Naval platform battery and assembly method

Abstract

Battery for naval platform and assembly method Electric battery for naval platform, the battery comprising a plurality of structurally similar blocks (20A…20F), comprising: - an assembly (22) comprising a plurality of elements (24) stacked in a longitudinal direction (L), the elements comprising prismatic accumulators (42), the assembly having a parallelepiped shape and comprising a main face (74), an opposite face (76), and four lateral faces (78, 80, 82, 84), - protective metal elements extending at least opposite the lateral faces and the opposite face, - a first ring (28) comprising a plastic material, of rectangular shape, surrounding the main face and configured to exert a longitudinal pressure (P1) on two of the four lateral faces, - a second ring (30) surrounding the opposite face and configured to exert a longitudinal pressure (P2) on two of the four lateral faces,the first and second rings maintaining the plurality of elements at a distance from the protective metal elements. Figure for the abstract: Figure 3,

Description

Title of the invention: Battery for naval platform and mounting method

[0001] The present invention relates to a battery for a naval platform, the battery comprising a plurality of blocks structurally similar to each other, each of the blocks comprising:

[0002] - an assembly comprising a plurality of elements stacked in a longitudinal direction longitudinal, the elements comprising prismatic accumulators, each of the accumulators having a main face perpendicular to a first transverse direction perpendicular to the longitudinal direction and comprising two electrical terminals, each of the accumulators having an opposite face located opposite the main face in the first transverse direction, and four lateral faces parallel to the first transverse direction, the assembly having a parallelepiped shape and comprising a main face, an opposite face, and four lateral faces, and

[0003] - metallic protective elements extending at least opposite the faces lateral and opposite face of the assembly.

[0004] The invention also relates to a method of assembling such a battery, and a naval platform comprising at least one such battery.

[0005] The battery is for example of the lithium-ion type and comprises numerous blocks so as to be able to power different systems of a naval platform, for example its propulsion system.

[0006] When assembling such a battery, a prestress is applied in the longitudinal direction, and the assembly is then maintained in longitudinal compression by various means, such as tie rods or straps.

[0007] To ensure electrical insulation between the assembly and the protective metal elements, intermediate flanges and / or frames are added, which has a negative impact on the volume and mass of the battery, and therefore on its performance.

[0008] To improve battery performance, it is known to obtain prestressing by adhesive tapes. These provide good electrical insulation, but tend to relax, which creates dimensional problems during battery assembly.

[0009] It is also known to use strips welded together, which provide greater rigidity to the assembly, but are complex to manufacture and install.

[0010] An aim of the invention is therefore to provide a battery that is simpler and less expensive to manufacture, while still exhibiting good performance.

[0011] To this end, the invention relates to an electric battery for a naval platform, the battery comprising a plurality of blocks structurally similar to each other, each of the blocks comprising:

[0012] - an assembly comprising a plurality of elements stacked in a longitudinal direction tudinal, the elements comprising prismatic accumulators, each of the accumulators having a main face perpendicular to a first transverse direction perpendicular to the longitudinal direction and comprising two electrical terminals, each of the accumulators having an opposite face located opposite the main face in the first transverse direction, and four lateral faces parallel to the first transverse direction, the assembly having a parallelepiped shape and comprising a main face, an opposite face, and four lateral faces,

[0013] - metallic protective elements extending at least opposite the faces lateral and opposite face of the whole,

[0014] - a first ring comprising a plastic material, rectangular in shape viewed along the first transverse direction, surrounding the main face of the assembly around the first transverse direction and configured to exert a first pressure at least longitudinally on two of the four lateral faces of the assembly, and

[0015] - a second ring comprising a plastic material, rectangular in shape viewed along the first transverse direction, surrounding the opposite face of the assembly around the first transverse direction and configured to exert a second pressure at least longitudinally on two of the four lateral faces of the assembly,

[0016] the first ring and the second ring extending between the assembly and the protective metal elements and maintaining the plurality of elements at a distance from the protective metal elements.

