DESCRIPTION
Fixing system of a plurality of battery packs stacked on each other in a vessel
comprising pitons, associated alimentation bloc and fixing method
5
The present invention relates to a system for securing a plurality of battery packs
stacked on top of each other on board a vessel. This system comprises, in particular, a
plurality of pitons.
The present invention also relates to a power supply unit and an associated
10 attachment method.
By vessel is meant any vehicle capable of navigating on the surface of the sea
(such as a boat) or possibly under it (such as a submarine).
In a manner known per se, to implement its various functions, 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, sometimes with
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 the battery packs vertically.
To ensure horizontal blocking, it is known to use wedges, cleats, etc. between the
25 various 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 naturally 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 fixing system, a system for fixing a plurality of
battery packs stacked on top of one another on board a vessel, the vessel comprising a
2
battery room, the length of which is extends along an X axis and is delimited by a back wall,
wherein 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, a top wall, and a bottom wall, each defining a plurality of
fixing grooves;
the battery packs being 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 placed next to each other via their lateral wall so that the
10 grooves of these lateral walls are arranged opposite, and so that the distal walls of these
packs are adjacent to the back wall;
the system comprises:
- a plurality of lateral blocking parts, each lateral blocking part being designed to be
inserted into a groove of a battery pack;
15 - a plurality of pitons, each piton defining a threaded lower part, a tapped upper part
and an intermediate part comprising a bevelled washer;
each piton being designed to be inserted into a hole formed between two opposite
grooves provided with lateral blocking parts of two battery packs placed next to each other in
the same layer and for blocking the battery packs between the lateral walls along the Y axis
20 by interaction of the bevelled washer with the lateral blocking parts;
when it is inserted into the corresponding hole, each piton being further designed to
fix along the Z axis each layer of upper battery packs to a lower layer of battery packs by
interaction of its threaded lower part with the tapped upper part of the piton corresponding to
it being inserted in the hole formed between two battery packs of the lower battery pack layer.
25 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 bevelled washer defines a central hole and two inclined faces extending on
either side of the central hole;
30 - each lateral blocking part defines an inclined face capable of interacting with the
inclined face of each bevelled washer;
- each piton comprises a rod forming the threaded lower part and the intermediate part
of this piton, and a sleeve forming the upper part of this piton, the bevelled washer defining a
3
central hole through which it is rotatably mounted on the rod of this piton and is mobile along
it;
- a plurality of wall brackets, each wall bracket being designed to be mounted on one of
the lateral walls to interact with the bevelled washer of an piton inserted between this wall
5 bracket and a groove of a battery pack adjacent to this lateral wall;
advantageously, each wall bracket comprises a fixing plate designed to be fixed to
the corresponding lateral wall, an earthquake-resistant foam mounted on the fixing plate and
an interface plate mounted on the earthquake-resistant foam and defining a shape capable of
interacting with the corresponding bevel washer to block the battery packs of the same layer
10 between the lateral walls along the Y axis;
- a layer of earthquake-resistant foam designed to be stored between the floor and a
first layer of battery packs, tapped holes being formed in the floor to interact with the threaded
lower parts of the pitons inserted in the holes formed between the grooves of the battery
packs of the first layer of battery packs;
15 - the battery packs of each upper battery pack layer are designed to be disposed
aligned along the Z axis with the battery packs of the adjacent lower battery pack layer, or
staggered with respect to these packs;
- the battery packs of an upper battery pack layer are designed to be staggered with
respect to the battery packs of the adjacent lower battery pack layer, tapped holes are
20 defined on the upper walls of the battery packs of this lower battery pack layer, each of said
holes being able to interact with the threaded lower part of each of the pitons inserted
between the battery packs of the upper battery pack layer;
- a plurality of turnbuckles designed to be arranged between the ceiling and a last layer
of battery packs to block the battery packs along the X axis;
25 - each turnbuckle comprises a first end designed to be fixed to the ceiling and a second
end designed to interact with the tapped upper part of an piton inserted in the hole formed
between grooves of two battery packs of the last layer of battery packs, each of said grooves
being adjacent to the proximal wall of the corresponding battery pack;
- a plurality of stop bars designed to be arranged between the ceiling and a last layer of
30 battery packs to block the battery packs along the X axis;
- each stop bar comprises a first end designed to be fixed to the ceiling and a second
end designed to abut the X axis between the distal wall of a battery pack of the last layer of
battery packs and the back wall.
4
- the second end of each stop bar comprises a flat part and at least one piton projecting
from the flat part;
the system further comprises a plurality of bottom blocking parts, each bottom
blocking part being designed to be placed on the distal wall of a battery pack and able to
5 receive at least one piton to block it between this distal wall and the back wall;
the or each part of the second end of each stop bar being designed to be installed
freely in the tapped upper part of an piton received in a bottom blocking part.
- a plurality of locking parts, each locking part being designed to be disposed on the
distal wall of a battery pack;
10 - a plurality of locks, each lock being designed to be disposed on the back wall of the
battery room opposite at least one locking part and able to interact with this locking part in
order to block the battery pack along the X axis.
