AU2020270448A1

AU2020270448A1 - Fixing system of a plurality of battery packs stacked on each other in a vessel comprising braces, associated alimentation bloc and fixing method

Info

Publication number: AU2020270448A1
Application number: AU2020270448A
Authority: AU
Inventors: Ludovic BODET; Hervé FERAL; Erwan Mahe
Original assignee: Naval Group SA
Current assignee: Naval Group SA
Priority date: 2019-11-19
Filing date: 2020-11-16
Publication date: 2021-06-03
Also published as: ES2983558T3; EP3825220B1; EP3825220A1; FR3103172B1; EP3825220C0; FR3103172A1

Abstract

Fixing system of a plurality of battery packs stacked on each other in a vessel comprising braces, associated alimentation bloc and fixing method 5 The present invention relates to a system for securing a plurality of battery packs 20. Each battery pack 20 defines two side walls, a proximal wall, a distal wall, an upper wall, a lower wall, and a plurality of grooves. The system comprises a plurality of braces each defining a lower wall, an upper wall and a shouldered through-orifice extending between the lower and 10 upper walls of this brace along an orifice axis, and a plurality of fixing screws designed to be inserted into shouldered through-orifices until they abut against internal stops and are screwed into tapped holes formed opposite the shouldered through-orifices, thus securing the corresponding battery packs 20 along the X axis. 15 Figure for the abstract: Figure 9 9/11 co I C:) C j m ism am cm C:) CIQ am an an an an sm cm an an an an qm cm qz:) tm 4am C\j C:) C-0 0 U) LL

Description

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Australian Patents Act 1990

ORIGINAL COMPLETE SPECIFICATION STANDARDPATENT

Invention Title Fixing system of a plurality of battery packs stacked on each other in a vessel comprising braces, associated alimentation bloc and fixing method

The following statement is a full description of this invention, including the best method of performing it known to me/us:

1a

The present invention relates to a system for securing a plurality of battery packs stacked on top of one another on board a vessel. This system comprises, in particular, a plurality of braces. The present invention also relates to a power supply unit and an associated fastening method. By vessel is meant any vehicle capable of navigating on the surface of the sea (such as a boat) and possibly under (such as a submarine). In a manner known per se, to power its various facilities, vessels often use electrical energy stored in on-board batteries. These batteries are generally in the form of accumulator packs, also called battery packs, and need to be suitable for operation in a very unstable environment, sometimes with significant shocks. This environment may also undergo significant expansions linked to variable thermal conditions. Thus, to ensure good fastening of the battery packs in such an environment, it is known to install these packs in a special room designed for this purpose. In particular, it is known to use hooks on the bottom of battery packs enabling them to be fastened to the floor of the room and thus to secure the packs vertically. To ensure horizontal fastening, it is known to use wedges, cleats, etc. between the various battery packs or between these battery packs and the walls of the room. It is clear that this situation imposes many installation constraints on these battery packs. These constraints require, for example, the installation of battery packs in a single layer which, of course, leads to significant space losses. The subject-matter of the present invention is to remedy these drawbacks and to provide a fastening system making it possible to stack battery packs on top of one another even in a very unstable environment. To this end, the invention relates to a system for fastening a plurality of battery packs stacked on top of one another on board a vessel, the vessel comprising a battery room, the length of which extends along an X axis and is delimited by a back wall, the width of which extends along a Y axis and is delimited by two side walls, and the height extends along a Z axis and is delimited by a floor and a ceiling; each battery pack having a substantially parallelepipedal shape defining two side walls, a proximal wall, a distal wall, an upper wall, and a lower wall, each side wall defines a plurality of fastening grooves extending according to an axis of extension between the lower wall and the upper wall; the battery packs being designed to be placed in several layers on the floor of the battery room between its side walls and against the back wall, the battery packs of one layer being designed to be placed next to each other adjacent to their side wall, so that the grooves of these side walls face one another, and the distal walls of these packs be adjacent to the back wall; the system comprises: - a plurality of braces, each brace defining a lower wall, an upper wall and a shouldered through-orifice defining an internal stop and extending between the lower and upper walls of this brace along an orifice axis, each brace being designed to be inserted into a an orifice formed between two grooves facing two battery packs placed next to one another in the same layer of battery packs; - a plurality of fixing screws, each fixing screw being designed to be inserted into the shouldered through-orifice supported by a brace until it abuts against the internal stop, and partially passing through the shouldered through-orifice, and when this brace is inserted between two grooves facing the corresponding battery packs, to be screwed into a tapped hole formed opposite the shouldered through-orifice, thus securing the corresponding battery packs along the X axis. According to other advantageous aspects of the invention, the system comprises one or more of the following characteristics, taken in isolation or in any technically feasible combination: - each groove of each battery pack defines a lower stop adjacent to the lower wall of this battery pack without closing this groove along its axis of extension; the lower wall of each brace being designed to abut against the lower stops of two opposing grooves when this brace is inserted into the orifice formed between these grooves, and when this brace is fixed by a corresponding fixing screw, to secure the corresponding battery packs by interaction with said lower stops; - each brace defines a tapped hole opening onto the upper wall thereof, extending along a hole axis parallel to the orifice axis and offset from this orifice axis; the tapped hole of each brace being designed to receive a fixing screw to fix a brace whose lower wall is adjacent to the upper wall of this brace and whose hole axis and orifice axis coincide respectively with the orifice axis and the hole axis of this brace;

