Aircraft Battery Heating Using Electric Machine Power in Cold Flight
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing hybrid powerplant systems for aircraft face challenges in maintaining battery temperature during flight, particularly in cold conditions, which can degrade battery performance and readiness.
Innovation Solution
Incorporating an electric heating system with an electric heating element that receives power from the electric machine to maintain the battery temperature at or above a threshold, ensuring optimal performance and readiness during flight.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If the aircraft operates in cold conditions during flight, then the battery temperature drops below optimal performance range, but adding heating system increases device complexity and energy consumption
Solution Approach 1:
The heating system utilizes waste heat from the powerplant to heat the battery, rather than requiring a separate heating source. The battery is positioned in thermal communication with the powerplant, allowing it to passively absorb heat during normal operation, and the system automatically activates heating only when temperature sensors detect sub-optimal conditions.
Solution Approach 2:
A thermal management system acts as an intermediary between the powerplant and battery, using fluid circuits to transfer heat from the powerplant to the battery when needed. This mediator enables controlled thermal transfer without direct thermal coupling, allowing the system to manage battery temperature independently while sharing the powerplant's thermal resources.
2Reliability
If the battery is heated using an electric heating element powered by the electric machine, then battery temperature is maintained at optimal levels, but energy is consumed from the powerplant
Solution Approach 1:
The system converts the potentially harmful effect of cold temperatures into a beneficial heating opportunity by capturing waste heat from the powerplant that would otherwise be lost. During normal powerplant operation, excess heat is redirected to warm the battery, turning a waste product into a useful resource for temperature maintenance.
Solution Approach 2:
The heating system operates periodically rather than continuously, with temperature sensors monitoring battery conditions and activating heating only when the temperature drops below the optimal range. This on-demand operation minimizes energy consumption while ensuring the battery remains within acceptable temperature limits during flight.
3Loss of energy
If the battery is thermally coupled with the powerplant, then heat transfer efficiency is improved, but the battery becomes vulnerable to temperature extremes
Solution Approach 1:
The thermal coupling between the battery and powerplant is made dynamic rather than static. The system can adjust the degree of thermal connection based on operating conditions, allowing strong thermal coupling when heating is needed and reduced coupling when the battery temperature is already optimal or when the powerplant is overheating. This dynamic adjustment optimizes both heat transfer efficiency and temperature control.
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
The electric heating system effectively maintains battery temperature, ensuring immediate and optimal performance by regulating it within a specific range, even in cold conditions, thereby enhancing the reliability of the hybrid powerplant.
Implementation Method 1
The heating system includes an electric heating element. The heating system is configured to heat the battery using the electric heating element.
Implementation Method 2
The battery is electrically coupled with the electric machine.
Data Source
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Figure 3A~3D
AI summary
A system (20) for an aircraft includes a rotor (40), a powerplant (32), a battery (52) and a heating system (28). The powerplant (32) is configured to drive rotation of the rotor (40). The powerplant (32) includes a heat engine (36) and an electric machine (34). The battery (52) is electrically coupled with the electric machine (34). The heating system (28) includes an electric heating element (102). The heating system (28) is configured to heat the battery (52) using the electric heating element (102).