Patent Description:
The use of traditional fire suppression systems and chemicals is often ineffective in stopping thermal runaway in high density Li-Ion energy storage systems.

Some high density Li-Ion energy storage systems may incorporate water impingement fire suppression systems that provide water directly to battery cells to prevent thermal runaway situations. However, such water impingement fire suppression systems typically use a lot of water, as a suppressant, and require constant connection to an external source such as a supply or multiple connections with tankers carrying suppressant. <CIT> discloses a charging battery cabinet and a firefighting system for preventing the propagation of a thermal runaway in the charging battery cabinet. The charging cabinet comprises vertical frames that are separated from each other in a horizontal direction. Horizontal trays are fixed to the vertical frames and support a plurality of battery modules. The firefighting system comprises a pipe system comprising a plurality of vertically extending pipes. A tank containing water is placed above the charging battery cabinet. When a thermal runaway is detected, water contained in the tank feeds a sprinkler placed above the modules. After having been sprayed on the battery modules, the water falls into a water collection tank. When the tank is empty and all the water has been collected by the water collection tank, a pump pumps the water back into the tank.

Some embodiments of the present disclosure address the above problems and other problems of related art.

For example, some embodiments of the present disclosure negate the requirement for a constant connection to an outside source or a tanker to supply suppressant. Some embodiments of present disclosure mitigate battery module to battery module fire propagation as well as provide limited battery cell to battery cell fire propagation prevention, alleviating much of the risk of catastrophic loss due to fire.

A first object of the invention is a containerized battery energy storage system comprising:.

In an embodiment, a pump of the at least one pump is configured to pump the suppressant to at least one first vertically extending pipe of the plurality of vertically extending pipes via one of at least one second vertically extending pipe of the plurality of vertically extending pipes, such that the slots of each of the at least one first vertically extending pipe supply the suppressant. In an embodiment, the drain is configured to supply the suppressant, that is supplied by the slots of the plurality of first vertically extending pipes, to the tank of the at least one tank, and the floor of the container further comprises an additional drain, the additional drain configured to supply the suppressant, that is supplied by the slots of the plurality of second vertically extending pipes, to an additional tank of the at least one tank. In an embodiment, the tank and the additional tank are connected to each other such that one of the at least one pump is configured to pump the suppressant stored in the additional tank into one of the at least one first vertically extending pipe via the tank.

In an embodiment, the fire suppression system further comprises: a controller comprising at least one processor, wherein the at least one first vertically extending pipe is a plurality of first vertically extending pipes, the at least one second vertically extending pipe is a plurality of second vertically extending pipes, the pipe system further comprises a first valve that connects the plurality of first vertically extending pipes to a horizontally extending pipe, the first valve configured to control a flow of the suppressant to all of the plurality of first vertically extending pipes, and the pipe system further comprises a second valve that connects the plurality of second vertically extending pipes to the horizontally extending pipe, the second valve configured to control a flow of the suppressant to all of the plurality of second vertically extending pipes, and the controller is configured to selectively control the first valve and the second valve.

In an embodiment, the fire suppression system further comprises a controller comprising at least one processor, wherein the pipe system further comprises a plurality of valves, including respective valves configured to control flow of the suppressant to each of the plurality of vertically extending pipes, and the controller is configured to selectively control the plurality of valves.

In an embodiment, the horizontally extending pipe is mounted to a top of the container.

In an embodiment, an additional container is provided, said additional container being configured to receive frames that are separated from each other in the horizontal direction, each of the frames received by the additional container comprising battery modules that are stacked in the vertical direction, an additional pipe system comprising at least one vertically extending pipe, each of the at least one vertically extending pipe of the additional pipe system configured to be provided between a respective two of the frames of the additional container and configured to supply suppressant to at least one of the battery modules of each of the respective two of the frames of the additional container via slots of the vertically extending pipe of the additional pipe system, wherein the at least one tank is outside the container and the additional container, and the at least one tank is connected to the pipe system and the additional pipe system.

In an embodiment, each of the slots extend in a horizontal plane and are configured to output the suppressant in a flat spray pattern.

