DESCRIPTION
Fixing system of a plurality of battery packs stacked on each other in a vessel
comprising adjustable chocks, associated alimentation bloc and fixing method
5
The present invention relates to a system for fixing a plurality of battery packs
stacked on top of each other on board a vessel. This system comprises, in particular, a
plurality of adjustable wedges.
The present invention also relates to a power supply unit and an associated fixing
10 method.
By vessel is meant any vehicle capable of navigating on the surface of the sea
(such as a boat) and possibly under (such as a submarine).
In a manner known per se, to implement its various functionalities, vessels often use
electrical energy stored in on-board batteries.
15 These batteries are generally in the form of accumulator packs, also called battery
packs, which must be suitable for operation in a very unstable environment, and that are
sometimes subject to significant shocks.
This environment may also undergo significant expansions linked to variable
thermal conditions.
20 Thus, to ensure good fixing of the battery packs in such an environment, it is known
to install these packs in a special room suitable for this purpose.
In particular, it is known to use hooks on the bottom of battery packs allowing them
to be fixed to the floor of the room and thus to block them vertically.
To ensure horizontal blocking, it is known to use wedges, shims, cleats, etc.
25 between different battery packs or between these battery packs and the walls of the room.
We may then imagine that this imposes many installation constraints for these
battery packs. These constraints require, for example, the installation of battery packs in a
single layer which, of course, leads to significant space losses.
The object of the present invention is to remedy these drawbacks and to provide a
30 fixing system making it possible to install battery packs stacked one on top of the other in a
very unstable environment.
To this end, the invention relates to a system for fixing a plurality of battery packs
stacked one on top of the other on board a vessel, the vessel comprising a battery room, the
2
length of which extends along an X axis and is delimited by a back wall, the width extends
along a Y axis and is delimited by two lateral walls, while the height extends along a Z axis
and is delimited by a floor and a ceiling;
each battery pack having a substantially parallelepipedal shape defining two lateral
5 walls, a proximal wall, a distal wall, an upper wall and a lower wall, each lateral wall defining a
plurality of fixing grooves;
in a fixed position, the battery packs are designed to be disposed in several layers
on the floor of the battery room between its lateral walls and against the back wall, the battery
packs of the same layer being designed to be disposed side by side. adjacent to each other
10 via one of their lateral walls so that the fixing grooves of these lateral walls are disposed
opposite one another and so that the distal walls of these packs are adjacent to the back wall,
the system comprises a plurality of wall hooks, each wall hook being designed to be
mounted on the back wall facing the distal wall of a battery pack in the fixed position;
- a plurality of fixing hooks, each fixing hook being designed to be mounted on the distal
15 wall of a battery pack and to block this battery pack in the fixed position along the X axis by
interaction with the corresponding wall hook;
- a plurality of adjustable wedges, each adjustable wedge being designed to be inserted
into a hole formed between two fixing grooves of two battery packs disposed in the fixed
position one next to the other in the same layer, so as to block between the lateral walls the
20 battery packs along the Y axis by adjusting the adjustable wedge.
According to other advantageous aspects of the invention, the system comprises
one or more of the following characteristics, taken in isolation or in any technically feasible
combination:
- each adjustable wedge may be extended in a direction of extension and when it is
25 inserted into a hole formed between two fixing grooves of two battery packs disposed in the
fixed position one next to the other in the same layer, and is so designed that the direction of
extension coincides with the Y axis;
- each adjustable wedge has a first part comprising a first wall inclined with respect to
the direction of extension and a second part that is mobile with respect to the first part and
30 comprises a second wall inclined with respect to the direction of extension and able to slide
along the first wall by modifying the extension of the wedge in the direction of extension;
preferably, each adjustable wedge further comprises adjustment means capable of sliding the
second wall along the first wall;
3
- a plurality of lateral brackets, each lateral bracket comprising a plurality of ridges
extending in a ridge direction and configured to be received in the corresponding fixing
grooves when the lateral bracket is disposed opposite a lateral wall of a battery pack;
each lateral bracket being designed to be mounted on a lateral wall of the battery
5 room facing a lateral wall of a battery pack in the fixed position so that the ridge direction is
parallel to the Z axis;
- each wall hook is designed to be mounted on the back wall so as to exert a force
directed along the Z axis towards the floor on the fixing hook mounted on the distal wall of the
battery pack in the corresponding fixed position;
10 - a bolt designed to be mounted on the distal wall of a battery pack with a last layer of
battery packs, said battery pack being designed to be fixed last and being said to be the last
battery pack, the bolt being designed to be engaged under the wall hook mounted on the
back wall facing the distal wall when the last battery pack is in the fixed position and blocks
this pack along the Z axis;
15 - an attached bracket designed to be mounted on the upper wall of the last battery
pack; and
- a latch comprising:
+ a base designed to be mounted on the ceiling opposite the upper wall of the last
battery pack when it is in the fixed position;
20 + a stop mounted on the base with a spring and designed to allow the insert mounted
on the last battery pack to pass through when the last battery pack is inserted along the X
axis towards the back wall and to block this last pack along the X axis when the attached
bracket is between the base and the back wall;
- a first profile designed to be mounted on the distal wall of a battery pack with a last
25 layer of battery packs, said battery pack being designed to be fixed in the last place and
being said to be the last battery pack;
- a second profile designed to be mounted on the back wall opposite the distal wall of
the last battery pack when the latter is in the fixed position, the second profile being designed
to be fixed to the first profile via a hatch provided in the ceiling so as to block the last battery
30 pack along the X axis;
- a removable wall hook designed to be mounted on the back wall facing the distal wall
of a battery pack with a last layer of battery packs, said battery pack being designed to be
fixed last and being called the last battery pack;
4
the removable wall hook being designed to slide on the fixing hook of the last battery
pack when this battery pack is in the fixed position and to be fixed in this position via a hatch
provided in the ceiling by blocking the last battery pack along the X axis , and
- a bar with adjustable wedges designed to be disposed between a last layer of battery
5 packs and the ceiling, and designed to block this layer against the ceiling along the Z axis.
