FR3068837A1 - UNIT FOR PROVIDING ELECTRIC ENERGY, RECHARGEABLE AND CONNECTED, PROCESS FOR PRODUCING THE SAME, AND USE THEREOF - Google Patents

Abstract

Equipment for the supply of electrical energy comprising units consisting of mobile battery packs, integrable or transportable, rechargeable and connected to be remotely controlled. Application to the supply of electrical energy on event areas, trade shows, exhibition places, among others.

Description

RECHARGEABLE AND CONNECTED ELECTRIC POWER SUPPLY UNIT, METHOD FOR THE PRODUCTION THEREOF, AND USE THEREOF

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The invention relates to the field of the supply of energy, in particular electrical energy from mobile, integrable or transportable, rechargeable and connected sources so that they can be controlled remotely and as required.

In many sectors of activity, it seems more and more useful to be able to have stationary energy systems adaptable to the needs of the moment, and whose maintenance can be ensured easily.

A main application of the object of the present invention described below is thus the supply of energy for electrical and computer power supplies scattered over temporary sites such as: events, trade fairs, exhibition places, shops in public places and / or temporary events and demonstrations attracting the public in large spaces. All these places need lighting, the most diverse equipment and scripting elements, the reliability and security of which are a concern at all times. More generally, such a system can be applied most advantageously in all places and in all circumstances in which the dispersion of electrical energy needs is such that conventional power supplies pose problems of installation and maintenance complexity, as well as safety for people who are confronted with wires, cables in all directions, and risky connection sockets. It is also necessary to take into account the reliability and safety of the equipment, and the practicality or not of their maintenance and repairs on site, without detracting from the proper functioning of the sites where intervention would be required.

STATE OF THE ART

Embedded systems are known which aim to provide large mobile electrical breakdown equipment (see for example patent FR 11 52845 describing a transportable storage installation for backup batteries, constituting an autonomous assembly).

Also known (see patent FR 10 51168) are battery chargers comprising communication means receiving a setpoint signal received from an external control terminal, and for transmitting the setpoint signal to control means.

There are also known (see patent applications WO 2015/106947 and DE 10 2009 035 472) on-board systems for self-propelled vehicles, intended to probe and correct according to a pre-established program functionalities and / or parameters from which the actual data are captured and conveyed by transponders to a correction module which, if it detects a difference compared to the pre-recorded reference value, also triggers and sends to a correction device via a transponder appropriate correction signals, via a communication network internal and / or external.

None of these systems or others addressed the challenges of the problem specific to the fields targeted by the present invention, nor did it provide indications that could have dealt with the problems relating thereto.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

We have now designed, for their application in many fields of activity and mainly those referred to above, devices called here energy supply units, in particular electrical energy, for their use by said potential users or for the account of these, on dedicated sites or on places of passage, while said one or more units of energy, in particular of electrical energy, are adjustable, rechargeable and connected, and combine with the sets of batteries that '' they contain functionalities comprising at least one and preferably several from the following means:

• means for remote control of the state of the energy reserves, in practice of the batteries, and of the recharging of these, • means of investigation of the charge rate of the battery or batteries concerned, • means for controlling and correcting the temperature and humidity level of said batteries and securing them, independently and / or remotely with an operator, • means for monitoring the positioning of the batteries and their movement, • means for switching on one or more batteries remotely, • means for segmenting the supply of energy, for example to maintain the supply of energy dedicated to a refrigerating or freezing apparatus, during the closing hours of the event, while the other electrical equipment is switched off during these closing hours, as well as • means for evaluating the autonomy in hours of said set of means, on the basis of consumption average ation observed during the first investigations and uses, while said means make it possible to meet the potential needs of their users without disturbing wired connections and without the dependence of an existing electrical network, as well as under conditions of safety and ease of maintenance exceptional.

In doing so, devices, rechargeable and connectable, have been developed and developed for the supply of energy, in particular electrical energy, in particular for installation, most often temporary, in places where it is necessary to meet a demand. , constant or simply temporary, in energy such as in particular electrical energy for supplying devices or systems that can be activated with this energy. Such an assembly has the advantages of allowing information exchange, remote control and remote security of the equipment constituting the energy unit and its peripherals.

These devices or energy units constitute a first object of the present invention.

The subject of the invention is also a method of obtaining such energy units, as well as the reuse of these.

