A battery unit for energy storage

Abstract

A battery unit (100) for energy storage, in particular lithium batteries, comprises a battery pack (30) comprising a plurality of battery modules (310) connected to each other; a control module (40) connected to at least one battery module (310); and fire-fighting means (50) operatively associated with said battery pack (30), and selectively activatable by said control module (40) in the event of fire of one or more of said battery modules (310). Wherein said fire-fighting means (50) is directly mounted integrated within said control module (40), and connected to said control module (40) itself. And wherein said fire-fighting means (50) is configured to activate on at least one battery module (310) to carry an extinguishing agent on at least one battery module (310) in the event of fire of said battery pack (30) so as to suppress and / or extinguish the fire and safeguard, at least partially, the battery pack (30) itself.

Description

[0001] "A BATTERY UNIT FOR ENERGY STORAGE"

[0002] TECHNICAL FIELD

[0003] The present invention relates to a battery unit, in particular intended to be operatively connected to a predefined user to supply it with electricity. In more detail, the battery unit according to the invention is included in the field of the production and marketing of systems, apparatuses, devices and more generally plants for the accumulation and storage of electricity, in particular intended to be installed both in an external environment (i.e. outdoors) and in an internal environment (i.e. indoors).

[0004] The battery unit according to the invention finds specific technical application in the production and marketing of electricity accumulation and storage systems with lithium type batteries, in particular for civil applications.

[0005] PRIOR ART

[0006] The use of battery units for the storage of electricity, for example batteries of the lithium type as briefly mentioned above, is known in the technical field of reference.

[0007] With particular reference to this latter type of batteries, they have interesting technical features, in particular satisfactory energy density and long life, which makes them widely used in many industrial sectors. However, despite the aforementioned technical features, such batteries are sometimes subject to overheating phenomena, and in more serious cases, to fires (for example in the event of thermal runaway of the cells or short circuits). To date, as anticipated, battery units for energy storage are known that comprise a frame configured to be rested on the ground and to accommodate a battery pack, i.e. a plurality of batteries each defining a battery module, and stackable with each other so as to form a column or a battery cabinet.

[0008] The known type of battery units further comprise a control module mounted on the frame, for example at an end which is raised relative to the ground, and connected to each battery module so as to control at least one value ofa temperature, a voltage and an electric current present in at least one, preferably each, of said battery modules.

[0009] The battery units of the known type are also equipped with fire-fighting devices, typically arranged outside the frame and operatively connected to the battery pack, to extinguish and / or suppress any fire that develops in the batteries themselves.

[0010] The battery units of the known type briefly described above have in practice proved to be not without drawbacks.

[0011] In particular, the main drawback lies in the fact that the battery units of the known type have bulky and / or not very compact fire-fighting devices. More specifically, such fire-fighting devices are commonly arranged outside the battery unit, and require numerous mechanical components and / or members, such as pipes, regulating, shut-off, distribution and control members of an extinguishing fluid.

[0012] All this, as anticipated above, makes the fire-fighting devices bulky, complex and therefore not very compact.

[0013] In addition to this, it follows that the known type of battery units are expensive, complex and require specialised personnel for their maintenance

[0014] A further drawback lies in the fact that the known type of battery units, once installed in one position, are substantially static and difficult to move and / or reposition in different positions. In other words, the known battery units are not independent, that is, they do not define a self-sufficient and independent unit or group. In fact, such known battery units require at least one connection to a source of an extinguishing fluid.

[0015] A further drawback lies in the fact that the battery units of known type have fire-fighting devices that are not very flexible and / or not very versatile and operatively not very reactive against a fire.

[0016] A further drawback lies in the fact that the battery units of known type have fire-fighting devices that, if operated, compromise the overall operation ofthe battery unit itself, without the possibility of recovering battery modules not involved in a fire.

[0017] OBJECTS OF THE INVENTION

[0018] The object of the present invention is to provide a battery unit for energy storage which allows the drawbacks of the aforementioned prior art to be overcome.

[0019] A further object of the present invention is to provide a battery unit which has compact and not bulky fire-fighting devices.

[0020] A further object of the present invention is to provide a battery unit which is completely independent and / or self-sufficient against a fire, i.e. which does not have any link and / or connection with fire-fighting devices arranged outside the battery unit itself.

[0021] A further object of the present invention is to provide a battery unit which is easily positionable in multiple operating positions, and in addition repositionable in multiple working positions which are different from each other, depending on operational needs.

