Fire extinguishing apparatus and method for battery rack of eco-friendly ship electric propulsion system or battery rack of ess

Abstract

The present invention relates to a fire extinguishing apparatus and method for a battery rack of an eco-friendly ship electric propulsion system or a battery rack of an energy storage system (ESS), and, more specifically, to a fire extinguishing apparatus and method for a battery rack of an eco-friendly ship electric propulsion system, which are capable of easily extinguishing fire so that, if a fire breaks out in the battery rack, the fire does not spread.

Description

Fire extinguishing device and method for battery rack of eco-friendly ship electric propulsion system or battery rack of ESS

[0001] The present invention relates to a fire extinguishing device and method for a battery rack of an eco-friendly ship electric propulsion system or an ESS, and more particularly, to a fire extinguishing device and method for a battery rack of an eco-friendly ship electric propulsion system or an ESS, which can easily extinguish a fire in the battery rack without spreading it.

[0002] Existing ships are equipped with diesel or gas engines and operate using the power generated by these engines, but recently, as issues such as environmental pollution from ships have become more prominent, electric engines that run on power stored in batteries are being developed.

[0003] Accordingly, attempts are being made to use electric energy as the driving force of ships, but when using batteries as the driving power of the motors required for the main propulsion of the ship, not only must the input voltage of the inverter connected to the motor be increased, but electricity must also be supplied to the navigational communication equipment and lighting used on the ship, so multiple batteries must be used to increase the capacity and connected in series to increase the voltage.

[0004] That is, multiple battery packs are connected in series or parallel or in an appropriate combination of series and parallel, and are stored in a battery rack to minimize space constraints and space requirements.

[0005] These battery packs may increase the risk of fire and explosion, and especially on ships, fires and explosions occur at sea, so the risk of casualties is very high. In addition, the ship structure is made of highly conductive materials, so there is a problem that the fire can spread throughout the ship.

[0006] Therefore, there is a need to develop technology that can quickly extinguish a fire in the battery racks of these eco-friendly ships and prevent it from spreading.

[0007] Meanwhile, energy demand has been increasing every year due to recent high oil prices and the expansion of heating and cooling equipment caused by abnormal climate change.

[0008] One of the solutions to solve the power crisis is the Energy Storage System (ESS).

[0009] ESS is a device that can store surplus electricity or use electricity produced by renewable energy when needed. It stores idle electricity during times of low electricity demand and supplies it during times of high demand, allowing for stable use of electricity.

[0010] Therefore, the importance of ESS, one of the new growth engine industries, is being highlighted as it can improve energy efficiency by storing electric energy and using it when needed, increase the utilization of new and renewable energy, and stabilize the power supply system.

[0011] Recently, container systems equipped with ESS batteries ranging from hundreds of kWh to megawatts are being applied as part of mobile ESS that maximizes the advantages of containers.

[0012] These ESSs also allow multiple battery packs to be connected in series, parallel, or a suitable combination of series and parallel, and are housed in battery racks to minimize space constraints and requirements.

[0013] Accordingly, these ESS battery packs may also have an increased risk of fire and explosion, and there is a need for the development of technology that can quickly extinguish a fire in the ESS battery rack and prevent it from spreading.

[0014] The present invention has been conceived based on the above-described technical background, and its purpose is to provide a fire extinguishing device and method for a battery rack of an eco-friendly ship electric propulsion system or an ESS battery rack, which can quickly extinguish a fire in the event of a fire in the battery rack and prevent the spread of the fire.

[0015] And the purpose is to provide a fire extinguishing device and method for a battery rack of an eco-friendly ship electric propulsion system or an ESS battery rack, in which a fire extinguishing agent is automatically sprayed in the event of a fire and water is automatically drained after the fire is extinguished.

[0016] In order to achieve the above object, the present invention comprises: a fire guard having a foldable shape, which is provided to surround a battery rack of an eco-friendly ship electric propulsion system or a battery rack of an ESS (Energy Storage System), and which is provided in an outer case in which the battery rack is accommodated; a spray pipe provided on the inside of the fire guard and having a plurality of spray holes for spraying a fire extinguishing agent toward the inside; a driving unit that moves the upper part of the fire guard up and down; an inlet pipe into which the fire extinguishing agent is introduced and connected to the spray pipe; a discharge pipe provided on the lower part of the outer case and through which the sprayed fire extinguishing agent is discharged; a first solenoid valve provided in the inlet pipe; and a second solenoid valve provided in the discharge pipe; and when a fire is detected, the fire guard is unfolded by the driving unit to surround the battery rack, and the first solenoid valve is opened, so that the fire extinguishing agent is sprayed through the spray pipe.