With the current equipment, even the most sophisticated, the interested third party could certainly already pilot on sight now traditional systems of energy supply with which he could at least roughly satisfy needs even not yet evaluated, but he would have to reckon with risks of inadequacy and / or breakdowns and / or insufficiency of the power supply and / or the power supplied, if its needs are perennial and / or require significant punctual energy contributions for which the provision forecasts do not would be sufficient if they are not, at one time or another, compared with the available needs and with the capacities made available to supplement and / or reconstitute them to a level corresponding at least to demand expressed, or even to reconstitute a reserve of energy capable of meeting future needs assessed or assessable.

We have thus designed and developed devices or units, rechargeable and connectable, for the supply of energy, in particular electrical energy, in particular for implantation, most often temporary, in places where it is necessary to meet a demand, constant or simply temporary, in energy such as in particular electrical energy for supplying devices or systems that can be activated with this energy.

Such means are advantageously combined into a unitary whole, and will be simplified by the term unit, even though they could in practice be modular and comprise more than one unit and / or subunits.

In practice, provision is made for up to 6 such units to be able to be combined in parallel, in charge as in discharge, thus facilitating their use and maintenance in all circumstances. Inside each unit, the battery cells are in practice grouped into packs of 80 cells, the packs being advantageously isolated from each other in fireproof and ventilated compartments.

For good management of these assemblies and compliance with safety rules, it is expected that up to 6 such units can be combined in parallel, in charge and in discharge, thus facilitating their use and maintenance in all circumstances.

The assembly is so configured that it is easy to equip and / or provide it so that it is able to meet the highest requirements in terms of passive safety as well as active internal and active external, in the sense that it is understood in the technique concerned.

Such energy supply units will be described as stationary, with reference to the fact that, even if they are movable, they are intended to be used in practice in a fixed position at their place of establishment or at the place of event, in particular by integration into a structure, or temporary setting up for an event, a fair, a fair, an outdoor artistic performance or others.

They are designed to withstand the usual environmental conditions of stationary batteries, and in particular:

Shock resistance: 10 g 50 ms

Vibrations: STANAG 4370 AECTP 401

Protection: IP55

CEM: STANAG 4370 AECTP 500

Ambient discharge temperature: -20 ° C to 50 ° C

Load ambient temperature: 0 ° C to 40 ° C

Storage temperature: -20 ° C to 30 ° C

Fire protection Ml according to EN 13-501-1

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The invention will be better understood, and other objectives, advantages and characteristics thereof will appear more clearly, in the light of the detailed description below of the preferred embodiments, given for purely illustrative and in no way limitative, while that are annexed to said description of the plates of illustrative drawings, in which:

Fig. 1 shows a perspective view of an electrical energy supply unit according to the invention;

Fig. 2 schematically represents the constituent elements and the functional links used in the set of battery-chargers and converter according to the invention; and

Fig. 3 shows in perspective a box suitable for integrating the devices and functionalities corresponding to Figs. 1 and 2.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

The invention summarized above relates to the supply of energy, in particular electrical energy for various uses and in circumstances which make it too expensive and / or inappropriate for other reasons to use a pre-installed fixed network for the connection of systems, equipment or apparatus intended to be powered and / or powered by electricity.

To make the description that follows more clear and concrete, the invention will be described and illustrated here in more detail with reference to a use and implementation case corresponding to trade fairs or even other public gatherings. The invention is however not limited to this type of use.

In the accompanying drawing plates, FIG. 1 shows an illustrative view of an embodiment of an energy unit according to the invention, comprising batteries 1, 220 V access (Input-Output) 2, an energy conversion device 3 and means ventilation 4.

In Fig. 2 is a schematic representation of a general architecture of an embodiment of the energy unit. On the circuit between input 2 and outputs 2 'are a charger 3 for 220 V, an inverter 3 and a charger 6 (for 220 V), as well as a differential circuit breaker 5. The battery pack of lithium cells- ion 1 is in electrical connection with the charge control 7 and the discharge control 7 ′, with a safety charge control 8 which also provides a charge status display (internal) 9, while the symbols for switches 10, 11, 12 respectively represent the test function, stop-on, a test socket and the emergency stop. Reference 14 represents a LoRa transmitter.

As for the box 15 schematically shown in FIG. 3, is only one possible embodiment, but not exclusive, for the transport of an energy unit according to the invention, with or without the rollers shown.

