Battery module comprising a cooling circuit

Abstract

The invention relates to a battery module (1), in particular for an aircraft, comprising a cooling circuit (3) including a cooling tube (5) and a plurality of fins (7) attached to the cooling tube (5), each fin (7) having a cooperation portion (9) in contact with the cooling tube (5), the cooperation portion (9) extending at least partially along a direction (11) in which the cooling tube (5) extends, so as to define a shape-fitting cooperation between the fin (7) and the cooling tube (5); a plurality of electrochemical cells (13) each comprising two terminals (15), the electrochemical cells (13) being configured to be connected together in series and / or in parallel, each electrochemical cell (13) being configured to be in contact with at least one fin (7) or at least one element for connection to the fin (7).

Description

[0001] DESCRIPTION

[0002] TITLE: Battery module including a cooling circuit

[0003] Field of invention

[0004] The present invention relates to a battery module, in particular for an aircraft, comprising a cooling circuit including a cooling tube and a plurality of fins attached to the cooling tube.

[0005] Prior art

[0006] Climate change is a major concern for many legislative and regulatory bodies around the world. Indeed, various carbon emission restrictions have been, are being, or will be adopted by various states. In particular, an ambitious standard applies to both new aircraft types and those currently in operation, requiring the implementation of technological solutions to bring them into compliance with current regulations. Civil aviation has been mobilizing for several years now to contribute to the fight against climate change.

[0007] Technological research efforts have already led to very significant improvements in the environmental performance of aircraft. The Applicant takes into consideration the factors impacting all phases of design and development to obtain less energy-intensive, more environmentally friendly aeronautical components and products whose integration and use in civil aviation have moderate environmental impacts with the aim of improving the energy efficiency of aircraft. Consequently, the Applicant is constantly working to reduce its climate impact by using methods and operating virtuous development and manufacturing processes and minimizing greenhouse gas emissions to the minimum possible to reduce the environmental footprint of its activity.

[0008] This ongoing research and development work focuses in particular on the development of on-board electrical technologies, for example to provide propulsion.

[0009] An electric battery module comprises a plurality of electrochemical cells, each provided with at least two terminals. The electrochemical cells can thus be connected together in series and / or in parallel. It is known to use several types of electrochemical cells, each having different geometric characteristics.

[0010] A flexible pouch electrochemical cell has an outer shell made of a plastic-coated metal film. This type of electrochemical cell is lightweight and simple to manufacture but must be held in position due to its flexible structure.

[0011] A cylindrical electrochemical cell is rigid, which allows for assembly requiring fewer reinforcements to hold it in position. A disadvantage of this type of cell is its cylindrical shape, which leaves empty spaces in the battery module.

[0012] A rigid prismatic electrochemical cell has an external envelope forming a rectangular parallelepiped. This format offers a very good filling coefficient but still requires reinforcements to maintain position.

[0013] In addition to the constraints of arranging the electrochemical cells in the battery module, it is necessary to cool the electrochemical cells in operation for use in an aircraft.

[0014] Indeed, beyond a temperature threshold known as "thermal runaway" which can be between 70°C and 110°C, exothermic internal chemical reactions can begin. When the accumulator is no longer able to dissipate enough heat, the temperature of the cell increases until it is destroyed, this phenomenon being usually referred to as thermal runaway. In other words, thermal runaway occurs in a battery when the energy released by the exothermic reactions occurring inside it exceeds the capacity to dissipate it to the outside. This runaway can be followed by the generation of gas and an explosion and / or fire, which risks spreading the reaction to the other electrochemical cells in the battery.

[0015] Document FR 3 131 454 A1 describes, for example, metal cooling tubes welded to a support plate. The support plate, together with a bell, constitutes a closed mechanical housing intended to confine the heat produced by the electrochemical cells, the cooling tubes evacuating the heat to regulate the temperature.

[0016] However, there is a difficulty in cooling electrochemical cells, as contact between them and the support plate is limited. This implies a reduced heat flow. A cooling circuit of significant size may be necessary to sufficiently evacuate the heat. There are other systems in which cooling fluid coils are inserted directly between the cells (for example, cylindrical) and are thus placed in direct contact with the cells. However, such a cooling circuit has a significant impact in terms of size and mass, and direct contact between the cooling circuit and the cells also presents risks in the event of thermal runaway at the cell level.

