Battery module receiving container, electrical power storage system and associated process

Abstract

Battery module receiving container, electrical power storage system and associated method. The container includes at least one movable door (53) between a closed position for sealing the internal volume (14) and an open position for accessing the internal volume (14). It includes a passive ventilation stack (17) having at least one inlet for connection to a gas vent outlet (22) of at least one battery module (16) and an outlet provided through the door (53). The passive ventilation stack (17) is supported by the door (53) and is movable together with the door (53) between: - a connection configuration to at least one battery module (16) when the door (53) is in its closed position and - a disconnected configuration from at least one battery module (16) when the door (53) is in its open position. Figure for the abbreviation: Figure 4

Description

Title of the invention: Battery module receiving container, electrical power storage system and associated method

[0001] The present invention relates to a battery module receiving container, comprising:

[0002] - a self-supporting structure comprising a floor, two longitudinal walls, two transverse walls connecting the longitudinal walls, and a roof, the self-supporting structure defining between the floor, the two longitudinal walls, the two transverse walls and the roof, an internal storage volume of at least one battery module;

[0003] - at least one longitudinal wall and / or at least one transverse wall being equipped with at least one movable door between a closed position for sealing off the interior volume and an open position for accessing the interior volume;

[0004] - the container comprising a passive ventilation chimney having at an inlet intended to be connected to a gas exhaust outlet of at least one battery module and an outlet provided through the self-supporting structure.

[0005] Such a container is, for example, a transport container intended for use within an electrical power storage system, in particular when the storage system is mounted in a vehicle such as an aircraft, a rail transport vehicle, a road transport vehicle or a maritime or river transport vehicle.

[0006] Alternatively, the transport container is intended for static electrical energy storage, for example in the form of at least one electrical storage bay in which several battery modules are stacked.

[0007] Such an electrical power storage system is very practical for supplying or receiving significant electrical power, as a complement to or replacement for an electrical network.

[0008] The arrangement of the electrical power storage system in a vehicle or in an electrical storage bay generates strong constraints in terms of compactness and safety for the battery modules.

[0009] Battery modules containing a high density of electrochemical elements, the on-board electrochemical elements are likely to undergo, in some extreme cases, a thermal runaway phenomenon (designated by the English term "thermal runaway").

[0010] Thermal runaway of an electrochemical element results in a sharp increase in the internal temperature within the electrochemical element and, in some cases, in the generation of excess gases increasing the internal pressure.

[0011] An exhaust for excess gases is generally provided in each electrochemical element.

[0012] Poor management of such a thermal runaway can cause a chain reaction and lead to thermal runaways in neighboring electrochemical elements.

[0013] This thermal runaway therefore results in an increase in pressure within the battery module and can lead to destruction of the battery module walls under the effect of pressure.

[0014] To limit the pressure increase within a battery module, it is known to equip at least one face of the battery module with a selective evacuation device, for example a rupture disc, configured to open in case of overpressure in the battery module enclosure.

[0015] Thus, when the gas pressure increases within the battery module, for example under the effect of an excessive release of gas from one or more electrochemical elements, the selective evacuation device opens, and the excessive gas is evacuated out of the battery module.

[0016] However, when the battery module is received within the interior volume of a transport container, the excess gas is vented into this interior volume. The pressure and / or temperature within the interior volume may increase, potentially leading to a runaway reaction of electrochemical elements in other battery modules present within the interior volume and, in the worst-case scenario, to an explosive rupture of the transport container.

[0017] To overcome this problem, WO2023 / 134501 provides a transport container containing battery modules whose gas exhaust outlet is connected to the outside of the transport container via at least one gas exhaust duct.

[0018] The gas vent pipe passes through at least one opening provided in a wall of the transport container. Thus, the risk of overpressure in the internal volume of the transport container is limited, since the gases are vented directly outside the transport container.

[0019] Such a transport container does not give complete satisfaction. Indeed, the discharge conduits of a column of battery modules stacked one on top of the other are fixedly mounted on a fixed wall of the transport container.

[0020] Such an assembly limits access to the face of the battery modules to which the drainage conduits are connected, whereas such access may be required in the event of maintenance.

[0021] In addition, the exhaust ducts are relatively bulky, which reduces the volume available for arranging the battery modules in the transport container, and consequently, the electrical power available per unit of floor space occupied by the transport container.

