Classifications

• • 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
  • H01M50/256—Carrying devices, e.g. belts
• • A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
  • A62—LIFE-SAVING; FIRE-FIGHTING
  • A62C—FIRE-FIGHTING
  • A62C3/00—Fire prevention, containment or extinguishing specially adapted for particular objects or places
  • A62C3/16—Fire prevention, containment or extinguishing specially adapted for particular objects or places in electrical installations, e.g. cableways
• • F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
  • F42—AMMUNITION; BLASTING
  • F42B—EXPLOSIVE CHARGES, e.g. FOR BLASTING, FIREWORKS, AMMUNITION
  • F42B39/00—Packaging or storage of ammunition or explosive charges; Safety features thereof; Cartridge belts or bags
  • F42B39/14—Explosion or fire protection arrangements on packages or ammunition
  • F42B39/16—Fire-extinguishing
• • F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
  • F42—AMMUNITION; BLASTING
  • F42B—EXPLOSIVE CHARGES, e.g. FOR BLASTING, FIREWORKS, AMMUNITION
  • F42B39/00—Packaging or storage of ammunition or explosive charges; Safety features thereof; Cartridge belts or bags
  • F42B39/14—Explosion or fire protection arrangements on packages or ammunition
  • F42B39/18—Heat shields; Thermal insulation
• • F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
  • F42—AMMUNITION; BLASTING
  • F42B—EXPLOSIVE CHARGES, e.g. FOR BLASTING, FIREWORKS, AMMUNITION
  • F42B39/00—Packaging or storage of ammunition or explosive charges; Safety features thereof; Cartridge belts or bags
  • F42B39/20—Packages or ammunition having valves for pressure-equalising; Packages or ammunition having plugs for pressure release, e.g. meltable ; Blow-out panels; Venting arrangements
• • 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
• • 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 present invention relates to a container for transporting defective or damaged lithium batteries, in critical conditions.
• the present invention relates to a container for lithium- ion cells, modules and batteries used both for traction and for storage systems.
• a further aim of the present invention is that such container has a high mechanical strength, so as to protect the battery inside it from any bumps and/or falls.
• an aim of the present invention is that such container provides an adequate thermal insulation, so as to prevent the temperature propagation in the event of a thermal runaway.
• a further aim of the present invention is that such container may be easily transported.
• Another aim of the present invention is to provide a container inside which batteries in critical conditions can be safely placed and stored even during the quarantine period.
• an aim of the present invention is that such container is easy to manufacture, safe and reliable.
• an object of the present invention is a container for the packing and transport of at least one battery, in particular lithium batteries used for traction and/or storage systems which are defective or damaged or in critical conditions, comprising: a base, having a substantially flat shape, comprising a resting surface for said at least one battery; a lid, having a substantially box-like or bell shape, closable on said base, comprising side walls substantially orthogonal to said resting surface and having such shape and size as to abut with a matching edge of said base so as to form a housing for said at least one battery; and coupling means for coupling said base with said lid.
• said thermal insulating means may comprise vermiculite and/or a multilayer element comprising a central layer in ceramic material covered with silica, preferably silica treated with vermiculite, arranged inside said housing.
• said coupling means may comprise a plurality of portions protruding from said base and latches fixed on said side walls of said lid and coupleable to said plurality of said protruding portions.
• said coupling means may comprise ten projecting portions and their matching latches.
• Figure 1 shows an isometric view of a battery container according to a first embodiment of the present invention comprising a base and a lid coupled to the base by means of closure latches;
• Figure 4 shows a perspective view of the base of the container of Figure 1 ;
• Figure 9 shows a further enlargement of the detail of Figure 8
• Figure 10 shows a frontal perspective view of the base of Figure 4 to which an insulating retaining wall, or wall element, is coupled for thermally insulating the batteries;
• Figure 17 shows a perspective view of a first variant of the container according to the present invention.
• Figure 20 shows a perspective view of a first phase of a mechanical drop test, to verify the structural solidity of the container of Figure 17;
• Figure 21 shows a perspective view of the result of the mechanical drop test for the first version of the container of Figure 17;
• Figure 22 shows a perspective view of the mechanical drop test result for the container of Figure 1 ;
• Figure 25 shows a perspective view of a first variant of the container according to the present invention.
• the container 1 (shown in Figures 1 - 3 and 12, 13) comprises a base 2, or platform 2, having a flat shape, i.e. having a substantially flattened parallelepiped shape, on which placing the battery, and a lid 3 having a box like or bell shape, coupleable to the base 2 by means of coupling means 22, 4.