- a plurality of threaded sleeves; each threaded sleeve being designed to be inserted into the shouldered through-orifice supported by each brace above the corresponding fixing screw to form a tapped hole opening onto the upper wall of this brace; the tapped hole formed by each threaded sleeve inserted in the corresponding brace being designed to receive a fixing screw to fix a brace, the lower wall of which is adjacent to the upper wall of this brace; - each brace has axial symmetry with respect to the corresponding orifice axis; - a plurality of simple side rails, each simple side rail comprising a plurality of protuberances extending in a protuberance direction and designed to be received in the corresponding grooves when the simple side rail is disposed to face a side wall of a battery pack; - each simple side rail being designed to be mounted on a side wall of the battery room facing a side wall of a battery pack of each layer of battery packs, so that the protuberance direction is parallel to the Z axis; - a plurality of threaded side rails, each threaded side rail comprising a plurality of protuberances extending in a protuberance direction and designed to be received in the corresponding grooves when the threaded side rail is disposed to face a side wall of a battery pack; each threaded side rail being designed to be mounted on a side wall of the battery room facing a side wall of a battery pack of at least one layer of battery packs, so that the protuberance direction is parallel to the Z axis; each threaded side rail forming for each protuberance a tapped hole extending in the direction of the corresponding protuberance and designed to receive a fixing screw to fix a brace whose lower wall is adjacent to this threaded side rail; - a plurality of threaded rules, each rule being designed to be disposed along the Y axis between a lower layer of battery packs and an upper layer of battery packs that is staggered with respect to the lower layer of battery packs; each rule defining a plurality of tapped holes and a plurality of fixing holes and when this rule is laid between the layers of corresponding battery packs: each fixing hole is disposed opposite a tapped hole formed in the lower layer of battery packs; each tapped hole being arranged opposite a fixing screw to fix a brace placed between two battery packs of the upper layer of battery packs; a bottom fixing frame defining a plurality of cells and designed to be fixed to the back wall of the battery room opposite the battery packs of a last layer of battery packs; each cell being designed to receive a battery pack along the X axis and to secure this pack along the Y axis and the Z axis at the distal walls of these packs; - a plurality of adjustable feet, each adjustable foot being able to be disposed between a battery pack of the last layer of battery packs and the ceiling to secure this battery pack along the Z axis at its proximal wall; - a plurality of longitudinal fixing frames designed to be fixed between two adjacent battery packs of a last layer of battery packs; each fixing frame comprising a distal fixing point designed to be fixed to the back wall and a proximal fixing point designed to be fixed to the proximal walls of the corresponding battery packs; and each longitudinal fixing frame defines a plurality of bars, each bar being designed to be received in an orifice formed between two grooves facing the two adjacent battery packs between which this fixing frame is designed to be fixed. The present invention also relates to a method for fixing a plurality of battery packs stacked on top of one another on board a vessel, implemented by means of the fastening system as defined above and comprising the following steps: - constitute a first layer of battery packs or a layer of intermediate battery packs by placing each battery pack on the floor covered with an earthquake-resistant foam or on a battery pack of a lower layer of battery packs or between two battery packs of a lower battery packlayer; - insert the braces into the orifices formed between each pair of grooves facing the battery packs of the layer so formed; - insert the fixing screws in the shouldered through-orifices of the inserted braces; - tighten the fixing screws in the threaded holes facing the shouldered through-orifices until they abut against the internal stops of these orifices; - constitute a last layer of battery packs by placing each battery pack on a battery pack of a lower battery pack layer, or between two battery packs of a lower battery pack layer; - secure the last layer of battery packs along the Z axis.

The present invention also relates to a power supply unit for a vessel, the vessel comprising a battery room, the length of which extends along an X axis and is delimited by a back wall, the width extends along a Y axis and is delimited by two side walls, and the height extends along a Z axis and is delimited by a floor and a ceiling; the power supply comprising a plurality of battery packs secured in a stacked manner; each battery pack having a substantially parallelepipedal shape defining two side walls, a proximal wall, a distal wall, an upper wall, and a lower wall, each side wall defining a plurality of grooves; the power supply unit being designed to be installed in the battery room so that the battery packs are disposed in several layers on the floor of the battery room between its side walls and against the back wall, the battery packs of the same layer being designed to be placed adjacent to each other via their side walls, so that the grooves of these side walls face each other and so that the distal walls of these packs are adjacent to the back wall; the power supply unit further comprising a fastening system as defined above for securing the battery packs in the battery room. These characteristics and advantages of the invention will become apparent upon reading the description which follows, given solely by way of non-limiting example, and made with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which: - [Fig 1] Figure 1 is a schematic perspective view of the hull of a vessel in cross-section, the hull defining a battery room; - [Fig 2] Figure 2 is a schematic perspective view of a battery pack designed to be installed in the battery room of Figure 1 by means of a fastening system according to the invention; - [Fig 3] Figure 3 is an enlarged view of detail III of Figure 2; - [Fig 4] Figure 4 is a schematic perspective (left) and sectional (right) view of a brace according to a first embodiment of the invention; - [Fig 5] Figure 5 is a schematic perspective (left) and sectional (right) view of a brace according to a second embodiment of the invention; - [Fig 6] Figure 6 is an enlarged view of detail VI of Figure 1, said view showing, in particular, a plurality of simple rails and a threaded side rail forming part of the fastening system of the invention; - [Fig 7] Figure 7 is a schematic perspective view of a plurality of threaded rules forming part of the fastening system of the invention;