[0017] According to particular embodiments, the battery comprises one or more of the following characteristics, taken in isolation or in all technically possible combinations:

[0018] - the first ring and the second ring comprise at least 90% by mass of polyamide;

[0019] - the first ring and the second ring comprise at least 90% by mass of nylon 6;

[0020] - the first ring comprises a first portion extending against the face main face of the assembly, on a periphery of the main face, and a second portion extends from the first portion in the first transverse direction and encircling the lateral faces of the assembly; and the second ring comprises a first portion extending against the opposite face of the assembly, on a periphery of the opposite face, and a second portion extends from the first portion in the first transverse direction and surrounding the lateral faces of the assembly;

[0021] - the first portions of the first ring and the second ring have thicknesses in the first transverse direction between 0.5 and 1.5 mm; and the second portions of the first ring and of the second ring locally have thicknesses, perpendicular to that of the lateral faces of the assembly closest to the second portions, the thicknesses being between 0.5 and 1.5 mm;

[0022] - each of the first ring and the second ring extends in a closed lace, and has, perpendicular to the lace, an “L” section of constant shape along the lace;

[0023] - each of the side faces and the opposite face of the assembly is formed respec tively by one or more protective plates held against the plurality of elements by the first ring or by the second ring;

[0024] - the first ring and the second ring are structurally identical to each other the other; and

[0025] - the battery comprises several modules adjacent to each other in the first transverse direction, each of the modules comprising several blocks of said plurality, said several blocks being adjacent to each other perpendicular to the first transverse direction.

[0026] The invention also relates to a naval platform comprising at least one battery as described above.

[0027] The invention also relates to a method of mounting a battery as described above, the method comprising the following steps:

[0028] - obtaining the assembly, the first ring, the second ring, and the metal protective elements,

[0029] - longitudinal compression of the assembly,

[0030] - installation of the first ring and the second ring on the assembly, the first ring and the second ring exerting the first pressure and the second pressure, in order to obtain a ringed assembly,

[0031] - arrangement of the metallic protection elements at least opposite the faces lateral and the opposite face of the ringed assembly to obtain one of the blocks,

[0032] - obtaining the others of said blocks, and

[0033] - assembly of said blocks.

[0034] The invention will be better understood on reading the following description, given solely by way of example and with reference to the appended drawings, in which:

[0035] [Fig-1] [Fig.l] is a schematic view of a naval platform according to the invention,

[0036] [Fig.2] [Fig.2] is a schematic perspective view (left) and exploded view (left) right) of a battery according to the invention belonging to the naval platform shown on [Fig.l],

[0037] [Fig.3] [Fig.3] is a perspective view of one of the blocks of the battery shown in Figures 1 and 2, without the protective metal elements,

[0038] [Fig.4] [Fig.4] is an exploded view of the elements shown in [Fig.3], showing in particular the stack comprising the accumulators, and

[0039] [Fig.5] [Fig.5] is a view of the block partially shown in Figures 3 and 4, in section perpendicular to the longitudinal direction through one of the accumulators.

[0040] With reference to [Fig.l], a naval platform 10 according to the invention is described.

[0041] The naval platform 10 is for example an underwater vehicle, or alternatively a surface ship. The naval platform 10 comprises at least one electric battery 12, and a propulsion system 14, advantageously powered with electricity by the battery.

[0042] The battery 12 is for example of the lithium-ion type, and advantageously has a parallelepiped shape.

[0043] In the example, the battery 12 advantageously comprises several modules 16 arranged on top of each other in a first transverse direction V.

[0044] The battery 12 comprises, for example, elements 18 fixed to one another to form a frame around the plurality of modules 16, so as to protect the modules and ensure mechanical cohesion of the battery.

[0045] It goes without saying that the battery 12 also comprises electrical connectors, for example busbars or cables, not shown and known per se. We are interested here in the mechanical structure of the battery 12.

[0046] The modules 16 are advantageously structurally similar to each other, so only one of them will be described below.

[0047] The module 16 has for example a rectangular shape (including square) in view in the first transverse direction V.

[0048] The six blocks 20A to 20F form for example two rows, each extending in a second transverse direction T perpendicular to the first transverse direction V, and intended to be horizontal in the example.

[0049] The two rows are for example separated from each other by a structural element 21 of the module 16 in a longitudinal direction L perpendicular to the first transverse direction V and to the second transverse direction T, the longitudinal direction L therefore being horizontal in the example.

[0050] The blocks 20 are advantageously structurally similar to each other, so only one of them will be described below with reference to FIGS. 3 to 5.