[0022] An object of the invention is therefore to provide a container for receiving battery modules, which allows the safe evacuation of any excess gases produced by the runaway of at least one electrochemical element within a battery module, while allowing a maximum concentration of electrochemical elements in the internal volume, and simple maintenance of the battery modules.

[0023] To this end, the invention relates to a container for receiving battery modules of the aforementioned type, characterized in that the passive ventilation chimney is supported by the door and is movable together with the door between:

[0024] - a connection configuration to at least one battery module when the the door is in its closed position; and

[0025] - a disconnected configuration of at least one battery module when the door is in its open position.

[0026] The container according to the invention may comprise one or more of the following features, taken individually or in any technically possible combination:

[0027] - the passive ventilation chimney extends vertically along an axis door elevation;

[0028] - the exhaust outlet of the passive ventilation chimney is located in a upper region of the door, preferably along the upper edge of the door;

[0029] - the passive ventilation chimney has a lower gas collection region originating from at least one battery module and an upper gas evacuation region outside the self-supporting structure, the upper evacuation region having a transverse extent greater than the transverse extent of the lower collection region;

[0030] - the passive ventilation chimney includes a partition arranged opposite a on the inner face of the door, the passive ventilation chimney having a gas exhaust duct delimited at least in part by the partition, the gas exhaust duct connecting the inlet of the passive ventilation chimney to the outlet of the passive ventilation chimney;

[0031] - the inner face of the door partially delimits the gas evacuation channel;

[0032] - the passive ventilation chimney includes at least one gas collector intended to be applied against one face of at least one battery module around the gas exhaust outlet to collect the gases from at least one battery module;

[0033] - the gas manifold includes a compressible seal configured to transition from a state expanded in the disconnected configuration to a compressed state in the connected configuration;

[0034] - the gas manifold protrudes inwards relative to the partition;

[0035] - the gas manifold comprises a tubular section inclined downwards in the direction going from the inside out, the inclined tubular section being connected to the partition;

[0036] - it forms a transport container, or a storage cabinet, such as a wardrobe electric.

[0037] The invention also relates to an electrical power storage system, comprising:

[0038] - a container as defined above, the container preferably being a container transport or storage cabinet, such as an electrical cabinet;

[0039] - a plurality of battery modules received in the internal volume of the container, at less a battery module having a gas exhaust outlet connected to the passive ventilation chimney in the connection configuration when the door is in its closed position.

[0040] The system according to the invention may comprise one or more of the following features, taken individually or in any technically possible combination:

[0041] - the gas vent outlet of the battery module is equipped with a component selective closing, in particular of a frangible element, the selective closing element being configured to open in case of overpressure in the battery module;

[0042] - a first longitudinal wall of the container is provided with at least one door featuring a passive ventilation chimney, a second longitudinal wall being without a door;

[0043] - it comprises a column of battery modules stacked one on top of the other, each battery module having a gas exhaust outlet connected to the same passive ventilation stack in the connection configuration, the passive ventilation stack preferably comprising for each given battery module of the stack, a respective gas manifold connected to the given battery module.

[0044] The invention also relates to a method for securing an electrical power storage system as defined above, the method comprising the following steps:

[0045] - production of an excessive gas by at least one electrochemical element of the module of battery and exhaust of excess gas through the gas exhaust outlet of the battery module;

[0046] - collection of excess gas at the inlet of the passive ventilation chimney and conveyance of the excess gas up to the exit of the passive ventilation chimney along the door, the evacuation of excess gas between the exit of the battery module and the exit of the passive ventilation chimney being carried out without using any active component for propelling the excess gas.

[0047] The invention will be better understood upon reading the following description, given solely by way of example, and made with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which: - [Fig.1] Fig.1 is a three-quarter perspective view of a first electrical power storage system according to the invention, one door of which has been removed to reveal a column of battery modules in a bay; - [Fig. 2] [Fig. 2] is a view of an internal face of the door that has been removed of the container in [Fig.1], equipped with a passive ventilation chimney to evacuate excess gases from the battery modules of the column; - [Fig.3] The [Fig.3] is an exterior face of the door of the [Fig.2]; - [Fig. 4] [Fig. 4] is a partial cross-sectional view of the door in a closed position of sealing the interior volume, the passive ventilation chimney occupying a connection configuration to the module; - [Fig. 5] [Fig. 5] is a three-quarter perspective view of a battery module comprising a plurality of electrochemical elements connected on the inner face of the door of the [Fig.2].