Another object of the present invention is also a method of fixing a plurality of
battery packs stacked one on top of the other on board a vessel, implemented by means of
the fixing system as defined above and comprising the following steps:
- mount the wall hooks on the back wall;
10 - mount the fixing hooks on the distal walls of the battery packs;
- constitute a first layer of battery packs or an intermediate layer of battery packs:
+ by disposing each battery pack on the floor covered with earthquakeresistant foam or on a battery pack with a lower layer of battery packs
between two wall hooks corresponding to this layer;
15 + by sliding each battery pack towards one of the lateral walls so as to
engage its fixing hook in the corresponding wall hook; and
+ by engaging the fixing hook of a battery pack completing the layer in the
corresponding wall hook and then, by pivoting said battery pack towards
the floor to put it in the fixed position;
20 - insert the adjustable wedges between the battery packs with a layer of installed
battery packs;
- adjust the adjustable wedges to block the battery packs of the layer laid along the Z
axis;
- constitute a last layer of battery packs:
25 + by disposing each battery pack on a battery pack with a lower battery
pack layer between two wall hooks corresponding to this layer;
+ by sliding each battery pack towards one of the lateral walls so as to
engage its fixing hook in the corresponding wall hook; and
+ by blocking a last battery pack positioned along the X axis;
30 + by blocking the last layer of battery packs against the ceiling along the Z
axis.
The present invention also relates to a power supply unit for a vessel, the vessel
comprising a battery room, the length of which extends along an X axis and is delimited by a
5
back wall, the width extends along a Y axis, and is delimited by two lateral walls, the height of
which extends along a Z axis and is delimited by a floor and a ceiling;
the power supply unit comprises a plurality of battery packs fixed in a stacked
manner;
5 each battery pack having a substantially parallelepipedal shape defining two lateral
walls, a proximal wall, a distal wall, an upper wall and a lower wall, each lateral wall defining a
plurality of fixing grooves;
the power supply unit being designed to be installed in the battery room so that the
battery packs are disposed in several layers on the floor of the battery room between its
10 lateral walls and against the back wall, the battery packs of the same layer being disposed
next to each other via one of their lateral walls so that the fixing grooves of these lateral walls
are disposed opposite and so that the distal walls of these packs are adjacent to the back
wall;
the power supply unit further comprising a fixing system as described above for
15 fixing the battery packs in the battery room.
These characteristics and advantages of the invention will become apparent upon
reading the description which follows, given solely by way of non-limiting example, and made
with reference to the accompanying figures, in which:
- [Fig 1] Figure 1 is a schematic perspective view of the hull of a vessel in cross-section,
20 the hull defining a battery room;
- [Fig 2] Figure 2 is a schematic perspective view of a battery pack designed to be
installed in the battery room of Figure 1 by means of a fixing system according to the
invention;
- [Fig 3] Figure 3 is a schematic perspective view of a wall hook forming part of the
25 fixing system according to the invention, the wall hooks being disposed on the back wall of
the battery room of Figure 1;
- [Fig 4] Figure 4 is a schematic perspective view of an adjustable wedge forming part
of the fixing system according to the invention;
- [Fig 5] Figure 5 is a schematic perspective view of a lateral bracket forming part of the
30 fixing system according to the invention, the lateral brackets being disposed on the lateral
walls of the battery room of Figure 1;
- [Fig 6] Figure 6 is a schematic perspective view of an adjustable wedge bar forming
part of the fixing system according to the invention;
6
- [Fig 7] Figure 7 is a schematic side view illustrating the fixing of a last battery pack to
the back wall of the battery room of Figure 1, according to a first embodiment;
- [Fig 8] Figure 8 is a schematic side view illustrating the fixing of a last battery pack to
the back wall of the battery room of Figure 1, according to a second embodiment;
5 - [Fig 9] Figure 9 is a schematic perspective view illustrating the fixing of a last battery
pack to the back wall of the battery room of Figure 1, according to a third embodiment;
- [Fig 10] Figure 10 is a schematic perspective view illustrating the laying of the first
layers of battery packs on the floor of the battery room of Figure 1, by means of the fixing
system according to the invention; and
10 - [Fig 11] Figure 11 is a schematic perspective view illustrating the fixing of the
adjustable wedge bar of Figure 6, Figure 11 further illustrating a power supply unit according
to the invention in the assembled state.