[0017] There is therefore a need to optimize heat exchanges as well as to reduce the mass and size of the fluid circuit.

[0018] The present invention aims to resolve all or part of the drawbacks mentioned above.

[0019] Statement of the invention

[0020] To this end, the present invention relates to a battery module comprising: a cooling circuit including at least one cooling tube and a plurality of fins attached to the cooling tube, each fin having a cooperation portion in contact with the cooling tube, said cooperation portion extending at least in part in a direction of extension of the cooling tube so as to define a cooperation by form complementarity between said fin and the cooling tube, a plurality of electrochemical cells each comprising two terminals, the electrochemical cells being configured to be connected together in series and / or in parallel, each electrochemical cell being configured to be in contact with at least one fin or at least one element for connection to said fin.

[0021] The cooperation between the cooling tube and the fins on the one hand and between the fins and the electrochemical cells on the other hand guarantees an efficient thermal link between a hot source (electrochemical cells when these have to dissipate heat) and a cold source (cooling tube).

[0022] This arrangement therefore allows good heat evacuation from the battery module. Due to the good heat transfer efficiency, the cooling tube size and the flow rate used can be reduced.

[0023] The electrochemical cells used may be of the Ni-Cd (Nickel-Cadmium) type. They may also be lithium-ion type electrochemical cells composed of a metal oxide couple, most often Nickel and Cobalt-Graphite. According to one aspect of the invention, the fins and the cooling tube are made of aluminum or a material having similar thermal conduction properties.

[0024] According to one aspect of the invention, the cooperation portion corresponds to a cylinder portion or to a cylinder extending at least partly in the direction of extension of the cooling tube. The cylinder portion is for example coaxial with the cooling tube.

[0025] By cylinder portion, it is understood that the cooperation portion is a profile having a base in the shape of an arc of a circle. Generally speaking, the cooperation portion has a small thickness compared to its extension surface.

[0026] The cooperation portion thus has an internal contact surface of complementary shape with an external surface of the cooling tube. This complementarity of shape allows good heat transmission between the cooling tube and the fins.

[0027] According to one aspect of the invention, the cooperation portion is crimped onto the cooling tube, said corresponding fin being integral with the cooling tube.

[0028] This arrangement improves cooperation by complementarity of shape, the fins being force-mounted on the cooling tube so as to be integral with the cooling tube.

[0029] Furthermore, this arrangement creates mechanical rigidity for the assembly consisting of the cooling tube and the plurality of fins.

[0030] According to one aspect of the invention, the consecutive fins are configured to hold in position in the direction of extension of the cooling tube at least one electrochemical cell or at least one electrochemical cell and at least one corresponding connecting element arranged between said consecutive fins.

[0031] It appears that two consecutive fins also serve as wedging elements in addition to their function as heat transfer elements. Between two consecutive fins, we thus find one or more electrochemical cells possibly accompanied by one or more connecting elements (such as heat drains).

[0032] This arrangement makes it possible to stiffen the battery module: it is thus easier to transport and the electrochemical cells retain their positions relative to the fins. The battery module is consequently more robust and easier to assemble as an independent assembly. According to one aspect of the invention, the electrochemical cells are of the flexible bag type, each electrochemical cell extending along a specific main plane transverse to the direction of extension of the cooling tube.

[0033] Each proper main plane is parallel to the adjacent fin. Thus, the battery module is in the form of a stack of layers, each layer extending transversely to the direction of extension of the cooling tube.

[0034] The advantage of the battery module arrangement is that it forms a rigid assembly even though the electrochemical cells are flexible.

[0035] In another aspect, each fin then extends along a fin plane transverse to the direction of extension of the cooling tube, each fin being parallel to the electrochemical cells.

[0036] Alternatively, the electrochemical cells are of the cylindrical type. In this case, the consecutive fins are configured to hold in position in the direction of extension of the cooling tube several electrochemical cells with possibly one or more connecting elements arranged between said consecutive fins.

