CH711607A2

CH711607A2 - Device for controlling and managing at least one set of accumulator battery components in an explosive or explosive environment.

Info

Publication number: CH711607A2
Application number: CH01439/15A
Authority: CH
Inventors: Queyroi Pierre; Perrin Michaël
Original assignee: Emerson Network Power Ind Systems
Priority date: 2015-10-05
Filing date: 2015-10-05
Publication date: 2017-04-13

Abstract

The invention relates to a device (1) for controlling and managing at least one set of elements constituting a storage battery, characterized in that it comprises a housing (2) defining a sealed atmosphere enclosure (7) for encapsulation between an epoxy polymer (13) and the bottom of the housing (2), the electronic circuit board (7) , And comprises means (9) for electrical connection to the storage batteries, via holes (11) in the housing (2) and receiving glands (12).

Description

Description BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to the technical field of battery monitoring and management systems ("Battery Monitoring System" or "BMS") enabling the control and management of the various elements Of a battery of accumulators. It applies more particularly to the field of so-called "ATEX" devices, that is to say in explosive or explosive medium.

PRIOR ART There are, in the prior art, applications in which it is necessary to use electrical cabinets able to withstand hazardous media, in particular with an explosive atmosphere, called ATEX, and containing a plurality Of batteries.

[0003] The term "risky media" is used in particular to mean, mainly industrial media, presenting risks of fires, explosions and / or electric shocks. An explosive atmosphere is an atmosphere that could become explosive due to local and / or operational conditions. It is a mixture of air and flammable substances in the form of gases, vapors, mists or dusts, in which, after ignition, the combustion spreads to the whole unburned mixture.

[0004] When it is necessary to check the charge or the state of the various elements constituting the batteries, it is known to use devices for monitoring and managing said batteries, called BMS. These BMS devices are electronic systems in the form of a simple package, generally comprising an electronic card able to measure the various useful parameters of the batteries, such as voltage, impedance, temperature, etc.

However, the BMS devices of the prior art are not designed according to the ATEX regulations, so that they can not be mounted at the ATEX cabinet as such, but rather must be Installed outside the risk area.

It is thus necessary to unwind lengths of cables, in particular one cable per battery cell, from the ATEX enclosure in order to be connected to the BMS device as such. It is obvious that this technique has a major disadvantage when the cabinet closes a large number of storage batteries.

DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION Thus, the invention tends to propose a device for monitoring and managing at least one set of battery cells for use in hazardous media, in particular at atmospheres explosive.

Another object of the invention is to provide such a device conforming to the CEECex certification, which certification provides a means for the ATEX equipment manufacturers to obtain a certificate of conformity intended to be accepted in the participating countries in which This certification scheme is recognized.

In order to solve the aforementioned problems, a device has been developed according to the invention for controlling and managing at least one set of battery elements, which is characterized in that it comprises a housing Defining an enclosure with a sealed atmosphere and increased safety, in which is arranged an electronic card for the measurement of any useful parameter relating to the storage batteries. The electronic card is encapsulated between an epoxy polymer and the bottom of the casing and comprises means for electrical connection to the batteries of batteries, through orifices provided in the casing and receiving the cable glands.

In this way, the control and management device according to the invention can be installed in zones with an explosive atmosphere. The enclosure with an airtight and increased safety atmosphere avoids the propagation of an electric arc or a spark in hazardous area. More specifically, in the case, for example, of an ATEX cabinet containing a plurality of storage batteries and installed in a risk zone, said device according to the invention can be installed in the cabinet in question, as close as possible Of batteries. Thus, each battery can be connected to the device for the actual control and management, with a single electrical cable, for example for a set of elements extending out of the electrical cabinet.

An epoxide polymer is produced by polymerizing an epoxy resin with a hardener which can be, for example, based on acid anhydride, phenol or, more usually, amine.

According to one particular embodiment, the electrical connection means comprise a terminal block, so that the BMS consists of several series housings (maximum 10).

Advantageously, the casing of the device according to the invention comprises an opening provided in its thickness and facing the electronic card in order to make it possible to visualize the operating state of said electronic card through the epoxy polymer.

In this configuration, and according to a more specific embodiment, the opening seals an optical lens, and the electronic card comprises a light-emitting diode disposed facing said optical lens to signal by a visual signal emitted Through the lens, the operating state of said electronic card.

Preferably, the epoxy polymer used is a two-component adhesive consisting of an epoxy resin and a polymerizing agent, for example 1,4,7,10-tetraazadecane, marketed under the trademark "Araldite ".

[0016] The case is made of any material suitable to comply with the ATEX regulations, for example made of polyester.

According to a particular embodiment, the housing is in the form of two compartments between which an increased safety seal is arranged and the epoxy polymer forming a capsule.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS Other characteristics and advantages of the invention will emerge clearly from the following description, given by way of non-limiting indication, with reference to the appended figures, in which: FIG. 1 is a diagrammatic exploded perspective view of a device for controlling and managing a set of elements constituting a battery of batteries according to the invention; FIG. 2 is a schematic perspective view of the device according to the invention, deprived of one of its compartments, in particular of that which does not comprise the electronic card; FIG. 3 is a schematic perspective view of the device according to the invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION [0019] With reference to FIGS. 1 to 3, which show a device (1) for controlling and managing a set of elements constituting one battery bank (not shown), particularly for use in hazardous media, the latter comprises a housing (2), for example made of polyester, defining an enclosure with an enhanced sealed atmosphere.

