Flying Object Battery Module Separation for Degraded Cell Reliability

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Solution Overview

Problem

High-altitude platform stations (HAPS) and other flying objects face reliability issues due to internal short-circuits, low state of health, and reduced energy storage capacity, which affect their ability to maintain flight and communication infrastructure, especially at night or in degraded states.

Innovation Solution

A method and configuration for flying objects that involve separating energy storage devices when thresholds for temperature, state of health, or state of charge are met, allowing for weight reduction and continued flight using other energy storage devices, with a conveyance apparatus to safely land or recover the separated units.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Duration of action of moving object

If the HAPS uses a large-capacity energy storage apparatus to maintain flight during nighttime operations, then the flight duration and reliability are improved, but the weight of the flying object increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveflight durationVSAvoidweight

Core Design Contradiction:

Duration of action of moving objectVSWeight of moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The energy storage apparatus is divided into multiple independent energy storage devices (battery modules) that can be individually managed and separated. This segmentation allows the system to optimize weight by removing only the degraded devices while retaining functional ones, rather than replacing the entire energy storage system.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The system automatically detects degraded energy storage devices and separates them from the functional ones. The degraded devices are discarded (removed from service) while the functional devices are recovered and retained to continue powering the HAPS, thereby maintaining flight duration without carrying unnecessary weight.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #34Discarding and recovering

2Reliability

If the HAPS carries all energy storage devices to ensure sufficient power capacity, then the power supply reliability is improved, but the weight increases and reduces fuel efficiency

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvepower supply reliabilityVSAvoidweight

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSWeight of moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The energy storage apparatus dynamically adjusts its composition by automatically separating degraded devices from functional ones based on real-time state-of-health monitoring. This dynamic reconfiguration ensures the system carries only the necessary power capacity required for reliable operation, optimizing the weight-reliability trade-off.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The energy storage apparatus performs self-diagnosis and self-management by automatically detecting degraded devices and separating them without external intervention. This self-service capability ensures power supply reliability is maintained while minimizing weight by removing only the necessary degraded components.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #25Self-service

3Device complexity

If degraded energy storage devices are retained in the apparatus, then the device complexity is reduced, but the reliability of flight decreases due to internal short-circuits and low state of health

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvedevice complexityVSAvoidflight reliability

Core Design Contradiction:

Device complexityVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The control unit continuously monitors the state of health of each energy storage device and provides feedback to the separation control mechanism. When a device's state of health falls below a threshold, the system automatically separates it, thereby maintaining flight reliability without requiring complex manual inspection or intervention.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #23Feedback

4Reliability

If the HAPS separates and discards degraded energy storage devices, then the flight reliability is improved, but the device complexity and control requirements increase

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveflight reliabilityVSAvoiddevice complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The energy storage apparatus performs self-diagnosis and self-management by automatically detecting degraded devices and separating them without external intervention. This self-service capability maintains flight reliability while minimizing the increase in device complexity, as the separation control is integrated into the existing battery management system.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #25Self-service

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

Enhances flight reliability and mileage by reducing weight and allowing continued operation even with deteriorated energy storage devices, improving the robustness and reliability of both the flying object and communication infrastructure.

Implementation Method 1

a generator having a solar cell and configured to supply electricity to a flying object propulsion apparatus

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectSolar cell conversion: Photovoltaic Effect

Data Source

PatentUS12195211B2Method of controlling flying object, flying object, and computer program

Publication Date: 2025.01.14 GS YUASA INT LTD

AI summary

In a method of controlling a flying object 1, from the flying object 1 that includes a flying object propulsion apparatus 16 and an energy storage apparatus 7, 8 having a plurality of energy storage devices 6 and configured to supply electricity to the flying object propulsion apparatus 16, one or a plurality of the energy storage devices 6 are separated.