[0051] The block 20 comprises an assembly 22 comprising a plurality of elements 24 stacked in the longitudinal direction L (figures 3 and 4), metal elements of protection 26 ([Fig.5]), and a first ring 28 and a second ring 30 (figures 3 to 5) extending between the assembly 22 and the metal protection elements 26.

[0052] In the example, the block 20 also comprises insulators 32, 34, 36, 38 and a protective plate 40 located above the stack in [Fig.5].

[0053] The stacked elements 24 comprise prismatic accumulators 42. The stacked elements 24 comprise, for example, layers of adhesive 44 and sheets of paper 46 ([Fig.3]) located on either side of other accumulators 42 longitudinally.

[0054] For example, the assembly 22 also comprises two protective plates 48, 50 respectively forming two longitudinal ends of the stack, two protective plates 52, 54 located on one side of the stack in the second transverse direction T (on the left in [Fig. 5]), and two protective plates 56, 58 located on the other side of the stack (on the right in [Fig. 5]). In the example, the assembly 22 also comprises a protective plate 60 located on the side of the stack opposite the protective plate 40, i.e. under the stack in [Fig. 5].

[0055] The accumulators 42 are advantageously analogous to each other.

[0056] Each of the accumulators 42 has a main face 62 perpendicular to the first transverse direction V and comprising two electrical terminals 63A, 63B, for example spaced from one another in the second transverse direction T. Each of the accumulators 42 has an opposite face 64 located opposite the main face 62 in the first transverse direction V, and four lateral faces 66, 68, 70, 72 parallel to the first transverse direction V. Each of the accumulators 42 has for example a general parallelepiped shape.

[0057] We also define, in a manner analogous to what was done for each of the accumulators 42, a main face 74, an opposite face 76, and four lateral faces 78, 80, 82, 84 of the assembly 22.

[0058] The metal protection elements 26 extend respectively opposite the lateral faces 78, 80, 82, 84 and the opposite face 76 of the assembly 22. In the example, one of the metal protection elements 26 extends opposite the main face 74.

[0059] The protective plates 52, 54, 56, 58 are held against the accumulators 42 by the first ring 28 and by the second ring 30 and form the lateral faces 80 and 84 of the assembly 22.

[0060] The protective plates 48, 50 are held by the first ring 28 and by the second ring 30 and form the lateral faces 78 and 82 of the assembly 22.

[0061] The protective plate 60 is held against the opposite face 64 of the accumulators 42 by the second ring 30 and forms the opposite face 76 of the assembly 22.

[0062] The protective plate 40 is located between one of the protective metal elements 26 and the main face 62 of each of the accumulators 42 in the first transverse direction V.

[0063] The first ring 28 and the second ring 30 comprise a plastic material, and are advantageously made of it. The first ring 28 and the second ring 30 are rectangular in shape when viewed along the first transverse direction V. Advantageously, the first ring 28 and the second ring 30 are structurally identical to each other.

[0064] The first ring 28 surrounds the main face 74 of the assembly 22 around the first transverse direction V and is configured to exert a first longitudinal pressure PI on the lateral faces 78, 82 of the assembly 22. In the example, the first ring 28 also exerts a pressure PI' on the lateral faces 80, 84 of the assembly 22 in the second transverse direction T.

[0065] The first ring 28 and the second ring 30 extend between the assembly 22 and the protective metal elements 26 and keep the plurality of elements 24 at a distance from the protective metal elements, which contributes to the good electrical insulation of the assembly 22.

[0066] The second ring 30 surrounds the opposite face 76 of the assembly 22 around the first transverse direction V and is configured to exert a second longitudinal pressure P2 on the lateral faces 78, 82 of the assembly 22. In the example, the second ring 30 also exerts a pressure P2' on the lateral faces 80, 84 of the assembly 22 in the second transverse direction T.

[0067] The first ring 28 and the second ring 30 are electrical insulators, that is to say that their electrical resistivity at 300 K is for example greater than or equal to 105 Qm

[0068] For example, the first ring 28 and the second ring 30 comprise at least 90% by mass of polyamide, advantageously nylon 6.

[0069] In the example, the first ring 28 comprises a first portion 86 extending against the main face 74 of the assembly 22, on a periphery 88 of the main face 74, and a second portion 90 extends from the first portion 86 in the first transverse direction V and surrounding the lateral faces 78, 80, 82, 84 of the assembly 22.

