Modular assembly for a storage device or battery

Abstract

A modular assembly comprising several adjacent modules joined together by means for circulating a flow and which each contain at least one volume wherein there is a refrigerant fluid or coolant circulating in the said volumes under the action of circulation means and elements for storing and restoring a thermal energy. At least one first layer comprising at least one MCP material is disposed at the periphery of at least some of the modules, including on one side wherein two adjacent modules face each other and wherein at least a portion of at least one second layer comprising a thermally insulating material is also interposed.

1 . A modular assembly comprising several adjacent modules that each have a peripheral wall, said adjacent modules being interconnected by flow circulation means and each containing at least one volume wherein is present at least one of the following:
 a refrigerant or heat transfer fluid that can circulate in said volumes under the action of circulation means,   elements for storing and releasing thermal energy,   at least one element to be maintained at a certain temperature,   at least one heat-emitting element, at least a first layer comprising at least one thermal phase change material (PCM) being arranged at the periphery of at least some of said volumes, including on one side:   where the peripheral walls of two adjacent modules are in contact such that the two modules exchange thermally with each other, or   where said first layer is tight between two adjacent modules facing each other, such that said two modules thermally exchange with each other, or   where a space is reserved between two modules for circulating a fluid in a natural or forced manner, the space being connected to respective conduits for supplying the fluid and for discharging the fluid,   and where at least a portion of at least one second layer comprising a thermally insulating material is interposed.   
     
     
         2 . The modular assembly according to  claim 1 , wherein the thermally insulating material of the second layer comprises a porous thermal insulating material arranged in a vacuum chamber, to define at least one vacuum insulating panel. 
     
     
         3 . The modular assembly according to  claim 1 , wherein part of the periphery of at least some of the modules is devoid of said first and/or second layers,
 where a module is in physical contact with a means for thermal energy transfer by convection and/or conduction.   
     
     
         4 . Modular assembly comprising several adjacent modules each having a peripheral wall:
 through which the adjacent modules can be in thermal exchange with each other, said adjacent modules being joined together by flow circulation means,   and which closes a volume, except possibly at the place of an opening allowing access to said volume, in which at least one of the following is present:
 a refrigerant fluid or coolant that can circulate in said volumes under the action of circulation means, 
 elements for storing and releasing thermal energy, 
 at least one element to be maintained at a certain temperature, 
 at least one heat-emitting element, 
   at least a first layer comprising at least one thermal phase change material (PCM) being arranged at the periphery of at least some of said volumes, including on one side:   where said first layer is tight between two modules facing each other,   and where at least a portion of at least one second layer comprising a thermally insulating material is interposed,   the first and/or second layers, which are structurally distinct from said peripheral wall, being arranged around the peripheral wall, with the second layer outside the first one, where there exists a presence of the first and second layers.   
     
     
         5 . Modular assembly comprising several adjacent modules each having a peripheral wall:
 through which the adjacent modules can be in thermal exchange with each other, said adjacent modules being joined together by flow circulation means,   and which closes a volume, except possibly at the place of an opening allowing access to said volume, in which at least one of the following is present:
 a refrigerant fluid or coolant that can circulate in said volumes under the action of circulation means, 
 elements for storing and releasing thermal energy, 
 at least one element to be maintained at a certain temperature, 
 at least one heat-emitting element, 
   at least one first layer comprising at least one thermal phase change material (MCP) being disposed on the periphery of at least some of said volumes, including on one side where the peripheral walls of two adjacent modules are in contact, so that the two modules exchange thermally with each other, and where at least a portion of at least a second layer comprising a thermally insulating material is interposed, the peripheral walls each incorporating a support of mouldable material and the first and second layers.   
     
     
         6 . The modular assembly according to  claim 1 , wherein the modules define or enclose electrical accumulators of a battery pack for a vehicle, where at least one electrolyte, and an anode and a cathode disposed in each of said volume, define all or part of said element to be maintained at a certain temperature and/or said heat-emitting element. 
     
     
         7 . The modular assembly according to  claim 1 , wherein a space is reserved between two thicknesses of said second layer interposed between two adjacent modules for circulating a fluid naturally or forcefully. 
     
     
         8 . The modular assembly according to  claim 1 , in which:
 the modules are those of a unit for storing and releasing thermal energy,   the volumes contain said storage and release elements of said thermal energy,   at least a first passage going through a wall of at least one of the modules allows said refrigerant or heat transfer fluid to enter and exit,   and second passages established between at least one of said modules allowing the refrigerant or heat transfer fluid to pass between the volumes.   
     
     
         9 . The modular assembly according to  claim 1 , wherein the modules as a whole are surrounded by a said first layer comprising at least one doubled thermal phase change material (MCP):
 by a said second layer comprising a thermally insulating material, except at the location of a plate for transferring thermal energy supplied to this plate by said first layers,   or by externally-carrying plates of fins acting as means for transferring thermal energy supplied to these plates by said first layers.   
     
     
         10 . Module for a modular assembly according to  claim 1 , wherein the first and second layers are grouped in at least one pouch surrounding said volume, and the thermally insulating material of the second layer comprises a porous material arranged in a vacuum chamber, for defining at least one vacuum insulating panel, the first and second layers being distributed in two pockets sealed together around said volume, thus creating an envelope closing the volume, the module defining a electric accumulator of a vehicle battery pack, where at least one electrolyte, an anode and a cathode arranged in said volume define all or part of said element to be maintained at a certain temperature and/or said heat-emitting element, the envelope being traversed by electrical connection means connected to the anode and cathode. 
     
     
         11 . The module according to  claim 10 , wherein the electric accumulator is a battery pouch Cell. 
     
     
         12 . (canceled) 
     
     
         13 . (canceled)