WO2021234300A1 - Electrical power cable for a vehicle - Google Patents

Abstract

Electrical power cable (1, 1', 1'') for a vehicle, the cable comprising: a central element (3, 4) extending along an axis (X), a sheath (2) extending around the central element (3, 4), a plurality of reinforcing walls (8, 9, 13) each extending radially between the sheath (2) and the central element (3, 4), and defining a plurality of peripheral spaces (10, 11, 15) occupying different respective angular sectors around the axis (1), and an electrical conductor (12) extending in one of the peripheral spaces (10, 11, 15) so as to allow the peripheral space to be occupied by a cooling fluid in contact with the electric conductor.

Description

DESCRIPTION

TITLE: Electric power supply cable for vehicles FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to a power supply cable for a vehicle, and a method of supplying power to a vehicle by means of such a cable.

STATE OF THE ART

When a current flows through a power supply cable, this cable heats up. Such heating can in particular be significant in an electric power supply cable for a vehicle, where a significant power can be mobilized.

One solution to limit this heating could be to increase the section of the electrical conductor (s) of the cable. But this has the disadvantage of making the cable bulky.

To limit this heating without however being confronted with this problem of bulk, it has been proposed to inject such a cable with a heat transfer fluid making it possible to cool its electrical conductors.

In particular, document US 2019/0237218 describes an electrical cable for a vehicle comprising electrical conductors organized so as to form a tube defining a central space. A cooling fluid circulates in this central space, as well as around this tube, in a peripheral space.

However, the integrity of the tubular structure formed by the electrical conductors of this cable may be compromised during handling of the cable, for example when the cable is flexed. In particular, the conductor risks being bent or collapsing on itself, obstructing the flow of fluid in the central space. This has the consequence of degrading the cooling performance of the cable.

DISCLOSURE OF THE INVENTION

An object of the invention is to obtain an electric cable whose heating is more effectively limited without increasing the section of its conductors.

To this end, there is proposed, according to a first aspect, an electric power supply cable for a vehicle, the cable comprising: a central element extending along an axis, a sheath extending around the central element, a plurality of reinforcing walls each extending radially between the sheath and the central element, and delimiting a plurality of peripheral spaces occupying different respective angular sectors around the axis, an electrical conductor extending in one of the peripheral spaces, the electrical conductor being of suitable dimensions to allow the presence in the peripheral space of a cooling fluid in contact with the electrical conductor.

The invention according to the first aspect is advantageously supplemented by the following characteristics, taken alone or in any of their technically possible combination.

Preferably, at least two of the angular sectors are of identical dimensions.

Preferably, the number of peripheral spaces is greater than or equal to three.

Preferably, the electrical conductor has a diameter smaller than the radial distance separating the central element from the sheath.

Preferably, the central element is a tube defining a central space, the central element fluidly isolating the central space from the peripheral spaces.

Preferably, the cable comprises a holding element arranged to keep the electrical conductor away from the sheath and allow the presence of a cooling fluid between the sheath and the electrical conductor.

Preferably, the cable comprises a plurality of electrical conductors, each electrical conductor extending in one of the peripheral spaces and being of suitable dimensions to allow the presence of a cooling fluid in contact with the electrical conductor in the corresponding peripheral space. .

Preferably, the plurality of electrical conductors form a strand extending around the central member, the strand having a direction of stranding going to the right and to the left alternately along the axis.

Preferably, the cable comprises a holding element arranged to keep each electrical conductor in contact with another electrical conductor and / or to keep the electrical conductors fixed with respect to one another.

Preferably, the retaining member is wrapped around the plurality of electrical conductors.

Preferably, the retaining member extends between the sheath and the plurality of reinforcing walls.

Preferably, at least one of the reinforcement walls bears on the sheath. Preferably, at least one of the reinforcing walls is at a distance from the central element, and resting on at least one of the electrical conductors.