- [Fig 8] Figure 8 is a schematic perspective view of means for fixing a last layer of battery packs according to a first embodiment of the invention; - [Fig 9] Figure 9 is a schematic view of a power supply unit according to the invention, the power supply unit comprising a plurality of battery packs of Figure 2 and the fastening system according to the invention to secure these battery packs in the battery room of Figure 1; - [Fig 10] Figure 10 is a schematic perspective view of means for fixing a last layer of battery packs according to a second embodiment of the invention; and - [Fig 11] Figure 11 is an enlarged view of detail XI of Figure 10. In fact, Figure 1 shows the hull 10 of a vessel. "Vessel" is understood to mean any vehicle moving on the surface of the sea such as a boat or under it such as a submarine. The hull 10 has an extended shape along a central axis. This axis will be denoted hereafter as the X axis. The X axis is perpendicular to a transverse axis which is subsequently denoted as the Y axis. In the example of Figure 1, the hull 10 has a generally cylindrical shape of which only the lower part is visible in Figure 1. This lower part has a rounded shape defining, in particular, an arc of a circle in each cross-section. Of course, in a general case, the hull 10 may have any other known shape of a vessel. Figure 1 also shows a wall 12 extending transversely to the hull 10 in a plane formed by the X and Y axes. This wall 12 defines a battery room 13 arranged in the lower part of the hull 12. The length of the room 13 extends along the X axis between two walls, only one of which is visible in Figure 1. This wall is called the back wall 15 hereafter. The width of room 13 extends along the Y axis and is delimited by two side walls 16 and 17. Finally, the height of the room 13 extends along a Z axis perpendicular to the X and Y axes, between a floor 18 and a ceiling 19. The back wall 15 is, for example, substantially flat. The ceiling 19 is also, for example, substantially flat and is formed by a part of the wall 12 arranged opposite the battery room 13.

As for the side walls 16, 17 and the floor 18, these have cascaded surfaces to follow the rounded shape of the hull 10, thus forming steps. In particular, as may be seen in Figure 1, each of the side walls 16, 17 has a flat portion adjacent to the ceiling 19 and a cascaded portion adjacent to the floor 18. The cascaded portion of each of the side walls 16, 17 thus has a plurality of flat surfaces extending along the X axis and spaced apart from one another along the Y axis. These flat surfaces then form vertical parts of the steps, or risers. Similarly, the floor 18 has a flat portion and a cascaded portion. The cascaded portion also consists of a plurality of flat surfaces which, in this case, extend along the X axis and are spaced apart from each other along the Z axis. These flat surfaces then form horizontal parts of the steps In Figure 1, the side walls 16, 17 and the floor 18 define three steps at each side wall 16, 17. The battery room 13 is designed to receive a power supply unit 11 according to the invention. This power supply unit in the assembled state is visible in Figure 9 and comprises, in particular, a plurality of battery packs 20. These battery packs 20 are, for example, substantially similar to each other. One of these 20 packs is shown in Figure 2. In particular, as may be seen in this Figure 2, the battery pack 20 has a substantially parallelepipedal shape. In other words, the battery pack 20 defines two side walls denoted in Figure 2 under the references 22-1 and 22-2. The battery pack 20 further defines a lower wall 23-1 and an upper wall 23-2 as well as a proximal wall 24-1 and a distal wall 24-2. The battery packs 20 are designed to be placed in the battery room 13 stacked on top of one another. Thus, the battery packs 20 define a plurality of layers and a plurality of rows. Each of the layers extends in a plane defined by the X and Y axes between the side walls 16, 17. Each of the rows extends between the floor 18 and the ceiling 19. Within one row, the battery packs 20 may be aligned along the Z axis or else may be staggered, as will be explained later.

Thus, the lower wall 23-1 of each of the battery packs 20 is designed to be disposed on the floor 18 or on the upper wall 23-2 of one or two battery packs of a lower battery pack layer. Likewise, the upper wall 23-2 of each battery pack 20 is designed to serve as a fastening base for a layer of upper battery packs or to secure the set of battery packs against the ceiling 19. Moreover, given the steps formed by the walls 16, 17 and the floor 18, the number of battery packs 20 in the layers is variable. This number increases, for example, with each layer until it becomes constant as of a certain layer. So, for example, when the battery packs are laid in seven layers, the first four layers have an increasing number of battery packs 20, and the last three layers have the same number of battery packs 20 as the fourth layer. Returning to the description of Figure 2, the distal wall 24-2 of the battery pack 20 is designed to be disposed against the back wall 15 of the battery room 13. The proximal wall 24-1 is designed to be free in the battery room 13. In particular, this wall 24-1 allows the operator mounting and maintaining all the battery packs to secure each battery pack 20, as will be explained later. Each of the side walls 22-1, 22-2 is designed to come into contact either with a side wall of an adjacent battery pack 20 of the same layer, or with one of the side walls 16, 17. To achieve this, each of the side walls 22-1, 22-2 defines a plurality of fixing grooves 31. An example of such a groove 31 is visible in Figure 3. Thus, with reference to this Figure 3, the groove 31 extends between the lower wall 23-1 and the upper wall 23-2 of the battery pack 20 perpendicular to these walls. In cross-section, the groove 31 is, for example, a half-square. Thus, the groove 31 has a bottom wall 32 and two side walls 33, 34. In the example shown in Figure 2, five substantially identical grooves 31 are formed on each side wall 22-1, 22-2 of the battery pack 20. Furthermore, in the same example, a groove 31 on each of the side walls 22-1, 22-2 is adjacent to the distal wall 24-2, and another groove 31 is adjacent to the proximal wall 24 1. In other words, in this example, the battery pack 20 defines two grooves 31 adjacent to the proximal wall 24-1 and two grooves 31 adjacent to the distal wall 24-2.