The present invention also relates to a method for fixing a plurality of battery packs
stacked one on top of the other on board a vessel, implemented by means of the fixing
15 system as defined above and comprising the following steps:
- insert the lateral blocking parts in at least some of the grooves of the battery packs;
- constitute a first layer of battery packs or a layer of intermediate battery packs by
disposing acing each battery pack on the floor covered with an earthquake-resistant foam or
on a battery pack with a lower layer of battery packs or straddling two battery packs of a
20 lower battery pack layer;
- insert the pitons into the holes formed between each pair of facing grooves provided
with lateral blocking parts;
- screw the threaded lower parts of the pitons into holes formed in the floor or in the
tapped upper parts of the pitons inserted into the corresponding holes of a lower battery pack
25 layer or into holes formed in the upper walls of the battery packs of a bottom battery pack
layer;
- constitute a last layer of battery packs by disposing each battery pack on a battery
pack of a lower battery pack layer or between two battery packs of a lower battery pack layer;
- block the last layer of battery packs against the ceiling.
30 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
back wall, wherein the width extends along an axis Y and is delimited by two lateral walls and
the height extends along a Z axis and is delimited by a floor and a ceiling;
5
the power supply unit comprising a plurality of battery packs is fixed in a stacked
manner;
each battery pack having a substantially parallelepipedal shape defining two lateral
walls, a proximal wall, a distal wall, a top wall, and a bottom wall, each lateral wall defining a
5 plurality of fixing grooves;
the power supply unit being designed to be installed in the battery room so that the
battery packs are placed 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 adjacent to each other via their lateral walls so that the grooves of these lateral
10 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 defined above for fixing
the battery packs in the battery room.
These characteristics and advantages of the invention will become apparent upon
15 reading the description which follows, given solely by way of non-limiting example, and made
with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which:
- [Fig 1] Figure 1 is a schematic perspective view of the hull of a vessel in crosssection, the hull defining a battery room;
- [Fig 2] Figure 2 is a schematic perspective view of a battery pack designed to be
20 installed in the battery room of Figure 1 by means of a fixing system according
to a first embodiment of the invention;
- [Fig 3] Figure 3 is an enlarged view of detail III of Figure 2;
- [Fig 4] Figure 4 is an enlarged view of detail IV of Figure 2;
- [Fig 5] Figure 5 is an enlarged view of detail V of Figure 2;
25 - [Fig 6] Figure 6 is a schematic perspective view of an piton forming part of the
fixing system according to the first embodiment of the invention;
- [Fig 7] Figure 7 is a schematic perspective view of a plurality of wall brackets
forming part of the fixing system according to the first embodiment of the
invention, the wall brackets being arranged on the lateral walls of the battery
30 room of Figure 1;
- [Fig 8] Figure 8 is an enlarged view of detail VIII of Figure 7;
- [Fig 9] Figure 9 is a schematic perspective view of a turnbuckle forming part of
the fixing system according to the first embodiment of the invention;
6
- [Fig 10] Figure 10 is a schematic perspective view of a stop bar forming part of
the fixing system according to the first embodiment of the invention;
- [Fig 11] Figure 11 is a schematic perspective view illustrating the installation of a
first layer of battery packs on the floor of the battery room of Figure 1, by means
5 of the fixing system according to the first embodiment of the invention, Figure 11
further illustrating a power supply unit according to the invention during its
assembly;
- [Fig 12] Figure 12 is a schematic perspective view illustrating the installation of a
final layer of battery packs using a plurality of turnbuckles of Figure 9 and a
10 plurality of stop bars of Figure 10;
- [Fig 13] Figure 13 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 a second embodiment of the invention;
- [Fig 14] Figure 14 is a schematic perspective view of a lock forming part of the
15 fixing system according to the second embodiment of the invention; and
- [Fig 15] Figure 15 is a schematic perspective view illustrating the installation of a
first layer of battery packs on the floor of the battery room of Figure 1, by means
of the fixing system according to the second embodiment of the invention.
In fact, FIG. 1 shows the hull 10 of a vessel.
20 By vessel is meant any vehicle moving on the surface of the sea such as a boat or
under it such as a submarine.
The hull 10 has an extended shape along a central axis. This axis will be denoted
hereafter as the X axis.
The X axis is perpendicular to a transverse axis which will be denoted subsequently
25 as the Y axis.
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
30 vessel.
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.
7
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.
The width of room 13 extends along the Y axis and is delimited by two lateral walls
16 and 17.
5 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.
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 arranged opposite the battery room 13.
10 As for the lateral walls 16, 17 and the floor 18, these have cascaded surfaces
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
15 surfaces extending along the X axis and spaced apart from one another along the Y axis.
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
20 surfaces then form horizontal parts of the steps.
In Figure 1, the lateral walls 16, 17 and 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 during its assembly is visible in Figure 11 and comprises, in
25 particular, a plurality of battery packs 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 Figure 2, the battery pack 20 has a substantially
parallelepipedal shape.
30 In other words, the battery pack 20 defines two lateral walls denoted in Figure 2
under the references 22-1 and 22-2.
The battery pack 20 further defines a bottom wall 23-1 and a top wall 23-2, as well
as a proximal wall 24-1 and a distal wall 24-2.
8
The battery packs 20 are designed to be disposed in the battery room 13 in a
stacked manner.
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
5 lateral walls 16, 17.
Each of the rows runs between the floor 18 and the ceiling 19.
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
10 on the floor 18 or on the upper wall 23-2 of one or two battery packs of a lower battery pack
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.