• the container 1 also comprises anchoring means 5, fixed on the base 2, for securing the batteries by means of straps and/or bars 7, as better illustrated below.
• the container 1 comprises insulation means 6, as better illustrated below.
• Such open configuration allows to inspect the battery in its entirety without the need to move it and promotes a simple and complete accessibility for the operator who will be able to carry out all safety activities, avoiding to operate in confined environments. This guarantees an important risk reduction for the operator, especially when considering the critical state of the batteries that will be transported.
• the configuration of the base 2 also allows a quick unloading in case of need (for example fire) by overturning.
• the base 2 is made of metallic material, it allows to obtain excellent fireproof properties.
• the lid 3 as mentioned, has a box-like or bell shape, such as to cover the base 2 and form the container 1.
• the lid 3 substantially has the shape of a hollow rectangle parallelepiped comprising an upper wall 30, substantially parallel to the resting surface 20 and four side walls 31 , having such shape and size as to abut with a matching edge of the base 2, so as to form the container 1.
• the aim is to guarantee maximum levels of safety not only during the transport and storage/quarantine, but also during the loading/unloading and inspection/testing phases of the battery. In fact, during such phases, the operator must necessarily come into contact with the battery (e.g. the strap fastening for its moving, an inspection, possible tests for a condition assessment), so it is essential to ensure adequate maneuvering spaces.
• the battery e.g. the strap fastening for its moving, an inspection, possible tests for a condition assessment
• the lid 3 comprises second holding means 32, 33, for holding and transporting the container 1 by machines, such as for example transpallets, forklifts and/or cranes.
• the figures show housings 32 arranged in correspondence with the upper wall 30, for the insertion of forks, and four slots 33 obtained at the four corners of the upper wall 30, for the insertion of straps.
• the arrangement of the second holding means 32, 33 can be different from that described, for example only the housings 32 or the slots 33 being present.
• first holding means 21 and/or second holding means 32, 33 allow the advantageous lifting of the container 2 starting from all its sides and with an anti-overturning function.
• the lid 3 also comprises four corner brackets 34 arranged at each junction corner between the side walls 31 , so as to reinforce such junctions.
• the slots 33 are obtained at the upper end 341 of each angular bracket 34, so as to make the holding of the container 1 by means of belts safer.
• upper end 341 of the corner bracket 34 it is meant, in fact, the end of the corner bracket 34 arranged in correspondence with the upper wall 30 of the lid 3.
• the base 2 and the lid 3 may include an interlocking system, for example consisting of special recesses and protrusions on both elements, such as to allow multiple containers 1 to be stacked on each other.
• angle brackets 34 are shaped in such a way as to cover, in use, the corners of the base 2, so that their lower ends 340 come into contact with the ground, while the upper ends 341 of the angular brackets 34 form an abutment element for the matching lower ends 340 of another container 1.
• the lid 3 also comprises a cavity, obtained on a side wall 31 , inside which a filter 35 is inserted, in particular an activated carbon filter 35, sized on the basis of the fumes and gases that may be generated in the event of a thermal runaway.
• a filter 35 is inserted, in particular an activated carbon filter 35, sized on the basis of the fumes and gases that may be generated in the event of a thermal runaway.
• the filter 35 comprises an adequate quantity of activated carbons, for the reasons set out below.
• a side wall 31 of the lid 3 comprises a hole 36, which can be closed by means of a suitable cap.
• the inside of the container 1 can be easily inspected by means of a probe or thermometer.
• Both the filter 35 and the hole 36 are arranged on one of the side walls 31 of the lid 3 having the longer side.
• the filter 35 may be advantageously positioned in a position that is as “barycentric” as possible on the side wall 31 having the longer side, to ensure a better filtering function of the potentially generated fumes.
• the coupling means 22, 4, for coupling the lid 3 to the base 2, comprise a plurality of portions 22 protruding from the base 2 and latches 4 fixed on the lid 3 and coupleable to a matching protruding portion 22.
• the latches 4 are toggle latches, which join and lock to matching teeth 22 which protrude from the edges of the base 2.
• latches 4 allows to obtain a stable and safe coupling.
• the latches 4 are all toggle latches.
• each latch 4 comprises a body 40, having a substantially rectangular shape, and a head 41 , connected to the body 40 and coupleable to the protruding portion 22, having a greater width than the body 40.
• the head 41 is formed by a rectangular section ring which engages with the tooth 22 protruding from the base 2.