Preferably, the reinforcing wall at a distance from the central element extends in a groove delimited by two adjacent electrical conductors, so that the two adjacent electrical conductors limit a travel path of the reinforcing wall around the axis with respect to the two adjacent electrical conductors.

Preferably, at least one of the reinforcing walls forms a separate part from the sheath and from the central element.

Preferably, at least one of the reinforcing walls projects radially from the central element towards the sheath, or even is in one piece with the central element.

Preferably, each peripheral space contains at least one electrical conductor.

Preferably, the cable comprises a cooling fluid in contact with the electrical conductor in one of the peripheral spaces.

Preferably, there is provided, according to a second aspect, a method of supplying electric power to a vehicle by means of a cable according to the first aspect of the invention, comprising the injection of a cooling fluid into the vehicle. peripheral space where the electrical conductor extends, so that the cooling fluid comes into contact with the electrical conductor.

The method according to the second aspect is advantageously completed by the following characteristics, taken alone or in any of their technically possible combination.

Preferably, the method further comprises a placing in fluid communication of the central space with the peripheral space where the electrical conductor extends, and a circulation of the cooling fluid so that the cooling fluid circulates successively in the peripheral space where the electrical conductor extends in a first direction, and in the central space in a second direction opposite to the first direction.

Preferably, the method comprises fluid communication of the peripheral space of the cable where the electrical conductor extends with a peripheral space of another cable according to the first aspect of the invention where another electrical conductor extends. , circulation of the cooling fluid in the respective peripheral spaces of the two cables, so that the cooling fluid circulates successively in the peripheral space of one of the two cables, and in the peripheral space of the other cable . Preferably, the two cables are arranged side by side, so that the cooling fluid circulates in the peripheral space of one of the two cables in a first direction, and in the peripheral space of the other cable in a second direction. opposite sense to the first sense.

First, the radially extending reinforcing walls have the effect of preventing radial sagging of the peripheral spaces which could decrease the flow rate of a cooling fluid circulating therein, and thus deteriorate the cooling performance of the cable.

Second, placing the conductor in one of the spaces limits the radial bulk of the cable.

DESCRIPTION OF FIGURES

Other characteristics, aims and advantages of the invention will emerge from the following description, which is purely illustrative and not limiting, and which should be read with reference to the accompanying drawings in which:

• Figure 1 is a section of a power supply cable according to a first embodiment.

• Figure 2 is a side perspective view of a plurality of electrical conductors forming a strand according to one embodiment.

• Figure 3 is a section of a power supply cable according to a second embodiment.

• Figure 4 is a section of a power supply cable according to a third embodiment.

• Figure 5 is a longitudinal section of the pair of cables shown in Figure 5 and a connector.

• Figure 6 is a partial perspective view of a pair of power supply cables according to the third embodiment.

• Figure 7 is a section of a power supply cable according to a fourth embodiment.

In all of the figures, similar elements bear identical references.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

Referring to Figure 1, an electric power supply cable 1 for a vehicle according to a first embodiment has an oblong shape along an X axis (this X axis is perpendicular to Figure 1 and visible in Figure 2) . Cable 1 comprises a sheath 2 extending around the X axis. The sheath 2 has an annular wall extending 360 degrees around the X axis.

The sheath 2 is made of a polymer material.

The cable 1 also comprises a central element 4 surrounded by the sheath.

The central element 4 is a tube extending around the X axis, so as to define a central space 6 in which a cooling fluid can circulate.

The central element 4 has an external diameter smaller than the internal diameter of the sheath

2.

The central element 4 is for example made of a polymer or metallic material, or of a metallic material.

The cable 1 also comprises a plurality of reinforcing walls 8 each extending radially between the sheath 2 and the central element 4, and delimiting a plurality of peripheral spaces 10.

The central tube 4 fluidly isolates the central space 6 from the peripheral spaces 10 delimited by the plurality of reinforcing walls 8.

The peripheral spaces 10 occupy different respective angular sectors around the X axis. These angular sectors are preferably of identical dimensions.

