Classifications

• • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
  • B32—LAYERED PRODUCTS
  • B32B—LAYERED PRODUCTS, i.e. PRODUCTS BUILT-UP OF STRATA OF FLAT OR NON-FLAT, e.g. CELLULAR OR HONEYCOMB, FORM
  • B32B5/00—Layered products characterised by the non- homogeneity or physical structure, i.e. comprising a fibrous, filamentary, particulate or foam layer; Layered products characterised by having a layer differing constitutionally or physically in different parts
  • B32B5/22—Layered products characterised by the non- homogeneity or physical structure, i.e. comprising a fibrous, filamentary, particulate or foam layer; Layered products characterised by having a layer differing constitutionally or physically in different parts characterised by the presence of two or more layers which are next to each other and are fibrous, filamentary, formed of particles or foamed
  • B32B5/24—Layered products characterised by the non- homogeneity or physical structure, i.e. comprising a fibrous, filamentary, particulate or foam layer; Layered products characterised by having a layer differing constitutionally or physically in different parts characterised by the presence of two or more layers which are next to each other and are fibrous, filamentary, formed of particles or foamed one layer being a fibrous or filamentary layer
  • B32B5/26—Layered products characterised by the non- homogeneity or physical structure, i.e. comprising a fibrous, filamentary, particulate or foam layer; Layered products characterised by having a layer differing constitutionally or physically in different parts characterised by the presence of two or more layers which are next to each other and are fibrous, filamentary, formed of particles or foamed one layer being a fibrous or filamentary layer another layer next to it also being fibrous or filamentary
• • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
  • B32—LAYERED PRODUCTS
  • B32B—LAYERED PRODUCTS, i.e. PRODUCTS BUILT-UP OF STRATA OF FLAT OR NON-FLAT, e.g. CELLULAR OR HONEYCOMB, FORM
  • B32B18/00—Layered products essentially comprising ceramics, e.g. refractory products
• • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
  • B32—LAYERED PRODUCTS
  • B32B—LAYERED PRODUCTS, i.e. PRODUCTS BUILT-UP OF STRATA OF FLAT OR NON-FLAT, e.g. CELLULAR OR HONEYCOMB, FORM
  • B32B9/00—Layered products comprising a layer of a particular substance not covered by groups B32B11/00 - B32B29/00
  • B32B9/005—Layered products comprising a layer of a particular substance not covered by groups B32B11/00 - B32B29/00 comprising one layer of ceramic material, e.g. porcelain, ceramic tile
• • A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
  • A62—LIFE-SAVING; FIRE-FIGHTING
  • A62C—FIRE-FIGHTING
  • A62C2/00—Fire prevention or containment
  • A62C2/06—Physical fire-barriers
• • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
  • B32—LAYERED PRODUCTS
  • B32B—LAYERED PRODUCTS, i.e. PRODUCTS BUILT-UP OF STRATA OF FLAT OR NON-FLAT, e.g. CELLULAR OR HONEYCOMB, FORM
  • B32B29/00—Layered products comprising a layer of paper or cardboard
  • B32B29/02—Layered products comprising a layer of paper or cardboard next to a fibrous or filamentary layer
• • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
  • B32—LAYERED PRODUCTS
  • B32B—LAYERED PRODUCTS, i.e. PRODUCTS BUILT-UP OF STRATA OF FLAT OR NON-FLAT, e.g. CELLULAR OR HONEYCOMB, FORM
  • B32B3/00—Layered products comprising a layer with external or internal discontinuities or unevennesses, or a layer of non-planar shape; Layered products comprising a layer having particular features of form
  • B32B3/10—Layered products comprising a layer with external or internal discontinuities or unevennesses, or a layer of non-planar shape; Layered products comprising a layer having particular features of form characterised by a discontinuous layer, i.e. formed of separate pieces of material