A first object of the invention therefore consists of an electrical energy unit comprising a set of batteries associated in parallel, themselves composed of several cells, said batteries being adjustable, rechargeable and connected, and combining functionalities comprising at least one and preferably several from the following means:

• means for remote control of the energy reserve state of the batteries, and of the recharging of these, • means of investigation of the charge rate of the battery or batteries concerned, • means of control and correction of the temperature and humidity rate of said batteries and securing thereof, independently and / or remotely with an operator, • means for monitoring the positioning of the batteries and their movement, so as to give them autonomy and traceability, • means for switching on one or more batteries remotely, and, optionally, • means for segmenting the supply of energy, for example to maintain the supply of energy dedicated to a refrigerating or freezing appliance, during the closing hours of the event, while the other electrical equipment is switched off during these closing hours, as well as • means of evaluating autonomy in hours of said set of means, on the basis of the average consumption observed during the first investigations and uses, and • means of segmenting the supply of energy, for example to maintain the supply of energy selectively during closing hours of the event, while said means make it possible to meet the potential needs of their users without disturbing wired connections and without the dependence of an existing electrical network, as well as in exceptional conditions of safety and ease of maintenance.

Advantageously, the recharging of said batteries can be carried out partially or totally by means of elements capturing and converting solar energy.

The recommended batteries are of the lithium-ion type, and even optionally of the lithium-ion NCM (Nickel-Cobalt-Manganese) type, which is based on safe technology, free from the risk of explosion or fire, and capable of satisfying security requirements for temperature and humidity. Their elements are preferably enclosed in a steel container intended to protect them from risks linked to violent shocks or perforations. Other conventional safeties can be added as an option.

In the embodiment of the unit according to the invention recommended as the most advantageous with this type of technology, all the constituent elements are grouped and protected, ideally in an appropriate container, advantageously a dense, flame-retardant wooden case. This container integrates the compact set of individual batteries into said container, with access from the front of the box placed on its bottom or on casters facilitating its movement.

Optionally, the front face of such a box can include a conversational module, while from a practical point of view, the box can be equipped with removable wedges, so as to allow easy transport by pallet truck.

In practice, but without being exclusive of any other arrangement, the electrical accesses (in particular charging and discharging) can be designed and arranged to be accessible on the vertical sides, preferably set back so as not to risk being struck during handling.

With such equipment, it is possible in practice to develop a grouping of such units to obtain 48 V and 240 Ah at the start of use, while being able to count on a capacity of 200 Ah at the end of the unit's life. This can consist of 80 batteries, the elements of the cells of each of which are enclosed in a steel container protecting them against violent shocks and punctures, while such a very robust insulating packaging allows the assembly and its components individuals to meet the most stringent environmental specifications, in particular by remaining permanently protected against water runoff.

All the other conventional safety devices in this area are also planned or conceivable. In any case, the lithium-ion technology makes it possible to combine great compactness and great safety in use.

We thus manage to combine in such a unit up to 6 units in charge as in discharge, which facilitates their use in all circumstances, while providing a high output power which in turn allows to respond easily to most needs classics in this area.

This high level of security of use has the corollary of guaranteeing optimal security conditions for users and maintenance operators, including in the event of error in use, provided of course that the minimum precautions for use are observed.

Conventional suitable cooling is however recommended. In practice, one or more warning lights on a control panel visible from the outside alert the user or the maintenance agent to a potential risk, to which an appropriate remedy can then be brought without delay.

The case for accommodating the batteries and the charger (s), as well as their physical functions and their connections, is designed to accommodate a set of up to 80 cells of lithium-ion batteries, and it has a weight of about 80 kg in this configuration.

In practice, said control and piloting means are advantageously essentially composed of a battery management module designed and arranged to allow an automated piloting system and / or a dedicated service provider to perform:

• management of one or more batteries, and calculation of the charge of all or each of the batteries, • balancing of the battery cells, • safety checks (eg overheating presence of water, etc.), • display and user interface.

It is also advantageous to provide the batteries with an interface designed and equipped to allow, from a connected PC (preferably with an interface cable for USB port) for diagnosis and configuration:

• in diagnostic mode, to control the duration of use, to evaluate the rate of wear of the elements, to detect the origin and the number of cases of disjunction, to memorize and / or check the coordinates (series and version) of the software installed, and • in configuration mode, to program or adjust the trip thresholds, to establish the desired conditions for stopping the discharge, and to define the start / stop modes.

For this, an appropriate software suite advantageously includes functions:

for detailed diagnosis and configuration, for recording data and plotting curves, for simulating battery operation, and for quick and simple analysis of battery characteristics in real time and on the site of use.

These operations can be facilitated via access to the batteries via the network known as LoRa, via a secure platform accessible via the Internet via a dedicated site, or directly via a telephone operator, for example the Orange group which allows communication via its LoRa communication system.

