Pressure Vessel Battery Ejection for Thermal Runaway Isolation
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Solution Overview
Problem
In the event of a battery malfunction, such as cell thermal runaway, batteries can produce hazardous gases and heat, posing a risk that existing detection and handling techniques are not adequately equipped to address effectively, particularly in electric aircraft where malfunctioning batteries need to be safely and automatically removed from the electrical system.
Innovation Solution
A pressure-based battery ejection system that utilizes a pressure vessel and seal configuration to detect and automatically eject malfunctioning batteries by releasing gases into a cavity, where the pressure exceeds a threshold, causing the seal to rupture and disconnect the battery from its electrical connection, allowing gravity to eject the battery.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If active monitoring systems are used to detect battery malfunctions, then detection precision is improved, but device complexity and weight increase
Solution Approach 1:
The battery system performs self-monitoring through pressure sensors that detect gas generation from thermal runaway. The system uses passive pressure-based detection rather than active monitoring, allowing the battery to indicate its own malfunction state through pressure changes in the sealed enclosure, eliminating the need for complex external monitoring systems
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces complex electrical monitoring systems with a simpler mechanical pressure-based detection system. The pressure sensor detects gas generation through pressure changes, substituting sophisticated electronic monitoring with a more straightforward mechanical measurement approach that reduces system complexity
2Reliability
If heavy-duty ejection mechanisms are used to remove malfunctioning batteries, then ejection reliability is improved, but weight increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces heavy mechanical ejection mechanisms with a gravity-based passive ejection system. When the seal fails due to pressure from gas generation, the battery is automatically ejected from the sealed enclosure and electrical connection without requiring active ejection motors or mechanical actuators, significantly reducing system weight while maintaining reliability
Solution Approach 2:
The system uses gas pressure generated during thermal runaway as the driving force for battery ejection. The pressure buildup from hazardous gas generation automatically fails the seal and propels the battery out of the enclosure, converting the harmful gas generation into the useful ejection force, eliminating the need for separate ejection mechanisms
3Object-affected harmful factors
If sealed enclosures are used to contain hazardous gases, then safety is improved, but pressure buildup increases ejection risk
Solution Approach 1:
The system exploits the phase transition and gas generation that occurs during battery thermal runaway. The hazardous gases generated during decomposition are contained initially to build pressure, which then triggers the seal failure and automatic ejection mechanism, converting the harmful phase change into a safety feature
Solution Approach 2:
The patent converts the harmful hazardous gases generated during thermal runaway into a beneficial ejection force. The gas generation that poses a safety risk is instead used to build pressure that automatically fails the seal and ejects the malfunctioning battery, transforming the hazard into the mechanism for safe removal
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 provides a reliable, safe, and lightweight method for electrically ejecting malfunctioning batteries without the need for active monitoring, ensuring the safety of the aircraft by automatically disconnecting and removing batteries that are venting hazardous gases, thereby preventing potential hazards.
Implementation Method 1
a battery positioned at least partially in the pressure vessel and configured to release gases into the pressure vessel
Implementation Method 2
The seal is configured to seal the pressure vessel in a first mode and is configured to release in a second mode. The second mode is triggered in the event a pressure level in the pressure vessel exceeds a threshold pressure level
Implementation Method 3
allowing gravity to eject the battery
Data Source
AI summary
A battery ejection system is disclosed. The battery ejection system comprises a pressure vessel, a battery submodule positioned at least partway in the pressure vessel and configured to release gas into the pressure vessel, and a seal of the pressure vessel configured to release in the event a pressure level in the pressure vessel exceeds a threshold pressure level. The battery submodule is configured to be ejected from an electrical connection in the event the seal is released.