[0022] A further object of the present invention is to provide a battery unit which is equipped with simple and inexpensive fire-fighting devices.

[0023] A further object of the present invention is to provide a battery unit which is equipped with fire-fighting devices which are rapid and reactive against a possible fire.

[0024] A further object of the present invention is to provide a battery unit which has an improved and / or alternative configuration, in both structural and functional terms, with respect to the battery units of the prior art.

[0025] SUMMARY

[0026] All the objects, both individually and in any combination thereof, and others that will emerge from the detailed description that follows, are achieved, according to the invention, with a battery unit for energy storage having the features specified in the independent claim 1.

[0027] The dependent claims outline particularly advantageous embodiments of the invention.BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0028] Further features and advantages of the present invention will become more apparent from the approximate and thus non-limiting description of a preferred, but not exclusive, embodiment of a battery unit for energy storage, as illustrated in the accompanying drawings, in which Figure 1 shows, in a schematic perspective view, a battery unit according to an embodiment of the invention.

[0029] With reference to the drawings, they serve solely to illustrate embodiments of the invention with the aim of better clarifying, in combination with the description, the inventive principles at the basis of the invention.

[0030] DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0031] With reference to the attached figures, a battery unit for energy storage according to the present invention has been indicated overall with the number 100.

[0032] The battery unit 100 is particularly intended to be operatively installed in an external environment (i.e. outdoors), for example positioned near a user to be supplied with electricity.

[0033] However, the battery unit can also operate in an internal environment, (i.e. indoors), without departing from the scope of protection of the present description.

[0034] The term "battery unit" shall be understood, for the purposes of the present description, as a unit or a station comprising a plurality of batteries, in particular defined battery modules, preferably stackable with each other vertically (i.e. along a vertical direction, orthogonal to the ground) in order to create a structure of the cabinet or column type.

[0035] Such structure is commonly referred to as a "cabinet" or "rack" in the technical jargon of the sector.

[0036] The term "fire" shall mean, for the purposes of the present description, a fire developed in one or more of the battery modules and resulting for example from an overheating and / or malfunction (e.g. a fault) of one or more of the aforementioned battery modules.In accordance with the embodiment of the invention illustrated in the attached Figure 1 , a battery unit 100 for energy storage, in particular lithium batteries, comprises a support structure 20 defining a lifting plinth (schematically represented as a base thickness) of the battery unit 100 with respect to the ground. Such a support structure 20 is configured to receive a battery pack 30 and to keep it spaced apart, in particular raised, relative to the ground.

[0037] Advantageously, the support structure 20 allows to define a volume of space necessary to make electrical (communication) and / or mechanical connections, and in particular to create what is called an "end of line" to the sections of pipe intended for the distribution of the extinguishing fluid (as will be described and specified in more detail below).

[0038] According to an aspect of the invention, as anticipated above, the support structure 20 extends along a substantially vertical longitudinal axis Y-Y, i.e. orthogonal to the ground, between a base end configured to be rested on the ground, and a head end opposite the base end.

[0039] Preferably, the support structure 20 is made of metallic material, for example steel, so as to give strength to the battery unit 100 itself during its operation.

[0040] In accordance with the embodiment illustrated in Figure 1 , the battery pack 30 comprises a plurality of battery modules 310 connectable to each other. According to an aspect of the invention, the battery modules 310 are preferably stackable in a column, i.e. vertically one above the other.

[0041] In other words, the aforementioned battery modules 310 can be mounted on top of each other along the longitudinal axis Y-Y, in order to create a column of batteries. This is achievable, as the aforementioned battery modules 310 are self-supporting.

[0042] As illustrated in Figure 1 , the battery unit 100 has a shape of a section thereof transverse to the longitudinal axis Y-Y of the square and / or rectangular type.In accordance with a further embodiment of the invention not illustrated in the attached figures, the battery modules 310 can preferably be arranged juxtaposed with each other along a horizontal direction, i.e. substantially parallel to the ground, so as to define a connection configuration that is transverse to the vertical one described above.