[0048] Figures 1 to 5 illustrate a first electrical power storage system 10 according to the invention.

[0049] The storage system 10 is intended to be moved to a site of use, for example by a road vehicle such as a truck, by a rail vehicle, and / or by a maritime vehicle such as a transport ship.

[0050] At the site of use, the storage system 10 is intended to be electrically connected to an electrical power use network to supply electrical power to the network and alternately to an electrical power supply network for recharging the storage system 10.

[0051] The storage system 10 comprises a container delimiting an internal volume 14, and a plurality of battery modules 16 received in the internal volume 14.

[0052] The storage system 10 advantageously includes a (not shown) electrical and thermal management system for the battery modules 16 (the "Battery Management Module" or "BMM"). The storage system 10 also includes a security system which, according to the invention, includes a passive ventilation chimney 17 for the battery modules 16, visible in figures 2, 4 and 5.

[0053] The container is here formed by a transport container 12. In variants, the storage system 10 comprises a container of another type, for example an electrical cabinet or another storage cabinet.

[0054] In this example, the transport container 12 contains, for example, between 8 and 150 battery modules 16. It extends along a longitudinal axis A-A'.

[0055] The battery modules 16 are mounted in series and / or in parallel to deliver to at least two electrical terminals 18 present on the transport container 12, an electrical power which can reach for example up to 5MWh for voltages up to 2000V.

[0056] Each battery module 16 comprises a sealed enclosure 19 and a plurality of electrochemical elements 20 (visible in [Fig.5]), arranged in the sealed enclosure 19.

[0057] The electrochemical elements 20 include, for example, prismatic or cylindrical inner casings or flexible pouches, receiving anodes, cathodes and separators, between which electrochemical reactions take place. The electrochemical elements 20 are, for example, lithium-ion elements.

[0058] Each sealed enclosure 19 containing a plurality of electrochemical elements 20 is here parallelepiped in shape. With reference to [Fig. 5], it extends transversely with respect to the axis A-A', along an axis of modulus B-B' between a first end face 21A and a second end face 21B.

[0059] In this example, the length of the sealed enclosure 19, taken along the axis B-B' between its faces 21 A, 21B is substantially equal to the width of the internal volume 14, taken perpendicular to the axis A-A', in particular greater than 90% of the width of the internal volume 14, taken perpendicular to the axis A-A'.

[0060] The first face 21A here defines at least one outlet 22 for the evacuation of excess gas, equipped with a selective shut-off device 22A, configured to open in the event of overpressure in the sealed enclosure 19 greater than a predefined threshold value, in particular greater than 115 mbar and between 115 mbar and 600 mbar.

[0061] The selective discharge device 22A is, for example, formed of a frangible element, in particular a rupture disc, configured to rupture in the event of overpressure exceeding the predefined threshold value. Alternatively, the selective discharge device 22A comprises a movable valve, elastically forced towards a closed configuration and designed to open in the event of overpressure exceeding the predefined threshold value.

[0062] Optionally, the first face 21A is also provided with an electronic module 23, visible in [Fig.1].

[0063] The electronic module 23 is intended for retrieving status data from the battery module 16, such as, for example, temperature, internal pressure and the amount of energy stored in the battery module 16. It includes, for example, communication connectors and an electronic board (not shown).

[0064] The battery modules 16 are generally arranged vertically in successive columns 24 in the internal volume 14.

[0065] Each column 24 of battery modules 16 comprises a stack of battery modules 16 housed one above the other in a storage bay 25.

[0066] The electrical management system (not shown) is designed to control the voltage and current delivered by each battery module 16 during the supply of electrical power, and the power and current delivered to each battery module 16 during the recharging of the battery modules 16.

[0067] The electrical terminals 18 are intended to connect to the user network (not shown) for the supply of electrical energy stored in the battery modules 16, and alternatively, to an electrical power supply network, for the recharging of the battery modules 16.

[0068] With reference to [Fig.1], the transport container 12 includes a self-supporting structure 30, intended to define the internal volume 14, and to allow the joint transport of the battery modules 16, the management system, and the security system to a site of use.

[0069] With reference to figures 1 and 2, the self-supporting structure 30 comprises a floor 32 resting on a floor frame 34, peripheral walls 36 projecting from the periphery of the floor 32 supported on a peripheral frame 37 and a roof 38 resting on a roof frame 39.