In fact, FIG. 1 shows the hull 10 of a vessel.
By vessel is meant any vehicle moving on the surface of the sea such as a boat, or
15 under the surface such as a submarine.
The hull 10 has an extended shape along a central axis. This axis will be denoted
hereafter as X axis.
The X axis is perpendicular to a transverse axis which will be denoted subsequently
as the Y axis.
20 In the example of Figure 1, the hull 10 has a generally cylindrical shape of which
only the lower part is visible in Figure 1. This lower part has a rounded shape defining, in
particular, an arc of a circle in each cross-section.
Of course, in a general case, the hull 10 may have any other known shape of a
vessel.
25 FIG. 1 also shows a wall 12 extending transversely to the hull 10 in a plane formed
by the X and Y axes.
This wall 12 defines a battery room 13 disposed in the lower part of the hull 12.
The length of room 13 extends along the X axis between two walls, only one of
which is visible in Figure 1. This wall will be called the back wall 15 hereafter.
30 The width of room 13 extends along the Y axis and is delimited by two lateral walls
16 and 17.
Finally, the height of the room 13 extends along a Z axis perpendicular to the X and
Y axes, between a floor 18 and a ceiling 19.
7
The back wall 15 is, for example, substantially flat.
The ceiling 19 is also, for example, substantially flat and is formed by a part of the
wall 12 disposed opposite the battery room 13.
As for the lateral walls 16, 17 and the floor 18, these have cascaded surfaces
5 according to the rounded shape of the hull 10, thus forming steps.
In particular, as may be seen in Figure 1, each of the lateral walls 16, 17 has a flat
portion adjacent to the ceiling 19 and a cascaded portion adjacent to the floor 18.
The cascaded portion of each of the lateral walls 16, 17 thus has a plurality of flat
surfaces extending along the X axis and spaced apart from one another along the Y axis.
10 These flat surfaces then form vertical parts of the steps. or risers.
Similarly, the floor 18 has a flat portion and a cascaded portion.
The cascaded portion also consists of a plurality of flat surfaces which, in this case,
extend along the X axis and are spaced apart from each other along the Z axis. These flat
surfaces then form horizontal parts of the steps.
15 In Figure 1, the lateral walls 16, 17 and the floor 18 define three side steps of each
lateral wall 16, 17.
The battery room 13 is designed to receive a power supply unit 11 according to the
invention. This power supply unit in the assembled state is visible in Figure 11 and
comprises, in particular, a plurality of battery packs 20.
20 These battery packs 20 are, for example, substantially similar to each other.
One of these 20 packs is shown in Figure 2.
In particular, as may be seen in this FIG. 2, the battery pack 20 has a substantially
parallelepipedal shape.
In other words, the battery pack 20 defines two lateral walls designated in FIG. 2
25 under the references 22-1 and 22-2.
The battery pack 20 further defines a lower wall 23-1 and an upper wall 23-2 as well
as a proximal wall 24-1 and a distal wall 24-2.
The battery packs 20 are designed to be disposed in the battery room 13 in a
stacked manner.
30 Thus, the battery packs 20 define a plurality of layers and a plurality of rows.
Each of the layers extends in a plane defined by the X and Y axes between the
lateral walls 16, 17.
Each of the rows extends between floor 18 and ceiling 19.
8
Within a single row, the battery packs 20 may be aligned along the Z axis or else
may be staggered, as will be explained later.
Thus, the lower wall 23-1 of each of the battery packs 20 is designed to be disposed
on the floor 18 or on the upper wall 23-2 of one or two battery packs of a lower battery pack
5 layer.
Likewise, the upper wall 23-2 of each battery pack 20 is designed to serve as a
fixing base for a layer of upper battery packs or to block the set of battery packs against the
ceiling 19.
Moreover, given the steps formed by the walls 16, 17 and the floor 18, the number
10 of battery packs 20 in the layers is variable.
This number increases, for example, with each layer until it becomes constant as of
a certain layer.