  • B32B3/12—Layered products comprising a layer with external or internal discontinuities or unevennesses, or a layer of non-planar shape; Layered products comprising a layer having particular features of form characterised by a discontinuous layer, i.e. formed of separate pieces of material characterised by a layer of regularly- arranged cells, e.g. a honeycomb structure
• • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
  • B32—LAYERED PRODUCTS
  • B32B—LAYERED PRODUCTS, i.e. PRODUCTS BUILT-UP OF STRATA OF FLAT OR NON-FLAT, e.g. CELLULAR OR HONEYCOMB, FORM
  • B32B9/00—Layered products comprising a layer of a particular substance not covered by groups B32B11/00 - B32B29/00
  • B32B9/005—Layered products comprising a layer of a particular substance not covered by groups B32B11/00 - B32B29/00 comprising one layer of ceramic material, e.g. porcelain, ceramic tile
  • B32B9/007—Layered products comprising a layer of a particular substance not covered by groups B32B11/00 - B32B29/00 comprising one layer of ceramic material, e.g. porcelain, ceramic tile comprising carbon, e.g. graphite, composite carbon
• • C—CHEMISTRY; METALLURGY
  • C04—CEMENTS; CONCRETE; ARTIFICIAL STONE; CERAMICS; REFRACTORIES
  • C04B—LIME, MAGNESIA; SLAG; CEMENTS; COMPOSITIONS THEREOF, e.g. MORTARS, CONCRETE OR LIKE BUILDING MATERIALS; ARTIFICIAL STONE; CERAMICS; REFRACTORIES; TREATMENT OF NATURAL STONE
  • C04B41/00—After-treatment of mortars, concrete, artificial stone or ceramics; Treatment of natural stone
  • C04B41/45—Coating or impregnating, e.g. injection in masonry, partial coating of green or fired ceramics, organic coating compositions for adhering together two concrete elements
  • C04B41/4501—Coating or impregnating, e.g. injection in masonry, partial coating of green or fired ceramics, organic coating compositions for adhering together two concrete elements with preformed sheet-like elements
• • H—ELECTRICITY
  • H01—ELECTRIC ELEMENTS
  • H01M—PROCESSES OR MEANS, e.g. BATTERIES, FOR THE DIRECT CONVERSION OF CHEMICAL ENERGY INTO ELECTRICAL ENERGY
  • H01M50/00—Constructional details or processes of manufacture of the non-active parts of electrochemical cells other than fuel cells, e.g. hybrid cells
  • H01M50/10—Primary casings; Jackets or wrappings
• • H—ELECTRICITY
  • H01—ELECTRIC ELEMENTS
  • H01M—PROCESSES OR MEANS, e.g. BATTERIES, FOR THE DIRECT CONVERSION OF CHEMICAL ENERGY INTO ELECTRICAL ENERGY
  • H01M50/00—Constructional details or processes of manufacture of the non-active parts of electrochemical cells other than fuel cells, e.g. hybrid cells
  • H01M50/20—Mountings; Secondary casings or frames; Racks, modules or packs; Suspension devices; Shock absorbers; Transport or carrying devices; Holders
  • H01M50/233—Mountings; Secondary casings or frames; Racks, modules or packs; Suspension devices; Shock absorbers; Transport or carrying devices; Holders characterised by physical properties of casings or racks, e.g. dimensions
  • H01M50/24—Mountings; Secondary casings or frames; Racks, modules or packs; Suspension devices; Shock absorbers; Transport or carrying devices; Holders characterised by physical properties of casings or racks, e.g. dimensions adapted for protecting batteries from their environment, e.g. from corrosion
• • H—ELECTRICITY
  • H01—ELECTRIC ELEMENTS
  • H01M—PROCESSES OR MEANS, e.g. BATTERIES, FOR THE DIRECT CONVERSION OF CHEMICAL ENERGY INTO ELECTRICAL ENERGY
  • H01M50/00—Constructional details or processes of manufacture of the non-active parts of electrochemical cells other than fuel cells, e.g. hybrid cells
  • H01M50/30—Arrangements for facilitating escape of gases
  • H01M50/342—Non-re-sealable arrangements
  • H01M50/3425—Non-re-sealable arrangements in the form of rupturable membranes or weakened parts, e.g. pierced with the aid of a sharp member
• • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
  • B32—LAYERED PRODUCTS
  • B32B—LAYERED PRODUCTS, i.e. PRODUCTS BUILT-UP OF STRATA OF FLAT OR NON-FLAT, e.g. CELLULAR OR HONEYCOMB, FORM
  • B32B2260/00—Layered product comprising an impregnated, embedded, or bonded layer wherein the layer comprises an impregnation, embedding, or binder material
  • B32B2260/04—Impregnation, embedding, or binder material
  • B32B2260/046—Synthetic resin
• • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
  • B32—LAYERED PRODUCTS
  • B32B—LAYERED PRODUCTS, i.e. PRODUCTS BUILT-UP OF STRATA OF FLAT OR NON-FLAT, e.g. CELLULAR OR HONEYCOMB, FORM
  • B32B2262/00—Composition or structural features of fibres which form a fibrous or filamentary layer or are present as additives
  • B32B2262/10—Inorganic fibres
  • B32B2262/105—Ceramic fibres
• • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
  • B32—LAYERED PRODUCTS
  • B32B—LAYERED PRODUCTS, i.e. PRODUCTS BUILT-UP OF STRATA OF FLAT OR NON-FLAT, e.g. CELLULAR OR HONEYCOMB, FORM
  • B32B2262/00—Composition or structural features of fibres which form a fibrous or filamentary layer or are present as additives
  • B32B2262/10—Inorganic fibres
  • B32B2262/106—Carbon fibres, e.g. graphite fibres
• • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
  • B32—LAYERED PRODUCTS
  • B32B—LAYERED PRODUCTS, i.e. PRODUCTS BUILT-UP OF STRATA OF FLAT OR NON-FLAT, e.g. CELLULAR OR HONEYCOMB, FORM
  • B32B2307/00—Properties of the layers or laminate
  • B32B2307/30—Properties of the layers or laminate having particular thermal properties
  • B32B2307/304—Insulating
• • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
  • B32—LAYERED PRODUCTS
  • B32B—LAYERED PRODUCTS, i.e. PRODUCTS BUILT-UP OF STRATA OF FLAT OR NON-FLAT, e.g. CELLULAR OR HONEYCOMB, FORM
  • B32B2307/00—Properties of the layers or laminate
  • B32B2307/30—Properties of the layers or laminate having particular thermal properties
  • B32B2307/306—Resistant to heat
  • B32B2307/3065—Flame resistant or retardant, fire resistant or retardant
• • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
  • B32—LAYERED PRODUCTS
  • B32B—LAYERED PRODUCTS, i.e. PRODUCTS BUILT-UP OF STRATA OF FLAT OR NON-FLAT, e.g. CELLULAR OR HONEYCOMB, FORM
  • B32B2313/00—Elements other than metals
  • B32B2313/04—Carbon
• • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
  • B32—LAYERED PRODUCTS
  • B32B—LAYERED PRODUCTS, i.e. PRODUCTS BUILT-UP OF STRATA OF FLAT OR NON-FLAT, e.g. CELLULAR OR HONEYCOMB, FORM
  • B32B2315/00—Other materials containing non-metallic inorganic compounds not provided for in groups B32B2311/00 - B32B2313/04
  • B32B2315/02—Ceramics
• • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
  • B32—LAYERED PRODUCTS
  • B32B—LAYERED PRODUCTS, i.e. PRODUCTS BUILT-UP OF STRATA OF FLAT OR NON-FLAT, e.g. CELLULAR OR HONEYCOMB, FORM
  • B32B2457/00—Electrical equipment
  • B32B2457/10—Batteries
• • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
  • B32—LAYERED PRODUCTS
  • B32B—LAYERED PRODUCTS, i.e. PRODUCTS BUILT-UP OF STRATA OF FLAT OR NON-FLAT, e.g. CELLULAR OR HONEYCOMB, FORM
  • B32B2605/00—Vehicles
  • B32B2605/08—Cars
• • H—ELECTRICITY
  • H01—ELECTRIC ELEMENTS
  • H01M—PROCESSES OR MEANS, e.g. BATTERIES, FOR THE DIRECT CONVERSION OF CHEMICAL ENERGY INTO ELECTRICAL ENERGY
  • H01M10/00—Secondary cells; Manufacture thereof
  • H01M10/05—Accumulators with non-aqueous electrolyte
  • H01M10/052—Li-accumulators
  • H01M10/0525—Rocking-chair batteries, i.e. batteries with lithium insertion or intercalation in both electrodes; Lithium-ion batteries
• • Y—GENERAL TAGGING OF NEW TECHNOLOGICAL DEVELOPMENTS; GENERAL TAGGING OF CROSS-SECTIONAL TECHNOLOGIES SPANNING OVER SEVERAL SECTIONS OF THE IPC; TECHNICAL SUBJECTS COVERED BY FORMER USPC CROSS-REFERENCE ART COLLECTIONS [XRACs] AND DIGESTS