[0037] According to one example, it is possible to arrange between five and twenty-five, in particular fifteen, electrochemical cells between two consecutive fins. Cylindrical electrochemical cells each have an axis of revolution extending parallel to the extension planes of the consecutive fins.

[0038] Each cylindrical electrochemical cell has two opposite ends constituting the terminals of said electrochemical cell.

[0039] Cylindrical electrochemical cells are arranged in rows and columns so as to define lines whose electrochemical cells are joined at their ends.

[0040] This arrangement allows several electrochemical cells to be arranged between two consecutive fins, the electrochemical cells of the same row being connected in series.

[0041] One or more connecting elements may be used to fill the gaps left between the electrochemical cells and the fins.

[0042] Alternatively, each electrochemical cell is of rigid prismatic format. In this possibility, the construction is similar to that of flexible bag type electrochemical cells. The thickness of this rigid prismatic format is greater than that of a flexible bag. The thickness is the dimension along the axis of extension of the cooling tube. The construction remains the same and one or more connecting elements can be added between the electrochemical cell and the adjacent fin.

[0043] According to one aspect of the invention, the connecting element is a layer arranged between the electrochemical cell and the adjacent fin, the connecting element being made of a thermally conductive material and / or a material capable of deforming so as to dampen the mechanical stresses transmitted by said electrochemical cell and / or the adjacent fin.

[0044] The connecting element therefore makes it possible to adapt the fins to the electrochemical cells even if there is no perfect shape complementarity between the latter.

[0045] Depending on the assembly chosen, the connecting element can have a protective or shock-absorbing role or a thermal conductor role to better evacuate heat from the electrochemical cells to the fins.

[0046] According to one possibility, the connecting element is a heat sink adapted to be attached to an electrochemical cell. The heat sink is adapted to conduct the heat produced by the electrochemical cell to the fin.

[0047] The heat drain may have at least one flap folded at a right angle and intended to cooperate with a thickness of the electrochemical cell.

[0048] In particular, the heat drain is a graphite sheet on which a sticky part like aluminum tape is attached.

[0049] Alternatively, the connecting element is made of foam and arranged to collapse under the effect of the electrochemical cell and / or the adjacent fin.

[0050] The foam can be placed on only one side of the electrochemical cell when it is made of a thermally insulating material. This way, the heat from the electrochemical cell is guided to the fin on the other side.

[0051] This arrangement can be useful to define a dissipation path followed by heat from the electrochemical cell to the cooling tube.

[0052] Alternatively, it is possible to provide a thermally conductive foam which can be used on both sides of the electrochemical cell.

[0053] Furthermore, the connecting element may be made of any other material having both damping and / or thermal conduction properties.

[0054] According to one aspect of the invention, each fin comprises a body secured to the cooperation portion, the body extending along a height dimension and along a width dimension transverse to the height dimension, the body having a free part extending beyond the adjacent electrochemical cell along the height dimension and / or the width dimension. This oversizing of the fin relative to the electrochemical cell promotes the dissipation of heat by convection. Indeed, depending on the temperature differences, an air current is created, along the width in particular. Preferably, the free part extends along the height dimension.

[0055] The fins can also be drilled into the free portion to add a structural part of the battery module. This improves mechanical rigidity.

[0056] According to one aspect of the invention, at least one fin comprises a measurement taking portion attached to the body and extending along the width dimension and / or along the height dimension.

[0057] The measuring portion is configured to be connected to a measuring device or a connection element to a measuring device such as a cable. The measuring device can be configured to measure a temperature. The measurement is thus accurate without being intrusive.

[0058] Preferably, the measurement portion is an extension of the body made integrally with the body.

[0059] According to one aspect of the invention, the cooling circuit comprises at least two cooling tubes connected by at least one cooling circuit connecting tube, for example an elbow, so as to generate the cooling circuit with an inlet and an outlet.

[0060] Preferably, the cooling circuit comprises two cooling tubes extending in parallel, the at least one connecting tube being a 180° bend.

[0061] Each fin thus includes two cooperating portions, the cooling circuit making a round trip. The two cooling tubes are aligned according to the width dimension.

[0062] Each cooperation portion is included in an outgrowth of the body preferably having an oblong or arcuate shape extending along the height dimension.