Thus, for example, when the battery packs are laid in seven layers, the first four
layers have an increasing number of battery packs 20 while the last three layers have the
15 same number of battery packs 20 as the fourth layer.
Returning to the description of FIG. 2, the distal wall 24-2 of the battery pack 20 is
designed to be disposed against the back wall 15 of the battery room 13.
The proximal wall 24-1 is designed to be free in the battery room 13. in particular,
this wall 24-1 allows the operator mounting and maintaining all the battery packs to fix each
20 battery pack 20, as will be explained later.
Each of the lateral walls 22-1, 22-2 is designed to come into contact either with a
lateral wall of an adjacent battery pack 20 of the same layer, or with one of the lateral walls
16, 17.
To do this, each of the lateral walls 22-1, 22-2 defines a plurality of fixing grooves
25 31.
Thus, as may be seen in Figure 2, each groove 31 extends between the lower wall
23-1 and the upper wall 23-2 of the battery pack 20 perpendicular to these walls.
In a cross-section, each groove 31 has, for example, a half-square comprising a
bottom wall and two lateral walls.
30 In the example shown in Figure 2, five substantially identical grooves 31 are formed
in each lateral wall 22-1, 22-2 of the battery pack 20.
9
Furthermore, in the same example, one groove 31 in each of the lateral walls 22-1,
22-2 is adjacent to the distal wall 24-2 while another groove 31 is adjacent to the proximal
wall 24-1.
In other words, in this example, the battery pack 20 defines two grooves 31 adjacent
5 to the proximal wall 24-1 and two grooves 31 adjacent to the distal wall 24-2.
The grooves 31 belonging to the lateral walls 22-1, 22-2 of different battery packs
are disposed opposite one another when these battery packs are in a fixed position.
The fixing of the battery packs 20 in a plurality of layers is performed by means of a
fixing system according to the invention also forming part of the power supply unit 11
10 according to the invention.
Such a fixing system will now be explained with reference to Figures 2 to 11.
In particular, the fixing system according to the invention comprises a plurality of
wall hooks 55, a plurality of fixing hooks 56, a plurality of adjustable wedges 57, a plurality of
lateral brackets 58, an adjustable wedge bar 59 and bottom fixing means 60.
15 The wall hooks 55 are designed to fix the battery packs 20 along the X axis.
In particular, each wall hook 55 is designed to be mounted on the back wall 15
opposite the distal wall of a battery pack 20 when this fixing pack is in the fixed position, as
may be seen in Figure 1.
The wall hooks 55 are, for example, all identical to each other. Thus, hereinafter,
20 only one wall hook 55 will be explained in detail, with particular reference to FIG. 3.
Referring to this Figure 3, the hook 55 comprises a base 65 designed to be fixed to
the back wall 15 by means, for example, of screws and a projecting part 66 forming a housing
67 provided with a stop.
In the example illustrated, when the hook 55 is fixed to the back wall 15, the stop of
25 the housing 67 is oriented towards the floor 18.
The fixing hooks 56 are designed to be mounted on the distal walls 24-2 of the
battery packs 20 to interact with the corresponding wall hooks 55.
The fixing hooks 56 are, for example, substantially identical to each other.
A fixing hook 56 mounted on the distal wall 24-2 of the battery pack 20 is visible in
30 Figure 2.
As illustrated in this figure, the fixing hook 56 is, for example, substantially identical
to the wall hook 55 described with reference to FIG. 3.
10
Thus, just like the wall hook 55, the fixing hook 56 comprises a base 75 designed to
be fixed on the distal wall 24-2 of the pack 20 and a projecting part 76 forming a housing 77
provided with a stop.
Unlike the wall hook 55, the fixing hook 56 is designed to be mounted on the battery
5 pack 20 so as to be oriented towards the ceiling 19.
Thus, each fixing hook 56 is able to interact with a corresponding wall hook 55 by
engaging the projecting part 76 in the housing 67 formed between the projecting part 66 and
the base 65 of the wall hook 55.
By this interaction, each battery pack 20 is blocked along the X axis and
10 advantageously along the Z axis.
The adjustable wedges 57 are designed to block the battery packs 20 between the
lateral walls 16, 17 along the Y axis.
In particular, each adjustable wedge 57 is designed to be inserted into a hole
formed between two grooves 31 of two battery packs 20 disposed in the fixed position one
15 next to the other in the same layer, so as to block between the lateral walls 16, 17 the battery
packs 20 along the Y axis by adjusting this wedge.
The adjustable wedges 57 are, for example, substantially identical to each other.
Thus, hereinafter, only one wedge 57 is described in detail with reference to FIG. 4.
In the example of this figure, the adjustable wedge 57 is extendable in an extension
20 direction D.
In particular, when the wedge 57 is inserted into a hole formed between two
grooves 31 of two battery packs 20 disposed in the fixed position one next to the other in the
same layer, the wedge 57 is designed so that the direction extension D coincides with the Y
axis.