[0070] The floor 32, the peripheral walls 36 and the roof 38 internally delimit the internal volume 14.

[0071] The self-supporting structure 30 of the transport container 12 is here polyhedral in shape. In particular, the self-supporting structure 30 has the shape of a rectangular parallelepiped, extending longitudinally along the longitudinal axis A-A'. The axis A-A' is horizontal when the transport container 12 is placed on a horizontal support.

[0072] The dimensions of the self-supporting structure 30 are governed by transport standards, in particular by ISO1496-1 dated 19 September 2015 or ISO668 dated 1 May 2020 with its amendment 1 of 2022.

[0073] The transport container 12 has, for example, a length greater than 2 m, in particular between 2.5 m and 15 m, a width greater than 1 m, in particular between 2 m and 4 m and a height greater than 1 m, in particular between 2 m and 4 m.

[0074] The height of the transport container 12 is generally less than its length, taken along the axis A-A'.

[0075] The transport container 12 is in particular a 20-foot container whose English name is "High Cube", 6.058 m long, 2.438 m wide and 2.896 m high.

[0076] The transport container 14 has protruding corners 40 (often called "ISO corners") at each of the geometric corners of the self-supporting structure 30.

[0077] The floor structure 34 comprises at least two longitudinal edge stringers 41A extending parallel to the longitudinal axis A-A' and two transverse edge crossbeams 41B connecting the stringers 41A at their longitudinal ends, perpendicular to the longitudinal axis A-A'. It advantageously comprises a plurality of intermediate crossbeams and / or stringers (not visible) supporting the floor 32.

[0078] Each longitudinal member 41A and / or each cross member 41B is here formed of a longitudinal profile, for example of polygonal section, or alternatively, of an IPN.

[0079] The corners 40 project downwards relative to each longitudinal member 41A and each cross member 41B at the intersections between the longitudinal members 41A and the cross members 41B.

[0080] The floor 32 is flat here. With reference to [Fig. 2], it defines, upwards, a flat upper support surface 42. The support surface 42 carries the battery modules 16 received in their storage bays 25, the management system, and the security system.

[0081] The peripheral reinforcement 37 comprises vertical columns 43 extending vertically from each geometric corner of the floor reinforcement 34, above the projecting corners 40.

[0082] Each pillar 43 is here formed of a longitudinal profile, for example of polygonal section.

[0083] With reference to [Fig. 1], the peripheral walls 36 comprise two longitudinal vertical walls 50A, 50B, the longitudinal walls 50A, 50B being arranged vertically, parallel to the axis A-A', on either side of the axis A-A' above the stringers 41A.

[0084] The peripheral walls 36 further comprise two transverse vertical walls 52C, 52D extending perpendicularly to the axis A-A' and connecting the longitudinal walls 50A, 50B to each other at the longitudinal ends of the self-supporting structure 30.

[0085] The longitudinal walls 50A, 50B and the transverse walls 52C, 52D delimit two by two the corners of the structure 30. They delimit the interior volume 14 on the outside.

[0086] At least one longitudinal wall 50A, 50B and / or at least one transverse wall 52C, 52D is provided with a movable door 53, allowing access to the interior volume 14 from outside the transport container 12, and a locking mechanism 55 for the movable door 53.

[0087] Advantageously, the self-supporting structure 30 optionally includes an internal partition in the internal volume 14, delimiting in the internal volume 14 a storage compartment for the battery modules 16, and separately, a control compartment, receiving the management system.

[0088] In the example shown in [Fig.1], at least one longitudinal wall 50A, 50B is provided with a plurality of doors 53, each located opposite a column of modules 24.

[0089] In this example, only the first longitudinal wall 50A is equipped with a plurality of doors 53, the second longitudinal wall 50B being without a door and consisting of a fixed panel without access to the interior volume 14.

[0090] A door 53 is shown in more detail in figures 2 and 3.

[0091] As can be seen in these figures, the door 53 includes a shutter panel 54, mounted movable in particular around a vertical axis C-C' between a closed position for shuttering the interior volume 14, parallel to the longitudinal axis A-A', and an open position for accessing the interior volume 14, inclined at a non-zero angle with respect to the longitudinal axis A-A'.

