMS" (English acronym for "Battery Management System"). Alternatively, the controller may be the vehicle's on-board computer.

[0020] According to one aspect of the invention, the tank is pressurized so as to release the thermal runaway control substance into the first compartment of the housing by simple pressure release through at least one nozzle.

[0021] According to one aspect of the invention, the thermal runaway control system of an electrical storage device includes a pump adapted to circulate the thermal runaway control substance from the reservoir to at least one nozzle.

[0022] The invention also relates to an assembly, in particular for a vehicle, for example an automobile, comprising a thermal runaway control system for an electrical storage device as previously described and a thermal regulation device for said electrical storage device.

[0023] According to one aspect of the invention, the thermal regulation device of the electrical storage device comprises a heat exchange plate configured to exchange heat with the electrical storage device by conduction.

[0024] According to one aspect of the invention, said heat exchange plate can be disposed inside the first compartment or form part of the housing.

[0025] According to one aspect of the invention, the thermal regulation device of the electrical storage device alternatively comprises at least one nozzle configured to distribute dielectric fluid into the first compartment in order to thermally regulate said electrical storage device. With this type of heat exchange means, it is possible to use the at least one nozzle also to distribute the thermal runaway control substance. Thus, the thermal runaway control substance reservoir is connected to the at least one nozzle, and a valve controlled by the controller allows the thermal runaway control substance to circulate within the thermal regulation device. In the case of a plurality of nozzles, it is possible to specifically target an area of ​​the first compartment that requires control. thermal runaway.

[0026] According to one aspect of the invention, the electrical storage device can be at least partially immersed in a dielectric fluid. The partial immersion can be combined with the at least one nozzle described above, or the immersion of the electrical storage device can be total and then provided without a nozzle.

[0027] According to one aspect of the invention, the first electrical storage device is an assembly of electrical storage cells, for example of prismatic, cylindrical or pocket type. Brief description of the drawings

[0028] Other features, details and advantages of the invention will become clearer upon reading the following description, which is provided by way of example in conjunction with drawings in which: • [Fig.1] is a schematic view of a thermal runaway control system of an electrical storage device according to a first embodiment of the invention; • [Fig.2] is a schematic view of an assembly comprising a system of thermal runaway control of an electrical storage device according to a second embodiment of the invention and a thermal regulation device; • [Fig. 3] is a schematic view of an assembly comprising a system of thermal runaway control of an electrical storage device according to a variant of the second embodiment of the invention of [Fig.2] and a thermal regulation device.

[0029] It should first be noted that while the figures illustrate the invention in detail for its implementation, these figures can of course also be used to further define the invention where appropriate. It should also be noted that these figures only show a few examples of embodiments of the invention. Detailed description

[0030] Figures 1 to 3 illustrate a thermal runaway control system 100, 200 according to the invention of an electrical storage device 1 particularly for vehicle, for example automobile, comprising a housing 2 configured to receive the electrical storage device 1 within a first compartment 3 of the housing 2, characterized in that the thermal runaway control system 100, 200 comprises a reservoir 4 comprising a thermal runaway control substance and in that the reservoir 4 is disposed outside the first compartment 3.

[0031] The thermal runaway control substance is configured to be a fire retardant. It is thus understood that the previously described dielectric fluid does not can be considered a thermal runaway control substance given its heat exchange and heat transfer functions which are functions contrary to a fire retardant.

[0032] The thermal runaway control substance is a substance whose main characteristics are to be difficult to ignite, preferably non-flammable, or even preferably incombustible.

[0033] The thermal runaway control substance is a means to prevent or slow down the spread of fire from the electrical storage device 1.

[0034] The thermal runaway control substance comprises a material classified between MO and M2 of standard NF P. 92.507, preferably between MO and M1 and even more preferably classified MO.

[0035] The thermal runaway control substance can be a liquid, a gas or a dispersible solid in the form of, for example, a powder.

[0036] Fig. 1 illustrates a first embodiment of the invention in which the reservoir 4 of the thermal runaway control system 100 forms a second compartment 5 of the housing 2.

[0037] The second compartment 5 of the housing 2 is attached to the first compartment 3 by a separating wall 6.

[0038] The separating wall 6 forms at least part of an upper face of the first compartment 3, as illustrated in [Fig. 1]. Alternatively, and not illustrated, the separating wall 6 forms at least part of an lower face of the first compartment 3. Again, and not illustrated, the separating wall 6 forms at least part of a lateral face of the first compartment 3.

[0039] The separating wall 6 includes means for distributing the thermal runaway control substance 7.

[0040] The distribution means 7 are, for example, heat-sensitive lids covering hermetically sealed openings 8 below a threshold value between 80°C and 100°C, and no longer covering the openings 8 at a temperature between 80°C and 100°C. The openings 8 and the lids can be of any shape, namely rectangular, oblong, circular, etc.

[0041] The second compartment 5 comprises a plurality of divisions 9, each of the divisions 9 comprising at least one of the distribution means 7 for the thermal runaway control substance. This has the advantage of targeting a part of the storage device 1 where thermal runaway is occurring rather than another part that is still thermally stable.