25 To do this, the wedge 57 has a first part 81 comprising a first wall 82 inclined with
respect to the direction of extension D and a second part 83 mobile with respect to the first
part 81 and comprising a second wall 84 inclined with respect to the direction D.
By actuating adjustment means, this second wall 84 is able to slide along the first
wall 82 by modifying the extension of the wedge 57 in the direction of extension.
30 These adjustment means have, for example, a screw (not shown) designed to be
inserted in a hole 85 defined in an upper part of the wedge 57.
11
In addition, in the example of Figure 4, the wedge 57 has two flaps insofar as it
further comprises a further second part 86 mobile relative to the first part 81 and disposed
symmetrically with respect to said second part 83.
Thus, by actuating the adjustment means, the two second parts 83, 86 move away
5 from each other in direction D.
The wall brackets 58 are designed to be fixed to the lateral walls 16, 17 and to
interact with at least some of the grooves 31 of the battery packs 20 in order to block these
packs 20 along the X axis.
The wall brackets 58 are, for example, substantially identical to each other.
10 Thus, in the following, only one wall support 58 will be explained in detail with
reference to FIG. 5.
As shown in Figure 5, the wall bracket 58 has a plate 90 with a plurality of ridges 91
extending in parallel directions called ridge directions A.
The width of the plate 90 is, for example, substantially identical to the width of the
15 lateral walls 22-1, 22-2 of the battery packs 20.
The length of this plate 90 is, for example, less than the length of the lateral walls
22-1, 22-2 of the battery packs 20.
The plate 90 is designed to be fixed on one of the lateral walls 16, 17 of the room 13
opposite one of the lateral walls 22-1, 22-2 of the corresponding pack 20.
20 When the plate 90 is attached to the corresponding wall, the ridge directions A of
the ridges 91 are parallel to the Z axis.
Furthermore, these ridges 91 are spaced apart from each other along the plate 90
so as to interact with the corresponding grooves 31 of one of the packs 20.
To this end, the ridges have, for example, shapes complementary to those of the
25 grooves 31 so that each ridge 91 may be received in the corresponding groove 31. This then
makes it possible to block the corresponding pack 20 along the X axis.
In the example illustrated, the wall bracket 58 has three ridges 91. These ridges 91
are therefore able to interact with three grooves 31 of the corresponding battery pack 20.
These grooves 31 are, for example, the middle grooves.
30 The adjustable wedge bar 59 is designed to be disposed between a last layer of
battery packs 20 and the ceiling 19, and is designed to lock this layer against the ceiling 19
along the Z axis.
This bar is visible in detail in Figure 6.
12
Thus, with reference to FIG. 6, the bar 59 comprises a bracket 95 extending along a
bracket line and a plurality of elementary wedges 96 mounted on this bracket 95. Each
elementary wedge 96 is extendable in a direction perpendicular to the bracket line.
The bottom fixing means 60 make it possible to fix a battery pack 120 of a last layer
5 of battery packs, said battery pack being designed to be fixed in the last place. This pack will
then be referred to as the last battery pack 120.
The bottom fixing means 60 may be produced according to a first exemplary
embodiment, a second exemplary embodiment or a third exemplary embodiment. These
exemplary embodiments are respectively illustrated in Figures 7 to 9.
10 The first exemplary embodiment may be implemented when the ceiling 19 does not
provide for any hatch. The second and third examples may be implemented when the ceiling
defines a hatch 122 having an opening in the ceiling 19 allowing access to at least the distal
wall 24-2 of the last battery pack 120.
According to the first exemplary embodiment illustrated in FIG. 7, the bottom fixing
15 means 60 comprise a bolt 130, an attached bracket 131 and a latch 132.
In this exemplary embodiment, a wall hook 55 such as that described with reference
to FIG. 3 is mounted on the back wall 15 facing the distal wall 24-2 of the last battery pack
120.
The bolt 130 is designed to be mounted on the distal wall 24-2 of the last pack 120
20 and comprises a parallelepiped shape designed to be engaged below the projecting part of
the hook 55 without being engaged in the corresponding housing of this hook 55.
Thus, the bolt 130 allows insertion of the last pack 120 along the X axis while
allowing blocking along the Z axis by the hook 55.
The attached bracket 131 is designed to be disposed on the upper wall 23-2 of the
25 last battery pack 120 while the latch 132 is designed to be fixed on the ceiling 19 at the level
of the attached bracket 131.
This attached bracket 131 has an surface 135 inclined relative to the upper wall 23-
2 and a surface 136 perpendicular to this wall 23-2.
The latch 132 has a base 137 designed to be mounted on the ceiling 19 and a stop
30 138 mounted on the base 137 with a spring.