15 Moreover, given the steps formed by the walls 16, 17 and the floor 18, the number
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.
So, for example, when the battery packs are laid in seven layers, the first four layers
20 have an increasing number of battery packs 20 while the last three layers have the same
number of battery packs 20 as the fourth layer.
Returning to the description of Figure 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,
25 this wall 24-1 allows the operator installing and maintaining all of the battery packs to fix each
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.
30 To do this, each of the lateral walls 22-1, 22-2 defines a plurality of fixing grooves
31. An example of such a groove 31 is visible in Figure 3.
Thus, with reference to this Figure 3, the groove 31 extends between the lower wall
23-1 and the upper wall 23-2 of the battery pack 20 perpendicular to these walls.
9
In cross-section, the groove 31 is, for example, a half-square. Thus, the groove 31
has a bottom wall 32 and two lateral walls 33, 34.
In the example shown in Figure 2, five substantially identical grooves 31 are formed
on each lateral wall 22-1, 22-2 of the battery pack 20.
5 Furthermore, in the same example, a groove 31 on each of the lateral walls 22-1,
22-2 is adjacent to the distal wall 24-2 and 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
to the proximal wall 24-1 and two grooves 31 adjacent to the distal wall 24-2.
10 This is also visible in Figure 4 illustrating in more detail the distal wall 24-2 of the
battery pack 20.
The grooves 31 belonging to the lateral walls 22-1, 22-2 of different battery packs
are disposed opposite one another.
The top wall 23-2 of each battery pack 20 defines tapped holes 51, one of which is
15 shown in section in Figure 5.
In particular, as may be seen in Figure 5, the depth P of the hole 51 is designed so
as not to pass through the payload, i.e. the accumulators, of the battery pack 20.
Referring again to Figure 2, the holes 51 formed in the upper wall 23-2 equal the
number of grooves 31 in each of the lateral walls 22-1, 22-2 and are disposed between each
20 pair of grooves 31 facing the various lateral walls 22-1, 22-2.
Thus, as may be seen in Figure 2, each of the holes 51 is disposed in the middle of
a line connecting the facing grooves 31.
The fixing of the battery packs 20 in a plurality of layers is performed by means of a
fixing system according to the invention and also form part of the power supply unit 11
25 according to the invention.
Such a fixing system according to a first embodiment of the invention will now be
explained with reference to Figures 2 to 12.
In particular, the fixing system according to the first embodiment of the invention
comprises a plurality of lateral blocking parts 55, a plurality of bottom locking parts 56, a
30 plurality of pitons 57, a plurality of lateral brackets 58, a plurality of turnbuckles 59, and a
plurality of stop bars 60.
The lateral blocking parts 55 are designed to be mounted in the grooves 31 of the
battery packs 20.
10
These blocking parts 55 are, for example, all similar to each other.
Thus, a single part 55 will be described in detail below.
This part 55 is visible, in particular, in Figure 3 in which it is inserted into the groove
31, for example in the middle of the latter.
5 This lateral blocking part 55 is, for example, fixed in this groove 31 in a suitable
manner.
To do this, this lateral blocking part 55 comprises, for example, two fixing lugs
making it possible to fix this part on the lateral walls 33, 34 of the groove 31, and a face
inclined relative to the bottom wall 32.
10 The inclined face of the lateral blocking part 55 has a surface rising in a direction
defined by the groove 31 and starting from the upper wall 23-2 towards the lower wall 23-1 of
the battery pack 20.
The bottom blocking parts 56 are designed to be disposed on the distal walls 24-2
of the battery packs 20. These blocking parts 56 are, for example, identical to each other.
15 Thus, only a single bottom blocking part 56 will be explained in detail in Figure 4.
In particular, as may be seen in Figure 4, the bottom blocking part 56 is fixed to the
distal wall 24-2 of the corresponding battery pack 20 on which it extends all along this wall,
for example in the middle of the latter and parallel to the lower and upper walls 23-1, 23-2.
This bottom blocking part 56 has, for example, two grooves which are designed to
20 interact with a bevelled washer of each piton 57 as explained in detail below.
Each piton 57 is designed to be inserted into a hole formed between two opposing
grooves 31 provided with lateral blocking parts 55 of two battery packs 20 when these packs
are disposed one next to the other in the same layer.
The pitons 57 are designed to block the battery packs 20 along the transverse axis
25 Y by interaction with the lateral blocking parts 55, to block the layers of battery packs along
the Z axis and to block the battery packs 20 according to X axis by interaction with the bottom
blocking parts 56 and with the turnbuckles 59 and the stop bars 60, as will be explained later.
The pitons 57 are, for example, all similar to each other. Thus, hereafter, only one
piton 57 will be explained in detail with reference to Figure 6.
30 Thus, as may be seen in this Figure 6, the piton 57 defines a lower part 61, an
intermediate part 62 and a tapped upper part 63.
In the example of Figure 6, the lower 61 and upper 62 parts are formed by a rod 64
with a threaded end corresponding to the lower part 61 of the piton 57.
11
In the same example, the upper part 63 is formed by a sleeve 65 mounted on the
rod 64 and integral with the latter. This sleeve 65 allows, in particular, the tightening of the rod
64.
The sleeve 65 is then of a cylindrical shape having a tapped hole.