• the number and size of the latches 4 have been specially calculated taking into account the maximum overpressures that may be generated in the event of a thermal runaway.
• the anchoring means 5 of the container 1 comprise a toothed bar 5, or rack 5, used for securing the batteries by fastening them with straps and/or bars 7, so as to confine each battery in a predetermined space of the container 1 .
• the rack 5 is fixed on the base 2 so as to occupy the entire perimeter of the base itself.
• the rack 5 may comprise a plurality of slots for a strap passing through, for a customized fastening according to the particular needs of the operator.
• the flat shape of the base 2 in combination with the presence of the anchoring means 5 advantageously allows the battery to be secured by means of straps and/or bars 7 in an unconfined environment, thus increasing the operator safety.
• the container 1 itself can be advantageously used for the safe housing and transport of batteries of different shapes and sizes and/or to house and transport multiple batteries at the same time.
• the container 1 may allow a reconfiguration of the internal spaces of the base 2, for example in order to receive small-sized batteries.
• the insulating means 6 shown in Figures 10 and 11 comprise insulating retaining walls 60, which are mounted on the rack 5, and are shaped in such a way as to cover the matching side wall 32 of the container 3, so as to form a gap.
• the insulating retaining walls 60 comprise a lower portion 600, made of metal plate, which engages with the rack 5 following the profile of the base 2 and an upper portion 601 , made of self-extinguishing glass fabric.
• the upper portion 601 can be fixed to the lower portion 600 by means of metallic clips. Such solution allows not to damage the lid 3 during the closing phase.
• the coupling between the lower portion 600 and the rack 5 may instead take place by means of special magnetic elements.
• a thermally insulating material in loose form such as vermiculite, may be inserted, which will come into contact with an antistatic bag inside which the battery and the insulating retaining wall are contained.
• the presence of the insulating retaining walls 60 offers an additional safety condition, as it forms a further separation surface between the group of battery/antistatic bag/vermiculite elements and the side wall 31 of the container 1. This configuration therefore prevents the temperature propagation towards the side walls 31 in case of a thermal runaway.
• Such design feature is an advantage not only during the transport phase, but also during the storage/quarantine phase of the battery.
• the container 1 provides for the presence of two insulating cushions 8, a first insulating cushion arranged on the resting surface 20 of the base 2 and a second insulating cushion (not shown) arranged above the battery.
• insulating cushions 8 can be constituted, for example, by a multilayer element comprising a central ceramic layer, or ceramic mat, preferably made of bio-soluble ceramic resistant up to 1260°C, covered with a further layer, or “lining”, in silica fabric, preferably silica treated with vermiculite, more preferably silica having a density equal to 600 g/sqm.
• Such insulating cushions 8 preferably have different sizes from each other, wherein the second insulating cushion may be larger than the first insulating cushion 8 and may have a thickness of about 10 cm being placed, in use, above the battery, so as to provide a further thermally insulating layer between the battery and the container 1.
• the first insulating cushion may be smaller than the second insulating cushion, having a thickness of about 2 cm, being placed under the battery, on the base 2 of the container.
• the two insulating cushions 8 act as an absorbent material in the event of a possible spill of liquids (e.g. battery cooling system) and absorb fumes and gases in the event of fire, providing a valid support for the management of fumes even before the activated charcoal filter.
• the mere presence of the insulating retaining walls 60 constitutes an advantageous separation surface between the group of battery/antistatic bag/vermiculite elements and the container wall, thus performing a further thermal insulation function.
• Figure 17 shows a container 100 according to the present invention, which has the same characteristics as the container 1 just described, except that the slots 33 obtained on the angle brackets 34 are replaced by rings 330, or eyebolts 330, fixed to the four corners of the upper wall 30 of the lid 3.
• rings 330 or eyebolts 330, fixed to the four corners of the upper wall 30 of the lid 3.
• Flowever, such embodiment is less resistant to bumps than the container 1 in Figure 1 - 13, since the rings 330 can penetrate inside the walls of the container 1 following bumps, as shown in Figure 21.
• Figure 18 instead shows a container 101 wherein the insulating walls 600 consist of a single metal plate.
• the insulating walls 600 consist of a single metal plate.
• Flowever such embodiment has the drawback of being able to tear the internal padding of the lid during the closing phase.
• each insulating wall is preferably made of the two described materials.