[0092] With reference to the embodiment shown in [Fig.2], the sealing panel 54 has an inner face 56 intended to face the inner volume 14 in the closed position and to support the passive ventilation chimney 17, and an opposite outer face 58, intended to form part of the external surface of the transport container 12. In this example, the sealing panel 54 has a rectangular contour.

[0093] As can be seen in [Fig.3], the sealing panel 54 further delimits at least one upper through opening 60 for gas evacuation, passing through the sealing panel 54 from the inner face 56 to the outer face 58, and equipped with an upper grid 62.

[0094] The sealing panel 54 advantageously defines a lower through opening 64 for water drainage, itself equipped with a lower grid 66.

[0095] The upper opening 60 extends along an upper edge of the shutter panel 54. Here, it has a width, taken perpendicular to the vertical axis C-C', greater than or equal to the minimum width of the chimney 17 and less than or equal to the width of the shutter panel 54.

[0096] The upper grid 62 is provided with fins preventing or limiting the entry of solid materials and / or animals through the upper opening 60.

[0097] The fins are here oriented downwards from the inner face 56 to the outer face 58.

[0098] The lower opening 64 is located in the vicinity of a lower edge of the sealing panel 54. It generally has a smaller area than the upper opening 60. The width of the lower opening 64 is in particular greater than or equal to the minimum width of the chimney 17 and is less than or equal to the width of the sealing panel 54.

[0099] The lower grid 66 is arranged in the lower opening 64 to prevent or limit the intrusion of solid materials and / or animals through the lower opening 64. It is also provided with fins directed downwards from the inner face 56 to the outer face 58 to facilitate the evacuation of water.

[0100] The locking mechanism 55 includes, for example, a lock and / or a cremone bolt system and retaining clips.

[0101] With reference to [Fig.1], the roof frame 39 comprises upper longitudinal edge stringers 71A, extending parallel to the lower stringers 41A, and upper edge cross members 71B, extending parallel to the cross members 41B.

[0102] The intersections between the stringers 71A and the crossbeams 71B are located above the vertical pillars 43. Corners 40 project upwards from the intersections between the stringers 71A and the crossbeams 71B, above the stringers 71A and the crossbeams 71B.

[0103] Each longitudinal member 71A and / or each cross member 71B is here formed of a longitudinal profile, for example of polygonal section, or alternatively, of an IPN.

[0104] The roof 38 is here supported by the roof frame 39, under the upper surface of the upper corners 40. It includes at least one shutter panel 72 closing the interior volume 14 upwards.

[0105] In the example shown in figures 2 to 5, the door 53 is equipped with a passive ventilation chimney 17.

[0106] The passive ventilation chimney 17 is movable together with the door 53 between a connection configuration to each battery module 16, which it occupies when the door 53 is in its closed position and a disconnected configuration from each battery module 16, which it occupies when the door is in its open position.

[0107] In this example, the passive ventilation chimney 17 includes a partition 80 fixed to the inner face 56 of the sealing panel 54 to delimit a gas exhaust channel 82. It includes, for each battery module 16 configured to be connected to the passive ventilation chimney 17, a gas collector 84 evacuate protruding inwards to connect to the evacuation outlet 22 of battery module 16.

[0108] In the example shown in Figures 2 to 5, the partition 80 comprises an inner panel 86 positioned away from the inner face 56 of the sealing panel 54 and a rim 88 projecting outwards from the inner panel 86, to apply itself in a watertight manner to the inner face 56, at the periphery of the inner panel 86.

[0109] The gas evacuation channel 82 is defined in the partition 80, between the inner panel 86 and the rim 88. In this example, the evacuation channel 82 is further delimited by the inner face 56 of the sealing panel 54.

[0110] In the configuration visible in [Fig.2], the partition 80 has a lower vertical gas collection region 90 extending vertically from the lower opening 64 which it covers and an upper gas evacuation region 92 extending opposite the upper gas evacuation opening 60 of the sealing panel 54.

[0111] The upper opening 60 thus defines a gas exhaust outlet outside the passive ventilation chimney 17.

[0112] In this example, the lower region 90 has a width, taken perpendicular to the vertical axis C-C' of the door 53, that is less than the width of the upper region 92. Thus, the partition 80 has substantially a T-shape.

[0113] Each gas manifold 84 protrudes inwards from the lower region 90. Each gas manifold 84 defines an inlet of the passive ventilation chimney 17, intended to be connected to an exhaust outlet 22 of a battery module 16 in the connection configuration when the door 53 is in its closed position.