FIG. 1 shows an exemplary embodiment in which the number of reinforcing walls 8 is equal to four; four peripheral spaces 10 are delimited by these four reinforcing walls 8, and extend over angular sectors of approximately 90 degrees (disregarding the respective thicknesses of the reinforcing walls). However, this number may be different. In general, the number of reinforcing walls is greater than or equal to two, preferably greater than or equal to three.

Each reinforcing wall 8 projects radially from the central element towards the sheath 2.

A reinforcing wall 8 may extend to the sheath 2, as shown in Figure 1. In this case, the reinforcing wall 8 connects the central element to the sheath 2, and separates two adjacent peripheral spaces. More precisely, this reinforcing wall fluidly isolates these two adjacent peripheral spaces from one another.

In a variant that is not illustrated, a reinforcing wall 8 may not extend as far as the sheath 2, so as to define with the sheath 2 a passage between two adjacent peripheral spaces 10. The reinforcing walls 8 are for example made of a polymer material.

Preferably, the sheath 2 and the central element 4 form two different parts, which simplifies the manufacture of the cable 1. A reinforcing wall 8 can be part of one of these two parts. In this case, the reinforcing wall is attached to the other part, for example by gluing or other means.

Very preferably, at least one of the reinforcing walls 8 forms a single piece with the central element 4, or even all of the reinforcing walls. In these cases, the part comprising at least one reinforcing wall 8 and the central element 4 can be formed by extrusion, in one or more operations.

As a variant, a reinforcing wall 8 can form a single piece with the sheath 2 and the central element. In this case, this single part can be manufactured by extrusion, but is less easy to manufacture than a sheath 2 and a central element 4 forming two separate parts then assembled together.

The cable 1 further comprises a plurality of electrical conductors 12 extending between the central element and the sheath 2, in the peripheral spaces 10.

The electrical conductors are distributed around the central element 4.

Each reinforcing wall 8 extends between two adjacent electrical conductors 12.

Each electrical conductor 12 is intended to carry an electric current from a first item of equipment to a second item of equipment, when the cable 1 is connected to these two items of equipment.

Each electrical conductor 12 is of suitable dimensions to allow the presence of a cooling fluid in the corresponding peripheral space 20, so that the fluid is in contact with the surface of this electrical conductor 12.

Each electrical conductor can be covered with a layer of polymer material. It is specified here that the term "electrical conductor" is used interchangeably, covered with a polymer material or not (that is to say naked) unless explicitly mentioned.

Each electrical conductor 12 has the shape of a strand, of generally circular or even circular section. The strand can itself comprise several sub-strands arranged side by side. A conductor having a strand shape is easier to obtain than a ring conductor. Furthermore, each electrical conductor 12 has a diameter smaller than the radial distance which separates the central element 4 from the sheath 2. Consequently, each electrical conductor 12 is not in simultaneous contact with the sheath 2 and with the central tube. .

Each reinforcing wall 8 has a radial length, that is to say measured in a radial direction perpendicular to the X axis, which is greater than the diameter of each electrical conductor 12.

Each electrical conductor 12 is for example made of a metallic material.

In the embodiment illustrated in Figure 1, the number of electrical conductors 12 is equal to eight, and each peripheral space 10 contains two of the electrical conductors 12.

Referring to Figure 2, the plurality of electrical conductors 12 form a strand 14 extending around the X axis, and in a direction parallel to the X axis. In other words, the electrical conductors are not. strictly parallel to the X axis of the cable, but rotate around this X axis along identical helical paths.

As a reminder, a conventional strand has a single direction of stranding, which is either to the right (in Z) or to the left (in S). To manufacture such a conventional strand, the electrical conductors which constitute it are twisted together by a machine comprising a fixed support, and a rotating element relative to the fixed support, and a plurality of reels mounted on the rotating element. Each electrical conductor is wrapped around one of the reels. In operation, the rotating element always rotates in the same direction of rotation, hence the need for the reels to be mounted on it. However, twisting with such a machine is difficult to implement. This machine is indeed bulky, poses safety problems, and the drivers are subjected to significant torsion which is difficult to control.

