Battery Ejecta Venting Paths for Electric Aircraft Thermal Runaway
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Solution Overview
Problem
Modern ventilation systems in electric aircraft are inefficient in reducing battery temperatures, which can lead to overheating and thermal runaway, posing risks of cascading thermal events.
Innovation Solution
A venting assembly with a battery module featuring electrochemical cells separated by a carbon fiber barrier, equipped with vent ports and venting paths that direct battery ejecta outside the aircraft through an outlet, preventing pressure increase and cascading thermal runaway.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Temperature
If modern ventilation systems are used to cool batteries, then some temperature reduction is achieved, but the systems are inefficient and cannot prevent overheating and thermal runaway
Solution Approach 1:
The battery pack is divided into multiple modules, each with its own vent ports and venting paths. This segmentation allows localized venting of thermal events without requiring the entire battery system to be cooled uniformly, addressing the inefficiency of global ventilation systems while preventing cascading thermal runaway through isolated containment.
Solution Approach 2:
A carbon fiber barrier is introduced as an intermediary material between electrochemical cells. This barrier serves as a thermal and physical mediator that blocks the propagation of thermal runaway between adjacent cells, directly addressing the reliability issue of preventing cascading thermal events while allowing the ventilation system to manage temperature more effectively.
2Temperature
If ventilation systems increase in complexity to improve cooling efficiency, then temperature control improves, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The vent ports are integrated directly into the battery module structure, merging the cooling function with the battery housing. This eliminates the need for separate complex ventilation systems while achieving effective temperature control and thermal runaway containment through the integrated design.
Solution Approach 2:
The battery module's own structure, including the carbon fiber barrier and vent ports, serves the dual function of both containing thermal events and facilitating cooling. This self-service approach allows the battery system to manage its own thermal control needs without requiring external complex ventilation infrastructure.
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 venting assembly effectively manages battery ejecta, reducing the risk of thermal runaway and maintaining safe temperatures within the electric aircraft.
Implementation Method 1
a plurality of vent ports configured to vent the plurality of electrochemical cells using a plurality of venting paths, wherein the plurality of vent ports are fluidly connected to the plurality of venting paths and the plurality of venting paths are fluidly connected to at least an outlet outside of the electric aircraft
Implementation Method 2
a plurality of electrochemical cells in the battery module, wherein the plurality of electrochemical cells is separated by a carbon fiber barrier
Data Source
AI summary
An apparatus for venting battery ejecta for use in an electric aircraft is presented. The apparatus includes a battery module with a plurality of electrochemical cells. The electrochemical cells of the plurality of electrochemical cells are separated by a carbon fiber barrier. Venting port of a plurality of venting ports is configured to vent an electrochemical cell of the plurality of electrochemical cells using a venting path of a plurality of venting paths, wherein the plurality of vent ports is fluidly connected to the plurality of venting paths and the plurality of venting paths are fluidly connected to at least an outlet. Venting paths direct the battery ejecta from the electrochemical cell to the outside of the electric aircraft through at least an outlet.