[0043] In accordance with a further embodiment of the invention not illustrated in the attached figures, the battery modules 310 can preferably be connected to each other so as to create a mixed configuration between the two previously described. Specifically, the battery modules 310 can be partly connected vertically, i.e. stacking one above the other, and partly connected horizontally, i.e. parallel to the ground (i.e. transversely to the vertical direction). In this configuration, the distribution means, and in particular the sections of pipe that form the canalisation (introduced and described in more detail below), are connected to each other with at least one angular fitting, preferably having a bending angle equal to 90 degrees, and such as to form the aforementioned connection between the battery modules 310. In other words, to create the aforementioned connection of a substantially mixed type (i.e. horizontal and vertical), at least one fitting of the angular hydraulic type, i.e. a curved shaped element, is used, so as to ensure a fluid connection between vertical pipe sections, i.e. belonging to battery modules 310 stacked with each other in a column, and horizontal pipe sections, i.e. belonging to battery modules 310 connected to each other horizontally. The battery unit 100 further comprises a control module 40 connected to at least one battery module 310. In more detail, the control module 40 is a battery management system (BMS), and is configured to control at least one parameter of a temperature, a voltage and an electric current present in each of the battery modules 310.

[0044] More specifically, the BMS comprises any electronic system capable of managing a battery unit 100, for example at least by monitoring the operating state thereof, for example a value of a total voltage thereof and of the individual battery modules 310, an average temperature of the batteryunit, a temperature of the individual battery modules, a temperature of a cooling fluid (introduced and described in more detail below), and an electric current input into and output from each battery module 310.

[0045] Preferably, as illustrated in Figure 1 , the control module 40 is arranged mounted on the battery unit 100 at the head end of the support structure, i.e. in an elevated position relative to the battery modules 310.

[0046] Preferably, the control module 40 is connected to each battery module 310. The battery unit 100 further comprises fire-fighting means 50 operatively associated with the battery pack 30, and selectively activatable by the control module 40, i.e. by the BMS, in the event of fire of one or more of the battery modules 310.

[0047] In other words, the fire-fighting means 50 is simultaneously activatable by the BMS.

[0048] Specifically, the fire-fighting means 50 is directly mounted integrated within the control module 40, that is, directly within the BMS, and is connected to the control module 40 itself. Said fire-fighting means 50 is also configured to activate on at least one, preferably each, battery module 310 to carry an extinguishing agent on at least one, preferably each, battery module 310 in the event of fire of the battery pack 30, so as to suppress and / or extinguish the fire and safeguard, at least partially, the battery pack 30 itself.

[0049] Operationally, in the event of fire of one or more of the battery modules 310, the fire-fighting means 50 is activated and dispenses the extinguishing fluid towards the aforementioned battery modules 310. In the case of aerosoltype extinguishing fluid, the fire-fighting means 50 substantially completely floods the battery modules 310 of the battery unit 100.

[0050] Advantageously, the battery unit 100 is compact and less bulky since it does not require any connection to the outside of the battery unit itself, for example to a source of an extinguishing fluid.

[0051] Advantageously, the battery unit 100 is reactive and effective against a fire, as it is directly equipped with fire-fighting means in the BMS, and not simply inside the support structure of the battery unit 100 itself.According to an aspect of the invention, each battery module 310 comprises electrical connection means and mechanical connection means, each of said means being configured to allow a reversible connection, so as to achieve a juxtaposition of the battery modules 310.

[0052] In more detail, the electrical connection means comprises at least one connector of the male type and at least one connector of the female type, configured to engage each other, and thus ensure an electrical connection between the battery modules 310.

[0053] Otherwise, the mechanical connection means comprises shaped and counter-shaped portions obtained on at least one surface of each battery module 310 and configured to engage each other by means of a shape coupling.

[0054] In other words, each battery module 310 has at least one surface thereof, in particular at least one shaped and / or counter-shaped face thereof, so as to receive or be inserted in a corresponding surface belonging to an adjacent battery module 310.

[0055] Preferably, the aforementioned shape coupling is of the interlocking type or of the snap-fitting type.

[0056] Advantageously, such mechanical and electrical connection means allow a reversible connection of each battery module 310.

[0057] According to an aspect of the invention, the control module 40 comprises at least one electronic control unit in connection with each of the battery modules 310, and configured to monitor the at least one value of temperature, voltage and electric current present in each of the battery modules 310 themselves.

[0058] More specifically, the electronic control unit is in connection with the firefighting means 50, and is configured to activate the same fire-fighting means 50 when one or more of the aforementioned values exceeds a predefined threshold value.As illustrated in detail in the attached Figure 1 , the fire-fighting means 50 comprises at least one tank 51 housed in the control module 40, i.e. inside the BMS, and containing an extinguishing fluid.

[0059] Preferably, the tank 51 comprises a pressurised cartridge of extinguishing fluid.