[0114] In this example, the gas manifold 84 includes an inclined tubular section 96, connected to the partition 80 and a compressible sealing gasket 98 disposed at a free inner edge of the tubular section 96 to apply against the first face 21A of the battery module 16 around the gas exhaust outlet 22 in the connection configuration.

[0115] The tubular section 96 is inclined downwards from the inside to the outside of the internal volume 14. It opens externally into the discharge channel 82, within the lower collection region 90.

[0116] The inner edge of the tubular section 96 extends here in a vertical plane.

[0117] The sealing gasket 98 is fixed to the inner edge of the tubular section 96. It is compressible between an expanded state, which it occupies when door 53 is in the open position, in which the passive ventilation chimney 17 occupies its disconnected configuration, and a compressed state, which it occupies when door 53 is in its position closed, in which the passive ventilation chimney 17 occupies its connection configuration.

[0118] In the connection configuration, the sealing gasket 98 is applied around its entire perimeter around the exhaust outlet 22 on the first face 21A of a battery module 16. Thus, the gases evacuated through the gas exhaust outlet 22 are collected in the tubular section 96 in a sealed manner, and are then passively evacuated from the inlet of the passive ventilation chimney 17 formed by the gas collector 84, through the exhaust channel 82, to the gas exhaust outlet defined by the upper opening 60 provided in the sealing panel 54.

[0119] In the example shown in [Fig.2], the minimum cross-section of the drainage channel 82 per battery module 16 connected to the drainage channel 82 is greater than 5000 mm2 per battery module 16, and is in particular between 7000 mm2 per battery module 16 and 48000 mm2 per battery module 16.

[0120] The minimum cross-sectional area of ​​the gas manifold 84 per battery module 16 connected to the gas manifold 84 is greater than 5000 mm2 per battery module 16, and is in particular between 6000 mm2 per battery module 16 and 8000 mm2 per battery module 16.

[0121] The operation of the electrical power storage system 10 according to the invention will now be described.

[0122] In normal operation, the transport container 12 equipped with the battery modules 16 is transported to its site of use and is connected to an electrical network via the electrical terminals 18 to deliver electrical power produced by the electrochemical elements 20 of the battery modules 16 to the electrical network or, conversely, for the electrochemical elements 20 of the battery modules 16 to receive and store electrical charging power from the electrical network to the battery modules 16.

[0123] In normal operation, the doors 53 are in their closed position. However, if maintenance is required in the interior volume 14, for example, work on a battery module 16, the door 53 located opposite the battery module 16 is opened by an operator by releasing the locking mechanism 55 and is moved from its closed position to its open position.

[0124] During this movement, the passive ventilation chimney 17 being mobile in conjunction with the door 53, the gas collectors 84 detach from the respective first faces 21A of the battery modules 16, freeing access to the first faces 21A. The operator can, in particular, inspect each battery module 16 of the column 24 and / or connect to the electronic module 23 in a simple way, without having to dismantle a ventilation system.

[0125] When he has finished his intervention, the operator moves the door 53 from its open position to its closed position.

[0126] During this movement, the passive ventilation chimney 17 moves together with the door 53 until it reaches the closed position. The gas collectors 84 approach the respective first faces 21A of the battery modules 16 opposite which they are located.

[0127] The sealing gasket 98 of each gas manifold 84 then applies itself against the first face 21A, along the inner edge of the tubular section 96, and is compressed, creating a seal around the gas outlet 22.

[0128] In the closed position of the door, the passive ventilation chimney 17 automatically occupies the connection configuration to each of the battery modules 16 of the battery module column 24.

[0129] The passive ventilation chimney 17 is connected in a sealed manner to the exhaust outlet 22 of each of the battery modules 16 of the column 24.

[0130] The evacuation channel 82 extends between each gas collector 84 and the upper opening 60 through the lower collection region 90 and the upper evacuation region 92 of the partition 80 by being fluidly connected to each gas evacuation outlet 22.

[0131] In the event of water intrusion into one of the battery modules 16 or at the joint 98, the water collected in the gas collectors 84 drains naturally by gravity through the tubular section 96, then downwards into the lower collection region 90 to the lower opening 64, preventing an accumulation of water in the drainage channel 82.

[0132] In the event of runaway of at least one electrochemical element 20 within a module 16, the electrochemical element 20 can produce excess gases which significantly increase the pressure in the sealed enclosure 19.