  • Y02—TECHNOLOGIES OR APPLICATIONS FOR MITIGATION OR ADAPTATION AGAINST CLIMATE CHANGE
  • Y02E—REDUCTION OF GREENHOUSE GAS [GHG] EMISSIONS, RELATED TO ENERGY GENERATION, TRANSMISSION OR DISTRIBUTION
  • Y02E60/00—Enabling technologies; Technologies with a potential or indirect contribution to GHG emissions mitigation
  • Y02E60/10—Energy storage using batteries

Definitions

• the invention relates to multi-laminar materials for the containment of heat and/or flame, fire guards incorporating such materials and apparatus such as vehicles which incorporate such fire guards.
• Some known batteries can malfunction, for example by catching fire if overcharged. This can not only be a problem in itself but can be even more problematic when such batteries are located near to combustible material where there is scope for fire to spread to the combustible material.
• the present invention aims to alleviate at least to a certain extent the problems of the prior art.
• a multi-laminar material for the containment of heat and/or flame comprising:
• a first protective layer comprising a ceramic material
• a second protective layer comprising carbon material.
• the first protective layer comprises an alumina, silica or
• the ceramic material preferably comprises one or more layers of a ceramic paper.
• the first protective layer comprises one or more, preferably two, sheets of alumina fibre paper.
• the layer of ceramic material preferably has a thickness of about 2- 10mm, preferably about 2-5mm.
• the second protective layer comprises a carbon material which may be a carbon felt or may be provided as a foam or a honeycomb structure.
• the carbon material is a pre-oxidised polyacrylonitrile (PAN) carbon material.
• PAN pre-oxidised polyacrylonitrile
• the second protective layer comprises a carbon felt.
• the second protective layer has a thickness of about 1-5 mm, preferably about 1 -4mm.
• the multi-laminar material further comprises a structural layer, preferably located adjacent the first protective layer.
• the structural layer may be formed from any solid material, for example comprising polymeric material, metal, metal alloy or any mixture thereof.
• the structural layer is formed by a core material and a coating (such as a panel comprising a core material and a coating).
• the coating preferably comprises a thermoset resin.
• the thermoset resin coating may comprise carbon fibre reinforcement.
• the thermoset resin may be an epoxy- or phenolic- resin, preferably an epoxy resin, preferably with carbon fibre reinforcement.
• the core material may comprise a metal or metal alloy, such as an aluminium alloy (preferably a 5000 series aluminium alloy).
• the core material comprises an aramid polymeric material, preferably a meta- aramid.
• the core comprises a meta-aramid polymer, preferably poly(w-phenylene isophthalamide).
• the aramid, metal or metal alloy material is preferably provided as sheets, arranged to form a cellular structure, preferably where the cellular structure is in a honeycomb configuration.
• the structural layer preferably has a sandwich structure, with core material sandwiched between coating.
• the thickness of the structural layer is about 5-12mm, preferably about 6-9mm.
• the first protective layer is positioned adjacent the second protective layer.
• the first protective layer may be positioned between the structural layer and the second protective layer.
• sealant and/or adhesive may be present between any of the structural, first protective and second protective layers, or external thereto.
• the ratio of the thicknesses of first protective layensecond protective layer is 2:1 to 1 :1. In some embodiments, the ratio of thickness of structural layenfirst protective layer: second protective layer is 6-3:2-1:1.