The grooves 31 belonging to the side walls 22-1, 22-2 of different battery packs are arranged opposite one another. The securing of the battery packs 20 in a plurality of layers is effected by means of a fastening system according to the invention also forming part of the power supply unit 11 according to the invention. The fastening system according to the first embodiment will now be explained with reference to Figures 4 to 9. This fastening system comprises a plurality of braces 57, a plurality of fixing screws 58, a plurality of simple side rails 59, a plurality of threaded side rails 60, a plurality of threaded rules 61, and fixing means 62 of a last layer of battery packs. The braces 57 are designed to be inserted into orifices formed between each pair of grooves 31 facing two battery packs 20 placed next to one another in the same layer of battery packs. The braces 57 are, for example, substantially similar to each other. Thus hereafter, only one brace 57 will be explained in detail with reference to Figures 4 and 5. In particular, Figure 4 illustrates such a brace 57 according to a first embodiment, and Figure 5 illustrates such a brace 57 according to a second embodiment. With reference to Figure 4, the brace 57 according to the first exemplary embodiment defines a lower wall 65, an upper wall 66, and four side walls 67. The brace 57 thus has an outer shape suitable for being inserted into an orifice formed between two grooves 31 facing two battery packs 20 placed one next to the other in the same layer of battery packs. Thus, as may be seen in Figure 4, the external shape of the brace 57 is symmetrical with respect to a central plane P. This central plane P is disposed between the corresponding side walls of the two battery packs 20 when the brace 57 is inserted into the orifice formed between two grooves facing these battery packs 20. Thus, on each side of this plane P, the brace 57 has a shape complementary to that of the groove 31 in which it is designed to be placed. The outer shape of the brace 57 thus makes it possible to put the side walls 67 of this brace 57 in contact with the interior surface of each groove 31 in which it is disposed.

In its interior portion, the brace 57 according to the first embodiment defines a shouldered through-orifice 69 extending along an orifice axis D 1 between the lower wall 65 and the upper wall 66. The orifice 69 is arranged entirely on one side of the central plane P. In other words, the orifice axis D 1 is comprised in a half plane delimited by the central plane P and is parallel to this plane P. The orifice 69 is a shouldered orifice insofar as it defines an internal stop 70 that narrows this orifice. In particular, the part of the orifice 69 opening onto the upper wall 66 of the brace 57 has a larger diameter than the part of this orifice opening onto the lower wall 65 of this brace 57. In addition, between the stop 70 and each of these parts, the orifice 69 has a substantially constant diameter. The brace 57 further defines a tapped hole 72 disposed opposite the shouldered through-orifice 69 with respect to the central plane P. This tapped hole 72 extends along an axis of hole D 2 parallel to the orifice axis Di. This tapped hole 72 opens only onto the upper wall 66 of the brace 57. The axes D1 and D 2 are arranged symmetrically with respect to the central plane P. The diameter of the tapped hole 72 is, for example, smaller than that of the part of the shouldered through-orifice 69 opening onto the upper wall 66. This diameter is, for example, substantially equal to that of the part of the shouldered through-orifice 69 opening onto the lower wall 65 of the brace 57. The shouldered through-orifice 69 is thus designed to receive a fixing screw 58 forming part of the fastening system according to the invention. As may be seen in Figure 4, this screw 58 has, for example, an axial extent substantially equal to the extent of the brace 57. This fixing screw 58 has, in particular, a clamping head 74, a rod 75 and a threaded end 78. Thus, the shouldered through-orifice 69 is so designed that the screw 58 may slide freely along this orifice when inserted from the upper wall 66 of this brace, until its clamping head 74 abuts against the internal stop 70. In this case, the threaded end 78 protrudes relative to the lower wall 65 of the brace 57. Thus, this screw 58 may be engaged in a tapped hole disposed below the shouldered through-orifice 69.