The strand 14 formed by the plurality of electrical conductors 12 differs from such a conventional strand in that its direction of stranding is not constant from end to end. On the contrary, as can be seen in FIG. 2, the strand 14 has a direction of stranding to the left and to the right, and this alternately. In other words, the strand 14 comprises sections having a right-hand stranding direction and sections having a left-hand stranding direction, which are arranged alternately in a direction parallel to the X axis of the cable. The two stranding directions of the strand 14 are illustrated by arrows rotating around the X axis in FIG. 2. This alternate stranding direction is advantageous because the strand 14 can be manufactured by a machine comprising a rotating element on which the reels are not necessarily mounted. Instead, the reels can simply be placed on stands fixed to the floor. During the operation of the machine, the conductors undergo limited and controlled twists. As a result, strand 14, whose stranding direction alternates right and left, can be made much more easily than a conventional strand with one direction of end-to-end stranding.

The reinforcing walls 8 follow the same type of path as the electrical conductors. Thus, the reinforcing walls do not extend parallel to the X axis, but follow a helical path rotating to the right and left of the X axis, alternately.

The cable 1 also comprises at least one retaining element 16 suitable for keeping the electrical conductors 12 fixed with respect to each other (this element not being shown in Figure 1 for greater readability). Thus, the retaining element 16 allows the electrical conductors 12 to maintain their helical path, and therefore the strand 14 to maintain its direction of alternating stranding to the right and to the left.

The retaining element 16 is further arranged to ensure that each electrical conductor 12 is in contact with at least one other electrical conductor 12.

The retaining element 16 is in the form of a wire or a ribbon surrounded around the strand 14. The retaining element can thus press each conductor against the central element. In the embodiment of FIG. 2, two retaining elements 16 surround the strand 14. These retaining elements 16 are wound in helical trajectories around the axis X. These helical trajectories are mutually opposed and their pitches are different. the stranding pitch of the strand 14.

Each retaining element 16 extends between the reinforcing walls 8 and the sheath 2.

To obtain the cable 1 shown in FIG. 1, the following steps are implemented:

• The part comprising the central element 4 and the reinforcing walls 8 is manufactured. This room defines the peripheral spaces, which are open to the outside at this point.

• The electrical conductors 12 are arranged around the central element 4, in the peripheral spaces defined between the reinforcing walls 8 so as to form the strand 14 described above.

• The or each retaining element 16 is wound around the strand 14 and the reinforcing walls 8, so as to maintain the conductors in a clamped position. against the central element 4, in contact with each other in pairs. Each retaining element 16 then bears on a radially outer free end of each reinforcing wall 8, as well as on the electrical conductors 12.

• The sheath 2 is arranged around the reinforcing walls 8, for example by extrusion, so as to come into contact with the free end of each reinforcing wall 8. Thus, each retaining element 16 is sandwiched between and by the reinforcing walls 8 and the sheath 2.

It should also be noted that an effect provided by each holding element 16 is to keep the electrical conductors 12 away from the sheath 2 and to allow the circulation of a cooling fluid between the sheath 2 and the electrical conductor.

A method of supplying power to a vehicle by means of the cable 1 according to the first embodiment comprises the following steps.

Cable 1 is connected to two pieces of equipment (not shown) so that its electrical conductors can transmit electric current from one of these pieces of equipment to the other equipment. For example, these two pieces of equipment are inside a vehicle, and cable 1 is also placed inside the vehicle. Alternatively, the cable 1 is outside the vehicle, and electrically connects an external electrical source to equipment internal to the vehicle, such as a battery for the purpose of recharging.

The peripheral spaces 10 of the cable 1 and the central space 6 of the cable 1 are placed in fluid communication, so as to form a cooling circuit forming a loop. Cable 1 can in particular include a connector at one of its two ends, this connector providing this fluid communication at one end of cable 1.