[0060] According to an embodiment of the invention not illustrated in the attached figures, the tank 51 comprises a plurality of pressurised cartridges of extinguishing fluid, each respectively in fluid connection with the others. According to an embodiment of the invention, the battery unit 100 comprises extinguishing fluid distribution means, in fluid connection with the tank 51 and comprising a canalisation 52 configured to convey the extinguishing fluid towards each of the battery modules 310.

[0061] More specifically, the distribution means comprises a plurality of nozzles 53 in fluid connection with the canalisation 52, and configured to dispense the extinguishing fluid towards a respective battery module 310, so as to suppress and / or extinguish a fire in one or more of the battery modules 310. According to an aspect of the invention, the canalisation 52 comprises a plurality of pipe sections each integrally mounted and integrated on a corresponding battery module 310 and reversibly connectable to each other so as to define a fluidic connection.

[0062] In other words, the pipe sections are configured to define, in an assembled configuration thereof, a duct.

[0063] In particular, each of the pipe sections comprises a corresponding nozzle mounted at respective end portions of each pipe section itself.

[0064] As illustrated in Figure 1 , each of the pipe sections comprises a head portion 52a and a tail portion 52b. In more detail, each of such portions is configured to reversibly couple with corresponding tail 52b and head 52a portions of adjacent pipe sections and belonging to adjacent battery modules 310, so as to define a reversible fluid connection.

[0065] Preferably, the head portion 52a and the tail portion 52b define, in an engagement configuration thereof, a hydraulic fitting of the quick-fitting type.Advantageously, the battery modules 310 are easily and quickly connectable and / or detachable from each other, and define a structure of the modular type.

[0066] Preferably, the extinguishing fluid is of the solid type.

[0067] Preferably, the extinguishing fluid is an aerosol. In particular, such an aerosol is substantially free of substances that are toxic to human health and / or corrosive to the components of the battery unit 100 itself.

[0068] Preferably, the extinguishing fluid can be gaseous. This gaseous fluid is not dangerous and / or harmful to the health of people present in the surroundings, as the amount of gaseous extinguishing fluid necessary to extinguish the volumes of the battery modules 310 is contained, and in any case lower than predetermined limit values.

[0069] Advantageously, such a type of aerosol is safe and reliable in the event of using the battery unit 100 in compartmentalised and / or confined spaces, and also against sensitive electronic devices and devices arranged in close proximity.

[0070] Preferably, the tank 51 is configured to contain a predefined amount of aerosol, in particular suitable for extinguishing and / or suppressing fires belonging to class D, i.e. corresponding to fires of flammable metals, in particular light alkali metals (e.g. aluminium, potassium, magnesium, sodium, manganese).

[0071] Operationally, once the fire-fighting means 50 is activated, the solid-type extinguishing agent undergoes a chemical reaction, which transforms it into an aerosol of the fine type.

[0072] Such fine aerosol is released directly inside the BMS and distributed through the distribution means, i.e. the canalisation 52 composed of the plurality of pipe sections and the corresponding nozzles 53.

[0073] In particular, the aerosol is configured to saturate the environment in which it is released, cooling and / or suffocating the ignited fire, without however causing damage to electronic components and members located in the surroundings.Preferably, the battery unit 100 comprises signalling means connected to the electronic control unit, and in particular to the BMS, and configured to emit an alarm signal in the event of fire of one or more battery modules 310 so as to alert a user and allow their rapid intervention.

[0074] Preferably, the signalling means comprises a remote alarm, which immediately alerts a user or an operator regarding a potential fire situation, thus advantageously allowing a rapid intervention for the complete safety of the battery unit 100.

[0075] Preferably, such an alarm signal can be of the light and / or sound type. In accordance with the embodiment of the invention, the battery unit 100 is free of connections and / or fluid connections with an external environment. In particular, such a battery unit 100 does not have any connection and / or link with power sources external to the unit itself, for example a source of an extinguishing fluid (e.g. a tap or a mouth belonging to a water mains and intended to dispense a flow of water).

[0076] That is, the battery unit 100 is completely independent of power sources present in an environment external to the unit itself, and therefore is completely self-sufficient with respect to a management of a fire of one or more of its battery modules 310.

[0077] Still in other words, the battery unit 100 is a stand-alone unit or apparatus, configured to be positioned at a desired operating work area and ready for use.

[0078] According to an embodiment of the invention not illustrated in the attached figures, the battery unit 100 can preferably comprise a pair of extinguishing fluid distribution means, each comprising respective canalisations (and therefore dedicated pipe sections) and fluid dispensing nozzles. Thereby, the battery unit 100 is capable of extinguishing a fire developed in a particular battery module 310 while safeguarding the remaining modules.