A second object of the invention is a method for forming a containerized battery energy storage system. The method comprises: providing an ISO container comprising a floor and frames, inside the container, the frames separated from each other in a horizontal direction, each of the frames comprising battery modules that are stacked in a vertical direction, and providing a pipe system comprising a plurality of vertically extending pipes, that are spaced from each other in the horizontal direction, and further comprising a horizontally extending pipe that communicates the plurality of vertically extending pipes with each other, each of the vertically extending pipes provided between a respective two of the frames and supplying suppressant to at least one of the battery modules of each of the respective two of the frames via slots of the vertically extending pipe; providing a plurality of tanks placed under the floor and distinct from the floor or a plurality of tanks having top surfaces, the top surfaces being portions of the floor, the tanks being interconnected in such a way that any single pump has access to the suppressant between the tanks, and the tanks being connected to the pipe system and storing the suppressant; the tanks being connected to drains within the floor of the container, that allow suppressant supplied by the vertically extending pipes to return to the tanks; and providing at least one pump, and connecting the at least one pump via a tube to at least one vertically extending pipe or connecting the at least one pump to the horizontally extending pipe via a connection pipe, the at least one pump recirculating the suppressant, supplied by the slots of each of the vertically extending pipes of the pipe system, to the pipe system or a tank of the plurality of tanks.

In embodiments of the pressure disclosure, low volume direct impingement fire suppression systems for containerized Battery Energy Storage Systems (BESS) are provided.

According to embodiments of the present disclosure, low volume direct impingement fire suppression systems are provided, wherein the system is a captured closed loop system that recirculates suppressant. For example, the systems may pump suppressant to an event (e.g. a fire) by using, for example, one or more pumps, capture the suppressant, and return the suppressant to, for example, one or more tanks to be distributed repeatedly. Tanks of the present disclosure may be associated with anti-evaporation drains and a visual gauge to indicate refill requirements during maintenance (e.g. annual maintenance).

According to embodiments of the present disclosure, a fixed volume of water may be used in the captured closed loop systems. Accordingly, the captured closed loop systems may thwart the need for connected or continuous water supply and may alleviate the need for contaminated wastewater or spill containment. Embodiments of the present disclosure have been tested and shown to be effective against the thermal propagation between Li-Ion battery modules. Embodiments of the present disclosure may also resist a thermal loss of suppressant.

<FIG> illustrates a perspective view of a fire suppression system <NUM>. <FIG> illustrates a side view of the fire suppression system <NUM>.

With reference to <FIG>, a fire suppression system <NUM> of an embodiment may include a pipe system <NUM> that is provided with a container <NUM>.

The container <NUM> is any standard or customized ISO container. In an embodiment, the container <NUM> is up to <NUM> (<NUM> feet) in length. In an embodiment, the container <NUM> is an IM20HE prototype container. The pipe system <NUM> may include a suppressant interface <NUM>, a connection pipe <NUM>, a horizontal extending pipe <NUM>, and vertical extending pipes <NUM>. The horizontal extending pipe <NUM> may be connected to a ceiling of the container <NUM> by struts <NUM>. The fire suppression system <NUM> may also include component <NUM> within an underside <NUM> of the container <NUM>, below a floor <NUM> of the container <NUM>. The components <NUM> may include, for example, pipes for transferring the suppressant, tanks for holding the suppressant, and pumps for pumping the suppressant to the pipe system <NUM> for supplying the suppressant to an event (e.g. a fire). The components <NUM> may be provided between the I-beam support structure at the underside <NUM> of the container <NUM>.