This stop 138 is designed to allow the attached bracket 131 to pass when the last
battery pack 120 is inserted along the X axis towards the back wall 15 and to block the latter
pack along the X axis when the insert support 131 is between the base 137 and back wall 15.
13
In other words, the stop 138 is designed to slide along the inclined surface 135 of
the attached bracket 131 when the pack 120 is inserted along the X axis towards the back
wall 15 and to abut the perpendicular surface 136 of this attached bracket 131 after the
inclined surface 135 is passed.
5 To unlock the last pack 120, it is possible to provide an unlocking rod which is
designed to mount the stop 138 and therefore to release the attached bracket 131.
The bottom fixing means 60 according to the second exemplary embodiment are
visible in FIG. 8.
Thus, in the example of this figure, a fixing hook 56 such as that described with
10 reference to Figure 2 is mounted on the distal wall 24-2 of the last pack 120.
Instead of a wall hook 55 described above, a removable wall hook 140 may be
attached to the back wall 15.
This removable wall hook 140 is designed to slide on the fixing hook 56 of the last
battery pack 120 via the hatch 122.
15 To do this, the removable wall hook 140 has an elongated base 140 having
elongated fixing holes along the Z axis.
Thus, it is possible to pre-fix this hook on the back wall in a high position, then insert
the last pack 120 along the X axis, then slide the removable hook 140 to a low position along
the Z axis in order to engage it with the fixing hook 56 of the last pack 120.
20 Finally, it is possible to fix the removable hook 140 in the low position.
The bottom fixing means 60 according to the third exemplary embodiment are
visible in FIG. 9.
Thus, according to this third exemplary embodiment, the bottom fixing means 60
comprise a first profile 151 designed to be mounted on the distal wall 24-2 of the last battery
25 pack 120 and a second profile designed to be mounted on the bottom wall 15 opposite the
distal wall 24-2 of the latter battery pack 120.
These profiles have complementary shapes capable of engaging with each other
along the X axis. In addition, these shapes are designed to be fixed in this position along the
Z axis from the hatch 122.
30 In particular, in the example of Figure 9, the first profile 151 has a "U" shaped crosssection while the second profile 152 has a "T" shaped cross-section.
These profiles further define fixing holes disposed opposite when the two profiles
151, 152 are engaged one in the other.
14
Thus, these profiles may be fixed to each other, for example, by inserting screws
into the fixing holes through the hatch 122. The last battery pack 120 may thus be blocked
along the X axis and along the Z axis.
Of course, other embodiments of the bottom fixing means 60 are also possible.
5 The method of fixing the battery packs 20 according to the invention by the fixing
system according to the invention will now be described, with particular reference to Figures
10 and 11 illustrating the implementation of this method.
Initially, all the elements of the fixing system are provided.
In an initial step, an operator attaches wall hooks 55 to the back wall 15.
10 These hooks 55 are fixed in the places designed to be disposed opposite the distal
walls 24-2 of the battery packs 20.
During the same step, the operator also fixes the lateral brackets 58 on the lateral
walls 16, 17 of the room 13 in the places provided to be disposed opposite the lateral walls
22-1, 22-2 of the battery packs 20.
15 Advantageously, during this step, the operator also places an earthquake-resistant
foam on the floor.
At the end of this step, the room 13 is considered ready to receive battery packs 20.
Then, in the next step, the operator fixes the fixing hooks 56 on the distal walls 24-2
of the packs 20.
20 In the next step, the operator begins to build a first layer of battery packs.
For this, the operator disposes the battery packs 20 one after the other by engaging
the fixing hooks 56 of these packs in the corresponding wall hooks 55 and also by engaging
the grooves 31 of the two packs 20 adjacent to the lateral walls. 16, 17 in the ridges 91 of the
lateral brackets.
25 The engagement of the fixing hooks 56 in the wall hooks 55 is performed either by
disposing the corresponding pack on the floor in an available place and then by sliding this
pack 20 laterally under the corresponding wall hook 55, or by first engaging the fixing hook 56
in the wall hook 55 and then by rotating the corresponding pack to place it on the floor.
To dispose the last pack of this layer, only the second installation variant is then
30 possible.
In the next step, the operator inserts the adjustable wedges 57 between the battery
packs of the installed battery pack layer.
15
In the following steps, the operator constitutes all of the intermediate layers by
repeating the same actions as in the case of the first layer.
After laying each layer, the operator fixes it with the adjustable wedges 57.
As explained previously, during the laying of the intermediate layers, each new layer
5 of packs is disposed either staggered with respect to the packs of the previous layer or in line
with the packs of this previous layer.
In the next step, the operator lays the last layer of packs.
In this case, all the packs 20 except the last pack 120 are installed by sliding these
packs sideways to engage the fixing hooks 56 in the wall hooks 55.
10 The last 120 pack is disposed by simply sliding it along the X axis to the place
provided for this purpose.