5 More particularly, the lower part 61 of the piton 57 and the tapped hole of the sleeve
65 extend along the same length P which is, for example, equal to the depth P of the hole 51
as explained with reference to Figure 5.
Furthermore, the tapped hole of the sleeve 65 is designed to come into contact with
the threaded lower part 61 of another piton 57.
10 In other words, the threaded lower part 61 of the piton 57 is designed to be screwed
into the tapped hole of the sleeve 65 of another piton 57.
The piton 57 further comprises a bevelled washer 66 rotatably mounted on the rod
64 and mobile along this rod 64.
The bevelled washer 66 is, for example, of trapezoidal shape wherein a central hole
15 passes through the rod 64.
The bevelled washer 66 also defines two inclined faces 67-1 and 67-2 extending on
either side of the central hole and two flat surfaces 68-1 and 68-2 extending on either side of
the central hole and perpendicular to the inclined faces 67-1, 67-2.
Each of the inclined faces 67-1, 67-2 is able to interact with the inclined face of each
20 of the lateral blocking parts 55. In particular, each of these faces of the bevelled washer 66
has a surface inclined in the opposite direction from that of the face of each of the lateral
blocking parts 55 when the piton 57 is inserted into the groove 31 provided with such a lateral
blocking part 55.
Furthermore, the rod 64 is able to be received in a groove of each of the bottom
25 blocking parts 56 so as to block the disposition of the bevelled washer 66 along the axis
perpendicular to the lower 23-1 and upper 23-2 walls of the corresponding 20 battery pack.
This locking is effected by interaction of the base 69 of the trapezoidal shape of the
bevelled washer 66 with the groove of the corresponding bottom blocking part 56.
The wall brackets 58 make it possible to block the lateral walls 22-1, 22-2 of the
30 battery packs 20 against the lateral walls 16, 17 of the battery room 13.
Figure 7 illustrates an example of the distribution of these wall brackets 58 on the
lateral wall 16 and, in particular, on its flat portion and its cascaded portion.
12
As may be seen in this Figure 7, the wall brackets 58 are distributed on the lateral
wall 16 so that each of them faces a groove 31 of a battery pack 20 when this pack is
adjacent to this wall 16.
Thus, in the example of this figure, wall 16 has five wall brackets 58 for each of the
5 battery pack layers. It may also be easily understood that a similar distribution of the wall
brackets 58 is applicable to the lateral wall 17.
The wall brackets 58 are, for example, all similar to each other.
Thus, hereafter, a single wall bracket 58 is detailed with reference to Figure 8
showing an enlarged view of detail VIII of Figure 7.
10 With reference to this Figure 8, the wall bracket 58 comprises a fixing plate 81
designed to be fixed on the wall 16, earthquake-resistant foam 82 mounted on the fixing plate
81 and an interface plate 83 mounted on the earthquake-resistant foam 82 .
The fixing plate 81 is, for example, fixed to the wall 16 by bolts in a manner known
per se.
15 The earthquake-resistant foam 82 is known per se and makes it possible to cushion
the lateral movements of the battery packs 20 of the same layer and to absorb thermal
expansions along the Y axis.
The interface plate 83 comprises two flat parts 84, 85 and a face 86 disposed
between the flat parts 84, 85.
20 The flat parts 84, 85 allow the interface plate 83 to be attached to the earthquakeresistant foam 82.
The face 86 has, for example, a shape and dimensions equivalent to those of the
face of each of the lateral blocking parts 55.
In other words, just like the lateral blocking parts 55, the interface plate 86 is
25 designed to interact with the bevelled washer 66 of the piton 57 inserted in the groove 31
disposed opposite the wall bracket 58.
The turnbuckles 59 and the stop bars 60 are designed to be disposed between the
ceiling 19 and a last layer of battery packs to block the set of battery packs 20 along the X
axis and advantageously along the Z axis.
30 In particular, the turnbuckles 59 are designed to interact with the ceiling 19 and with
the proximal walls 24-1 of the battery packs 20 of the last layer of battery packs.
These turnbuckles 59 are, for example, all similar to each other.
13
Thus, hereinafter, only one turnbuckle is explained in detail with reference to Figure
9.
With reference to this Figure 9, the turnbuckle 59 defines a first end 91 and a
second end 92.
5 These two ends 91, 92 are interconnected by an intermediate part 93 having a
cable or a rod of adjustable length.
Thus, the distance between the ends 91, 92 may be adjusted by actuating the
intermediate part 93 according to techniques known per se.
The ends 91, 92 are, for example, identical.
10 Thus, each of these ends 91, 92 has a fixing hole on a substantially flattened
surface. This fixing hole makes it possible to fix the corresponding end either to the ceiling 19
(the case of the end 91) or to the upper wall 23-2 in one of the battery packs 20 of the last
layer of battery packs (the case end 92).
In particular, the opening passage defined in the second end 92 makes it possible to
15 fix the turnbuckle 59, for example to an piton 57 arranged in a groove 31 adjacent to the
proximal wall 24-1 of one of the battery packs 20 of the last layer of battery packs.
The stop bars 60 are used to block the distal walls 24-2 of the battery packs 20 of
the last layer of the battery packs against the ceiling 19.
The stop bars 60 are, for example, all similar to each other. Thus, hereinafter, a
20 single stop bar 60 is explained with reference to Figure 10.