[0070] In the example, the second ring 30 comprises a first portion 92 extending against the opposite face 76 of the assembly 22, on a periphery 94 of the opposite face 76, and a second portion 96 extends from the first portion 92 in the first transverse direction V and surrounding the lateral faces 78, 80, 82, 84 of the assembly 22.

[0071] Each of the first ring 28 and the second ring 30 extends respectively along a closed lace 98, 100, and has, perpendicular to the lace, a section advantageously in an “L” shape and of constant shape along the lace.

[0072] The first portions 86, 92 of the first ring and of the second ring respectively advantageously have thicknesses E1, E2 ([Fig.5]) in the first transverse direction V of between 0.5 and 1.5 mm, and for example of approximately 1.0 mm.

[0073] The second portions 90, 96 of the first ring 28 and of the second ring 30 locally have thicknesses E3, E4 perpendicular to that of the lateral faces of the assembly 22 closest to the second portion, the thicknesses E3, E4 being between 0.5 and 1.5 mm, and for example approximately 1.0 mm.

[0074] A method of mounting the battery 12 according to the invention will now be described.

[0075] First, the assembly 22, the first ring 28, the second ring 30, and the protective metal elements 26 are obtained.

[0076] The assembly 22 is put into longitudinal compression, for example by a machine known per se and which will not be described, to obtain a compressed (or prestressed) assembly 22.

[0077] Then, the first ring 28 and the second ring 30 are placed on the compressed assembly 22, the first ring and the second ring exerting respectively the first pressure P1 and the second pressure P2, in order to obtain a ringed assembly. The pressure of the machine on the assembly 22 is then released, the first ring and the second ring ensuring a mechanical coherence advantageously sufficient to manipulate the assembly.

[0078] Then, metallic protection elements 26 are arranged at least opposite the lateral faces 78, 80, 82, 84 and the opposite face 76 of the ringed assembly 22 to obtain the block 20A.

[0079] The other blocks 20 are manufactured in the same way, and they are assembled to form the modules 16 and the battery 12.

[0080] Thanks to the characteristics described above, the assembly 22 is held in place during the assembly of the battery 12 by the first ring 28 and the second ring 30 in a simple and effective manner. The battery 12 is simpler and less expensive to manufacture, while still having good performance.

[0081] Furthermore, when the battery 12 is in the mounted state, the first ring 28 and the second ring 30 allow a correct and stable insulation distance over time between the assembly 22 and the metal protection elements 26, therefore with the frames of the blocks 20A to 20F and the modules.

[0082] The rings 28, 30 ensure prestressing of the assembly 22, without deformation, without relaxation over time and without excessive pressure on the accumulators 42 which could cause damage. The rings 28, 30 simplify the assembly of the blocks in each module, and guarantee sufficient insulation distances for each block.

[0083] The compression machine is capable of accepting the placement of the rings in complete safety for the operator. Thanks to the rings 28, 30, the assembly 22 retains the predefined compressive stress and dimensions for a long time in order to be integrated into the blocks and modules.

[0084] The invention allows uniformity and repeatability of the tightening of the accumulators 42, good mechanical support and compliance with the dimensions when handling the assemblies.

[0085] The tooling or equipment used is not very complex, and the installation of the rings 28, 30 is rapid.

[0086] Furthermore, the rings 28, 30 have good resistance over time during the life cycle of the battery 12. Once the assembly 22 is installed within a module, the compression provided by the rings 28, 30 is less useful or even useless. Their presence nevertheless makes it possible to increase the insulation distances in the air and in the creepage line.

[0087] The shape of the rings 28, 30 makes them simple to obtain, for example by injection of plastic material. The associated mold (not shown) is simple.

[0088] The assembly 22 is maintained without special processes, such as resinated modules, which is a gain for the industrialization of the battery 12, its curative maintenance and the management of its end of life. The repairability of the battery 12 is improved.