[0017] And according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention, the driving unit is characterized in that it is a type capable of linear movement by a step motor, and is of a ball screw type or a rack and pinion type.

[0018] In addition, according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention, it is characterized by further including a pressure sensor provided for detecting the level of the extinguishing agent filled in the fire guard; first and second position sensors provided at the upper and lower portions, respectively, for detecting movement of the driving unit; and a temperature sensor for detecting the temperature inside the outer case.

[0019] Meanwhile, the present invention for achieving the above object is a fire extinguishing method using a fire extinguishing device for a battery rack of an eco-friendly ship electric propulsion system or an ESS, comprising: a first step of cutting off power to a corresponding battery rack when a fire is detected in a plurality of the battery racks; a second step of unfolding the fire guard by the driving unit; a third step of turning on the first solenoid valve to spray a fire extinguishing agent through the spray pipe; a fourth step of turning off the first solenoid valve when a set level of the sprayed fire extinguishing agent is detected; and a fifth step of turning on the second solenoid valve to discharge the sprayed fire extinguishing agent when a set temperature is detected or a set time has elapsed.

[0020] And according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention, the first step is characterized by further including a first fire occurrence detection step through temperature information of the battery packs provided from a BMS (Battery Management System) that receives and controls information from a plurality of battery packs provided in a plurality of battery racks, and a second fire occurrence detection step through a temperature sensor provided in each of the battery racks.

[0021] In addition, according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention, after the fifth step, when the set level of the extinguishing agent is detected, the fire guard is folded by the driving unit, and the extinguishing operation is completed.

[0022] The present invention with the above-described configuration can expect the following effects.

[0023] In the event of a fire in the battery rack of an eco-friendly ship electric propulsion system or a land-based ESS, it can be quickly extinguished and has the effect of preventing the spread of fire.

[0024] That is, a fire is detected first in the BMS controlling multiple battery packs, and secondarily in each battery rack, so that fire in the battery rack can be detected without fail, and when a fire is detected, a fire guard is deployed on the corresponding battery rack to spray fire extinguishing agent, so that not only can the fire be quickly extinguished, but the spread of the fire can also be prevented.

[0025] This also has the effect of preventing thermal runaway between adjacent battery racks at an early stage.

[0026] At this time, the fire extinguishing agent is automatically sprayed, and after the fire extinguishing is completed, the water is automatically drained, so that the fire extinguishing of the battery rack is automatically carried out in a dangerous environment, and people are not put at risk for the fire extinguishing operation, and it also has the effect of making the fire extinguishing easy.

[0027] In addition, it is added that other effects of the present invention are encompassed in a wider range by the effects that can be easily derived from the embodiments described above and the matters described in the claims of the present invention, as well as the possibilities of potential advantages that contribute to industrial development.

[0028] Figure 1 is a perspective view showing a state in which a fire extinguishing device for a battery rack of an eco-friendly ship electric propulsion system or an ESS battery rack according to the present invention is installed.

[0029] Figure 2 is a perspective view showing the inside of Figure 1.

[0030] Figures 3a to 3f are side views and partially enlarged views of Figure 2.

[0031] Figure 4 is a perspective view showing a state in which a fire guard of a fire extinguishing device for a battery rack of an eco-friendly ship electric propulsion system or an ESS battery rack according to the present invention is unfolded.

[0032] Hereinafter, preferred embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the attached drawings. Prior to the description, the advantages and features of the present invention and the methods for achieving them will be clarified by referring to the embodiments described in detail below together with the attached drawings. In addition, the terminology used in this specification is for the purpose of describing the embodiments and is not intended to limit the present invention. Among these terms, singular forms also include plural forms unless specifically stated in the text. It should be noted that words indicating directions in the description are intended to aid understanding of the description and may change depending on the time point.