Claims

C L A I M S1. A battery unit (100) for energy storage, in particular lithium batteries, comprising:- a battery pack (30) comprising a plurality of battery modules (310) connected to each other;- a support structure (20), preferably in the form of shelving, defining a volume of space configured to contain said battery modules (310);- a control module (40), mounted in said support structure (20) and connected to at least one battery module (310); said control module (40) being a battery management system “BMS”;said control module (40) being configured to control at least one parameter of a temperature, a voltage and an electric current present in at least one of said battery modules (310);- fire-fighting means (50) operatively associated with said battery pack (30), and selectively activatable by said control module (40) in the event of fire of one or more of said battery modules (310);characterised in that said fire-fighting means (50) is directly mounted integrated within said battery management system “BMS”, and connected to said control module (40) itself,said fire-fighting means (50) being configured to activate on at least one, preferably each, battery module (310) to carry an extinguishing agent on at least one, preferably each, battery module (310) in the event of fire of said battery pack (30) so as to suppress and / or extinguish the fire and safeguard, at least partially, the battery pack (30) itself.

2. The battery unit (100) according to claim 1 , characterised in that said support structure (20) comprises an outer casing adapted to house said support structure (20); said fire-fighting means (50) being mounted inside said battery management system "BMS", which in turn is arranged insidesaid support structure (20), and not between said support structure (20) and said casing.

3. The battery unit (100) according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein each of said battery modules (310) comprises electrical connection means and mechanical connection means, each configured to allow a reversible connection so as to achieve a juxtaposition of said battery modules (310).

4. The battery unit (100) according to claim 3, wherein said electrical connection means comprises at least one connector of the male type and at least one connector of the female type, configured to engage each other.

5. The battery unit (100) according to claim 3, wherein said mechanical connection means comprises shaped and counter-shaped portions obtained on at least one surface of each battery module (310) and configured to engage each other by means of a shape coupling.

6. The battery unit (100) according to claim 5, wherein said shape coupling is of the interlocking type or of the snap-fitting type.

7. The battery unit (100) according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein said control module (40) comprises at least one electronic control unit in connection with each of said battery modules (310) configured to monitor said at least one value of temperature, voltage and electric current present in each of said battery modules (310) themselves,said electronic control unit being configured to activate said fire-fighting means (50) when one or more of said values exceeds a predefined threshold value.

8. The battery unit (100) according to one or more of the preceding claims, wherein said fire-fighting means (50) comprises at least one tank (51) housed in said battery management system “BMS” and containing an extinguishing fluid.

9. The battery unit (100) according to claim 8, wherein said tank (51) comprises a pressurised cartridge of extinguishing fluid.

10. The battery unit (100) according to any one of claims 8 to 9, comprising extinguishing fluid distribution means, in fluid connection with said tank (51) and comprising:- a canalisation (52) configured to convey the extinguishing fluid towards each of said battery modules (310);- a plurality of nozzles (53) in fluid connection with said canalisation (52) and configured to dispense the extinguishing fluid so as to suppress a fire in one or more of said battery modules (310).

11. The battery unit (100) according to claim 10, wherein said canalisation (52) comprises a plurality of pipe sections each integrally mounted and integrated on a corresponding battery module (310) and reversibly connectable to each other so as to define a fluidic connection;each of said pipe sections comprising a corresponding nozzle mounted at respective end portions of each pipe section.

12. The battery unit (100) according to claim 10, wherein each of said pipe sections comprises a head portion (52a) and a tail portion (52b), each of them being configured to reversibly couple with corresponding tail (52b) and head (52a) portions of adjacent pipe sections and belonging to adjacent battery modules (310), so as to define a reversible fluid connection.

13. The battery unit (100) according to claim 12, wherein said head portion (52a) and said tail portion (52b) define, in an engagement configuration thereof, a hydraulic fitting of the quick-fitting type.

14. The battery unit (100) according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein said extinguishing fluid is of the solid type.

15. The battery unit (100) according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein said extinguishing fluid is an aerosol.

16. The battery unit (100) according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein said battery unit (100) is free of connections and / or fluid connections with an external environment.

17. The battery unit (100) according to any one of the preceding claims, comprising signalling means connected to said electronic control unit, and configured to emit an alarm signal in the event of fire of one or more battery modules (310) so as to alert a user and allow their rapid intervention.

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