• a further aspect of the invention provides a fire guard which includes a sheet of material in accordance with the above aspect of the invention.
• a further aspect of the invention provides a fire-guarded chamber which includes a battery pack located in a chamber thereof, the chamber including a fire guard as in the previous aspect hereof.
• At least a top wall of the chamber may be formed of the sheet of material.
• the chamber may be sealed or substantially sealed.
• the fire-guarded chamber may include a port arranged to open from the chamber to an exterior space upon application of a predetermined pressure at the port, the port being located on an underside of the chamber, the port preferably comprising a burst disk.
• a further aspect of the invention provides a fire-guarded chamber which contains a battery pack and includes a port arranged to open from the chamber to an exterior space upon application of a predetermined pressure to the port, the port being located on an underside of the chamber, the port preferably comprising a burst disk.
• a further aspect of the invention provides apparatus including a fire-guarded chamber as in any of the aspects hereof set out above and a tank arranged to contain a combustible fuel.
• the tank may be located adjacent or above the fire-guarded chamber.
• the apparatus may comprise a motor vehicle, such as a motor land vehicle. Application in other environments such as UPS systems, aircraft or spacecraft is also envisaged.
• the battery pack may comprise a traction battery pack of the motor vehicle.
• the traction battery pack may be arranged to supply electrical energy to (and/or receive power from) a powertrain motor (or generator) of the motor vehicle.
• the generator is operable to supply electrical energy for charging the battery pack upon transmission of a signal indicative of a braking command issued within the vehicle.
• Figure 1 is a schematic view of a motor vehicle which includes a preferred fire-guarded battery pack chamber using preferred multi-laminar material in accordance with a preferred embodiment
• Figure 2 is a schematic view of the battery pack chamber
• Figure 3 is a view of the battery pack chamber from underneath.
• Figure 4 is a view of the battery pack chamber with a lid thereof removed.
• a 'ceramic material' as referred to herein is an inorganic crystalline material. It should be appreciated that where the ceramic material is an alumina, silica or aluminosilicate ceramic, other components may also be present within the ceramic crystalline structure. Thus, in an alumina ceramic, alumina is the predominant oxide present, but other oxides including silica may also be present.
• a 'ceramic paper' as referred to herein is a type of ceramic material in the form of a flexible sheet comprising ceramic fibres and optionally a binder.
• the ceramic fibres should be refractory any may, for example, be refractory alumina fibres.
• Carbon fibres may be derived from polyacrylonitrile (PAN).
• a "pre-oxidized polyacrylonitrile carbon material” is a material formed from pre-oxidized PAN carbon fibres which may optionally have undergone further processing, for example to form a felt. The pre- oxidized material may undergo oxidation or may, preferably, be present in a pre-oxidised form.
• a 'carbon felt' as referred to herein is a non- woven, carbon-containing fabric, which may be formed by compression of carbon fibres.
• a carbon felt is preferably formed from pre-oxidized polyacrylonitrile (PAN) carbon material. This may be referred to as a pre-oxidized PAN carbon felt.
• PAN polyacrylonitrile
• An 'aluminium alloy' as referred to herein is an alloy in which alumiuium is present, preferably as the predominant metal (by weight). Other elements present may include, for example, Cu, Mg, Mn, Si and Zn.
• An aluminium alloy as used herein is preferably an aluminium magnesium alloy, for example, a 5000 series aluminium alloy.
• An 'aramid' as referred to herein is an aromatic polyamide.
• An aramid is preferably an aromatic polyamide in which at least least 85% of the amide linkages are attached directly to two aromatic rings.
• a 'honeycomb' structure or configuration comprises an array of hollow cells formed between walls.
• the cells are generally hexagonal in shape.
• test procedure used to assess the suitability of the multi-laminar material for use in a containment system for a lithium-ion battery was based on FAA Advisory Circular 20-135: POWERPLANT INSTALLATION AND PROPULSION SYSTEM COMPONENT FIRE PROTECTION TEST METHODS, STANDARDS, AND CRITERIA.
