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EP-4738533-A1 - ENERGY STORAGE RACK AND FRAME STRUCTURE THEREFOR WITH VIBRATIONAL ABSORBER FUNCTION

EP4738533A1EP 4738533 A1EP4738533 A1EP 4738533A1EP-4738533-A1

Abstract

In order to improve seismic properties of energy storage racks, the invention proposes a cuboidal frame structure configured for absorbing and/or damping seismic vibration, the frame structure being suitable for an energy storage rack of an energy storage system, the frame structure comprising, a bottom frame that is integrally formed as a single member, the bottom frame having a plurality of column brackets that protrude in a vertical direction upward and are configured for aligning a column in parallel to a vertical direction; a plurality of columns, the columns being mounted to the base frame via the column brackets, each column formed as a hollow profile; and a top frame that is mounted to each column, wherein the columns cooperatively provide a plurality of mounting positions that are configured for receiving and mounting energy storage modules. Passive cooling can be enhanced by disposing supplementary units below the bottom frame.

Inventors

  • TUZIUK, Anton
  • Yildirim, Sinan

Assignees

  • Skeleton Technologies GmbH

Dates

Publication Date
20260506
Application Date
20251020

Claims (15)

  1. An energy storage rack (10) with vibrational absorber function, characterized in that a cuboidal frame structure (12) is configured to absorb and/or damp seismic vibrations, the frame structure (12) comprising: - a bottom frame (20) that is integrally formed as a single member, the bottom frame (20) having a plurality of column brackets (44) that protrude in a vertical direction upward and are configured for aligning a column (22) in parallel to a vertical direction; - a plurality of columns (22), the columns (22) being mounted to the bottom frame (20) via the column brackets (44), each column (22) formed as a hollow profile; - a top frame (24) that is mounted to each column (22), wherein the columns (22) cooperatively provide a plurality of mounting positions (16) that are configured for receiving and mounting energy storage modules (14).
  2. The frame structure (12) of any of the preceding claims, wherein each column (22) is attached to the bottom frame (20) and/or top frame (24) by a plurality of bolt fasteners.
  3. The frame structure (12) of any of the preceding claims, wherein the top frame (24) is integrally formed as a single member, preferably by welding a plurality of components or by casting.
  4. The frame structure (12) of any of the preceding claims, at least one column bracket (44) has a first leg portion (46) that extends in parallel to a shorter side of the bottom frame (20) and a second leg portion (48) that extends in parallel to a longer side of the bottom frame (48), preferably substantially orthogonal relative to the first leg portion (46), wherein the first and second leg portions (46, 48) are in contact with and/or fastened to the respective column (22), preferably the case sheet member (52).
  5. The frame structure (12) of any of the claims 4, wherein at least one column bracket (44) is formed at an edge portion of the bottom frame (20), and the column bracket (44) includes a third leg portion (50) that extends parallel to the first leg portion (46) with a space there between, wherein two column members (22) that are fastened to the column bracket (44) engage the first and third leg portions (46, 48) as well as each other with the respective case sheet member (52).
  6. The frame structure (12) of any of the preceding claims, wherein at least one column (22) includes a case sheet member (52) and a cover sheet member (54) that are engaging and/or fastened to each other to form the column (22).
  7. The frame structure (12) of claim 6, wherein the case sheet member (52) comprises at least three leg portions (56, 58, 60) that are bent in a U-configuration to form sidewalls (62) and a channel bottom (64) of a channel (66), wherein the cover sheet member (54) comprises at least two leg portions (74, 76) that are bent in an L-configuration and the cover sheet member (54) closes the channel (66) to form the hollow profile, wherein optionally the case sheet member (52) includes a flange portion (68) that partially protrudes from one side wall inward and parallel to the channel bottom (64).
  8. The frame structure (12) of any of the preceding claims, wherein at least one column (22) is integrally formed as a single member and optionally includes a reinforcement portion that extends parallel to a short side of the column (22) in a cross-sectional view.
  9. The frame structure (12) of any of the preceding claims, wherein a plurality of high-voltage isolators (38) is fastened, preferably welded, to the bottom frame (20).
  10. The frame structure (12) of any of the preceding claims, further comprising at least one installation position (82) that is disposed below, and preferably adjacent to, the bottom frame (20) and is configured for receiving and installing an auxiliary power module (84) that is configured for providing auxiliary power in case of a main power outage and/or a rack controller unit (86) that is configured to control the energy storage modules (14).
  11. An energy storage rack (10) for an energy storage system, the energy storage rack (10) comprising a frame structure (12) of any of the preceding claims and a plurality of energy storage modules (14) configured for storing and providing electrical power, wherein the energy storage modules (14) are mounted on the mounting positions (16) provided by the frame structure (12).
  12. The energy storage rack (10) of claim 11, wherein the energy storage module (14) includes an energy storage that involves supercapacitors.
  13. The energy storage rack (10) of claim 11 or 12, wherein the frame structure (12) is of claim 10, and at least one auxiliary power module (84) and/or at least one rack controller unit (86) is installed at the installation position (82).
  14. The energy storage rack (10) of any of the claims 11 to 13, wherein the energy storage modules (14) are passively cooled, preferably such that a consistent temperature gradient is formed throughout the energy storage rack (10).
  15. The energy storage rack (10) of claim 14, wherein each energy storage module (14) includes: - a plurality of energy storage cells that are arranged in a pattern of hexagonally close-packed equal cylinders or in a rectangular pattern. - a heat sink that is disposed at an outward facing side, preferably a front side or a back side, of the energy storage module (14).