[0033]

[0034] Hereinafter, a fire extinguishing device and method for a battery rack of an eco-friendly ship electric propulsion system or a battery rack of a land-based ESS according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the attached drawings.

[0035] Fig. 1 is a perspective view showing a state in which a fire extinguishing device for a battery rack of an eco-friendly ship electric propulsion system or an ESS battery rack according to the present invention is installed, and Fig. 2 is a perspective view showing the interior of Fig. 1. In addition, Figs. 3a to 3e are side views and partially enlarged views of Fig. 2.

[0036] Referring to the drawings, the fire extinguishing device for the battery rack of the eco-friendly ship electric propulsion system or the battery rack of the ESS according to the present invention includes a fire guard (10), an injection pipe (20), a driving unit (30), an inlet pipe (41), an outlet pipe (42), first and second solenoid valves (51, 52), and several sensors, such as first and second position sensors (61, 62), a pressure sensor (63), and a temperature sensor (65).

[0037] The battery rack (100) equipped with a fire extinguishing device according to the present invention is housed in an outer case (150) equipped with a door (not shown), and the aforementioned fire guard (10), injection pipe (20), driving unit (30) and various sensors are all provided in the outer case (150), and the fire guard (10) is provided between the battery rack (100) and the outer case (150).

[0038]

[0039] First, as described above, the fire guard (10) is provided to surround the battery rack (100) of the eco-friendly ship electric propulsion system or the battery rack (100) of the ESS, but is provided within the outer case (150) in which the battery rack (100) is accommodated.

[0040] The fire guard (10) has a foldable shape and may be in the form of a bellows as shown in the drawing or may be made of flame-retardant fabric.

[0041] The fire guard (10) is made of a material that can withstand sufficient water pressure inside when a fire extinguishing agent is sprayed and has a waterproof function.

[0042] When a fire is detected, the fire guard (10) is unfolded by the driving unit (30), and as a result, a fire extinguishing agent is sprayed inside the fire guard (10) to perform the fire extinguishing operation. When the fire extinguishing is completed, the fire guard (10) is folded by the driving unit (30).

[0043]

[0044] Next, the injection pipe (20) is provided inside the fire guard (10) so that the fire extinguishing agent is injected toward the inside of the fire guard (10), i.e., toward the battery rack (100).

[0045] The injection pipe (20) is provided with a plurality of injection holes (25). As shown in FIG. 3b, the injection pipe (20) is provided with a plurality of injection holes (25), and the effect is that the maximum amount of extinguishing agent is injected through these plurality of injection holes (25).

[0046] The injection pipe (20) is provided in the length direction of the battery rack (100) inside the outer case (150), and the upper part is connected to the inlet pipe (41) through which the extinguishing agent is introduced, and the lower part is provided on the bottom surface of the outer case (150).

[0047] The injection pipe (20) is illustrated as having four pipes on each side at a predetermined interval in the drawing, but is not limited to this form.

[0048]

[0049] Next, the driving unit (30) moves the upper part of the fire guard (10) up and down, as shown in the drawing, so that the upper parts of both opposing sides of the fire guard (10) move up and down, but is not limited to this form.

[0050] The driving unit (30) is equipped with a holder (35) that holds and fixes the upper sides of the fire guard (10), and is configured to allow the holder (35) to move up and down in a straight line, for example, a ball screw type or rack and pinion type, and a step motor (31) is provided for driving the holder (35).

[0051] The drawing illustrates an example in which the driving unit (30) is of the ball screw type.

[0052] The holder (35) is provided on the same side as the aforementioned injection pipe (20), and includes a hole formed so that the injection pipe (20) passes through it and can move up and down without interference with the injection pipe (20).

[0053] This driving unit (30) is driven by a step motor (31) and moves in a straight line as the ball nut (32) moves along the ball screw (33). Since the ball nut (32) is attached to a holder (35), the fire guard (20) moves up and down in a straight line by the movement of the ball nut (32).

[0054] The state in which the fire guard (20) is unfolded by the driving unit (30) is illustrated in Fig. 4. Fig. 4 is a perspective view showing the state in which the fire guard of the fire extinguishing device for the battery rack of the eco-friendly ship electric propulsion system or the battery rack of the ESS is unfolded.