[0063] The free part is located opposite the at least one protrusion according to the height dimension. The battery module thus evacuates heat through the cooling circuit at one end and by convection at another opposite end.

[0064] According to one aspect of the invention, the terminals of each electrochemical cell extend beyond the fins along the width dimension. The terminals are thus easily accessible. The present invention also relates to a closed mechanical housing comprising a base and a bell arranged to cooperate with the base in a closed position, the closed mechanical housing comprising at least one battery module as described above, the at least one battery module being adapted to be arranged in the closed mechanical housing, the at least one corresponding cooling circuit being adapted to be connected to a cooling fluid circulation circuit external to the closed mechanical housing.

[0065] Thus, while being protected by the base and the bell, the cooling circuit(s) can be connected to an external cold source. The base and the bell prevent thermal runaway of the battery by confining the heat produced.

[0066] Preferably, the closed mechanical housing has, for at least two cooling tubes, an opening suitable for the passage of the corresponding cooling tube between the inside and the outside of the closed mechanical housing.

[0067] So one cooling tube is an inlet tube and another cooling tube is an outlet tube. There can also be multiple inlets and outlets.

[0068] According to one aspect of the invention, said opening is provided in the base, the base having a receiving recess capable of receiving the at least one battery module. Preferably, the receiving recess is adapted to cooperate with the protrusions of the fins so as to hold the at least one battery module in position.

[0069] According to one aspect of the invention, the closed mechanical housing may have a vent capable of being arranged in an open or closed position. The purpose of this vent is to evacuate heat in the event of overheating and / or thermal runaway.

[0070] The closed mechanical housing comprises at least one voltage sensor and / or at least one temperature sensor. The closed mechanical housing comprises a connection assembly for the terminals of the electrochemical cells and a control and balancing card for the at least one battery module, these elements being able to be internal or external to the closed mechanical housing depending on the configurations.

[0071] The present invention also relates to an aircraft comprising at least one battery module as described above or comprising at least one closed mechanical housing as described above. The aircraft further comprises the cooling fluid circulation circuit connected to a cold source of the aircraft. The aircraft also comprises a propulsion assembly and an electrical distribution chain adapted to connect the propulsion assembly and the at least one closed mechanical housing to at least one current consumption element of the aircraft. The electrical distribution chain comprises conservators adapted to the types of current produced and consumed.

[0072] The present invention further relates to a method for manufacturing a battery module as described above, comprising the following steps: providing at least one cooling tube, a plurality of fins and a plurality of electrochemical cells, mounting a fin on the at least one cooling tube by fitting, then providing at least one electrochemical cell on said fin or providing at least one electrochemical cell with at least one connecting element on said fin, then starting again so as to constitute an alternation of fins and one or more electrochemical cells or one or more electrochemical cells with at least one connecting element.

[0073] The battery module is easy to install. The fin is designed to fit the tube so that it stays in place once installed.

[0074] The alternation between fins and electrochemical cells (possibly accompanied by connecting elements such as heat sinks) makes it possible to create a rigid and solid assembly. This rigid assembly can include electrochemical cells of the flexible bag type, cylindrical type or prismatic format.

[0075] This manufacturing process allows for a battery module with reduced mass. Furthermore, industrialization is simplified with simple assembly.

[0076] According to one aspect of the invention, the mounting of a fin on the at least one cooling tube is carried out by crimping so as to secure said fin to the at least one cooling tube.

[0077] Crimping also generates the cooperation portion by deformation of the fin. In practice, each fin is initially provided with an orifice of smaller diameter than the outside diameter of the cooling tube. Said fin is force-fitted onto the cooling tube and then moved by sliding to its final location by dedicated tooling adapted to carrying out crimping.

[0078] This manufacturing method is fast and reliable. The fin can be attached to the cooling tube by welding. The various aspects defined above, which are not incompatible, can be combined.

[0079] Brief description of the figures

[0080] The invention will be better understood with the aid of the detailed description which is set out below with reference to the accompanying drawings.

[0081] [Fig. 1] is a perspective view of a battery module.

[0082] [Fig. 2] is a detailed perspective view of the battery module.