[0133] The pressure generated by the excess gases is applied to the selective venting device 22A, which opens. The excess gases are then vented through the vent outlet to the gas collector 84. They then travel along the vent channel 82, upwards along the lower collection region 90, to the upper venting region 92, before being vented through the upper opening 60 defining the outlet of the passive ventilation chimney 17.

[0134] Given the large minimum cross-section in the passive ventilation chimney 17, the excess gas pressure decreases significantly within the exhaust channel 82, limiting the pressure in the internal volume 14 and within the sealed enclosure 19.

[0135] In an example shown in [Fig. 5], a numerical simulation is performed by simulating the thermal runaway of two electrochemical cells 20A in a battery module 16 containing 104 electrochemical cells. This results in a maximum temperature rise of 394°C at the lower surface of the sealed enclosure 19 and a maximum temperature rise of 225°C at the upper surface of the sealed enclosure 19. The excess gases are vented through the vent channel 82 with a maximum pressure in the channel of 0.569 Pa and a maximum velocity of 1.1 m / s.

[0136] With this pressure and velocity being low, no excessive gas leakage occurs in the internal volume 14 outside the sealed enclosure 19 of the battery module 16 or at the interface joint between the battery module 16 and the passive ventilation chimney 17.

[0137] In an even more unfavorable numerical simulation, a progressive thermal runaway of all 104 electrochemical elements 20 of the battery module 14 is simulated, triggering the runaway by row every four minutes, starting from the row furthest from the first face 21 A.

[0138] This results in a maximum temperature rise of 524°C at the lower surface of the sealed enclosure 19 and a maximum temperature rise of 374°C at the upper surface of the sealed enclosure 19. The excess gases are vented through the vent channel 82 with a maximum pressure of 1.8 Pa and a maximum velocity of 2.6 m / s.

[0139] Even in this extreme case, the pressures remain low both in the sealed enclosure 19 of the battery module 16 and in the passive ventilation chimney 17, or at the interface seals 98 between the battery module 16 and the passive ventilation chimney 17, preventing any excessive gas leakage to the outside of the battery module 16 into the internal volume 14.

[0140] The passive ventilation chimney 17 is also completely devoid of any active components. Thus, as soon as the door 53 reaches its closed position, the battery modules 16 are automatically connected to the passive ventilation chimney 17 and are protected against runaway. The evacuation of excess gases from the battery module 16 is guaranteed in the event of runaway.

[0141] This makes the storage system 10 particularly compact and safe, since no active components need to be maintained or have proven reliability, thus reducing the cost of the solution, minimizing the size of the safety system, and increasing its reliability. Furthermore, the passive ventilation chimney 17 remains operational even during transport of the storage system 10 to its site of use.

[0142] Thanks to the space gained within the internal volume 14, it is possible to accommodate more battery modules 16 safely, increasing the electrical power stored per unit area occupied by the transport container 12.

[0143] In one variant (not shown), the passive ventilation chimney 17 projects outwards from the outer face 58 of the shutter panel 54 of the door 53.

[0144] In this case, the sealing panel 54 has, for each gas collector 84 connected to a battery module 16, a through-opening formed between the inner face 56 and the outer face 58, allowing the passage of the gases collected in the gas collector 84 to the channel 82. The upper through-opening 60 for gas discharge and the possible lower through-opening 64 for water discharge are provided in the partition 80. Each gas collector 84 then comprises, as before, a tubular section 96 inclined downwards from the inside to the outside of the inner volume 14.

[0145] In this case, the door 53 is preferably set back from the peripheral frame 37 and in particular from the external surface of the corners 40, so that the passive ventilation chimney 17 is contained within the volume defined by the external surfaces of the corners 40.

[0146] Alternatively, the passive ventilation chimney 17 is attached to the door 53 after the storage system 10 has been installed at its point of use. It may then extend beyond the volume defined by the external surfaces of the corners 40.

[0147] In one variant, the container is formed by an electrical cabinet or any energy storage system and not by a transport container 12 as shown in [Fig. 1]. The operating principle remains the same.