Then, this pack 120 is fixed using the bottom fixing means 60 described above. This
fixing is possibly made via the hatch 122.
In the final step, the operator installs the adjustable wedge bar 59 to lock the last
15 layer against the ceiling 19.
It will thus be appreciated that the present invention offers a certain number of
advantages.
In fact, the invention makes it possible to fix battery packs in several layers in a very
small space that is also subject to significant shocks, such as a vessel.
20 The fixing is performed in a simple way while allowing blocking of all the battery
packs in the three axes X, Y and Z.
In addition, the invention uses identical parts such as hooks 55, 56 and wedges 57
for different functions which makes it possible to reduce the number of different elements
required to effect such a fixing.

CLAIMS
1. System for fixing a plurality of battery packs (20) stacked one on top of the other
on board a vessel, the vessel comprising a battery room (13) whose length extends along an
5 X axis and is delimited by a back wall (15), the width extends along a Y axis and is delimited
by two lateral walls (16, 17) and the height extends along a Z axis and is delimited by a floor
(18) and a ceiling (19);
each battery pack (20) presenting a substantially parallelepipedal shape defining two
lateral walls (22-1, 22-2), a proximal wall (24-1), a distal wall (24-2), an upper wall (23-
10 2) and a bottom wall (23-1), each lateral wall (22-1, 22-2) defining a plurality of fixing
grooves (31);
in a fixed position, the battery packs (20) being designed to be disposed in several
layers on the floor (18) of the battery room (19) between its lateral walls (16, 17) and
against the back wall (15), the battery packs (20) of the same layer being designed to
15 be disposed next to each other adjacent by one of their lateral walls (22-1, 22-2) so that
the fixing grooves (31) of these lateral walls (22-1, 22-2) are disposed opposite and so
that the distal walls (24-2) of these packs (20) are adjacent to the back wall (15);
the system comprising:
- a plurality of wall hooks (55), each wall hook (55) being designed to be mounted
20 on the back wall (15) facing the distal wall (24-2) of a battery pack (20) in the fixed
position;
- a plurality of fixing hooks (56), each fixing hook (56) being designed to be mounted
on the distal wall (24-2) of a battery pack (20) and to block this battery pack (20)
in the position fixed along the X axis by interaction with the corresponding wall
25 hook (55);
- a plurality of adjustable wedges (57), each adjustable wedge (57) being designed
to be inserted into a hole formed between two fixing grooves (31) of two battery
packs (20) disposed in the fixed position next to each other on the other in the
same layer, to block the battery packs (20) between the lateral walls (16, 17)
30 along the Y axis by adjusting the adjustable wedge (57).
2. System according to claim 1, wherein each adjustable wedge (57) is extendable
in an extension direction (D) and when inserted into a hole formed between two fixing
17
grooves (31) of two battery packs (20) disposed in the fixed position next to each other in the
same layer, is designed so that the direction of extension (D) coincides with the Y axis.
3. System according to claim 2, wherein each adjustable wedge (57) presents a first
5 part (81) comprising a first wall (82) inclined with respect to the direction of extension (D) and
a second part (83) mobile relative to the first part (81) and comprising a second wall (84)
inclined with respect to the direction of extension (D) and able to slide along the first wall (82)
by modifying the extension of the wedge (57) in the direction of extension (D);
each adjustable wedge (57) further comprising adjustment means capable of sliding the
10 second wall (84) along the first wall (82).
4. System according to any one of the preceding claims, further comprising a
plurality of lateral brackets (58), each lateral bracket (58) comprising a plurality of ridges (91)
extending in a ridge direction (A) and designed to be received in the corresponding fixing
15 grooves (31) when the lateral bracket (58) is disposed opposite a lateral wall (22-1, 22-2) of a
battery pack;
each lateral bracket (58) being designed to be mounted on a lateral wall (16, 17) of the
battery room (13) facing a lateral wall (22-1, 22-2) of a battery pack (20) in the fixed
position so that the edge direction (A) is parallel to the Z axis.
20
5. System according to any one of the preceding claims, each wall hook (55) is
designed to be mounted on the back wall (15) so as to exert a force directed along the Z axis
towards the floor (18) on the fixing hook (56) mounted on the distal wall (24-2) of the battery
pack (20) in the corresponding fixed position.