The tapped hole 72 is able to receive the threaded end of a screw 58 when the latter is disposed above this tapped hole 72. As may be seen in Figure 5, the brace 57 according to the second exemplary embodiment has substantially the same external shape as the brace 57 according to the first exemplary embodiment. In particular, as in the previous case, this brace 57 according to the second exemplary embodiment has a lower wall 65, an upper wall 66 and side walls 67. As in the previous case, this brace 57 is designed to be received in the orifice formed between two facing grooves 31 of two battery packs 20 placed next to each other in the same layer of battery packs. Also, as in the previous case, the side walls 67 of this brace 57 are designed to be in contact with the inner walls of the corresponding grooves 31 when this brace 57 is received in the orifice formed between these grooves 31. Unlike the previous case, the brace 57 according to the second exemplary embodiment has internal symmetry with respect to the central plane P. In this case, the shouldered through-orifice 69 then extends between the lower wall 65 and the upper wall 66 along the orifice axis D1 which is comprised in the central plane P. In this second example, in the part opening onto the upper wall 66, the shouldered through-orifice 69 defines a housing which is designed to receive a threaded sleeve 77. Inside, the shouldered through-orifice 69 defines an internal stop 70 similar to that of the first embodiment. As in the previous case, one of the fixing screws 58 may be inserted into the shouldered through-orifice 66 from the upper wall 66 of this brace until it abuts against the internal stop 70. Then, the threaded sleeve 77 may be inserted into the housing adjacent to the upper wall 66 of the brace 57 to form a tapped hole which may then receive the threaded end of another screw 58. Furthermore, in the example shown in Figure 5, the threaded end 78 has, for example, an extra thickness relative to the rod 75. In other words, in this example, the diameter of the threaded end 75 is greater than that of the rod 75. In this case, the brace 57 also has a housing 79 adjacent to the lower wall 65 of the brace 57 which is designed to receive the threaded end 78 of the screw 58.

In order to be able to insert such a screw into the brace 57, the screw 58 has, for example, a removable head 74 in the form of a bolt. Thus, the screw 58 without the head 74 may be inserted into the hole 69 from the bottom wall 65 of the brace, then the head 74 may be screwed onto the rod 75 from the top wall 66 of the brace 57. In the two embodiments of the brace 57, the lower wall 65 thereof is designed to abut against a lower stop 80, which is formed in each of the grooves 31 of each battery pack 20. In particular, such a lower stop 80 is visible in Figure 3. In this figure, the lower stop 80 is adjacent to the lower wall 23-1 of the corresponding battery pack 20, so as to form a narrowing of this groove 31. Thus, when a brace 57 is inserted into the orifice formed between two grooves 31 and is fixed in this position, the lower wall 65 of this brace 57 abuts against the stop 80 which makes it possible to secure the corresponding battery packs 20 along the Z axis. The simple side rails 59 allow the battery packs adjacent to the side walls 16, 17 of room 13 to be secured along the X axis. In particular, these simple side rails are arranged opposite the side walls 22-1 and 22-2 of the battery packs adjacent to the side walls 16, 17 of each layer of battery packs 20. These simple side rails 59 are, for example, all identical to each other. Figure 6 illustrates two simple side rails 59 respectively arranged on a first and a second riser formed on the floor 18. Each of these simple side rails 59 comprises a plurality of protuberances 91 each extending in a protuberance direction A. When these simple side rails 59 are disposed on the corresponding side walls 16, 17, the protuberance directions A extend along the Z axis. The protuberances 91 of these simple side rails 59 are designed to be received in the grooves 31 when the battery packs 20 defining these grooves 31 are placed opposite these rails. The threaded side rails 60 are designed to reinforce the simple side rails 59 of at least some battery pack 20 layers. Thus, in the embodiment of Figure 6, a threaded side rail 60 is disposed above the simple side rail 59 on the first riser of the floor 18. Like the simple side rails, the threaded side rail 60 defines a plurality of protuberances 92 which are then analogous to the protuberances 91 described above.

Each of these protuberances 92 extends in a protuberance direction B which is then parallel to the protuberance directions A of the protuberances 91. Furthermore, when a simple side rail 59 and a threaded side rail 60 are disposed on the same riser, the directions A and B of these protuberances 91 and 92 are the same. Unlike simple side rails 59, the threaded side rail 60 defines for each protuberance 92, a tapped hole extending in the corresponding protuberance direction B. This tapped hole is designed to receive the threaded end 78 of a fixing screw 58 to fix a brace 57 whose lower wall 65 is in contact with this threaded side rail 60. Advantageously, the fastening system according to the invention further comprises a plurality of side cushions 94 which are designed to be placed on the side walls 16, 17 above the simple side rails 59 as well as possibly below the corresponding threaded side rails 60. These side cushions 94 make it possible to cushion the lateral movements of the battery packs 20 against the side walls 16, 17. As may be seen in Figure 7, the threaded rules 61 make it possible to fix a layer of battery packs 20 on another layer of battery packs when the battery packs 20 of these latter layers are staggered with respect to the battery packs 20 of the lower layer. Thus, with reference to Figure 7, the threaded rules 61 extend along the Y axis. Each threaded rule 61 defines a plurality of tapped holes and a plurality of mounting holes. In Figure 7, two adjacent fixing holes are denoted by the references 95 and two adjacent tapped holes are designated by the reference 96. Thus, each fixing hole 95 is disposed opposite a tapped hole formed in the lower layer of battery packs. As explained above, this tapped hole formed in the lower layer of battery packs is, in particular, formed by the brace 57 inserted between the orifices of the corresponding grooves 31. This fixing hole 95 then makes it possible to fix the corresponding threaded rule 61 on the lower layer of battery packs by means of suitable screws. As for the tapped holes 96, these make it possible to fix the battery packs 20 of the upper layer of battery packs through interaction with the fixing screws 58 then inserted in the braces 57 facing these tapped holes 96.