Thus, as may be seen in Figure 10, the stop bar 60 defines a first end 101 and a
second end 102.
The first end 101 is designed to be fixed to the ceiling 19. This end 101 is, for
example, similar to the first end 91 of each of the turnbuckles 93 explained above.
25 Thus, just like the first end 91 of such a turnbuckle 59, the first end 101 of the stop
bar 60 comprises a hole for fixing to the ceiling 19.
The second end 102 of the stop bar 60 is designed to abut the X axis between the
distal wall 24-2 of a battery pack 20 of the last layer of battery packs and the back wall 19 of
the battery room 13 .
30 The second end 102 comprises a flat part 103 designed to bear against the upper
wall 23 of a battery pack of the last layer of battery packs.
The second end 102 further comprises two pitons 104 and 105 projecting relative to
the flat surface 103. These pitons are designed to be inserted, for example, freely in the
14
upper threaded parts 63 of the two pitons 57 inserted in the grooves of the blocking part 56
disposed on the distal wall 24-2 of the corresponding battery pack 20.
According to a particular embodiment of the invention, the fixing system according
to the first embodiment of the invention further comprises a layer of earthquake-resistant
5 foam designed to be interposed between the floor 18 and the battery packs 20 disposed
thereon.
This layer of earthquake-resistant foam absorbs the shocks undergone by all the
battery packs along the Z axis and takes into account the thermal expansions of the hull 10.
The method of fixing the battery pack according to the invention by the fixing system
10 according to the first embodiment of the invention will now be explained, with particular
reference to Figures 11 and 12 illustrating the implementation of this method.
Initially, it is considered that the floor 18 defines the tapped holes necessary to
interact with the lower parts 61 of the pitons 57 of the first layer of battery packs.
More particularly, the flat portion of the floor 18 defines for each pair of grooves 31
15 facing each pair of adjacent battery packs 20 designed to form the first layer, a threaded
opening passage facing this groove 31.
To form these holes, a template provided for this purpose may be used.
Furthermore, on the cascaded portion of the floor 18, opening passages are also
defined for each of the grooves 31 of the battery packs 20 designed to form upper layers
20 extending on the steps formed by the floor 18 and the lateral walls 16, 17.
As in the previous case, a corresponding template may be used for the
corresponding holes on each flat surface.
Furthermore, the lateral brackets 58 are also mounted on the lateral walls 16, 17 so
that the location of each of them matches the locations of the grooves 31 provided on the
25 battery packs 20 designed to be adjacent to the corresponding lateral walls. 16, 17.
Advantageously, the lateral brackets 58 are arranged for each layer of battery packs
except the last.
Finally, the first ends 91, 101 of the turnbuckles 59 and the stop bars 60 are fixed in
the corresponding locations in the ceiling 19.
30 During an initial step of the method, an operator inserts the lateral blocking parts 55
into the grooves 31 of the battery packs 20 and fixes the bottom blocking parts 56 on the
proximal walls 24-2 of these packs 20.
Then, in a next step, the operator forms a first layer of 20 battery packs.
15
To do this, the operator first disposes an earthquake-resistant foam on the floor 18.
Then, the operator places the pitons 57 in the holes adjacent to the back wall 15.
These pitons 57 are designed to be received in the grooves of the bottom blocking parts 56.
Then, the operator disposes the battery packs 20 designed to form the first layer.
5 This may be performed, for example, by first disposing a battery pack 20 adjacent to the
lateral wall 16 and then the other packs one after the other until reaching the last battery pack
20 adjacent to the lateral wall 17.
During this disposition of the battery packs 20, the operator engages the grooves of
the bottom blocking part 56 of each of the battery packs 20 in the pitons 57 disposed in the
10 openings adjacent to the bottom wall 15.
Then, in a following step, the operator finishes fixing the first layer of battery packs
by inserting into the holes formed between the grooves 31 of the lateral walls 22-1, 22-2 of
these packs and into the holes formed between the lateral walls of these packs and the
corresponding wall brackets 58.
15 This step is then illustrated in Figure 11.
Then, in a next step, the operator screws the pitons 57 into the corresponding holes
in the floor 18.
Thus, the bevelled washers 66 of each of these pitons 57 block the battery packs 20
of the first layer along the Y axis and along the Z axis.
20 Attaching subsequent battery pack layers is performed in the same way.
In particular, when the battery packs 20 of the upper layer to be mounted are
aligned with the battery packs 20 of the lower layer, the pitons 57 of the upper battery pack
layer are screwed into the already mounted pitons 57 of the lower layer.
When the upper layer has a layer extended with respect to the lower layer, i.e. when
25 it is necessary to fix at least some of the battery packs 20 on the steps formed by the
cascaded portion of the floor 18, the pitons 57 of this upper layer are then screwed into the
holes formed in these steps.
When the upper layer of battery packs has staggered rows, each battery pack 20 of
this layer is disposed astride two battery packs 20 of the lower layer. The pitons 57 are then
30 screwed into the holes 51 provided in the middle of the upper wall 23-2 of the battery packs
20 forming the lower layer.
Attaching the last layer of battery packs works differently.
16
In particular, in this case, the operator first screws the pitons 57 into the pitons
adjacent to the back wall 15, just as in the previous cases.
Then, unlike the previous cases, the operator lowers the second ends 102 of the
stop bars 60 already fixed to the ceiling, into the tapped upper parts 63 of the mounted pitons
5 57.