One of the two devices to which the cable is connected can also participate in forming the cooling loop.

The cooling loop comprises a pump and a heat sink, which may be part of cable 1, or, alternatively, of one of the equipment to which the cable is connected. For example, the heatsink can be part of a connector of the cable, coupled to one of the two pieces of equipment.

A cooling fluid is injected into the cooling loop. The pump is used for the cooling fluid to circulate in the peripheral spaces 10 in an outward direction, and in the central space 6 in a return direction, alternately.

The coolant is a heat transfer fluid (gas or liquid). The fluid is dielectric, to prevent it from being crossed by an electric current.

Preferably, the fluid can be an inert mineral oil, preferably a silicone oil. Silicone oil has the advantage of having a high flash point (around 460 ° C). Also, the fluid can be water. In this case, the electrical conductors 12 are necessarily provided with a polymer material to avoid electrical problems.

It will also be understood that the bare electrical conductor when possible promotes heat exchange.

When an electric current flows in the electric conductors 12 of the cable 1, this current generates a heating of the electric conductors 12. However, this heating is limited or even compensated for by the cooling fluid which is present in the peripheral spaces 10, and which is in direct contact with the electrical conductors 12 extending inside these peripheral spaces 10. As the rise in temperature of the electrical conductors remains limited, the electrical conductivity of these conductors does not decrease significantly. As a result, it is possible to increase the intensity of the current flowing through the conductors without increasing their cross section. It is therefore possible to transmit power more quickly with the cable, without significantly increasing the size of the cable.

Preferably, there is no potential difference between the electrical conductors 12 when an electrical current flows through these electrical conductors 12. This electrical configuration is conventional in cables having a vehicle power supply function.

Furthermore, the reinforcing walls 8 extending radially between the central element 4 and the sheath 2 have the effect of preventing the sheath from sagging towards the axis leading to a reduction in the section of the peripheral spaces 10 and a reduction. of the exchange surface between the cooling fluid and one of the electrical conductors 12, which deteriorated the cooling performance of the cable 1.

In addition, keeping the electrical conductors 12 away from the sheath 2 increases the exchange surface between the conductors and the heat transfer coolant, which improves the cooling efficiency.

Moreover, the fact of having several electrical conductors 12 distributed in the various peripheral spaces 10 makes it possible to obtain a conductor / fluid exchange surface which is greater than with a single electrical conductor. After having circulated in the peripheral spaces 10 in the outward direction, the cooling fluid circulates in the central space 6 in a return direction opposite to the outward direction. However, during this return journey, the cooling fluid is not in contact with the electrical conductors 12, due to the presence of the central element 4. After this return journey, the cooling fluid can again circulate in the peripheral spaces 10 in the forward direction, to cool the electrical conductors 12 again. Ultimately, the central element 4 in the form of a tube makes it possible to form a cooling loop implementing a thermal cycle to keep the electrical conductors of the cable cold. , and this without having to resort to an element external to the cable. The heat sink possibly present in the cooling loop also makes it possible to improve the efficiency of this thermal cycle.

In the method described above, the fluid circulates in the spaces 6, 10 formed in the cable 1 by means of a pump. As a variant, the cooling fluid is injected into the cable in a preliminary step, and remains static in the peripheral spaces 10 and / or in the central space 6. In this variant, the cooling loop can be formed entirely by the cable. 1. This variant has the advantage of being simpler, since it does not require a pump to operate. Even if the coolant is static inside the cable, it remains a much better thermal conductor than the air that would be present inside the spaces 10, and thus promotes dissipation of the heat generated by Heating of the conductors in a centrifugal direction.

There is shown in Figure 3 a cable 1 ’according to a second embodiment, comprising the sheath 2, the central element 4, the electrical conductors 12 and at least one retaining element 16 as described above.

As in the first embodiment, this cable 1 ′ comprises a plurality of reinforcing walls 9 each extending radially between the sheath 2 and the central element 4, and delimiting a plurality of peripheral spaces 11 occupying respective angular sectors. different around the X axis.