Claims

Demands

1. Battery module receiving container (16), comprising: - a self-supporting structure (30) comprising a floor (32), two longitudinal walls (50A, 50B), two transverse walls (52C, 52D) connecting the longitudinal walls (50A, 50B), and a roof (38), the self-supporting structure (30) defining between the floor (32), the two longitudinal walls (50A, 50B), the two transverse walls (52C, 52D) and the roof (38), an internal volume (14) for storing at least one battery module (16); at least one longitudinal wall (50A, 50B) and / or at least one transverse wall (52C, 52D) being provided with at least one door (53) movable between a closed position for sealing the internal volume (14) and an open position for accessing the internal volume (14);the container comprising a passive ventilation chimney (17) having at least one inlet intended to be connected to a gas exhaust outlet (22) of at least one battery module (16) and an outlet provided through the self-supporting structure (30), characterized in that the passive ventilation chimney (17) is supported by the door (53) and is movable jointly with the door (53) between: - a connection configuration to at least one battery module (16) when the door (53) is in its closed position and - a disconnected configuration from at least one battery module (16) when the door (53) is in its open position.

2. Container according to claim 1, in which the passive ventilation chimney (17) extends vertically along an axis (C-C') of elevation of the door (53).

3. A container according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the exhaust outlet of the passive ventilation chimney (17) is located in an upper region of the door (53), preferably along the upper edge of the door (53).

4. A container according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the passive ventilation chimney (17) has a lower region (90) for collecting gases from at least one battery module (16) and an upper region (92) for exhausting gases outside the self-supporting structure (30), the upper evacuation region (92) having a transverse extent greater than the transverse extent of the lower collection region (90).

5. A container according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the passive ventilation chimney (17) comprises a partition (80) disposed opposite an inner face (56) of the door (53), the passive ventilation chimney (17) having a gas exhaust channel (82) delimited at least in part by the partition (80), the gas exhaust channel (92) connecting the inlet of the passive ventilation chimney (17) to the outlet of the passive ventilation chimney (17).

6. Container according to claim 5, wherein the inner face (56) of the door (53) partially delimits the gas discharge channel (82).

7. A container according to any one of claims 5 or 6, wherein the passive ventilation chimney (17) comprises at least one gas collector (84) intended to be applied against a face (21A) of at least one battery module (16) around the gas discharge outlet (22) to collect gases from at least one battery module (16).

8. A container according to claim 7, wherein the gas manifold (84) comprises a compressible seal (98) configured to go from an expanded state in the disconnected configuration to a compressed state in the connected configuration.

9. A container according to any one of claims 7 or 8, wherein the gas collector (84) projects inwards relative to the partition (80).

10. Container according to claim 9, wherein the gas collector (84) comprises a tubular section inclined downwards (96) in the direction from the inside to the outside, the inclined tubular section (96) being connected to the partition (80).

11. A container according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that it forms a transport container, or a storage cabinet, such as an electrical cabinet.

12. Electrical power storage system (10), comprising: - a container according to any one of the preceding claims, the container preferably being a container transport (12) or a storage cabinet such as an electrical cabinet; - a plurality of battery modules (16) received in the internal volume (14) of the container, at least one battery module (16) having a gas exhaust outlet (22) connected to the passive ventilation chimney (17) in the connection configuration when the door (53) is in its closed position.

13. System (10) according to claim 12, wherein the gas exhaust outlet (22) of the battery module (16) is equipped with a selective shut-off device (22A), in particular a frangible device, the selective shut-off device (22A) being configured to open in the event of overpressure in the battery module (16).

14. System (10) according to any one of claims 12 or 13, wherein a first longitudinal wall (50A) of the container is provided with at least one door (53) carrying a passive ventilation chimney (17), a second longitudinal wall being without a door (53).

15. System (10) according to any one of claims 12 to 14, comprising a column (24) of battery modules (16) stacked one on top of the other, each battery module (16) having a gas exhaust outlet (22) connected to the same passive ventilation stack (17) in the connection configuration, the passive ventilation stack (17) preferably comprising for each given battery module (16) of the column (24) a respective gas collector (84) connected to the given battery module (16).

16. A method for securing an electrical power storage system (10) according to any one of claims 12 to 15, the method comprising the following steps: - production of an excess gas by at least one electrochemical element (20) of the battery module (16) and venting the excess gas through the gas vent outlet (22) of the battery module (16); - collection of the excess gas at the inlet of the passive ventilation stack (17) and conveying the excess gas to the outlet of the passive ventilation stack (17) along the door (53), the evacuation of the excess gas between the outlet of the battery module (16) and the outlet of the passive ventilation chimney (17) being carried out without using any active component for propelling the excess gas.

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