[0083] [Fig. 3] is a perspective view of a battery module comprising cylindrical type electrochemical cells.

[0084] [Fig. 4] is a perspective view of an electrochemical cell and a connecting element attached to said electrochemical cell.

[0085] [Fig. 5] is a perspective view of a detail of the battery module with a fin comprising two measuring socket portions.

[0086] [Fig. 6] is a perspective view of a battery module with fins including free portions extending beyond the electrochemical cells.

[0087] [Fig. 7] is an exploded perspective view of a closed mechanical housing including a battery module.

[0088] [Fig. 8] is a diagram of current production and consumption in an aircraft.

[0089] Description with reference to figures

[0090] In the detailed description which follows of the figures defined above, the same elements or elements fulfilling identical functions may retain the same references so as to simplify the understanding of the invention.

[0091] As illustrated in Figures 1 and 2, a battery module 1 comprises a cooling circuit 3 including two cooling tubes 5 and a plurality of fins 7 attached to the cooling tubes 5.

[0092] Each fin 7 has a cooperation portion 9 in contact with the corresponding cooling tube s, said cooperation portion 9 extending at least partly in a direction of extension 11 of the cooling tube 5 so as to define a cooperation by complementary shape between said fin 7 and the cooling tube 5. The battery module 1 comprises a plurality of electrochemical cells 13 each comprising two terminals 15. The electrochemical cells 13 are configured to be connected together in series and / or in parallel.

[0093] Each electrochemical cell 13 is configured to be in contact with at least one fin 7 or at least one connecting element 17 to said fin 7 as visible in FIG. 4.

[0094] The electrochemical cells 13 used can be of the Ni-Cd (Nickel-Cadmium) type. It can also be a lithium-ion electrochemical cell 13 composed of a metal oxide couple, most often Nickel and Cobalt-Graphite. Any other chemical type can also be used, for example lithium-metal.

[0095] The fins 7 and / or the cooling tubes 5 are made of aluminum or a material having similar heat conduction properties.

[0096] The cooperation portion 9 corresponds for example to a cylinder portion or to a cylinder extending at least partly in the direction of extension 11 of the cooling tube 5.

[0097] By cylinder portion, it is understood that the cooperation portion 9 is a profile having a base in the shape of an arc of a circle. Generally speaking, the cooperation portion 9 has a small thickness compared to its extension surface.

[0098] The cooperation portion 9 thus has an internal contact surface of complementary shape with an external surface of the corresponding cooling tube s.

[0099] The cooperation portion 9 is preferably crimped onto the cooling tube s, said corresponding fin 7 being integral with the cooling tube 5.

[0100] For example, the cooperation portion 9 is integrated at the level of a protrusion 39 of the fin 7, preferably having an oblong or arcuate shape projecting from the fin. The protrusion 39 has for example a tab shape.

[0101] The consecutive fins 7 are configured to hold in position along the direction of extension 11 of the cooling tube s at least one electrochemical cell 13 or at least one electrochemical cell 13 and at least one corresponding connecting element 17 arranged between said consecutive fins 7.

[0102] It appears that two consecutive fins 7 also serve as wedging elements in addition to their function as heat transfer elements. Between two consecutive fins 7, there are thus one or more electrochemical cells 13 possibly accompanied by one or more connecting elements 17.

[0103] The electrochemical cells 13 are of the flexible bag type, each electrochemical cell 13 extending along a specific main plane 19 transverse to the direction of extension 11 of the cooling tube 5.

[0104] Each proper main plane 19 is parallel to the adjacent fin 7 and in particular to the plurality of fins 7; these being parallel to each other. Thus, the battery module 1 is in the form of a stack of layers, each layer extending transversely to the direction of extension 11 of the cooling tube 5.

[0105] According to an alternative shown in Figure 3, the electrochemical cells 13 are of the cylindrical type. In this case, the consecutive fins 7 are configured to hold in position along the direction of extension 11 of the cooling tube 5 several electrochemical cells 13 with possibly one or more connecting elements 17 arranged between said consecutive fins 7.

[0106] According to this example, it is possible to arrange between five and twenty-five, in particular fifteen, electrochemical cells 13 between two consecutive fins 7. The cylindrical electrochemical cells 13 each have an axis of revolution 21 extending parallel to the extension planes of the consecutive fins 7.