As in the first embodiment, the electrical conductors 12 are of suitable dimensions to allow the presence of a cooling fluid in the peripheral spaces 11, so that this cooling fluid can be in contact with these electrical conductors 12.

However, these reinforcing walls 9 have different shapes from the reinforcing walls 8 of the first embodiment. Each reinforcing wall 9 constitutes a separate part of the sheath 2 and of the central element

6.

The reinforcement walls 9 however remain at a distance from the central element 4. Thus, the radial length of each reinforcement wall is not necessarily greater than the diameter of each electrical conductor 12 in the second embodiment.

Each reinforcing wall 9 comes to bear on the sheath 2 and on at least one electrical conductor 12, more precisely two adjacent electrical conductors 12 in mutual contact.

The two adjacent electrical conductors 12 and mutually in contact together define a groove. The groove has two curved sides, respectively formed by the two electrical conductors 12.

Each reinforcing wall 9 has a radially internal free end bearing on the two electrical conductors 12 in mutual contact in the groove, which makes it possible to limit a movement of the reinforcing walls around the X axis of the cable, relative to the conductors. .

For example, each reinforcing wall 9 has two inclined sides coming simultaneously into contact with the two sides of the groove formed by the two adjacent electrical conductors 12 and mutually in contact. The two inclined sides extend obliquely with respect to a radial direction, so as to give the corresponding reinforcing wall 9 an arrow-shaped profile. Other shapes for the reinforcing walls 9, making it possible to limit their displacement around the X axis, are however possible.

The reinforcing walls 9 of the second embodiment have the advantage of making the assembly of the sheath 2 and the central element easier to implement than in the first embodiment.

This assembly includes, for example, the following steps:

• The central element 4 is manufactured.

• The electrical conductors 12 are arranged around the central element 4, so as to form the strand 14 described above, so the direction of stranding alternates right and left along the central element 4.

• The reinforcing walls 9, constituting independent parts, are arranged in grooves formed by pairs of adjacent electrical conductors 12 around the central element 4 (this step can be carried out at the same time as the previous step, or subsequently ). • At least one retaining element 16 is wound around the assembly formed by the central element 4, the electrical conductors 12 and the reinforcing walls 9. Once each retaining element is wound up 16, the electrical conductors 12 are kept pressed. against the central element 4, and the reinforcing walls 9 are kept resting on the electrical conductors 12. The conductors 12 are kept fixed with respect to each other, and in contact with each other, two by two, if although the shape of the strand 14 is maintained (this step can be carried out at the same time as the previous steps, or subsequently).

• The sheath 2 is arranged around this assembly, for example by extrusion, so as to bear on each reinforcing wall 9. Thus, each reinforcing wall 9 is interposed between the sheath 2 and two adjacent electrical conductors 12, without however, prevent these two adjacent electrical conductors 12 from being in contact with one another.

The cable 1 'according to the second embodiment can be used instead of the cable according to the first embodiment during the implementation of the methods described above (with a static cooling fluid or circulating in the spaces of the cable 1 ').

FIG. 4 shows a cable 1 ”according to a third embodiment, comprising the sheath 2 and electrical conductors 12 having the same characteristics as those of the first embodiment. In this figure the number of electrical conductors is only three, but the electrical conductors together form a strand as in the previous embodiments.

As in the first embodiment, this cable 1 ”comprises a central element 3 surrounded by the sheath 2, as well as a plurality of reinforcing walls 13 each extending radially between the sheath 2 and the central element 3, and delimiting a plurality of peripheral spaces 15 occupying different respective angular sectors around the X axis.

As in the first embodiment and in the second embodiment, the electrical conductors 12 are of suitable dimensions to allow the presence of a cooling fluid in the peripheral spaces 15, so that this cooling fluid can be in contact. with these electrical conductors 12.

However, the central element 3 is not hollow.