Advantageously according to the invention, the tapped holes 96 and the fixing holes 95 are formed using the same template with a regular distance between them. This distance then corresponds to half of the extent of each battery pack 20 along the Y axis when the latter is fixed in the battery room 13. Finally, with reference to Figure 8, the means for fixing the last layer of battery packs comprise a bottom fixing frame 102 and a plurality of adjustable feet 103. The bottom fixing frame 102 is designed to be fixed on the back wall 15 at the level of the last layer of battery packs. This fixing frame 102 defines a plurality of cells, each cell being designed to receive one of the battery packs 20 of the last layer of battery packs along the X axis to secure this pack along the Y axis and the Z axis at its distal wall 24-1. Thus, and as illustrated in Figure 8, each cell has two side bars 104 designed to be adjacent to the side walls 22-1, 22-2 of the battery pack 20 when the latter is inserted into this cell. In addition, each side bar 104 is designed to be disposed in the orifices formed by the facing grooves 31 adjacent to the distal walls 24-1 of the battery packs 20 forming this last layer of battery packs. Each cell 104 is further delimited by an upper bar 105 which is then designed to bear against the upper wall 22-1 of each battery pack 20 when the latter is inserted into the corresponding cell. Each adjustable foot 103 is designed to be disposed between one of the packs 20 of the last layer of battery packs and the ceiling 19 so as to secure this pack along the Z axis at its proximal wall 24-2. In Figure 8, only one adjustable foot 103 is visible. The method of fixing the battery packs 20 according to the invention by the fastening system according to the first embodiment of the invention will now be explained with particular reference to Figure 9. Initially, it is considered that the floor 18 defines the tapped holes necessary to interact with the threaded ends 78 of the fixing screws 58 designed to fix the first layer of battery packs through the corresponding braces 57. More particularly, the flat portion of the floor 18 defines, for each pair of grooves 31 facing each pair of adjacent battery packs 20 designed to form the first layer, a threaded through-orifice facing this groove.

Furthermore, when the braces 57 according to the first embodiment are used, the orifices formed on the floor 18 are offset with respect to the axis of symmetry of the orifices formed between the corresponding facing grooves. When the braces 57 according to the second embodiment are used, the holes are formed on the floor 18 on the axis of symmetry of the orifices between the corresponding facing grooves. In both cases, to form these orifices, a template provided for this purpose may be used. The same is true of the cascaded portions of the floor 18 in which tapped holes are similarly formed. Furthermore, it is considered that a pair of simple side rails 59 are to be provided for each layer of battery packs on the corresponding side walls 16, 17. Advantageously, at least for the first layer of battery packs, a pair of threaded side rails is arranged on the corresponding side walls 16, 17. Again advantageously, for each layer of battery packs, at least a pair of cushions 94 are mounted on each side wall 16, 17 above the corresponding simple side rails 59. In a first step of the method, an operator constitutes a first layer of battery packs by first installing the battery packs 20 designed to be adjacent to the side walls 16, 17 and then completing this layer with the remaining battery packs 20. Then, the operator tightens the braces 57 in the orifices formed between each pair of grooves facing the battery packs of the first layer so formed. Then, the operator tightens the fixing screws 58 in the shouldered through-orifices 69 of the inserted braces 57. Then, the operator tightens these fixing screws 58 in the shouldered through-orifices 69 until they abut against the internal stops 70 of these orifices. Then, the operator forms a second layer of battery packs which is, for example, placed in line with the first layer of battery packs. In this case, the operator performs the same steps as those described above. In particular, when the braces 57 according to the first embodiment are used to form this second layer of battery packs, the operator inserts the braces 57 in an inverted manner with respect to the braces 57 of the first layer of battery packs. In other words, the braces 57 of this second layer of battery packs are rotated about the Z axis by 180° relative to the braces 57 of the first layer of battery packs so that the orifice axes D 1 and the hole axes D 2 of the braces 57 of this second layer coincide respectively with the hole axes D 2 and the hole axes D1 of this first layer of battery packs. Thus, when the fixing screws 58 are engaged in the shouldered through-orifice 69 of the braces 57 of the second layer of battery packs, the threaded ends 78 of these screws 58 are engaged in the tapped holes 72 of the braces 57 of the first layer of battery packs. When the braces 57 according to the second embodiment are used, it is not necessary to turn the braces 57 of the second layer of battery packs because the orifice and hole axes of these braces 57 coincide. Subsequent intermediate layers disposed in an aligned manner may then be arranged in the same way. When it is necessary to have a layer of battery packs staggered when the lower layer of battery packs is installed, the operator first disposes the threaded rules 61 and then fixes these rules to the lower layer of battery packs or on the floor 18 by inserting corresponding screws into the fixing holes 95 formed on these threaded rules 61. Then, the operator disposes the top layer of battery packs on top of these threaded rules 61 that are staggered with respect to the battery packs of the bottom layer of battery packs. Then, as in the previous cases, the operator inserts the corresponding braces 57, and screws the fixing screws 58 through these braces in the tapped holes 96 formed on these threaded rules 61. When the operator comes to the constitution of the last layer of battery packs, the bottom fixing frame is already mounted on the back wall 15 of the room 13. Thus, the operator inserts each battery pack 20 into the corresponding cells of this fixing frame 102. Finally, the operator places the adjustable feet 103 between the ceiling 19 and the battery packs 20 of the last layer of battery packs and then adjusts these adjustable feet 103 to secure the last layer of battery packs against the ceiling 19. The fastening system according to the second embodiment will now be explained with reference to Figures 10 and 11. In particular, this fastening system is substantially similar to that of the first embodiment. The only difference between these two embodiments is in the fixing means 62 of the last layer of battery packs.