[0055] In a normal state, as shown in Fig. 2, the fire guard (10) is in a folded state, and the driving part (30), i.e., the holder (35) and the ball nut (32) are provided at the bottom. When a fire occurs, as shown in Fig. 4, the driving part (30) moves upward, i.e., the ball nut (32) moves upward along the ball screw (33) by the step motor (31), so that the fire guard (10) is unfolded.

[0056] At this time, the movement of the driving unit (30) is detected by the first and second position sensors (61, 62), which are provided to come into contact with the ball nut (32), with the first position sensor (61) being provided at the top and the second position sensor (62) being provided at the bottom.

[0057] That is, as shown in FIGS. 3c and 3d, the first and second position sensors (61, 62) are provided on a rod (69) installed on the inner wall of the outer case (150) at a predetermined distance from the ball screw (33), and detect the ball nut (32) moving along the ball screw (33).

[0058] The first position sensor (61) stops the rising of the driving unit (30), and the second position sensor (62) stops the falling of the driving unit (30).

[0059]

[0060] Next, the inlet pipe (41) is provided on the upper part of the outer case (150) through which the extinguishing agent is introduced, and is connected to the injection pipe (20) described above.

[0061] The inlet pipe (41) is connected to a fire extinguishing agent tank (not shown), so that the fire extinguishing agent is introduced and the introduced fire extinguishing agent is sprayed to the injection pipe (20).

[0062] Here, the fire extinguishing agent is for cooling fire extinguishment and may be provided as either a halogen compound, water, or a mixture thereof.

[0063] Halogen compounds are chemicals used to extinguish fires occurring in electrical equipment. They have electrical insulating properties and can extinguish fires by utilizing the effects of cooling, suppression, and extinguishing.

[0064]

[0065] Next, a discharge pipe (42) is provided at the bottom of the outer case (150) to discharge the sprayed fire extinguishing agent.

[0066] The discharge pipe (42) is connected to the discharge port provided on the lower surface of the outer case (150), so that the sprayed extinguishing agent is discharged to the outside of the outer case (150) or to a storage tank.

[0067] Here, the extinguishing agent discharged into the storage tank can be reused.

[0068]

[0069] Next, the first solenoid valve (51) is provided to control the spraying of the extinguishing agent into the spray pipe (20), and is provided in the inlet pipe (41).

[0070] That is, as shown in the drawing, the inflow pipe (41) is provided at the top of the outer case (150), and the extinguishing agent is supplied or stopped from being supplied by turning the first solenoid valve (51) on / off.

[0071] The first solenoid valve (51) is always in the off state, and when a fire is detected, the first solenoid valve (51) is turned on, and when the fire extinguishing agent is introduced through the inlet pipe (41), it is sprayed through the injection pipe (20).

[0072]

[0073] Next, a second solenoid valve (52) is provided to control the discharge of the sprayed extinguishing agent and is provided in the discharge pipe (42).

[0074] That is, as shown in the drawing, the discharge pipe (42) is provided at the bottom of the outer case (150), and the fire extinguishing agent is discharged by turning the second solenoid valve (52) on / off.

[0075] The second solenoid valve (52) is always in the off state, and when a fire occurs and the fire extinguishing agent is sprayed and a set temperature is detected or a predetermined time has passed, the fire extinguishing operation is judged to be complete, so the second solenoid valve (52) is turned on and the fire extinguishing agent is discharged through the discharge pipe (42).

[0076]

[0077] Next, a pressure sensor (63) is provided to detect the level of the extinguishing agent filled in the fire guard (10), and is provided on the bottom surface of the outer case (150), as shown in FIG. 3e.

[0078] The degree to which the extinguishing agent is filled is detected by the pressure sensor (63), and the first solenoid valve (51), which is turned on, can be controlled to turn off.

[0079] In the present invention, the pressure sensor (63) is described as an example of detecting the level of the extinguishing agent filled in the fire guard (10), but it is not limited thereto, and various types of sensors may be provided to control the inflow of the extinguishing agent.

[0080]

[0081] Next, a temperature sensor (65) is provided inside the outer case (150) to detect the temperature inside the outer case (150).

[0082] In the present invention, as illustrated in FIG. 3f, the temperature sensor (65) is provided in the upper rack of the battery rack (100) as an example, but is not limited thereto.