[0107] Each electrochemical cell 13 of cylindrical type has two opposite ends constituting the terminals 15 of said electrochemical cell 13.

[0108] The cylindrical electrochemical cells 13 are arranged in rows and columns so as to define rows to which the electrochemical cells 13 are joined by their ends.

[0109] This arrangement makes it possible to arrange several electrochemical cells 13 between two consecutive fins 7, the electrochemical cells 13 of the same row being connected in series.

[0110] Optionally, one or more connecting elements 17 may be used to fill the spaces left empty between the electrochemical cells 13 and the fins 7.

[0111] As illustrated in Figure 4, the connecting element 17 is a layer arranged between the electrochemical cell 13 and the adjacent fin 7, the connecting element 17 being made of a thermally conductive material and / or a material capable of deforming so as to dampen the mechanical stresses transmitted by said electrochemical cell 13 and / or the adjacent fin 7. The connecting element 17 therefore makes it possible to adapt the fins ? to the electrochemical cells 13 even if there is no perfect shape complementarity between the latter.

[0112] Depending on the assembly chosen, the connecting element 17 can have a protective or shock absorber role or a thermal conductor role to better evacuate the heat from the electrochemical cells 13 to the fins 7.

[0113] According to one possibility, the connecting element 17 is a heat sink adapted to be attached to an electrochemical cell 13. The heat sink is adapted to conduct the heat produced by the electrochemical cell 13 to the fin 7.

[0114] The heat drain may have at least one flap 23 folded at a right angle and intended to cooperate with a thickness of the electrochemical cell 13.

[0115] In particular, the heat drain is a graphite sheet on which a sticky part like aluminum tape is attached.

[0116] According to another possibility as an alternative or in combination with the graphite drain, the connecting element 17 is made of foam and arranged to collapse under the effect of the electrochemical cell 13 and / or the adjacent fin 7.

[0117] The foam can be arranged on only one side of the electrochemical cell 13 when it is made of a thermally insulating material. Thus, the heat from the electrochemical cell 13 is guided to the fin 7 located on the other side.

[0118] This arrangement may be useful for defining a dissipation path followed by heat from the electrochemical cell 13 to the cooling tube 5.

[0119] Alternatively, it is possible to provide a thermally conductive foam which can be used on both sides of the electrochemical cell 13.

[0120] Furthermore, the connecting element 17 may be made of any other material having both damping and / or thermal conduction properties.

[0121] As illustrated in Figure 6, in one possible embodiment, each fin 7 comprises a body 25 secured to the cooperation portion 9, the body 25 extending along a height dimension 27 and along a width dimension 29 transverse to the height dimension 27.

[0122] The body 25 has a free portion 31 extending beyond the adjacent electrochemical cell 13 along the height dimension 27.

[0123] This oversizing of the fin ? relative to the electrochemical cell 13 promotes the dissipation of heat by convection. Indeed, depending on the temperature differences, an air current is created (see arrows in Figure 6), along the width 29 in particular. As illustrated in Figure 5, at least one fin 7 comprises a measurement taking portion 33 attached to the body 5 and extending along the dimension of the width 29 and / or along the dimension of the height 27.

[0124] The measuring portion 33 is configured to be connected to a measuring device or connecting element to a measuring device such as a cable 35. The measuring device can be configured to measure a temperature. The measurement is thus precise without being carried out in an intrusive manner.

[0125] Preferably, the measurement portion 33 is an extension of the body 25 made in one piece with the body 25.

[0126] As illustrated in Figures 1 to 7, the cooling circuit 3 comprises two cooling tubes 5 connected by at least one connecting tube 37 of the cooling circuit 3, for example an elbow, so as to generate the cooling circuit 3 with an inlet and an outlet.

[0127] Preferably, the cooling circuit 3 comprises two cooling tubes s extending in parallel, the at least one connecting tube 37 being a 180° bend.

[0128] Each fin 7 thus preferably includes two cooperating portions 9, the cooling circuit 3 making a round trip. The two cooling tubes are aligned along the width dimension 29. The two cooling tubes preferably extend along two parallel directions.