In particular, according to this second embodiment, these means 62 comprise a plurality of longitudinal fixing frames 110 and a plurality of bottom stops 113. The bottom stops 113 are designed to be fixed to the bottom wall 15 so as to be astride each pair of the distal walls 24-1 of the battery packs 20 forming the last layer. Each longitudinal fixing frame 110 is designed to be fixed between each section of adjacent battery packs of the last layer of battery packs. To do this, each longitudinal fixing frame 110 defines a proximal fixing point 110 and a distal fixing point 112. Each proximal fixing point 111 is designed to fix the frame 110 corresponding to the proximal walls 24-2 of the corresponding pair of battery packs 20. Each distal fixing point 112 is designed to fix the frame 110 corresponding to the bottom stop 113 disposed opposite this fixing point. This distal fixing point 112 has, for example, a stop to abut against the corresponding bottom stop 113 and to be fixed on this bottom stop by means, for example, of a pair of screws. Each longitudinal fixing frame 110 further defines a plurality of bars, wherein each bar is designed to be received in an orifice formed between two grooves 31 facing the corresponding battery packs 20. The method of fixing the battery pack 20 by means of the fastening system according to the second embodiment differs from that according to the first embodiment only by the last step consisting in securing the last layer of battery packs. Thus, in this method, the battery packs 20 of the last layer of battery packs are first slid along the X axis to form the last layer. Then, the longitudinal fixing frames 112 are put in the space between this last layer and the ceiling 19. Then, these frames are inserted into the slots formed between each pair of adjacent packs in order to engage the bars in the orifices formed between the facing grooves 31. Then, via hatches provided for this purpose in the ceiling 19, the distal fixing points 112 are fixed to the bottom stops 113 using, for example, screws. Finally, screws are screwed into the proximal fixing points 111 in order to secure the longitudinal fixing frames 110 to the proximal walls 24-2 of the battery packs 20. These screws are then screwed into the tapped holes formed on the bottom layer of battery packs.

It will then be appreciated that the present invention offers a certain number of advantages. In fact, the invention makes it possible to secure battery packs in several layers in a very small space capable of undergoing significant shocks, such as experienced in a vessel. The fastening is effected in a simple manner and allowing all the battery packs to be secured along the three axes X, Y and Z. In addition, the invention uses identical braces for various functions which makes it possible to reduce the number of different elements required to achieve such fastening. Throughout this specification and the claims which follow, unless the context requires otherwise, the word "comprise", and variations such as "comprises" and "comprising", will be understood to imply the inclusion of a stated integer or step or group of integers or steps but not the exclusion of any other integer or step or group of integers or steps. The reference in this specification to any prior publication (or information derived from it), or to any matter which is known, is not, and should not be taken as an acknowledgment or admission or any form of suggestion that that prior publication (or information derived from it) or known matter forms part of the common general knowledge in the field of endeavor to which this specification relates.

Claims

THE CLAIMS DEFINING THE INVENTION ARE AS FOLLOWS:

1. System for fixing a plurality of battery packs stacked on top of one another on board a vessel, the vessel comprising a battery room whose length extends along an X axis and is delimited by a back wall, the width extends along a Y axis and is delimited by two side walls, and the height extends along a Z axis and is delimited by a floor and a ceiling; each battery pack having a substantially parallelepipedal shape defining two side walls, a proximal wall, a distal wall, an upper wall, and a lower wall, each side wall defining a plurality of grooves extending along an axis of extension between the lower wall and the upper wall; the battery packs being designed to be disposed in several layers on the floor of the battery room between its side walls and against the back wall, the battery packs of the same layer being designed to be disposed next to each other via their side walls so that the grooves of these side walls face each other so that the distal walls of these packs are adjacent to the back wall; wherein the system comprises: - a plurality of braces, each brace defining a lower wall, an upper wall and a shouldered through-orifice defining an internal stop and extending between the lower and upper walls of this brace along an orifice axis, each brace being designed to be inserted into an orifice formed between two grooves of two facing battery packs disposed next to each other in a same layer of battery packs; - a plurality of fixing screws, each fixing screw being designed to be inserted into the shouldered through-orifice of a brace until it abuts against the internal stop by partially passing through the shouldered through-orifice, and, when this brace is inserted between two grooves facing the corresponding battery packs, being screwed into a tapped hole facing the shouldered through orifice, thus securing the corresponding battery packs along the X axis.

2. System according to claim 1, wherein each groove of each battery pack defines a lower stop adjacent to the lower wall of this battery pack without closing this groove along its axis of extension; the lower wall of each brace being designed to abut against the lower stops of two facing grooves when this brace is inserted into the orifice formed between these grooves, and when this brace is fixed by a corresponding fixing screw to secure the corresponding battery packs by interaction with said lower stops.