[0083] The temperature sensor (65) detects the internal temperature of the outer case (150), and when 70℃ to 105℃ is detected, it determines that a fire has occurred, cuts off the power to the corresponding battery rack (100), and causes the fire guard (10) to rise by the driving unit (30).

[0084] The temperature sensor (65) determines that the extinguishing operation is completed when the temperature drops to the set temperature through the extinguishing operation.

[0085]

[0086] Next, a fire extinguishing method for a battery rack of an eco-friendly ship electric propulsion system or an ESS according to the present invention will be examined.

[0087] As a first step, when a fire is detected, the power to the corresponding battery rack (150) is cut off.

[0088] Here, fire detection is carried out in two stages: first, primary fire detection in the BMS (Battery Management System) and second, fire detection by the temperature sensor (65) installed in each battery rack (100).

[0089] The BMS receives and controls information from multiple battery packs (130) installed in multiple battery racks (100), and the information received from the battery packs (130) includes temperature information of each battery pack (130).

[0090] Since each battery pack (130) has a built-in temperature sensor, temperature information of the corresponding battery pack (130) is provided to the BMS, and when the BMS detects a temperature of 70°C to 105°C in a specific battery pack (130) among the received temperature information, it determines that a fire has occurred and cuts off the power to the battery rack (100) equipped with the corresponding battery pack (130).

[0091] However, since there may be cases where the BMS cannot read such high temperature information from the battery pack (130), the occurrence of a secondary fire is detected through a temperature sensor (65) provided in each battery rack (100).

[0092]

[0093] When a fire is detected in the first step described above, the fire guard (10) is deployed by the driving unit (30) in the second step.

[0094] That is, the ball nut (32) rises along the ball screw (33) by driving the step motor (31), and at this time, the holder (35) equipped with the ball nut (32) rises, so that the upper part of the fire guard (10) equipped with the holder (35) moves upward, and the fire guard (10) is unfolded.

[0095]

[0096] Next, as the third step, the first solenoid valve (51) is turned on, and the extinguishing agent is sprayed through the spray pipe (20).

[0097] That is, when the fire guard (10) is unfolded, the first solenoid valve (51) is turned on, and the extinguishing agent flows into the inlet pipe (41) from the extinguishing agent tank, and the extinguishing agent is sprayed into the injection pipe (20).

[0098]

[0099] *These extinguishing agents are sprayed toward the battery rack (100) within the fire guard (10).

[0100]

[0101] Next, as the fourth step, when the set level of the sprayed extinguishing agent is detected, the first solenoid valve (51) is turned off.

[0102] When the extinguishing agent is sprayed, it fills the fire guard (10), and the pressure sensor (63) provided on the bottom surface of the outer case (150) detects the level of the extinguishing agent filled in the fire guard (10) through the pressure applied by the extinguishing agent being filled.

[0103] When the set level of the extinguishing agent is detected by the pressure sensor (63), that is, when the battery rack (100) is locked within the fire guard (10) and the extinguishing agent is detected to be filled to an extent that it will not overflow outside the fire guard (10), the first solenoid valve (51) is turned off to prevent the extinguishing agent from flowing in any more through the inlet pipe (41).

[0104]

[0105] Next, as the fifth step, when the set temperature is detected or the set time has passed, the second solenoid valve (62) is turned on to discharge the sprayed extinguishing agent.

[0106] That is, when the extinguishing operation is carried out in the third and fourth steps described above and extinguishing is judged to be complete, the sprayed extinguishing agent is discharged through the discharge pipe (42).

[0107] As described above, the completion of digestion is determined by the set temperature detection by the temperature sensor (65) or the elapsed time set by the timer (not shown).

[0108]

[0109] Next, when the set level of the extinguishing agent is detected, the fire guard (10) is folded by the driving unit (30), and the extinguishing operation is completed.

[0110] When the set level of the extinguishing agent is detected by the pressure sensor (63), i.e., when it is determined that the extinguishing agent has been completely discharged from the outer case (150), the ball nut (32) is lowered along the ball screw (33) by the driving of the step motor (31), and at this time, the holder (35) equipped with the ball nut (32) is lowered, so that the upper part of the fire guard (10) equipped with the holder (35) moves downward, and the fire guard (10) is folded.