The suppressant interface <NUM> may be an inlet body configured to introduce suppressant (e.g. water) into the container <NUM> to be supplied to the vertical extending pipes <NUM>, via the connection pipe <NUM> and the horizontal extending pipe <NUM>. In some embodiments, the suppressant interface <NUM> may be connected to another part of the fire suppression system (e.g. a holding tank(s)), that is not shown in <FIG>, and may be configured to enable the suppressant to recirculate to the vertical extending pipes <NUM>. In some embodiments, the suppressant interface <NUM> may be a snoot that is a Fire Department (FD) connection for a fire hose to supply suppressant (e.g. water) to the fire suppression system <NUM>. The snoot may have a size in accordance with standards for FD connections for any country, and may be adapted to conform with any of such standards. The suppressant interface <NUM> may include a valve (e.g. a check valve) that prevents suppressant from leaving through the snoot and prevents a fire hose connected to the snoot from over filling tanks of the fire suppression systems of the present disclosure. The snoots of the present disclosure may be used to allow for "top off" of suppressant during scheduled maintenance of the fire suppression systems of the present disclosure. In the embodiments of the present disclosure, the snoot may be configured to connect to an external suppressant source (e.g. a fire hose or a tank) so as to provide an initial fill of the tanks of the fire suppression systems for recirculation of suppressant, additional suppressant when a fire department arrives, and an emergency backup water source in case pumps or other components of the fire suppressant systems for recirculation becomes inoperable.

The horizontal extending pipe <NUM> is an overhead supply pipe connected to the vertical extending pipes <NUM>, and configured to supply suppressant to the vertical extending pipes <NUM>. The vertical extending pipes <NUM> may be a series of modular distribution pipes that each include a plurality of openings <NUM> configured to distribute suppressant to battery modules <NUM>, as discussed further below. Each of the openings <NUM> located on the vertical extending pipes <NUM> may be modular specific, and the locations of the openings <NUM> may be set based on the height and horizontal location of variable types of bodies <NUM> and variable stacks of battery modules <NUM>. Each of the openings <NUM> may be a slot. In embodiments, the openings <NUM> may provide a suppressant flow in flat customizable patterns that spray across the battery modules. In embodiments, the vertical extending pipes <NUM> and their openings <NUM> may be placed such that suppressant flowing into the suppressant interface <NUM>, or from a holding tank(s) of the fire suppression system <NUM>, may reach every battery module <NUM> within the container <NUM> via the openings <NUM>.

In embodiments, the vertical extending pipes <NUM> may be associated with one or more electronic valves that can be controlled by any device, including, for example, a fire panel, a pull station, etc., to selectively supply suppressant to none, all, or particular ones of the vertical extending pipes <NUM> for releasing suppressant. Accordingly, the electronic valves may be used to spray suppressant on selected battery modules.

The underside <NUM> of the container <NUM> may include various components for recirculation or holding of the suppressant. For example, the underside <NUM> may include the pipes which are connected to drains <NUM>, illustrated in <FIG>. The drains <NUM> may be configured to recover the suppressant supplied by the vertical extending pipes <NUM> and provide the suppressant to the components <NUM>. The components <NUM> may be connected to, for example, a tank (not shown) within the underside <NUM> of the container <NUM>, or outside of the container <NUM>, for storing the suppressant until needed again to be supplied to a battery module(s) by one or more of the vertical extending pipes <NUM>.

With reference to <FIG>, the container <NUM> holds bodies <NUM>, each of the bodies <NUM> may hold a respective set of battery modules <NUM> in a vertical stack, and each of the battery modules <NUM> may include battery cells <NUM>. In embodiments, the battery cells <NUM> may be, for example, Li-Ion battery cells. The combination of the container <NUM> with the bodies <NUM>, the battery modules <NUM>, and the battery cells <NUM> may be considered a BESS system. The components of the fire suppression systems of the present disclosure may be implemented with BESS systems during an assembly process of the BESS systems, but can also be fitted into existing containers of BESS systems. For example, the components of the fire suppression systems of the present disclosure may be adapted to BESS systems located in occupied or high hazard facilities in compliance with NPFA regulations.

In an embodiment, the bodies <NUM> may be frames that include openings that expose one or more sides of the battery modules <NUM> to an outside of the bodies <NUM>, and the bodies <NUM> may be separated from each other in a horizontal plane. The bodies <NUM> may be configured to hold the battery modules <NUM> such that there are through spaces <NUM>, through the bodies <NUM>, above each of the battery modules <NUM>. A top surface of each of the battery modules <NUM> may communicate with an outside of the bodies <NUM> via the through spaces <NUM>.