• Figure 19 shows a further embodiment of container 102, comprising insulating retaining walls 601 made of a semi-rigid and fireproof type single material, i.e. a silicon sandwich covered with a fireproof fabric treated with vermiculite.
• insulating retaining walls 601 made of a semi-rigid and fireproof type single material, i.e. a silicon sandwich covered with a fireproof fabric treated with vermiculite.
• the pre-qualification tests in Figures 20 - 22 were carried out by dropping the container 1 or 100 on the base 2, on the lid 3, both on the side walls 31 with the long sides and on the side walls 31 with the short sides, and on the edges, from a height of 180 cm from the ground (as shown in Figure 20).
• the external elements such as the gas filter 35 and the latches 4 closing the container, these have been specially designed in order to pass pre-qualification tests with fire tests.
• the gases released by a fire of lithium batteries exceed 700 °C, therefore in order to deal with the issue of a potential fumes and gases leak at high temperatures, as required by the ADR P911 regulation, an action was taken on a double front: i) design and realisation of a gas filtering system consisting of a steel casing containing 3.5 kg of activated carbon; ii) design and realisation of insulating cushions in filter material to be placed in the gap between the insulating retaining wall 60 and the side wall 31 , plus the additional insulating cushions 8 to be placed above and below the battery, so as to allow a reduction in gas temperatures even before getting to the activated carbon filter.
• Pre-qualification testing through fire tests has also highlighted the need to have a sufficient number of latches to ensure the closure of the container at high temperatures and the need at the same time to ensure a coupling capable of damping any internal overpressure.
• Figure 25 shows a battery container according to a second embodiment of the present invention, globally indicated by reference number 1 ⁇
• the container T is a larger version than the container 1 shown with reference to Figures 1-24, but has the same functions, i.e. it is designed for the packing and transport of at least one battery, in particular lithium batteries used for traction and/or for storage systems, also in the case that they are defective or damaged or in critical condition.
• the only differences of the container T shown in Figure 25 are due to:
• a base 2 having a substantially flat shape, comprising a resting surface for said at least one battery
• a lid 3 having a box-like or bell shape, closable on said base 2, comprising side walls 31 , substantially orthogonal to said resting surface and having such shape and size as to abut with a matching edge of said base 2 so as to form a housing for said at least one battery;
• the battery container just described has the following advantages.
• Such configuration having a base open on all four sides also allows to avoid a confined environment for the operator engaged in the phases of loading and anchoring the battery by means of bars 7 and straps.
• the configuration of the base open on all four sides allows to inspect the battery in its entirety without the need to move it and promotes a simple and complete accessibility for the operator who will be able to carry out all activities without operating in confined environments.
• This structural feature guarantees an important risk reduction for the operator, especially when considering the critical state of the batteries that will be transported.
• All the container elements may also comprise holding means, so that once the loading is complete, the container can be held on all four sides by transpallets or forklifts, or lifted with a crane.
• the container may comprise an insulating retaining wall, or wall element, which offers additional safety conditions, since it constitutes a further separation surface between the group of battery/antistatic bag/vermiculite elements and the container wall.
• the wall element mounted on the rack for the entire usable internal height of the container creates a barrier for the vermiculite confinement which at the same time prevents the temperature propagation towards the side walls in the event of a thermal runaway.
• Such constructive feature is an advantage not only during the transport phase, but also during the storage/quarantine phase of the battery.

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• Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
• General Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
• Chemical & Material Sciences (AREA)
• Chemical Kinetics & Catalysis (AREA)
• Electrochemistry (AREA)
• General Chemical & Material Sciences (AREA)
• Health & Medical Sciences (AREA)
• Public Health (AREA)
• Business, Economics & Management (AREA)
• Emergency Management (AREA)
• Battery Mounting, Suspending (AREA)
• Packages (AREA)

Applications Claiming Priority (2)

Publications (1)

Family

ID=76921156

Family Applications (1)

Country Status (3)

Citations (2)

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• 2021
  • 2021-04-23 IT IT102021000010355A patent/IT202100010355A1/it unknown
• 2022
  • 2022-04-21 WO PCT/IT2022/050106 patent/WO2022224289A1/en not_active Ceased
  • 2022-04-21 EP EP22730314.6A patent/EP4133548A1/de not_active Withdrawn

Patent Citations (2)

Non-Patent Citations (1)

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