[0111]

[0112] In this way, when a fire occurs in the battery rack (100) of the eco-friendly ship electric propulsion system or the battery rack (100) of the ESS, the fire extinguishing agent is automatically sprayed, and after the fire is extinguished, the water is automatically drained, so that the fire can be extinguished quickly and the spread of the fire can be prevented.

[0113]

[0114] The above description is merely an illustrative description of the technical idea of ​​the present invention, and those skilled in the art will appreciate that various modifications, changes, and substitutions may be made without departing from the essential characteristics of the present invention. In addition, as described above, the embodiments disclosed in the present invention and the attached drawings are not intended to limit the technical idea of ​​the present invention, but rather to explain it, and the scope of the technical idea of ​​the present invention is not limited by these embodiments and the attached drawings. The protection scope of the present invention should be interpreted by the following claims, and all technical ideas within a scope equivalent thereto should be interpreted as being included in the scope of the rights of the present invention.

[0115] 10; Fire Guard

[0116] 20; injection pipe

[0117] 25; Nozzle

[0118] 30; Drive unit

[0119] 31; stepper motor

[0120] 32; ball nut

[0121] 33; Ball screw

[0122] 35; Holder

[0123] 41; Inlet pipe

[0124] 42; exhaust pipe

[0125] 51, 52; solenoid valve

[0126] 61, 62; position sensor

[0127] 63; pressure sensor

[0128] 65; temperature sensor

[0129] 69; Road

[0130] 100; Battery Rack

[0131] 130; Battery Pack

[0132] 150; outer case

Claims

1. A fire guard of a foldable shape, which is provided to surround the battery rack of an eco-friendly ship electric propulsion system or the battery rack of an ESS (Energy Storage System), and is provided within an outer case in which the battery rack is accommodated; A spray pipe having a plurality of spray holes, which is provided on the inside of the fire guard and sprays a fire extinguishing agent toward the inside; A driving unit for moving the upper part of the fire guard up and down; An inlet pipe into which the above-mentioned extinguishing agent is introduced and connected to the injection pipe; A discharge pipe provided at the bottom of the above outer case through which the sprayed fire extinguishing agent is discharged; A first solenoid valve provided in the above inlet pipe; and Including a second solenoid valve provided in the above discharge pipe; A fire extinguishing device for a battery rack, characterized in that when a fire occurs, the fire guard is expanded to surround the battery rack by the driving unit, the first solenoid valve is opened, and the fire extinguishing agent is sprayed through the spray pipe.

2. In paragraph 1, The above driving part, A fire extinguishing device for a battery rack, characterized in that it is capable of linear movement by a step motor and is of a ball screw type or a rack and pinion type.

3. In paragraph 1, A pressure sensor provided to detect the level of extinguishing agent filled within the above fire guard; First and second position sensors provided at the upper and lower portions respectively for detecting movement of the above driving unit; and A fire extinguishing device for a battery rack, characterized in that it further includes a temperature sensor for detecting the temperature inside the outer case.

4. In the fire extinguishing method using the fire extinguishing device for the battery rack described in Article 1, A first step of cutting off power to a plurality of battery racks when a fire is detected in the battery racks; A second step in which the fire guard is unfolded by the driving unit; A third step in which the first solenoid valve is turned on and the extinguishing agent is sprayed through the injection pipe; A fourth step in which the first solenoid valve is turned off when the set level of the sprayed extinguishing agent is detected; and A battery rack fire extinguishing method characterized by including a fifth step; wherein the second solenoid valve is turned on to discharge the sprayed fire extinguishing agent when a set temperature is detected or a set time has elapsed.

5. In paragraph 4, The above first step is, The first fire detection step is performed using temperature information of the battery packs provided by the BMS (Battery Management System) that receives information from multiple battery packs equipped in the multiple battery racks and controls them, A battery rack fire extinguishing method further comprising a secondary fire detection step through a temperature sensor provided in each of the above battery racks.

6. In paragraph 4, After the above 5th step, A battery rack fire extinguishing method, characterized in that when a set level of the fire extinguishing agent is detected, the fire guard is folded by the driving unit, and the fire extinguishing operation is completed.

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