The housing (2) is, for example, parallelepiped and comprises two parts forming two compartments (3, 4) made integral with each other by any suitable means, such as for example by four screws (5) Passing through the two compartments (3, 4) and arranged at the four corner of the parallelepiped. In order to ensure leaktightness, an explosion-proof seal (6) is provided between the two compartments (3, 4) of the housing (2).

The compartment (3) of the casing (2) forms a receptacle for an electronic card (7) and the compartment (4) forms a cover.

The electronic card (7) arranged in the compartment (3) of the casing (2) makes it possible to measure and calculate all useful parameters relating to accumulator batteries, such as temperature, impedance, voltage , Etc.

More precisely, the receptacle compartment (4) comprises a fastening rail (8) secured, in particular by screwing to the bottom of said compartment (4). The fastening rail (8) receives an increased safety bulkhead (9), enabling the electronic card (7) to be connected to a plurality of storage batteries. The bomier (9) is therefore electrically connected to the electronic card (7) via connecting means (10) of any suitable type and well known in the state of the art.

The electronic card (7) is therefore placed in the compartment (3) forming a receptacle and on the bomier (9). The compartment (4) comprises several orifices (11) for allowing the passage of electrical cables (not shown) for making the electrical connection between the storage batteries to be managed and the electronic card (7). These orifices are fitted with cable glands (12) enabling sealing between the exterior and the interior of the casing (2), so as to guarantee an increased sealed and safety atmosphere and compliance with the standard ATEX of the housing (2).

An epoxy polymer (13), for example glue marketed under the trademark "Araldite", is deposited so as to cover the compartment (3) and seal its main opening so as to encapsulate the electronic card (7), Between the bottom of said compartment (3) and said epoxy polymer (13). This epoxy polymer (13) forms a capsule and ensures the sealing and optimal protection of the electronic card (7), so as to ensure compliance with the ATEX standard.

The increased safety seal (6) is arranged all around the periphery of the epoxy polymer capsule (13) in order to make the joint between the two compartments (3, 4) when they are assembled.

The electronic card (7) has, on its opposite side of the epoxy polymer capsule (13), an electroluminescent diode (14) for emitting a visual signal which is a function of the operating state of said electronic card (7). The epoxy polymer capsule (13) comprises a lens (15) arranged on its face intended to face the compartment (3) forming the lid and facing the light-emitting diode (14). The lens (15) is, for example, bonded to the capsule (13) and allows the light emitted by the light-emitting diode (14) to be focused in order to

Claims

Making it possible to visualize the operating state of said electronic card (7), through the epoxy polymer capsule (13). The lid compartment (3) comprises an opening (16) formed in its thickness corresponding to and complementary in shape to the lens (15), so that when said compartment (3) covers the epoxy polymer capsule 13) and closes the housing (2), the lens (15) is visible through said opening (16). In particular, the opening (16) of the housing (2) receives the lens (15) in a sealed manner in order to ensure compliance with the ATEX standard. Thus, it emerges from the foregoing that the invention provides a device (1) for controlling and managing at least one set of elements constituting a battery of batteries which is resistant to fires, Explosions and / or electric shocks or other hazards to comply with ATEX regulations. Thus, such a device (1) can be arranged directly within an electrical cabinet, as close as possible to the storage batteries which it contains, and makes it possible to simplify the wiring of said cabinet. A single power cable extends out of the cabinet. claims

1. Device (1) for controlling and managing at least one set of elements constituting an accumulator battery, characterized in that it comprises a casing (2) defining an enclosure with an increased sealed atmosphere , In which an electronic card (7) for measuring any useful parameter relating to the storage batteries is arranged, said electronic card (7) being encapsulated between an epoxy polymer (13) and the bottom of the case (2), and In that it comprises means (9) for electrical connection to the storage batteries, through orifices (11) provided in the casing (2) and receiving the cable glands (12).

2. Device for controlling and managing at least one set of elements constituting a storage battery according to claim 1, wherein the electrical connection means comprise a terminal block.

3. Device for controlling and managing at least one set of elements constituting a storage battery according to claim 1, characterized in that the casing comprises an opening 16) provided in its thickness and facing the electronic card (7) in order to display the operating state of said electronic card (7) through the epoxy polymer (13).

4. Device (1) for controlling and managing at least one set of elements constituting a storage battery according to claim 3, characterized in that the opening (16) sealingly receives an optical lens (15), and in that the electronic card (7) comprises a light emitting diode (14) arranged facing said optical lens (15) for signaling, through a visual signal emitted through the lens (15) Operating state of said electronic card (7).

5. Device for controlling and managing at least one set of elements constituting a storage battery according to claim 1, wherein the casing is made of polyester .

6. Device for controlling and managing at least one set of elements constituting a battery according to claim 1, characterized in that the housing (2) (3, 4) between which an explosion-proof seal (6) is arranged, and the epoxy polymer (13) forming a capsule.