Containers of the present disclosure may hold the bodies <NUM> in any configuration, including any number of rows, any number of columns, and any number of bodies <NUM>. As a non-limiting example, with reference to <FIG>, the bodies <NUM> may be provided in two rows within the container <NUM>, wherein the rows mirror each other along a central lengthwise axis of the container <NUM>. The battery modules <NUM> may be, for example, the group of battery cells <NUM> or a body that retains the battery cells <NUM>.

With reference to <FIG>, the horizontal extending pipe <NUM> may be positioned overhead and between the rows of bodies <NUM>, and each of the vertical extending pipes <NUM> may extend downward, from the horizontal extending pipe <NUM>, to directly between a respective two of the bodies <NUM>. Each of the vertical extending pipes <NUM> may be configured to, via the openings <NUM> provided thereon, provide (e.g. spray) the suppressant onto all of the battery modules <NUM> held by the respective bodies <NUM> in which the vertical extending pipe <NUM> is between. In an embodiment, the suppressant may be provided to a top face of each of the battery modules <NUM> by the openings <NUM> of the vertical extending pipes <NUM> providing the suppressant to the through spaces <NUM>.

With reference to <FIG>, example positions of the openings <NUM> on the vertical extending pipes <NUM> and example spray patterns <NUM> of the openings <NUM> are described. <FIG> illustrates one of the vertical extending pipes <NUM> and one of the bodies <NUM>, with some battery modules <NUM> omitted for illustrative purposes. It is to be understood that the vertical extending pipe <NUM> illustrated in <FIG> may be sandwiched between the body <NUM> and another body <NUM> that is presently not shown for illustrative purposes.

With reference to <FIG>, each of the vertical extending pipes <NUM> may include, for example, a series of pairs <NUM> of cuts, as the openings <NUM>, spaced along the vertical extending pipe <NUM> in the vertical direction. For each pair <NUM> of cuts of a vertical extending pipe <NUM>, each cut of the pair <NUM> may face towards a respective body <NUM> and provide a respective spray pattern <NUM> of suppressant. Accordingly, each cut of the pairs <NUM> may provide a respective spray pattern <NUM> on to a respective battery module <NUM>. With reference to <FIG>, the pairs <NUM> of cuts may be positioned such that the suppressant of the spray patterns <NUM> is provided between a top of each of the battery modules <NUM> and the shelves <NUM> of the body <NUM> that hold the battery modules <NUM>. Accordingly, suppressant may be provided to a top surface of each of the battery modules <NUM>.

With reference to <FIG>, a non-limiting example shape of the pairs <NUM> of cuts are described. <FIG> illustrate a partial view of the vertical extending pipe <NUM> where one pair <NUM> of cuts is located.

In particular, <FIG> illustrates a partial side view of a portion of a vertical extending pipe <NUM> of embodiments that includes the pair of cuts <NUM>. With reference to <FIG>, the partial side view is from a perspective along the extending direction of the horizontal pipe <NUM>. <FIG> illustrates a partial front view of the portion. With reference to <FIG>, the partial front view is from a prospective of one of the bodies <NUM>, towards the horizontal extending pipe <NUM> where a vertical extending pipe <NUM> is connected.

With reference to <FIG>, each of the pairs <NUM> of cuts may include a first slot cut 242A and second slot cut 242B on opposite sides of the vertical extending pipe <NUM> in the horizontal plane. The first slot cut 242A and the second slot cut 242B may be configured to each provide a respective spray pattern <NUM> of suppressant to a battery module <NUM> of a respective body <NUM> that is adjacent to the vertical extending pipe <NUM>. In other words, the first slot cut 242A may provide suppressant to a battery module <NUM> of one body <NUM> and the second slot cut 242B may provide suppressant to a battery module <NUM> of another body <NUM>.

In embodiments, as illustrated in <FIG>, a shape of the second slot cut 242B may extend in the horizontal direction and have a narrow height. The first slot cut 242A may have a same shape as the second slot cut 242B, and may be provided such that the first slot cut 242A and the second slot cut 242B, together, provide a hole through the vertical extending pipe <NUM> in the horizontal plane. In an embodiment, with reference to <FIG>, the first slot cut 242A and the second slot cut 242B may have a height of <NUM> (±. <NUM>) and a width of <NUM>. In the embodiment, with reference to <FIG>, the first slot cut 242A and the second slot cut 242B may have depth of <NUM> (± <NUM>). However, in embodiments of the present disclosure, the pairs of cuts <NUM> may be sized and shaped for a particular purpose or use in other embodiments.