[0129] Each cooperation portion 9 is included in a protrusion 39 of the body 25 preferably having an oblong or arcuate shape extending along the height dimension 27.

[0130] The free part 31 is located opposite the at least one protrusion 39 according to the height dimension 27. The battery module 1 thus evacuates the heat through the cooling circuit 3 at one end and by convection at another opposite end.

[0131] The terminals 15 of each electrochemical cell 13 extend beyond the fins 7 along the width dimension 29. The terminals 15 are thus easily accessible.

[0132] As illustrated in Figure 7, a closed mechanical housing 41 comprises a base 43 and a bell 45 arranged to cooperate with the base 43 in a closed position.

[0133] The closed mechanical housing 41 comprises at least one battery module 1 as described above, the at least one battery module 1 being adapted to be arranged in the closed mechanical housing 41. The at least one corresponding cooling circuit 3 is adapted to be connected to a cooling fluid circulation circuit, the circulation circuit being for example external to the closed mechanical housing 41.

[0134] Thus, while being protected by the base 43 and the bell 45, the cooling circuit(s) 3 can be connected to an external cold source. The base 43 and the bell 45 make it possible to prevent thermal runaway of the battery by confining the heat produced.

[0135] Preferably, the closed mechanical housing 41 has, for at least two cooling tubes 5, an opening 47 adapted for the passage of the corresponding cooling tube s between the inside and the outside of the closed mechanical housing 41.

[0136] Thus, one cooling tube 5 is an inlet tube and another cooling tube 5 is an outlet tube. There can also be multiple inlets and outlets.

[0137] Said opening 47 is provided in the base 43, the base 43 having a receiving recess 49 capable of receiving the at least one battery module 1. Preferably, the receiving recess 49 is adapted to cooperate with the protrusions 39 of the fins 7 so as to hold the at least one battery module 1 in position.

[0138] The closed mechanical housing 41 may have a vent 51 capable of being arranged in the open or closed position, allowing gases to be evacuated, particularly in the event of a thermal runaway event.

[0139] The closed mechanical housing 41 comprises at least one voltage sensor and / or at least one temperature sensor. The closed mechanical housing 41 comprises a connection assembly for the terminals of the electrochemical cells 13 and a control and balancing card for the at least one battery module 1, these elements being able to be internal or external to the closed mechanical housing 41 depending on the configurations.

[0140] As illustrated in Figure 8, an aircraft 53 comprises at least one closed mechanical housing 41 as described above. The aircraft 53 further comprises the cooling fluid circulation circuit connected to a cold source of the aircraft 53.

[0141] The aircraft 53 also comprises a propulsion assembly 55 and an electrical distribution chain 57 adapted to connect the propulsion assembly 55 and the at least one closed mechanical housing 41 to at least one current consumption element 59 of the aircraft 53. The electrical distribution chain 57 comprises converters 61 adapted to the types of current produced and consumed. A method of manufacturing a battery module 1 as described above consists first of all in having two cooling tubes s, a plurality of fins and a plurality of electrochemical cells 13.

[0142] The manufacturing method then consists of mounting a fin 7 on the cooling tubes s by fitting and then arranging at least one electrochemical cell 13 or at least one electrochemical cell 13 with at least one connecting element 17 on said fin 7 and then starting again so as to constitute an alternation of fins 7 and one or more electrochemical cells 13 or one or more electrochemical cells 13 with at least one connecting element 17.

[0143] The alternation between fins 7 and electrochemical cells 13 makes it possible to constitute a rigid and solid assembly. This rigid assembly can comprise electrochemical cells 13 of the flexible bag type, of the cylindrical type or of the prismatic format.

[0144] The mounting of a fin 7 on the cooling tube 5 is carried out by crimping so as to secure said fin 7 to the cooling tube 5.

[0145] The crimping also preferably generates the cooperation portion 9 by deformation of the fin 7. The mounting of the fin 7 on the cooling tube 5 by crimping secures the fin 7 and the cooling tube 5 by creating the cooperation portion 9.