Then the operator inserts the battery packs 20 into the space between the ceiling 19
and the bottom layer of battery packs 20 so as to engage the grooves of the bottom blocking
parts 56 in the pitons 57 already installed.
This step is illustrated in Figure 12.
10 Then, the operator inserts the pitons 57 into the grooves 31 adjacent to the proximal
walls 24-1 of the battery packs 20 of the last layer.
Finally, during a last step, the operator lowers the second ends 92 of each of the
turnbuckles 59 attached to the ceiling 19 and fixes them in the corresponding pitons 57.
It will then be appreciated that the present invention offers a certain number of
15 advantages.
In fact, the invention makes it possible to fix battery packs in several layers in a very
small space even subject to undergoing significant shocks, such as on a vessel.
The fixing is performed in a simple way while allowing blocking of all the battery
packs according to the three axes X, Y and Z.
20 In addition, the invention uses identical pitons for various functions which makes it
possible to reduce the number of different elements required to effect such fixing.
A fixing system according to a second embodiment of the invention will now be
explained with reference to Figures 13 to 15.
In particular, just like the fixing system according to the first embodiment, the fixing
25 system according to the second embodiment of the invention comprises a plurality of lateral
blocking parts 55, a plurality of pitons 57, a plurality of lateral brackets 58 and a plurality of
turnbuckles 59.
These parts are identical to those described previously and will therefore not be
described again.
30 However, the number of lateral blocking parts 55, pitons 57 and lateral brackets 58
used by the fixing system according to the second embodiment is different from that used by
the fixing system according to the first embodiment.
17
In particular, according to the second embodiment and as may be seen in Figure
13, the lateral blocking parts 55 are designed to be inserted only into the grooves 31 adjacent
to the proximal walls 24-1 of the battery packs 20.
Similarly, the lateral brackets 58 are designed to be mounted on the lateral walls 16,
5 17 only in the locations facing the grooves 31 adjacent to the proximal walls 24-1 of the
battery packs 20.
Consequently, the pitons 57 are designed to be mounted only in the holes formed
by the facing grooves 31 each provided with a lateral blocking part 55 or by such a groove 31
and a lateral bracket 58.
10 Furthermore, a single hole 51 may be formed on the upper wall 23-2 of each battery
pack 20 in the middle of the line passing through the grooves 31 adjacent to the proximal wall
24-1 of this battery pack 20.
The fixing system according to the second embodiment of the invention further
comprises a plurality of locking parts 156 and a plurality of locks 157.
15 Each locking part 156 has a hollow structure defining a housing and is designed to
be disposed on the distal wall 24-2 of each battery pack 20.
To this end, each distal wall 24-2 is designed to receive one or more locking parts
156.
In the example of Figure 13, two locking parts 156 are arranged on the distal wall
20 24-2 of the battery pack 20 illustrated.
A lock 157 is visible in Figure 14.
In particular, such a lock 157 is designed to be disposed on the back wall 15 of the
battery room 13 opposite a locking part 156 of a battery pack 20 and able to interact with this
locking part 156 to block this. battery pack 20 along the X axis and advantageously along the
25 Y axis, and even more advantageously along the Z axis.
To do this, the lock 157 comprises a fixing plate 160 designed to be fixed to the
back wall 15, a projecting form designed to be received in the housing of the corresponding
locking part 156 and locking means 162 of the projecting form 161 in the housing of the
locking part 156.
30 In the example of Figure 14, the locking means 162 are in the form of a lever
operable by the operator between a free position and a locked position.
Thus, in the example of Figures 13 and 14, the locking part 156 and the lock 157
have a locking system of the "Twist-lock" type.
18
The method of fixing the battery packs 20 according to the invention by the fixing
system according to the second embodiment of the invention will now be explained, with
particular reference to Figure 15 illustrating the implementation of this method.
Initially, as in the previous case, it is considered that the floor 18 defines the tapped
5 holes necessary to interact with the lower parts 61 of the pitons 57 of the first layer of battery
packs.
More particularly, the flat portion of the floor 18 defines for each groove 31 adjacent
to the proximal wall 24-1 of each battery pack 20 designed to form the first layer, a threaded
opening passage facing this groove 31.
10 To form these holes, a template provided for this purpose may be used.
Furthermore, on the cascaded portion of the floor 18, opening passages are also
defined for each of the grooves 31 adjacent to the proximal walls 24-1 of the battery packs 20
designed to form upper layers extending on the steps formed by the floor 18 and the lateral
walls 16, 17.
15 A corresponding template may also be used for the corresponding holes on each
flat surface.
Furthermore, the lateral brackets 58 are also mounted on the lateral walls 16, 17 so
that the location of each of them matches the locations of the grooves 31 adjacent to the
proximal walls 24-1 of the battery packs 20 designed for to be adjacent to the corresponding
20 lateral walls 16, 17.
Furthermore, the locks 157 are mounted on the back wall 15 in the locations
designed to face the locking parts 156 of the battery packs 20. For this, a template may be
used.
Finally, the first ends 91, 101 of the turnbuckles 59 are fixed in the corresponding
25 locations of the ceiling 19.
During an initial step of the method, an operator inserts the lateral blocking parts 55
into the grooves 31 adjacent to the proximal walls 24-1 of these packs 20.