With reference to <FIG>, a fire suppression system <NUM> is described, which is a modified version of the fire suppression system <NUM>. Descriptions of previously described elements are omitted. Additionally, while the elements illustrated in <FIG> may be provided in the container <NUM>, the walls and ceiling of the container <NUM> is omitted from <FIG> for illustrative purposes.

As illustrated in <FIG>, the fire suppression system <NUM> may include a plurality of groups of the vertical extending pipes <NUM>. As a non-limiting example, three groups 340A, 340B, and 340C may be included, wherein each of the groups 340A-C includes three vertical extending pipes <NUM>. However, embodiments of the present disclosure may include any number of groups and any number of vertical extending pipes <NUM> within each group. In embodiments, the vertical extending pipes <NUM> of each of the groups may be connected together via an intermediate horizontal pipe <NUM>, and the intermediate horizontal pipe <NUM> may be connected to the horizontal extending pipe <NUM> with a valve <NUM> (e.g. a check valve) disposed there between.

Each of the valves <NUM> may be configured to stop suppressant from flowing between one of the groups 340A-C of the vertical extending pipes <NUM> and the horizontal extending pipe. In embodiments, the valves <NUM> may be selectively controlled by a controller with at least one processor and memory. For example, the valves <NUM> may be controlled by the controller <NUM>, illustrated in <FIG>, based on an input to the controller <NUM> that indicates fire suppression is needed with respect to one or more battery modules <NUM>.

The fire suppression system <NUM> may also include a respective tank for each of the groups. For example, the fire suppression system <NUM> may include tanks 353A, 353B, and 353C. The tanks 353A-C may be placed in an underside of a container of the fire suppression system <NUM>. For example, the tanks 353A-C may be provided in the underside <NUM> of the container <NUM> that is illustrated in <FIG>. Additionally, as illustrated in <FIG>, the top surfaces <NUM> of the tanks 353A-C may be portions of the floor <NUM> of the container <NUM>. Alternatively, in embodiments, the tanks 353A-C may be placed under the floor <NUM> and distinct from the floor <NUM>. In embodiments, the tanks 353A-C may consume all available space between an I-Beam support structure within the underside <NUM> of the container <NUM>. The tanks 353A-C are connected to drains <NUM>, within the floor <NUM> of the container <NUM>, that allows suppressant supplied by the vertical extending pipes <NUM> to return to the tanks 353A-C.

With reference to <FIG>, each of the tanks 353A-C may be associated with a pump that can distribute the contents of the tank, in which it is associated, into the group of vertical extending pipes <NUM> that is above the tank. For illustrative purposes, <FIG> illustrates the tanks 353A-C with a bottom wall of the tanks 353A-C removed. In embodiments, as illustrated in <FIG>, the pumps <NUM> A-C may be included in the tanks 353A-C. The tank 353A-C are interconnected in such a way that any single pump has access to the suppressant in all of the tanks 353A-C. For example, as illustrated in <FIG>, the tanks 353A-C are connected together by tubes <NUM> that transfer the suppressant between the tanks 353A-C. The tubes <NUM> may be, for example, one or more pipes or hoses.

Each of the pumps 356A-C may be connected, via a tube <NUM>, to one or more of the vertical extending pipes <NUM> of a respective one of the groups 340A-C, so as to be configured to pump suppressant to the vertical extending pipes <NUM>. For example, as illustrated in <FIG>, the pump 356A may be connected via a tube <NUM> to the vertical extending pipe <NUM> that is at the center of the group 340A, the pump 356B may be connected via a tube <NUM> to the vertical extending pipe <NUM> that is at the center of the group 340B, and the pump 356C may be connected via a tube <NUM> (not shown) to the vertical extending pipe <NUM> that is at the center of the group 340C. Accordingly, each of the pumps 356A-C may pump suppressant into the center vertical extending pipe <NUM> of a respective one of the groups 340A-C. The tubes <NUM> may be, for example, one or more pipes or hoses.

