Aircraft Structural Battery Spars for Lower Payload Weight
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional aircraft battery storage systems add significant payload weight due to the weight of batteries and their enclosing structures, necessitating increased operational power to compensate for this weight, which is inefficient.
Innovation Solution
Integration of onboard battery storage and energy subsystems into structural components using finned spar members with compartments for batteries, where the batteries are compressed and secured within these structural elements, enhancing structural strength and reducing weight by using lightweight materials like polymers or carbon fiber composites.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If batteries are packaged as part of payload with explosion-proof and fireproof structures, then safety and containment are ensured, but payload weight increases significantly requiring more operational power
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges the battery housing with the aircraft's structural components (wing spar, fuselage frame, empennage structure). The battery containment structure is integrated into the load-bearing structural elements, eliminating the need for separate explosion-proof and fireproof enclosures while maintaining safety requirements.
Solution Approach 2:
The structural components of the aircraft serve dual functions: providing structural support and containment for batteries. The wing spar, fuselage frame, and empennage structure simultaneously perform their structural roles and act as battery housings, reducing overall weight while ensuring safety.
2Reliability
If conventional battery packaging with separate structures is used, then battery containment is achieved, but additional operational power is needed to compensate for the weight
Solution Approach 1:
The battery containment function is merged with the aircraft's structural components. The same structural elements that provide aerodynamic support and structural integrity also serve as battery housings, eliminating redundant structures and reducing overall weight, thereby decreasing operational power requirements.
Solution Approach 2:
Structural components are designed to perform multiple functions simultaneously: structural support, battery containment, and weight reduction. This multi-functionality eliminates the need for separate containment structures, reducing total weight and operational power consumption.
3Weight of moving object
If batteries are integrated into structural components, then payload weight is reduced and structural strength is enhanced, but integration complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The battery compartments are integrated directly into the structural components (wing spar, fuselage frame, empennage structure). The structural elements are designed with built-in compartments that house batteries, eliminating the need for separate mounting structures and reducing overall integration complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The structural components are designed to simultaneously provide structural support and battery housing. This integration simplifies the overall system by reducing the number of separate components and assembly steps, despite the enhanced functionality.
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
This solution reduces payload weight by integrating batteries into structural components, providing structural strength while minimizing the risk of damage and enhancing power efficiency by distributing the weight effectively and ensuring safe operation through secure battery placement and power management.
Implementation Method 1
a plurality of finned spar members that are interlocked with one another
Implementation Method 2
a battery of the plurality of batteries is compressed in a compartment formed between adjacent web members
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2A
Figure 2B
AI summary
The present disclosure provides a structural member for a vehicle. The structural member comprises a plurality of finned spar members (125) interlocked with one another, wherein each of the finned spar members include a main body (200), a plurality of web members (207) extending from a flange (205), a circuit board formed on the main body (300A-300F), and a bus bar (230) formed on the main body, wherein a compartment is formed between adjacent web members (207), each compartment being sized to receive a battery.