Then, in a next step, the operator forms a first layer of 20 battery packs.
To do this, the operator first has an earthquake-resistant foam on the floor 18.
30 Then, the operator disposes each battery pack 20 designed to form the first layer so
as to engage the projecting parts 161 of the locks 157 in the corresponding housings of the
locking parts 156.
This is illustrated in figure 15.
19
Then, in a following step, the operator finishes fixing the first layer of battery packs
by inserting pitons 57 into the holes formed between the grooves 31 adjacent to the proximal
walls 24-1 of the packs 20 and into the holes formed between such a groove 31 and each of
the corresponding wall brackets 58.
5 Then, in a next step, the operator screws the pitons 57 into the corresponding holes
in the floor 18.
Thus, the bevelled washers 66 of each of these pitons 57 block the battery packs 20
of the first layer along the Y axis and along the Z axis.
Then, or before tightening the pitons 57, the operator tightens the tightening means
10 162 of the bolts 157.
Attaching subsequent battery pack layers is performed in the same way.
In particular, when the battery packs 20 of the upper layer to be mounted are
aligned with the battery packs 20 of the lower layer, the pitons 57 of the upper battery pack
layer are screwed into the already mounted pitons 57 of the lower layer.
15 When the upper layer has a layer extended with respect to the lower layer, i.e. when
it is necessary to fix at least some of the battery packs 20 on the steps formed by the
cascaded portion of the floor 18, the pitons 57 of this upper layer are then screwed into the
holes formed in these steps.
When the upper layer of battery packs has staggered rows, each battery pack 20 of
20 this layer is disposed astride two battery packs 20 of the lower layer. The pitons 57 are then
screwed into the holes 51 provided in the middle of the upper wall 23-2 of the battery packs
20 forming the lower layer.
Attaching the last layer of battery packs works differently.
In particular, in this case, the operator inserts the pitons 57 into the grooves 31
25 adjacent to the proximal walls 24-1 of the battery packs 20 of the last layer.
Then, the operator tightens the locking means 162, for example, via one or more
hatches provided in the ceiling 19 or by any other means available to him.
Finally, in a last step, the operator lowers the second ends 92 of each of the
turnbuckles 59 attached to the ceiling 19 and fixes them in the corresponding pitons.
30 It may then be seen that other embodiments presenting different combinations of
the two embodiments described are also possible.

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 axis X and is delimited by a back wall (15), the width of which extends along a Y axis and is
delimited by two lateral walls (16, 17) and the height of which extends along a Z axis and is
delimited by a floor (18) and a ceiling (19);
each battery pack (20) having 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
10 a bottom wall (23-1), each lateral wall (22-1, 22-2) defining a plurality of fixing grooves (31);
the battery packs (20) being intended to be disposed 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 designed to be disposed next to each other
adjacent to their lateral walls (22-1, 22-2) so that the grooves (31) of these lateral walls (22 -
15 1, 22-2) are arranged opposite and so that the distal walls (24-2) of these packs are adjacent
to the back wall (15);
the system comprising:
- a plurality of lateral blocking parts (55), each lateral blocking part (55) being
designed to be inserted into a groove (31) of a battery pack (20);
20 - a plurality of pitons (57), each piton (57) defining a threaded lower part (61), a
tapped upper part (63) and an intermediate part (62) comprising a bevelled
washer (66);
each piton (57) being designed to be inserted into a hole formed between two
opposite grooves (31) provided with lateral blocking parts (55) of two battery packs (20)
25 disposed one next to the other in a same layer and to block between the lateral walls (16, 17)
the battery packs (20) along the Y axis by interaction of the bevelled washer (66) with the
lateral blocking parts (55);
when inserted into the corresponding hole, each piton (57) being further designed to
fix along the Z axis each layer of the upper battery packs (20) to a lower layer of battery
30 packs (20) by interaction of its threaded lower part (61) with the tapped upper part (63) of the
piton (57) corresponding to it inserted into the hole formed between two battery packs (20) of
the lower battery pack layer (20).
21
2. System according to claim 1, wherein:
- each beveled washer (66) defines a central hole and two inclined faces (67-1, 67-2)
extending on either side of the central hole; and
- each lateral blocking part (55) defines an inclined face capable of cooperating with
5 the inclined face of each bevelled washer (66).
3. System according to claim 1 or 2, wherein each piton (57) comprises a rod (64)
forming the threaded lower part (61) and the intermediate part (62) of this piton (57), and a
sleeve (65) forming the upper part (63) of this piton (57), the bevelled washer (66) defining a
10 central hole through which it is rotatably mounted on the rod (64) of this piton (57) and mobile
along the rod (64).
4. System according to any preceding claim, further comprising a plurality of wall
brackets (58), each wall bracket (58) being designed to be mounted on one of the lateral
15 walls (16, 17) to interact with the bevelled washer (66) of a piton (57) inserted between this
wall bracket (58) and a groove (31) of a battery pack (20) adjacent to this lateral wall (16, 17);
each wall bracket (58) comprising a fixing plate (81) designed to be fixed to the
corresponding lateral wall (16, 17), an earthquake-resistant foam (82) mounted on the
fixing plate (81) and an interface plate (83) mounted on the earthquake-resistant foam (82)
20 and defining a shape able to interact with the corresponding bevelled washer (66) to block
the battery packs (20) between the lateral walls (16, 17) along the Y axis of the same
layer.