25
6. System according to any one of the preceding claims, further comprising:
- a bolt (130) designed to be mounted on the distal wall (24-2) of a battery pack
(120) of a last layer of battery packs, said battery pack being designed to be fixed
in the last place and being said last battery pack, the bolt (130) being designed to
30 be engaged under the wall hook (55) mounted on the back wall (15) facing the
distal wall (24-2) when the last battery pack (120) is in the fixed position and to
block this pack (120) along the Z axis;
18
- an attached bracket (131) designed to be mounted on the upper wall (23-2) of the
last battery pack (120); and
- a latch (132) comprising:
+ a base (137) designed to be mounted on the ceiling (19) opposite
5 the upper wall (23-2) of the last battery pack (120) when it is in the
fixed position;
+ a stop (138) mounted on the base (137) with a spring and designed
to allow the insert (131) mounted on the last battery pack (120) to
pass through when the last battery pack (120) is inserted along the
10 X axis towards the back wall (15) and to block the latter pack (120)
along the X axis when the attached support (131) is located
between the base (137) and the back wall (15).
7. System according to any one of claims 1 to 5, further comprising:
15 - a first profile (151) designed to be mounted on the distal wall (24-2) of a battery
pack (120) of a last layer of battery packs, said battery pack being designed to be
fixed in the last place and being said last battery pack;
- a second profile (152) designed to be mounted on the back wall (15) facing the
distal wall (24-2) of the last battery pack when the latter is in the fixed position, the
20 second profile (152) being designed to be fixed on the first profile (151) via a
hatch (122) provided on the ceiling (19) to block the last battery pack along the X
axis.
8. System according to any one of claims 1 to 5, further comprising a removable
25 wall hook (140) designed to be mounted on the back wall (15) facing the distal wall (24-2) of a
battery pack (120) of a last layer of battery packs, said battery pack being designed to be
fixed last and being said to be the last battery pack;
the removable wall hook (140) being designed to slide on the fixing hook (56) of the last
battery pack (120) when this battery pack (120) is in the fixed position and to be fixed in
30 this position via a hatch (122) provided on the ceiling (19) by blocking the last battery
pack (120) along the X axis.
19
9. System according to any one of the preceding claims, further comprising an
adjustable wedge bar (59) designed to be disposed between a last layer of battery packs and
the ceiling (19), and designed to block this layer against the ceiling (19) along the Z axis.
5 10. A method of fixing a plurality of battery packs (20) stacked one on top of the
other on board a vessel, implemented by means of the fixing system according to any one of
the preceding claims and comprising the following steps:
- mount the wall hooks (55) on the back wall (15);
- fit the fixing hooks (56) on the distal walls (24-2) of the battery packs (20);
10 - constitute a first layer of battery packs (20) or an intermediate layer of battery
packs:
+ by disposing each battery pack (20) on the floor (18) covered with
seismic foam or on a battery pack with a lower layer of battery
packs between two wall hooks (55) corresponding to this layer;
15 + by sliding each battery pack (20) towards one of the lateral walls
(16, 17) so as to engage its fixing hook (56) in the corresponding
wall hook (57); and
+ by engaging the fixing hook (56) of a battery pack (20) finalizing the
layer in the corresponding wall hook (55) and then, by pivoting said
20 battery pack (20) towards the floor (18) to put it in fixed position;
- insert the adjustable wedges (57) between the battery packs (20) of a layer of
installed battery packs;
- adjust the adjustable wedges (57) to block the battery packs (20) of the layer laid
along the Z axis;
25 - constitute a last layer of battery packs:
+ by disposing each battery pack on a battery pack (20) of a lower
battery pack layer between two wall hooks (55) corresponding to
this layer;
+ by sliding each battery pack (20) towards one of the lateral walls
30 (16, 17) so as to engage its fixing hook (56) in the corresponding
wall hook (55); and
+ by blocking a last battery pack (120) positioned along the X axis;
20
+ by blocking the last layer of battery packs against the ceiling along
the Z axis.
11. Power supply unit (11) of a vessel, the vessel comprising a local battery (13)
5 whose length extends along an X axis and is delimited by a back wall (15), the width extends
along a Y axis and is delimited by two lateral walls (16, 17) and the height extends along a Z
axis and is delimited by a floor (18) and a ceiling (19);
the power supply unit (11) comprising a plurality of battery packs (20) attached stacked
on top of each other;
10 each battery pack (20) presenting a substantially parallelepipedal shape defining two
lateral walls (22-1, 22-2), a proximal wall (24-1), a distal wall (24-2), an upper wall (23-
2) and a bottom wall (23-1), each lateral wall (22-1, 22-2) defining a plurality of fixing
grooves (31);
the power supply unit (11) being designed to be installed in the battery room (13) so
15 that the battery packs (20) are laid in several layers on the floor (18) of the battery room
(13) between its lateral walls (16, 17) and against the back wall (15), the battery packs
(20) of the same layer being disposed adjacent to each other adjacent to one of their
lateral walls (22-1, 22-2) so that the fixing grooves (31) of these lateral walls (22-1, 22-
2) are disposed opposite and so that the distal walls (24-2) of these packs (20) are
20 adjacent to the back wall (15);
the power supply unit (11) further comprising a fixing system according to any one of
claims 1 to 9 for fixing the battery packs (20) in the battery room (13).