Each reinforcing wall 13 projects radially from the central element towards the sheath 2. In other words, the central element 3 interconnects all the reinforcing walls, as in the first embodiment. Each pair of adjacent reinforcing walls 13 are interconnected by a ridge at the level of the central element.

The central element 3 and the reinforcing walls 13 together form a separate part of the sheath 2, the external diameter of which may be less than the internal diameter of the sheath 2.

Thus, each reinforcing wall has one end facing the sheath 2, without necessarily touching it. Thus, passages interconnecting the peripheral spaces 15 are formed between the sheath 2 and the reinforcing walls 13.

Each peripheral space 15 contains an electrical conductor 12.

The cable according to the third embodiment has the advantage of being very simple to manufacture.

It is possible to form a cooling loop with two 1 ”cables according to the third embodiment, combined with two connectors. The two cables are arranged side by side between the two connectors.

Each of the two connectors places the peripheral spaces of the first cable in fluid communication and the peripheral spaces of the second cable are placed in fluid communication, so as to form a cooling circuit forming a loop.

The assembly formed by the two connectors and the two cables itself forms a power supply device, the connectors of which constitute two ends that can be connected to two pieces of equipment as described above.

Such a connector 20 has been shown in FIG. 5. The connector 20 comprises a housing 22 in which two respective ends of the two cables 1 ”are engaged. In this housing 22, the respective strands 14 of the two cables 1 ”are crimped by ultrasonic welding or by“ crimping ”, that is to say by crimping in compression, to metal contacts 24. The crimping is facilitated by a removable cap 26 screwable on the housing 22 once the operation is complete. The seal is provided by a gasket on the cap.

The cooling fluid, the properties of which have been described above, is injected into the cooling loop formed by the two connectors and the two cables, so that the cooling fluid is brought into contact with the electrical conductors 12.

This cooling fluid can be circulated in the two 1 ”cables, so as to circulate in the peripheral spaces 15 of the first cable in a forward direction, and in the peripheral spaces 15 of the second cable in a return direction opposite to the forward direction, alternately (as illustrated by the two arrows shown in FIG. 6).

The two connectors of the power supply device are connected to two pieces of equipment so that its electrical conductors can transmit electric current from one to the other of these pieces of equipment.

There is shown in Figure 7 a cable 1 "according to a fourth embodiment, which differs simply from the cable 1" according to the third embodiment in that the number of electrical conductors 12 is four, with the consequence of the presence four peripheral spaces 15. The 1 '”cable according to this fourth embodiment can be used in the same way as the cable according to the third embodiment.

The cables described above may be the subject of variants not shown in the accompanying figures. In particular, in each of the illustrated embodiments, the reinforcing walls have identical characteristics. It can however be envisaged that several reinforcement walls of the same cable have different shapes.