With the above configuration, the pump 356A may pump suppressant such that all of the vertical extending pipes <NUM> of the group 340A supply suppressant, the pump 356B may pump suppressant such that all of the vertical extending pipes <NUM> of the group 340B supply suppressant, and the pump 356C may pump suppressant such that all of the vertical extending pipes <NUM> of the group 340C supply suppressant.

Depending on electronic control of the valves <NUM>, any one of the pumps 356A-C may also pump suppressant to a neighboring group(s) of vertical extending pipes <NUM> such that the neighboring group(s) of vertical extending pipes <NUM> supply suppressant. For example, when the valve <NUM> above the group 340A is in an open state and the pump 356A is pumping suppressant, the pump 356A may cause suppressant to be supplied to the group 340A and to the horizontal extending pipe <NUM>. Accordingly, in a case where the valve <NUM> above the group 340B is also in an open state, the pump 356A may cause the suppressant to be supplied to the group 340B such that the group 340B supplies the suppressant. In a case where the valve <NUM> above the group 340C is also in an open state, the pump 356A may cause the suppressant to be supplied to the group 340C such that the group 340C supplies the suppressant. Alternatively, when the valve <NUM> above the group 340A is in a close state and the pump 356A is pumping suppressant, the pump 356A may cause suppressant to be supplied only to group 340A such that group 340A supplies the suppressant. Accordingly, selective release of suppressant among groups 340A-C is realized.

In embodiments, the fire suppression system <NUM> may alternatively or additionally have a respective valve (e.g. check valve) associated with each vertical extending pipe <NUM>. Accordingly, based on the electronic control of such valves, one or more of the pumps 340A-C may supply to one or more of the vertical extending pipes <NUM> that are selected for releasing suppressant. Accordingly, selective release of suppressant among vertical extending pipes <NUM> in a same group is realized.

In embodiments, the fire suppression system <NUM> may only include a single pump, instead of pumps 356A-C. For example, any two of the pumps 356A-C may be omitted. The single pump may pump suppressant to any number of the groups 340A-C and any number of vertical extending pipes <NUM> of the groups 340A-C, for releasing suppressant, based on the selective control of the valves described above.

With reference to <FIG>, a fire suppression system <NUM> is described, which is a modified version of the fire suppression system <NUM>. The descriptions of previously described elements are omitted. Additionally, while the elements illustrated in <FIG> may be provided in the container <NUM>, at least the walls and ceiling of the container <NUM> are omitted from <FIG> for illustrative purposes.

The fire suppression system <NUM> may be similar to the fire suppression system <NUM>, illustrated in <FIG>, except may have at least the following differences.

The vertical extending pipes <NUM> may be connected to the horizontal extending pipe <NUM>, without an intermediate horizontal pipe <NUM> disposed there between as provided in the fire suppression system <NUM>. Further, instead of having the valve configuration illustrated in <FIG>, the fire suppression system <NUM> includes a respective valve <NUM>, that is electronically controllable, between each vertical extending pipe <NUM> and the horizontal extending pipe <NUM>. The valves <NUM> may be, for example, check valves.

Each of the valves <NUM> may be configured to stop suppressant from flowing to a respective one of the vertical extending pipes <NUM> from the horizontal extending pipe <NUM>, and vice versa in some embodiments. In embodiments, the valves <NUM> may be selectively controlled by a controller with at least one processor and memory. For example, the valves <NUM> may be controlled by the controller <NUM>, illustrated in <FIG>, based on an input to the controller <NUM> that indicates fire suppression is needed with respect to one or more battery modules <NUM>.

The fire suppression system <NUM> may include a pump <NUM> that is outside an underneath of the container <NUM>, instead of the pumps 356A-C of the fire suppression system <NUM>. For example, as illustrated in <FIG>, the pump <NUM> may be on top of the floor <NUM> of the container <NUM>. Alternatively, the pump may be outside of the container <NUM>. After suppressant is collected by the drains <NUM>, the pump <NUM> may be configured to pump the suppressant, that is underneath the floor <NUM> in the tanks 353A-C, to the horizontal extending pipe <NUM> via the connection pipe <NUM>. Accordingly, depending on control of the valves <NUM>, the pump <NUM> may pump the suppressant to a selected vertical extending pipe(s) <NUM> for releasing the suppressant through the openings of the vertical extending pipe(s) <NUM>.