[0042] Figures 2 and 3 illustrate a second embodiment of the invention in which the thermal runaway control system 200 of a storage device electrical 1 includes at least one dispensing nozzle 10 of the thermal runaway control substance in the first compartment 3 and a controller 11 configured to control, by means of a temperature measurement of the electrical storage device 1, a dispensing of the thermal runaway control substance.

[0043] The controller 11 can be an optimized battery management system or “BMS” (English acronym for “Battery Management System”).

[0044] Alternatively, the controller 11 can be the vehicle's on-board computer.

[0045] The tank 4 is pressurized so as to release the control substance thermal runaway in the first compartment 3 of the housing 2 by simple pressure release through at least one nozzle 10.

[0046] The thermal runaway control system 200 of an electrical storage device 1 includes a pump 12 adapted to circulate the thermal runaway control substance from the reservoir 4 to at least one nozzle 10.

[0047] Figures 2 and 3 illustrate an assembly 300, particularly for a vehicle, for example an automobile, comprising a thermal runaway control system 200 of an electrical storage device 1 as previously described and a thermal regulation device 400 of said electrical storage device 1. Although in [Fig. 1] no thermal regulation device is illustrated, it remains that the first embodiment can include any type of thermal regulation device known to a person skilled in the art taken alone.

[0048] Figure 2 illustrates an example of an embodiment of the second embodiment of the invention in which the thermal regulation device 400 of the electrical storage device 1 includes a heat exchange plate 13 configured to exchange heat with the electrical storage device 1 by conduction.

[0049] Said heat exchange plate 13 can be arranged inside the first compartment 3 or form part of the housing 2.

[0050] Figure 3 illustrates an example of an embodiment of the second embodiment of the invention in which the thermal control device 400 of the electrical storage device 1 alternatively comprises at least one nozzle 13 configured to distribute dielectric fluid into the first compartment 3 in order to thermally regulate said electrical storage device 1. With this type of heat exchange means, it is possible to use the at least one nozzle 13 also to distribute the thermal runaway control substance. Thus, the thermal runaway control substance reservoir 4 is connected to the at least one nozzle 13, and a valve 14 controlled by the controller 11 allows the thermal runaway control substance to be circulated within the thermal control device 400. In the case of a plurality of nozzles 13, it is possible to target specific areas. fically an area of ​​the first compartment 3 which must be subject to thermal runaway control.

[0051] The electrical storage device 1 can be at least partially immersed in a dielectric fluid. The partial immersion can be combined with the at least one nozzle 13 described above, or the immersion of the electrical storage device 1 can be total and then provided without a nozzle.

[0052] It should be noted that the first electrical storage device 1 shown schematically in Figures 1 to 3, and therefore for both embodiments of the invention, can be an assembly of electrical storage cells, for example of prismatic, cylindrical or pocket type.

Claims

Claims

1. Thermal runaway control system (100, 200) of an electrical storage device (1) in particular for a vehicle, for example an automobile, comprising a housing (2) configured to receive the electrical storage device (1) within a first compartment (3) of the housing (2), characterized in that the thermal runaway control system (100, 200) comprises a reservoir (4) comprising a thermal runaway control substance and in that the reservoir (4) is arranged outside the first compartment (3).

2. A thermal runaway control system (100, 200) according to the preceding claim, wherein the thermal runaway control substance is configured to be a fire retardant.

3. A thermal runaway control system (100) according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the reservoir (4) forms a second compartment (5) of the housing (2).

4. Thermal runaway control system (100) according to the preceding claim, wherein the second compartment (5) of the housing (2) is attached to the first compartment (3) by a separating wall (6).

5. Thermal runaway control system (100) according to the preceding claim, wherein the separating wall (6) comprises means (7) for dispensing the thermal runaway control substance.

6. Thermal runaway control system (100) according to the preceding claim, in which the distribution means (7) are heat-sensitive covers covering openings (8) hermetically closed for a temperature below a threshold value between 80°C and 100°C and no longer covering the openings (8) for a temperature between 80°C and 100°C.

7. A thermal runaway control system (100) according to claim 5 or 6, wherein the second compartment (5) comprises a plurality of divisions (9), each of the divisions (9) comprises at least one of the dispensing means (7) of the thermal runaway control substance.

8. A thermal runaway control system (200) according to claim 1 or 2, said system (200) comprising at least one nozzle distribution (10) of the thermal runaway control substance in the first compartment (3) and a controller (11) configured to control, by means of a measurement of the temperature of the electrical storage device (1), a distribution of the thermal runaway control substance.

9. A thermal runaway control system (200) according to the preceding claim, said system (200) comprising a pump (12) adapted to circulate the thermal runaway control substance from the reservoir (4) to the at least one nozzle (10).

10. Assembly (300) in particular for a vehicle, for example an automobile, comprising a thermal runaway control system (100, 200) of an electrical storage device (1) according to any one of claims 1 to 9 and a thermal regulation device (400) of said electrical storage device (1).

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