Air Mobility Battery Discharge Modes for Thermal Runaway Containment
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Existing power management systems for air mobility vehicles fail to effectively prevent the transfer of thermal runaway among batteries, which can lead to catastrophic accidents, especially since traditional blocking membranes compromise energy density and specific power when aiming for a lightweight airframe design.
Innovation Solution
A power management system that monitors the operation and charge states of batteries and controls their discharge mode based on flight status, using single, parallel, or output limit discharge modes to manage thermal runaway, thereby preventing its transfer by strategically discharging batteries and adjusting discharge rates.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If blocking membranes are provided between battery cells to prevent thermal runaway transfer, then safety is improved, but energy density and specific power deteriorate due to additional weight and volume
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the mechanical/physical blocking membrane system with an electrical control system. The discharge control unit monitors battery states and controls discharge rates electronically, eliminating the need for physical blocking membranes between cells. This substitution maintains safety through active management while preserving energy density by removing unnecessary structural components.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the operational parameters of batteries dynamically based on their state. By adjusting discharge rates (a controllable parameter) based on temperature, charge state, and other conditions, the system prevents thermal runaway transfer without requiring physical barriers. This parameter-based control achieves safety while maintaining the original battery pack density.
2Reliability
If blocking membranes are provided between battery cells to prevent thermal runaway transfer, then safety is improved, but specific power deteriorates due to additional weight
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the mechanical/physical blocking membrane system with an electrical control system. The discharge control unit monitors battery states and controls discharge rates electronically, eliminating the need for physical blocking membranes between cells. This substitution maintains safety through active management while preserving energy density by removing unnecessary structural components.
Solution Approach 2:
The battery system monitors its own state through the discharge control unit, which detects temperature, charge level, and other parameters. The system self-regulates by adjusting discharge rates based on real-time conditions, eliminating the need for external protective structures. This self-monitoring and self-regulation approach maintains safety without adding weight.
3Reliability
If discharge rate is controlled based on battery state and flight status, then thermal runaway prevention is improved, but system complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The discharge control unit performs multiple functions: monitoring battery temperature, measuring charge state, determining flight status, calculating appropriate discharge rates, and controlling power output. By consolidating these diverse functions into a single control unit, the system achieves comprehensive thermal runaway prevention without proportionally increasing complexity. The multi-functional design integrates safety monitoring and discharge control in one device.
Solution Approach 2:
The system continuously monitors battery parameters (temperature, charge state) and flight status, then uses this feedback to dynamically adjust discharge rates. The discharge control unit receives real-time data about battery conditions and automatically modifies discharge parameters to prevent thermal runaway. This closed-loop feedback mechanism provides intelligent thermal runaway prevention through automated response to changing conditions.
Data Source
AI summary
A power management system for an air mobility vehicle includes a plurality of batteries configured to provide power to a propulsion unit of the air mobility vehicle to propel the air mobility vehicle, and a discharge control unit configured to monitor an operation state and a charge state of each battery, determine a discharge mode of each of the plurality of batteries according to the monitored operation state and the monitored charge state, and control whether each of the plurality of batteries is discharged or a discharge rate thereof according to the determined discharge mode.