With reference to <FIG>, a fire suppression system <NUM> which is not part of the invention is described, which is a modified embodiment of the fire suppression system <NUM>. The descriptions of previously described elements are omitted. Additionally, while the elements illustrated in <FIG> may be provided in the container <NUM>, the container <NUM> is omitted from <FIG> for illustrative purposes.

As illustrated in <FIG>, the fire suppression system <NUM> which is not part of the invention may include a tank <NUM>, instead of the tanks 353A-C illustrated in <FIG>. The tank <NUM> may be located on top of the container <NUM> occupying part or all available space on top of the container <NUM>. The tank <NUM> may be connected to the connecting pipe <NUM> such that the tank <NUM> may supply suppressant to the horizontal extending pipe <NUM>. In the underside <NUM> of the container <NUM> (not shown in <FIG>), tubes <NUM> may be provided instead of the tanks 353A-C. The tubes <NUM> may include, for example, one or more pipes or hoses. The tubes <NUM> may connect the drains <NUM> to a pump <NUM>. With reference to <FIG>, the pump <NUM> may be located in the underside <NUM> of the container <NUM>. However, the pump <NUM> may alternatively be located outside of the container <NUM> or inside the container <NUM>, above the floor <NUM> of the container <NUM>.

In such configurations, the pump <NUM> may be configured to pump the suppressant collected by the drains <NUM> and the tubes <NUM> to the tank <NUM> to be held. In embodiments, the pump <NUM> may be controlled by the controller <NUM>, illustrated in <FIG>, to pump the suppressant when the controller <NUM> detects suppressant nearby the pump <NUM> via a sensor. The tank <NUM> may be configured to gravity feed the suppressant to the horizontal extending pipe <NUM> via a connection at a bottom side of the tank <NUM>. Accordingly, depending on control of the valves <NUM>, the tank <NUM> may supply the suppressant to a selected vertical extending pipe(s) <NUM> for releasing the suppressant.

In embodiments, a second pump may be provided in the tank <NUM> or between the tank <NUM> and the horizontal extending pipe <NUM>, and the second pump may be configured to pump suppressant to one or more of the vertical extending pipes <NUM> via the horizontal extending pipe <NUM>.

With reference to <FIG>, a system <NUM> is described.

As illustrated in <FIG>, the system <NUM> includes a plurality of the fire suppression systems <NUM>, wherein a tank <NUM> and a pump system <NUM>, comprising at least one pump, is provided outside the containers <NUM> of the fire suppression systems <NUM>. The tank <NUM> may be placed on a surface of the ground, or in an approved application, placed underground to protect it from the environment. The tank <NUM> may be connected to the pump system <NUM> by a first tubing system <NUM> that may include, for example, one or more pipes or hoses. The pump system <NUM> may be connected to the suppressant interfaces <NUM> of the suppression systems <NUM> by a second tubing system <NUM> that may include, for example, pipes or hoses provided in parallel. And the tank <NUM> may be connected to the suppression systems <NUM> by a third tubing system <NUM> that may include, for example, pipes or hoses provided in parallel. With reference to <FIG> and <FIG>, the third tubing system <NUM> may be connected to the components <NUM> that are provided in the underside <NUM> of the containers <NUM>. The pump system <NUM> may cause suppressant stored in the tank <NUM> to be supplied to the fire suppression systems via the first tubing system <NUM> and the second tubing system <NUM>. With reference to <FIG> and <FIG>, after the fire suppression systems <NUM> releases the suppressant via one or more vertical extending pipes <NUM> and the suppressant is collected by the drains <NUM> of the fire suppression systems <NUM>, the suppressant may be returned to the tank <NUM> via the third tubing system <NUM>.