3. System according to claim 1 or 2, wherein each brace defines a tapped hole opening onto the upper wall thereof, extending along a hole axis parallel to the orifice axis and offset with respect to this orifice axis; the tapped hole of each brace being designed to receive a fixing screw fixing a brace whose lower wall is adjacent to the upper wall of this brace and the hole axis and the orifice axis of which coincide respectively with the orifice axis and the hole axis of this brace.

4. System according to claim 1 or 2, further comprising a plurality of threaded sleeves; each threaded sleeve being designed to be inserted into the shouldered through orifice of each brace above the corresponding fixing screw to form a tapped hole opening out onto the upper wall of this brace; the tapped hole formed by each threaded sleeve inserted in the corresponding brace being designed to receive a fixing screw fixing a brace whose lower wall is adjacent to the upper wall of this brace.

5. System according to claim 4, wherein each brace has an axial symmetry with the axis of the corresponding orifice.

6. System according to any preceding claim, further comprising a plurality of simple side rails, each simple side rail comprising a plurality of protuberances extending in a protuberance direction and designed to be received in the corresponding grooves when the simple side rail is disposed facing a side wall of a battery pack; each simple side rail being designed to be mounted on a side wall of the battery room facing a side wall of a battery pack of each layer of battery packs so that the protuberance direction is parallel to the Z axis.

7. System according to any preceding claim, further comprising a plurality of threaded side rails, each threaded side rail comprising a plurality of protuberances extending in a protuberance direction and designed to be received in the corresponding grooves when the threaded side rail is disposed facing a side wall of a battery pack; each threaded side rail being designed to be mounted on a side wall of the battery room facing a side wall of a battery pack of at least one layer of battery packs so that the protuberance direction is parallel to the Z axis; each tapped side rail forming for each protuberance a tapped hole extending in the corresponding protuberance direction and designed to receive a fixing screw fixing a brace whose wall lower is adjacent to this threaded side rail.

8. System according to any one of the preceding claims, further comprising a plurality of threaded rules, each rule being designed to be disposed along the Y axis between a lower layer of battery packs and an upper layer of battery packs disposed staggered with respect to this lower layer of battery packs; each rule defining a plurality of tapped holes and a plurality of fixing holes and when this rule is laid between the corresponding battery pack layers: each fixing hole being disposed opposite a tapped hole formed in the lower layer of battery packs; each tapped hole being disposed opposite a fixing screw fixing a brace disposed between two battery packs of the upper layer of battery packs.

9. System according to any one of the preceding claims, further comprising a bottom fixing frame defining a plurality of cells and designed to be fixed to the back wall of the battery room opposite the battery packs of a last layer of battery packs; each cell being designed to receive a battery pack along the X axis and to secure this pack along the Y axis and the Z axis at the level of the distal walls (24-1) of these packs.

10. System according to claim 9, further comprising a plurality of adjustable feet, each adjustable foot being designed to be disposed between a battery pack of the last layer of battery packs and the ceiling to secure this battery pack along the Z axis at its proximal wall.

11. System according to any one of claims 1 to 8, further comprising a plurality of longitudinal fixing frames designed to be fixed between two battery packs adjacent to a last layer of battery packs; each fixing frame comprising a distal fixing point designed to be fixed to the back wall, and a proximal fixing point designed to be fixed at the level of the proximal walls of the corresponding battery packs.

12. System according to claim 11, wherein each longitudinal fixing frame defines a plurality of bars, each bar being designed to be received in an orifice formed between two grooves facing the two adjacent battery packs between which this fixing frame is designed to be fixed.

13. A method of fixing a plurality of battery packs stacked on top of one another on board a vessel, implemented by means of the fastening system according to any one of the preceding claims and comprising the following steps: - constitute a first layer of battery packs or a layer of intermediate battery packs by placing each battery pack on the floor covered with an earthquake-resistant foam or on a battery pack with a layer of lower battery packs or astride two battery packs of a lower battery pack layer; - insert the braces into the orifices formed between each pair of grooves facing the battery packs of the layer so formed; - insert the fixing screws in the shouldered through-orifices in the shouldered braces; - insert the fixing screws in the tapped holes opposite the shouldered through-orifices until they abut against the internal stops of these orifices; - constitute a last layer of battery packs by disposing each battery pack on a battery pack of a lower layer of battery packs or between two battery packs of a lower layer of battery packs; - secure the last layer of battery packs along the Z axis.

14. Power supply unit of a vessel, the vessel having a battery room, the length of which extends along an X axis and is delimited by a back wall, the width extends along a Y axis and is delimited by two side walls, and the height extends along a Z axis and is delimited by a floor and a ceiling; the power supply comprising a plurality of battery packs fixed in a stacked manner on top of one another; each battery pack having a substantially parallelepipedal shape defining two side walls, a proximal wall, a distal wall, an upper wall, and a lower wall, each side wall defining a plurality of grooves; the power supply unit being designed to be installed in the battery room so that the battery packs are laid in several layers on the floor of the battery room between its side walls and against the back wall, the battery packs of the same layer being designed to be disposed next to the adjacent one via their side wall so that the grooves of these side walls are disposed to face each other and the distal walls of these packs are adjacent to the wall bottom; wherein the power supply unit further comprises a fastening system according to any one of claims 1 to 12 for fixing the battery packs in the battery room.

z 12

19 15

17 1/11

y

16

13 18 x

23-2

20 22-1 24-1 2/11

31

22-2

23-1 24-2

23-1

3/11

31