[0146] Preferably, in practice, each fin 7 is for example initially provided with an orifice of smaller diameter than the outside diameter of the cooling tube s. Said fin 7 is force-fitted onto the cooling tube s and then moved by sliding to its final location by dedicated tooling adapted to carrying out crimping, which forms the cooperation portion 9. This manufacturing method is fast and reliable. The fixing of the fin 7 on the cooling tube 5 can be completed by carrying out a weld.

[0147] Generally speaking, it appears that the cooperation between the cooling tubes s and the fins 7 on the one hand and between the fins 7 and the electrochemical cells 13 on the other hand guarantees an effective thermal link between a hot source (electrochemical cells 13) and a cold source (cooling tubes 5).

[0148] This arrangement therefore allows good heat evacuation from the battery module 1. Due to the good heat transfer efficiency, the size of the cooling tube 5 and the flow rate used can be reduced. The advantage of the arrangement of the battery module 1 is also to constitute a rigid assembly although the electrochemical cells 13 are flexible.

[0149] The invention is not limited to the single embodiment described above as an example; on the contrary, it encompasses all variant embodiments.

Claims

CLAIMS 1. Battery module (1) comprising: - a cooling circuit (3) including at least one cooling tube (5) and a plurality of fins (7) attached to the cooling tube (5), each fin (7) having a cooperation portion (9) in contact with the cooling tube (5), said cooperation portion (9) extending at least partly in a direction of extension (11) of the cooling tube (5) so as to define a cooperation by complementary shape between said fin (7) and the cooling tube (5), the cooperation portion (9) being crimped onto the cooling tube (5), said corresponding fin (7) being integral with the cooling tube (5), - a plurality of electrochemical cells (13) each comprising two terminals (15), the electrochemical cells (13) being configured to be connected together in series and / or in parallel, each electrochemical cell (13) being configured to be in contact with at least one fin (7) or at least one connecting element (17) to said fin (7).

2. Battery module (1) according to claim 1, wherein the cooperation portion (9) corresponds to a cylinder portion or to a cylinder extending at least partly in the direction of extension (11) of the cooling tube (5).

3. Battery module (1) according to one of claims 1 or 2, wherein the consecutive fins (7) are configured to hold in position in the direction of extension (11) of the cooling tube (13) at least one electrochemical cell (13) or at least one electrochemical cell (13) and at least one corresponding connecting element (9) arranged between said consecutive fins (7).

4. Battery module (1) according to one of claims 1 to 3, in which the electrochemical cells (13) are of the flexible bag type, each electrochemical cell (13) extending along a specific main plane (19) transverse to the direction of extension (11) of the cooling tube (5).

5. Battery module according to claim 4, wherein each fin (7) extends along a fin plane transverse to the direction of extension (11) of the cooling tube (5), each fin (7) being parallel to the electrochemical cells (19).

6. Battery module (1) according to one of claims 1 to 5, wherein the connecting element (17) is a layer arranged between the electrochemical cell (13) and the adjacent fin (7), the connecting element (17) being made of a thermally conductive material and / or a material capable of deforming so as to absorb the mechanical stresses transmitted by said electrochemical cell (13) and / or the adjacent fin (7).

7. Closed mechanical housing (41) comprising a base (43) and a bell (45) arranged to cooperate with the base (43) in a closed position, the closed mechanical housing (41) comprising at least one battery module (1) according to one of claims 1 to 6, the at least one battery module (1) being adapted to be arranged in the closed mechanical housing (41), the at least one corresponding cooling circuit (3) being adapted to be connected to a cooling fluid circulation circuit external to the closed mechanical housing (41).

8. Method for manufacturing a battery module (1) according to one of claims 1 to 6, comprising the following steps: - having at least one cooling tube (5), a plurality of fins (7) and a plurality of electrochemical cells (13), - mounting a fin (7) on the at least one cooling tube (5) by fitting, the mounting of a fin (7) on the at least one cooling tube (5) being carried out by crimping so as to secure said fin (7) to the at least one cooling tube (5) then arranging at least one electrochemical cell (13) on said fin (7) or arranging at least one electrochemical cell (13) with at least one connecting element (17) on said fin (7), then starting again so as to constitute an alternation of fins (7) and one or more electrochemical cells (13) or one or more electrochemical cells (13) with at least one connecting element (17).

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