• a test material was mounted with a gas flame to impinge directly on to the test material surface at a distance of approximately 20mm.
• the temperature achieved in the test set-up was between 980°C and 1020°C, using a Propane gas cylinder.
• a 1000°C flame temperature was the target.
• a propane gas torch was set at a short distance from the face of the test material.
• a thermocouple set in front of the test material surface measured the "flame" temperature.
• On the other side of the panel a thermocouple was bonded in a central position with tape. The two temperatures were monitored throughout the test using the Fluke multimeter. Fine gas adjustments were made to maintain flame maximum temperature. In general, initial flame temperatures were approximately 960°C, climbing to 1020°C after ten or more minutes.
• the requirements for a material suitable for use in a containment system of the invention are that the material has rninimal thickness, minimal weight, is capable of resisting a flame with temperature 1000°C directly on the surface for 15 minutes or more, while maintaining structural integrity, and providing sufficient thermal insulation to protect a fuel container which may be positioned in a vehicle adjacent the containment system.
• the multi-laminar material of the invention was found to perioral remarkably well and meet the above criteria, in contrast to a large number of other combinations of materials which were not able to satisfy the above requirements.
• Materials tested for the protective layers included pre-oxidised PAN carbon felt, titanium alloy foil, silica aerogel, ceramic sheets, polyimide foam (Solimide®), refractory alumina fibre paper (Kaowool 1600 Paper), and alumina-boria-silica fibre fabric (Nextel ® 312), in various combinations as shown in Table 1.
• Panel core materials included Nomex ® (poly(m-phenylene
• Table 1 Material combinations tested and test summary. The inner face is that closest to the gas flame.
• the pre-oxidised PAN non-woven carbon felt was demonstrated to provide a superior flame barrier. In the most severe test, the felt suffered only minor degradation after 40 minutes of direct flame impingement with temperatures in excess of 1000 °C.
• the titanium alloy foil perfonned badly when used as a direct flame barrier. Significant distortion and discolouration was observed, and the heat protection provided for the CFR-epoxy sandwich panel behind it was very poor. Ceramic sheet (Cotronics 360-1) was intact after 15 minutes exposure with direct flame impingement on the surface, but the top layers were significantly degraded. The results shown in Table 1 indicate that a ceramic and carbon felt combination provides advantageous protective properties in comparison to other materials.
• a multi-laminar material taken forward to testing in a full scale test battery containment box comprised a combination of two layers of 1.4 mm thick Kaowool 1600 ceramic paper (88% alumina, 9% silica, 3% other oxides) and one layer of pre-oxidized PAN non-woven carbon felt at nominal thickness 1.8 mm.
• a structural layer was provided comprising a sandwich panel with an aluminium alloy (5052 alloy) honeycomb core (6.525 mm thick) and carbon- fibre reinforced epoxy matrix skins each side (0.6 mm thick each).
• An aluminium alloy was used in the tested material because of its higher strength as shown in stress analysis.
• alternative core materials could be used.
• an alternative and lighter core material is a Nomex® honeycomb core.
• the advantageous preferred materials described herein may advantageously be incorporated in a containment system to give fire resistance in the event of battery ignition, due to overcharging, or some other malfunction.
• Such containment systems have thus advantageously been found to be capable of limiting the spread of both flames and heat for a period of 15 minutes or more.
• FIG. 1 shows an example of a motor land vehicle 10 in accordance with one embodiment, the vehicle including a fire-guarded battery pack chamber 12 located below a fuel tank 14 for supplying combustible liquid or gaseous fuel via a fuel line 16 to a combustion engine 18 (such as an IC engine) for supplying tractive power to at least one ground drive wheel 20 of the motor land vehicle 10.
• a fire-guarded battery pack chamber 12 located below a fuel tank 14 for supplying combustible liquid or gaseous fuel via a fuel line 16 to a combustion engine 18 (such as an IC engine) for supplying tractive power to at least one ground drive wheel 20 of the motor land vehicle 10.