Claims

1. Power supply cable (1, 1 1 ") for vehicles, the cable comprising: • a central element (3, 4) extending along an axis (X), • a sheath (2) extending around the central element (3, A), • a plurality of reinforcing walls (8, 9, 13) each extending radially between the sheath (2) and the central element (3, A), and delimiting a plurality of peripheral spaces (10, 11, 15 ) occupying different respective angular sectors around the axis (1), • an electrical conductor (12) extending in one of the peripheral spaces (10, 11, 15), the electrical conductor (12) being of suitable dimensions to allow the presence in the peripheral space of a cooling fluid in contact. with the electrical conductor (12). 2. Cable (1, 1 ’, 1”) according to the preceding claim, wherein at least two of the angular sectors are of identical dimensions. 3. Cable (1, 1 ’, 1”) according to one of the preceding claims, in which the number of peripheral spaces (10, 11, 15) is greater than or equal to three. 4. Cable according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the electrical conductor (12) has a diameter smaller than the radial distance from the central element (3, 4) to the sheath (2). 5. Cable (1, 1 ') according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the central element (4) is a tube defining a central space (6), the central element (4) fluidly insulating the central space. (4) peripheral spaces (10, 11). 6. Cable (1, 1 ', 1 ”) according to one of the preceding claims, comprising a holding element (16) arranged to keep the electrical conductor (12) at a distance from the sheath (2) and allow the presence of a cooling fluid between the sheath and the electrical conductor. 7. Cable (1, 1 ', 1 ”) according to one of the preceding claims, comprising a plurality of electrical conductors (12), each electrical conductor (12) extending in one of the peripheral spaces (10, 11, 15 ) and being of suitable dimensions to allow the presence of a cooling fluid in contact with the electrical conductor (12) in the corresponding peripheral space (10, 11, 15). 8. Cable (1, 1 ', 1 ”) according to the preceding claim, wherein the plurality of electrical conductors (12) form a strand (14) extending around the central element (3, A), the strand (14) having a direction of stranding going to the right and to the left alternately along the axis (X). 9. Cable (1, 1 ', 1 ”) according to claim 8, comprising a holding element (16) arranged to maintain each electrical conductor (12) in contact with another electrical conductor and / or to maintain the electrical conductors ( 12) fixed with respect to each other. 10. Cable (1, 1 ’, 1”) according to the preceding claim, wherein the retaining member (16) is wound around the plurality of electrical conductors (12). 11. Cable (1, 1 ', 1 ”) according to one of claims 9 and 10, wherein the retaining element (16) extends between the sheath (2) and the plurality of reinforcing walls (8 , 9, 13). 12. Cable (1 ') according to one of the preceding claims, wherein at least one of the reinforcing walls (9) bears on the sheath (2). 13. Cable (1 ') according to one of the preceding claims, wherein at least one of the reinforcing walls (9) is at a distance from the central element (4), and resting on at least one of the electrical conductors ( 12). 14. Cable (1 ') according to the preceding claim, wherein the reinforcing wall (9) at a distance from the central element (4) extends in a groove delimited by two adjacent electrical conductors (12), so that the two adjacent electrical conductors limit a travel path of the reinforcing wall (9) around the axis (X) relative to the two adjacent electrical conductors. 15. Cable (1 ') according to one of the preceding claims, wherein at least one of the reinforcing walls (9) forms a separate part of the sheath and of the central element. 16. Cable (1, 1 ”) according to one of the preceding claims, wherein at least one of the reinforcing walls (8, 13) projects radially from the central element (3, 4) towards the sheath (2) , or even is in one piece with the central element (3, 4). 17. Cable (1, 1 ’, 1”) according to the preceding claim, wherein each peripheral space (10, 11, 15) contains at least one electrical conductor (12). 18. Cable (1, 1 ', 1 ”) according to one of the preceding claims, comprising a cooling fluid in contact with the electrical conductor in one of the peripheral spaces. 19. A method of powering a vehicle by means of a cable according to one of the preceding claims, comprising the injection of a cooling fluid into the peripheral space (10, 11, 15) where s' extends the electrical conductor (12) so that the coolant comes into contact with the electrical conductor (12). 20. The method of claim 19, wherein the cable is according to claim 5, and wherein the method further comprising fluid communication of the central space (6) with the peripheral space (10, 11). where the electrical conductor extends, and a circulation of the cooling fluid so that the cooling fluid flows successively in the peripheral space (10, 11) where the electrical conductor (12) extends in a first direction , and in the central space (6) in a second direction opposite to the first direction. 21. Method according to one of claims 19 and 20, comprising: • a fluid communication of the peripheral space (10, 11, 15) of the cable where the electrical conductor (12) extends with a peripheral space (10, 11, 15) of another cable according to one of claims 1 to 16 in which extends another electrical conductor (12), • circulation of the cooling fluid in the respective peripheral spaces of the two cables, so that the cooling fluid circulates successively in the peripheral space of one of the two cables, and in the peripheral space of the other cable . 22. Method according to the preceding claim, wherein the two cables are arranged side by side, so that the cooling fluid circulates in the peripheral space of one of the two cables in a first direction, and in the peripheral space of the other cable in a second direction opposite to the first direction.