Battery Module Fault Detection Using Insulated Plate Signals
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Solution Overview
Problem
Battery cells in electric aircraft can short-circuit, leading to thermal runaway, which can be fatal due to rapid temperature rises and damage to surrounding components, necessitating a fault detection system to alert pilots.
Innovation Solution
A battery module with insulated plates that act as heat exchangers, using sensors to detect potential signals and a controller to determine faults based on these signals, allowing for local or global fault detection.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If insulation is disposed between battery cells and plate to enable fault detection, then measurement precision is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces an insulation layer as an intermediary component between the battery cells and the plate. This insulation layer serves dual purposes: it provides electrical isolation to enable accurate potential signal detection while also acting as a protective barrier. The sensor detects potential signals between the plate and reference potential, and the insulation ensures that these measurements are not interfered with by direct electrical contact, thereby improving measurement precision without requiring complex additional sensing systems.
2Reliability
If sensors and controllers are added for fault detection, then reliability is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements a self-service monitoring system where the battery module's own structural components (the plate and insulation layer) are utilized as part of the detection mechanism. The plate serves both as a structural element and as a reference point for potential signal measurement. The insulation layer, while primarily for electrical isolation, also serves as the medium through which fault conditions can be detected. This approach improves reliability by enabling continuous monitoring without adding extensive external sensing infrastructure.
3Measurement precision
If potential signal detection is implemented between plate and reference potential, then measurement precision is improved, but ease of operation decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The plate in the battery module is designed to serve multiple functions: it provides structural support, acts as a thermal management component, and serves as a reference element for electrical potential measurement. The insulation layer similarly provides both electrical isolation and mechanical spacing. This multi-functionality allows the system to achieve precise fault detection capabilities without requiring separate dedicated components, thereby maintaining ease of operation during installation and maintenance while improving measurement precision.
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
Prevents thermal runaway by accurately identifying faults, providing pilots with timely alerts to ensure safe operation of electric aircraft.
Implementation Method 1
an insulation disposed between the plurality of battery cells and the plate, wherein the insulation is configured to electrically insulate the plate from the plurality of battery cells
Implementation Method 2
a sensor configured to detect a potential signal as a function of a potential between the plate and a reference potential
Data Source
AI summary
A apparatus for fault detection for use in an electric aircraft is disclosed herein. The apparatus includes a battery module with a plurality of battery cells, a plate extending along the row of cells, insulation between the plate and the plurality of cells, a sensor configured to detect a potential signal, and a controller communicatively connected to the sensor. The controller is configured to receive the potential signal and determine a fault.