Description

The invention relates to a cuboidal frame structure for an energy storage rack of an energy storage system. The invention further relates to an energy storage rack. In this disclosure the terms "high voltage" (HV), "low voltage" (LV) and "extra low voltage" (ELV) follow the generally accepted definition of the International Electrical Commission according to IEC 61140:2016 "Protection against electric shock - Common aspects for installation and equipment". Thus, the term "high voltage" designates voltages above 1000 V for alternating current (AC) and above 1500 V for direct current (DC), the term "low voltage" designates voltages smaller than or equal to 1000 V for AC and smaller than or equal to 1500 V for DC, and the term "extra low voltage" designates voltages smaller than or equal to 50 V for AC and smaller than or equal to 120 V for DC. US 2004 / 0 057 211 A1 discloses a rack with liquid cooling system. CN 117 317 493 A discloses a compact modular container energy storage warehouse. The warehouse can be assembled freely according to need and provides stability for transport. It includes a container warehouse body composed of multiple single warehouses. These single warehouses include a vertically arranged assembly frame. Each assembly frame includes two end caps arranged oppositely up and down, and four assembly rods are provided between the two end caps. The assembly rods include an angle steel extending vertically with the two ends being constructed with connecting seats, and a fixing groove is formed on the end face of the end cover close to the connecting seat. The connecting seat is assembled in the fixed groove, and the connecting seat is connected to the end cover through bolts. Not disclosed is a bottom frame that is integrally formed, incorporating multiple column brackets that protrude in a vertical direction upward and are configured for aligning a column in parallel to a vertical direction. Also not disclosed are the use of hollow profiles and transverse elements for vibrational absorbing, and the use of high-voltage insulators. CN 117 013 044 B discloses a battery cluster frame as part of an assembly method for an energy storage container. In the battery cluster frame a plurality of vertical beams are arranged in rows between two base bodies. In order to prevent shaking of the battery clusters under the action of external force, two adjacent battery clusters can be connected using connecting plates, which increases the overall weight and enhances stability. Limiting elements ensure that the battery packs can be placed quickly and accurately on the battery cluster frame and can be firmly secured. Furthermore, the space enclosed by the two sides of the battery pack and the first support portion forms an air duct opening, facilitating airflow for heat dissipation. Not disclosed is a bottom frame that is integrally formed, incorporating multiple column brackets that protrude in a vertical direction upward and are configured for aligning a column in parallel to a vertical direction. Also not disclosed are the use of hollow profiles and transverse elements for vibrational absorbing, and the use of high-voltage insulators. KR 2024 0051017 A discloses an energy storage system including a battery rack, and a battery rack fixing structure for reducing vibrations. The rack case includes a shelf frame, a front frame, a rear frame and a top plate. The influence of vibration can be reduced by minimizing the movement of the battery pack assembled in the rack case. Not disclosed is a bottom frame that is integrally formed, incorporating multiple column brackets that protrude in a vertical direction upward and are configured for aligning a column in parallel to a vertical direction. Also not disclosed is the use of hollow profiles for vibrational absorbing, and the use of high-voltage insulators.EP 3 661 339 A1 discloses a rack adapted for receiving one or more components. The rack includes a backplane, a pair of side panels extending from the backplane and internal support members on each side to receive and mechanically guide an initial alignment of components upon their initial insertion in the rack. A pair of male connectors mounted to the backplane is configured to mate with a corresponding pair of female connectors of each component to mechanically guide a final alignment of each component when the component is further inserted in the rack. Mechanical guidance may also be provided by, or supplemented with, a connection capable of providing liquid cooling to the rack. A system including the rack and the component inserted in the rack is also disclosed. Such racks, colloquially also non as 19"-racks are a standard component in data centers for mounting, supplying, and cooling servers and other IT equipment. Recently, these types of racks have also received much attention in the field of energy storage, even in high-voltage systems. These racks can be used to build up large strings of fast charging and