The invention has been described and illustrated above with reference to a use and implementation case corresponding to trade fairs, but would apply just as well to other public gatherings, during which the meeting of the '' supply and demand, and / or questions and their management, benefits from being as fluid as possible, while respecting the rules of competition and loyalty in business, as well as ensuring security . However, it is not limited to this type of use.

It has also been found that these and other objectives can be satisfied and fulfilled by devices and methods having the same conceptual basis and which can be adapted for very diverse applications, by means of the invention described above in more detail. , said devices and methods essentially implementing:

• at least one energy supply unit, preferably electrical energy, rechargeable and connected, capable of supplying functional equipment intended for and arranged to provide their potential users with services that they expect to use according to their needs, or seek to know better by experimenting with them;

• means to match supply and demand in this area, and • means to provide services and / or benefits corresponding to this expectation or expression of a need.

The invention also relates to a method for producing a unit as above, as well as additional equipment which can be added to it, said method essentially comprising the supply and the functional combination of the elements required for obtaining an energy unit as described above, and the functional connection of the latter with conventional peripheral equipment chosen from those detailed above.

The invention also also relates to the use of an energy unit and of its optional equipment / peripherals to equip and / or animate events, fairs, exhibition places, shops in public places and / or temporary events and manifestations attracting the public in large spaces, among others.

An undeniable additional advantage of the energy units according to the present invention is their capacity to be able to satisfy themselves the requirements of not exceeding key temperatures. Thus, said energy units are capable of self-management, by automatic shutdown in the event of too high temperature and / or presence of water.

Furthermore, the system, by transmitting information to a central unit with which it can be equipped, is capable of operating by alert: for example, a battery among 500 which would have a fault will be the subject of an alert on the screen of the person responsible for managing the whole. This battery, like any other faulty or undercharged battery, can then be put at a distance in its stop position.

Similarly, an area of an event space, or all of the batteries placed on this site, can be switched off or on remotely.

With regard to the ergonomics and the efficiency of the entire device comprising one or more units according to the invention - to which computer equipment, lighting, cooling or heating equipment, as well as possible alarms can be connected,, they are remarkably present in the way of said assembly to be transported, stored and used by being, for example, inserted in furniture already equipped and which only have to be deployed on site. This has the advantage that it avoids the organization of cable circulation and connections.

The system comprising said energy units and their ancillary or peripheral equipment can also be pre-programmed, for example so that it can thus be switched off or on according to the times of the event, automatically.

In short, the energy units according to the invention, and the systems and equipment in which they take place, constitute safe assemblies, are ergonomic, and are capable of being managed and secured in autonomy and / or in remote control.

Claims (9)

1. Electric power supply unit, characterized in that it is adjustable, rechargeable and connected, and combines with sets of energy reserves, in particular batteries which it contains, and in that it comprises features including: • means for remote control of the state of the energy reserves, in practice of the batteries, and of the recharging of these, • means of investigation of the charge rate of the battery or batteries concerned, • means for controlling and correcting the temperature and humidity level of said batteries and for securing them, independently and / or remotely with an operator, • means for starting one or more several remote batteries, • means of segmenting the supply of energy, for example to maintain the supply of energy dedicated to a refrigerating or freezing appliance, during the closing hours of the event, while the others electrical equipment is off at these closing times, as well as • means for evaluating the autonomy in hours of said set of means, based on the average consumption observed during the first investigations and uses. 2 Unit according to claim 1, characterized in that it comprises means for monitoring the positioning of the batteries and their movement. 3. Electric power supply unit according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that it is provided with functionalities intended to allow exchange of information, remote control and remote security of the equipment constituting the energy unit and its peripherals. 4. Electric power supply unit according to one of claims 1 to 3, characterized in that the recharging of said batteries is carried out partially or totally by means of elements capturing and converting solar energy. 5. Electric power supply unit according to any one of claims 1 to 4, characterized in that all the constituent elements are grouped and protected in an appropriate container, advantageously a dense wooden box, fireproof. 6. Electric power supply unit according to any one of claims 1 to 5, characterized in that the batteries are of lithium-ion type, or of lithium-ion type NCM (Nickel-Cobalt-Manganese). 7. Electric power supply unit according to any one of claims 1 to 6, characterized in that up to 6 of these units are associated in parallel, in charge as in discharge, thus facilitating their use in all circumstances and their maintenance. 8. Electric power supply unit according to any one of claims 1 to 7, characterized in that, inside each unit, the battery cells are grouped in packs of 80 cells, while the packs are isolated from each other in fireproof and ventilated compartments. 9. Method for obtaining energy units according to any one of claims 1 to 8, characterized in that it comprises the combination and the functional connection of at least two of said units with conventional peripheral equipment .