• a combustion engine 18 such as an IC engine
• the battery pack chamber 12 contains a Lithium-based (e.g. Lithium-ion) traction battery system 22 which is arranged to power the vehicle along by tractive electric motor power together with or as an alternate power source to the engine 18, the traction battery system also being chargeable in a conventional manner such as by a generator (not shown) of the vehicle 10, e.g. driven from the engine 18 and/or by regenerative braking functionality, the generator in one example being reconfigurable as an electric motor to provide the tractive electric motor power mentioned above.
• a Lithium-based (e.g. Lithium-ion) traction battery system 22 which is arranged to power the vehicle along by tractive electric motor power together with or as an alternate power source to the engine 18, the traction battery system also being chargeable in a conventional manner such as by a generator (not shown) of the vehicle 10, e.g. driven from the engine 18 and/or by regenerative braking functionality, the generator in one example being reconfigurable as an electric motor to provide the tractive electric motor power mentioned
• the battery system 22 is secured to a rectangular base 24 of the chamber 12 by supports 26.
• the chamber 12 also has a lid 28 which has a rectangular top surface 30 and four rectangular sides 32 (two of which are shown in Fig. 2), the four sides 32, lid 28 and base 24 forming a sealed or substantially sealed enclosure containing the battery system 22 when the lid 28 is secured down onto the base 24.
• At least the top surface 30 of the lid 28 and preferably also at least parts of and typically all of the sides 32 of the lid 28 are made from multi-laminar material comprising a carbon fibre reinforced-epoxy skinned sandwich panel with an aluminium alloy honeycomb core, plus two sheets of alumina fibre ceramic paper, supplemented with one layer of pre-oxidised PAN non- woven carbon felt, with the ceramic paper and carbon felt held in place with a covering comprising a one ply aramid-epoxy composite fabric.
• the base 24 is also made of this material.
• the base 24 incorporates a relief port in the form of a circular aperture 34 formed
• the relief port 34, 36 may advantageously open at a predetermined pressure by means of bursting of the burst disk 36. Accordingly, a catastrophic pressure build is advantageously avoided so that the chamber 12 cannot explode or otherwise release pressure in an uncontrolled manner.
• the relatively small burst aperture 34 may allow a flow of fire combustion products out of the chamber 12 while restricting the counterfiow of oxygen-containing air into the chamber 12. Furthermore, the combustion products are advantageously ejected downwardly out of the chamber and away from the fuel tank 14.
• the preferred laminate material used in the construction of the chamber 12 provides excellent flame guarding and thermal transfer restriction performance for a continued period which may exceed 15 minutes. Even with the fuel tank 14 containing combustible fuel and positioned near to, next to or above the chamber 12, the excellent performance of the chamber 12 helps ensure that fire and/or heat do not easily cause fire to break out at or in the region of the fuel tank or elsewhere in the motor land vehicle 10.

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• Chemical & Material Sciences (AREA)
• Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
• Ceramic Engineering (AREA)
• Chemical Kinetics & Catalysis (AREA)
• Electrochemistry (AREA)
• General Chemical & Material Sciences (AREA)
• Health & Medical Sciences (AREA)
• Emergency Management (AREA)
• Business, Economics & Management (AREA)
• Public Health (AREA)
• Materials Engineering (AREA)
• Structural Engineering (AREA)
• Organic Chemistry (AREA)
• Battery Mounting, Suspending (AREA)
• Laminated Bodies (AREA)
• Cooling, Air Intake And Gas Exhaust, And Fuel Tank Arrangements In Propulsion Units (AREA)
• Arrangement Or Mounting Of Propulsion Units For Vehicles (AREA)

Applications Claiming Priority (2)

Publications (1)

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• 2012
  • 2012-07-20 GB GB1213029.0A patent/GB2505871A/en not_active Withdrawn
• 2013
  • 2013-07-19 WO PCT/GB2013/000316 patent/WO2014013216A1/en active Application Filing
  • 2013-07-19 CN CN201380047382.7A patent/CN104602902A/zh active Pending
  • 2013-07-19 JP JP2015522157A patent/JP2015530282A/ja active Pending
  • 2013-07-19 EP EP13745703.2A patent/EP2874810A1/en not_active Withdrawn

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