5. System according to any one of the preceding claims further comprising a layer of
25 earthquake-resistant foam designed to be stored between the floor (18) and a first layer of
battery packs (20), tapped holes being formed in the floor (18) to interact with the threaded
lower parts (61) of the pitons (57) inserted in the holes formed between the grooves (31) of
the battery packs (20) of this first layer of battery packs (20).
30 6. System according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the battery packs
(20) of each layer of upper battery packs are designed to be disposed in a manner aligned
along the Z axis with the battery packs (20) of the layer of lower battery packs adjacent or
staggered with respect to these packs.
22
7. System according to claim 6, wherein, when the battery packs (20) of an upper
battery pack layer are designed to be staggered with the battery packs (20) of the adjacent
lower battery pack layer, tapped holes (51) are defined on the upper walls (23-2) of the
5 battery packs (20) of this layer of lower battery packs, each of said holes (51) being able to
interact with the threaded lower part (61) of each of the pitons (57) inserted between the
battery packs (20) of the upper battery pack layer.
8. System according to any one of the preceding claims, further comprising a
10 plurality of turnbuckles (59) designed to be disposed between the ceiling (19) and a last layer
of battery packs (20) to block the battery packs according to the X axis.
9. System according to claim 8, wherein each turnbuckle (59) comprises a first end
(91) designed to be fixed to the ceiling (19) and a second end (92) designed to interact with
15 the tapped upper part (63) of an piton (57) inserted in the hole formed between the grooves
(31) of two battery packs (20) of the last layer of battery packs, each of said grooves (31)
being adjacent to the proximal wall (24-1) the corresponding battery pack (20).

10. System according to any one of the preceding claims, further comprising a
20 plurality of stop bars (60) designed to be disposed between the ceiling (19) and a last layer of
battery packs (20) for blocking the battery packs according to the X axis.
11. System according to claim 10, wherein each stop bar (60) comprises a first end
(101) designed to be fixed to the ceiling (19) and a second end (102) designed to abut the X
25 axis between the distal wall (24-2) of a battery pack (20) of the last layer of battery packs and
the back wall (15).
12. System according to claim 11, wherein the second end (102) of each stop bar
(60) comprises a flat part (103) and at least one piton (104, 105) projecting from the flat part
30 (103);
the system further comprising a plurality of bottom blocking parts (56), each bottom
blocking part (56) being designed to be disposed on the distal wall (24-2) of a battery pack
(20) and suitable for receiving at least one piton (57) to block it between this distal wall
23
(24-2) and the back wall (15); the or each piton (104, 105) of the second end (102) of each
stop bar (60) being designed to be installed freely in the tapped upper part of an piton (57)
received in a bottom blocking part ( 56).
5 13. System according to any one of claims 1 to 11, further comprising:
- a plurality of locking parts (156), each locking part (156) being designed to be
disposed on the distal wall (24-2) of a battery pack (20);
- a plurality of locks (157), each lock (157) being designed to be disposed on the
back wall (15) of the battery room (13) facing at least one locking part (156) and
10 able to interact with this locking part (156) in order to lock the battery pack (20)
along the X axis.
14. Method of fixing a plurality of battery packs (20) stacked on top of each other on
board a vessel, implemented by means of the fixing system according to any one of the
15 preceding claims and comprising the following steps :
- insert the lateral blocking parts (55) in at least some of the grooves (31) of the
battery packs (20);
- constitute a first layer of battery packs or a layer of intermediate battery packs by
disposing each battery pack (20) on the floor (18) covered with an earthquake20 resistant foam or on a battery pack (20) with a lower layer of battery packs or
straddling two battery packs (20) of a lower battery pack layer;
- insert the pitons (57) into the holes formed between each pair of the grooves (31)
facing each other provided with the lateral blocking parts (55);
- screw the threaded lower parts (61) of the pitons (57) into the holes formed in the
25 floor (18) or in the tapped upper parts (63) of the pitons (57) inserted into the
corresponding holes of a lower battery pack layer or in holes (51) formed on the
upper walls (23-2) of the battery packs (20) of a lower battery pack layer;
- constitute a last layer of battery packs by disposing each battery pack (20) on a
battery pack (20) of a lower layer of battery packs or between two battery packs
30 (20) of a lower layer of battery packs;
- block the last layer of battery packs against the ceiling (19).
24
15. Power supply unit (11) of a vessel, the vessel having a battery room (13) whose
length extends along an X axis and is delimited by a back wall (15), wherein the width
extends along a Y axis and is delimited by two lateral walls (16, 17) while the height extends
along a Z axis and is delimited by a floor (18) and a ceiling (19);
5 the power supply (11) comprising a plurality of battery packs (20) stacked on top of each
other;
each battery pack (20) having 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);
10 the power supply unit (11) being designed to be installed in the battery room (13) so 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 designed to be disposed one next to the other adjacent to their
lateral walls(22- 1, 22-2) so that the grooves (31) of these lateral walls (22-1, 22-2) are
15 arranged opposite and so that the distal walls (24-2) of these packs are adjacent to the
bottom wall (15);
the power supply unit (11) further comprising a fixing system according to any one of
claims 1 to 13 for fixing the battery packs (20) in the battery room (13)