For example, for each of the suppression systems <NUM>, a pump of the suppression system <NUM> may be configured to return the suppressant, that is collected by the drains <NUM> of the fire suppression system <NUM>, to the tank <NUM> via the third tubing system <NUM>. The pump system <NUM> may be configured to selectively pump suppressant to one or more of the suppression systems <NUM> via the second tubing system <NUM>. Accordingly, the pump system <NUM> may be configured to cause the vertical extending pipes <NUM> of the fire suppression systems <NUM> to release suppressant onto battery modules <NUM>.

Although system <NUM> has been described to include the fire suppression systems <NUM>. The system <NUM> may alternatively or additionally include other fire suppression systems. For example, the system <NUM> may include one or more of the fire suppression systems <NUM>-<NUM>.

According to the above configurations, the tank <NUM> and the pump system <NUM> of the system <NUM> may provide fire suppression to a group of containers configured as BESS systems.

In embodiments, the tank <NUM> may include its own suppressant interface (e.g. a fire hose connection)such that a fire department can fill the tank <NUM> with suppressant, without approaching the fire suppression systems <NUM>.

With reference to <FIG>, the fire suppression systems of the present disclosure may include a controller <NUM> that comprises at least one processor and memory storing computer instructions that, when executed by the at least one processor, causes the controller <NUM> to perform its functions. The controller <NUM> may control a suppressant flow of the fire suppression systems by controlling valves <NUM> to selectively open and close and pumps <NUM> to pump suppressant. The valves <NUM> controlled may include for, example, valves <NUM>, valves <NUM>, and all other valves of the present disclosure. The pumps <NUM> controlled may include, for example, pumps 356A-C, pump <NUM>, pump <NUM>, pump system <NUM>, and all other pumps of the present disclosure. The controller <NUM> may control the valves <NUM> and the pumps <NUM> based on sensor inputs or inputs from a fire panel, a pull station, etc, to selectively cause one or more of the vertical extending pipes <NUM> to supply suppressant to battery modules <NUM> or a holding tank.

In embodiments, the controller <NUM> may be configured to determine suppressant levels of the fire suppression systems based on sensor inputs, and display the suppressant levels on a display (e.g. a digital display). Alternatively or additionally, the fire suppression systems of the present disclosure may include gauges that indicate suppressant levels.

According to embodiments of the present disclosure, a requirement for a constant connection to an outside source or a tanker to supply suppressant may be negated, battery module to battery module fire propagation may be mitigated, and some prevention of battery cell to battery cell fire propagation may be provided. Accordingly, much of the risk of catastrophic loss due to fire is alleviated.

Claim 1:
A containerized battery energy storage system comprising:
a) a standard ISO container (<NUM>) comprising a floor (<NUM>) and having frames (<NUM>) that are separated from each other in a horizontal direction, each of the frames comprising battery modules (<NUM>) that are stacked in a vertical direction,
b) a fire suppression system (<NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>) including:
i) a pipe system (<NUM>) comprising a plurality of vertically extending pipes (<NUM>), that are spaced from each other in the horizontal direction, and further comprising a horizontally extending pipe (<NUM>) that communicates the plurality of vertically extending pipes (<NUM>) with each other, each of the vertically extending pipes being provided between a respective two of the frames (<NUM>) and supplying suppressant to at least one of the battery modules (<NUM>) of each of the respective two of the frames (<NUM>) via slots (<NUM>) of the vertically extending pipe,;
ii) a plurality of tanks (353A, 353B, 353C) placed under the floor and distinct from the floor or a plurality of tanks having top surfaces (<NUM>), the top surfaces being portions of the floor, the tanks being interconnected (<NUM>) in such a way that any single pump has access to the suppressant in all of the tanks, and the tanks being connected to the pipe system (<NUM>) and storing the suppressant; the tanks being connected to drains (<NUM>) within the floor of the container, that allow suppressant supplied by the vertically extending pipes to return to the tanks and
iii) at least one pump (356A, 356B, 356C) being connected via a tube (<NUM>) to at least one vertically extending pipe (<NUM>) or connected to the horizontally extending pipe (<NUM>) via a connection pipe (<NUM>), thereby recirculating the suppressant, supplied by the slots (<NUM>) of each of the vertically extending pipes of the pipe system (<NUM>), to the pipe system or a tank of the plurality of tanks (353A, 353B, 353C).