Claims

Claims

1. An electric battery (12) for a naval platform (10), the battery (12) comprising a plurality of blocks (20A...20F) structurally similar to each other, each of the blocks (20A...20F) comprising: - an assembly (22) comprising a plurality of elements (24) stacked in a longitudinal direction (L), the elements (24) comprising prismatic accumulators (42), each of the accumulators (42) having a main face (62) perpendicular to a first transverse direction (V) perpendicular to the longitudinal direction (L) and comprising two electrical terminals (63A, 63B), each of the accumulators (42) having an opposite face (64) located opposite the main face (62) in the first transverse direction (V), and four lateral faces (66, 68, 70, 72) parallel to the first transverse direction (V), the assembly (22) having a parallelepiped shape and comprising a main face (74), an opposite face (76), and four lateral faces (78, 80, 82, 84), - protective metal elements (26) extending at least opposite the lateral faces (78, 80, 82, 84) and the opposite face (76) of the assembly (22), - a first ring (28) comprising a plastic material, rectangular in shape when viewed along the first transverse direction (V), surrounding the main face (74) of the assembly (22) around the first transverse direction (V) and configured to exert a first pressure (PI) at least longitudinally on two of the four lateral faces (78, 80, 82, 84) of the assembly (22), and - a second ring (30) comprising a plastic material, rectangular in shape when viewed along the first transverse direction (V), surrounding the opposite face (76) of the assembly (22) around the first transverse direction (V) and configured to exert a second pressure (P2) at least longitudinally on two of the four lateral faces (78, 80, 82, 84) of the assembly (22), the first ring (28) and the second ring (30) extending between the assembly (22) and the protective metal elements (26) and maintaining the plurality of elements (24) at a distance from the protective metal elements (26).

2. A battery (12) according to claim 1, wherein the first ring (28) and the second ring (30) comprise at least 90% by mass of polyamide.

3. The battery (12) of claim 2, wherein the first ring (28) and the second ring (30) comprise at least 90% by mass of nylon 6.

4. Battery (12) according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein: - the first ring (28) comprises a first portion (86) extending against the main face (74) of the assembly (22), on a periphery (88) of the main face (74), and a second portion (90) extends from the first portion (86) in the first transverse direction (V) and surrounding the lateral faces (78, 80, 82, 84) of the assembly (22), and - the second ring (30) comprises a first portion (92) extending against the opposite face (76) of the assembly (22), on a periphery (94) of the opposite face (76), and a second portion (96) extends from the first portion (92) in the first transverse direction (V) and surrounding the lateral faces (78, 80, 82, 84) of the set (22).

5. Battery (12) according to claim 4, in which: - the first portions (86, 92) of the first ring (28) and of the second ring (30) have thicknesses (E1, E2) in the first transverse direction of between 0.5 and 1.5 mm, and - the second portions (90, 96) of the first ring (28) and of the second ring (30) locally have thicknesses (E3, E4), perpendicular to that of the lateral faces (78, 80, 82, 84) of the assembly (22) closest to the second portions (90, 96), the thicknesses (E3, E4) being between 0.5 and 1.5 mm.

6. A battery (12) according to any one of claims 1 to 5, wherein each of the first ring (28) and the second ring (30) extends along a closed loop (98, 100), and has, perpendicular to the loop (98, 100), an “L”-shaped section of constant shape along the loop (98, 100).

7. Battery (12) according to any one of claims 1 to 6, wherein each of the side faces (78, 80, 82, 84) and the opposite face (76) of the assembly (22) is formed respectively by one or more protective plates (48, 50, 52, 54, 56, 58, 60) held against the plurality of elements (24) by the first ring (28) or by the second ring (30).

8. A battery (12) according to any one of claims 1 to 7, wherein the first ring (28) and the second ring (30) are structurally identical to each other.

9. Battery (12) according to any one of claims 1 to 8, comprising several modules 16 adjacent to each other in the first transverse direction (V), each of the modules 16 comprising several blocks 20 of said plurality, said several blocks 20 being adjacent to each other perpendicular to the first transverse direction (V).

10. A method of mounting a battery (12) as described in any one of claims 1 to 9, the method comprising the following steps: - obtaining the assembly (22), the first ring (28), the second ring (30), and the protective metal elements (26), - placing the assembly (22) under longitudinal compression, - placing the first ring (28) and the second ring (30) on the assembly (22), the first ring (28) and the second ring (30) exerting the first pressure (PI) and the second pressure (P2), in order to obtain a ringed assembly (22), - arranging the protective metal elements (26) at least opposite the lateral faces (78, 80, 82, 84) and the opposite face (76) of the ringed assembly (22) to obtain one of the blocks 20, - obtaining the others of said blocks 20, and - assembly of said blocks 20.

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