Aircraft Battery Module Architecture for Dual-Voltage Power Distribution
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Solution Overview
Problem
Battery electrified aircraft face challenges in meeting aircraft design requirements due to the use of both high and low voltage power systems, which affect safety, weight, and operational costs.
Innovation Solution
Aircraft power distribution systems are designed to supply high-voltage power to propulsion loads and low-voltage power to system loads using batteries with series and parallel connections of battery modules, incorporating diodes for passive current control and voltage droop to ensure balanced discharge and redundancy.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If both high voltage and low voltage power systems are employed in battery electrified aircraft, then different power requirements of various systems can be satisfied, but safety risks and system complexity increase
Solution Approach 1:
The battery system is segmented into multiple battery modules that can be independently connected in series or parallel configurations. This segmentation allows the system to provide both high voltage (series connection for propulsion) and low voltage (parallel connection for systems) from a single battery architecture, eliminating the need for separate high and low voltage battery systems while maintaining safety through modular isolation
Solution Approach 2:
The same battery modules serve multiple functions by being reconfigurable between series and parallel connections. The battery modules can provide high voltage for propulsion systems when connected in series, and low voltage for aircraft systems when connected in parallel, making the battery system universal and multi-functional rather than requiring separate dedicated systems
2Power
If battery modules are connected in series to generate high voltage, then propulsion power requirements are met, but the complexity of power distribution increases
Solution Approach 1:
The battery system employs dynamic reconfiguration capability where battery modules can be switched between series and parallel connections based on power requirements. This dynamic switching is managed by a controller that monitors system needs and reconfigures the battery architecture accordingly, allowing the same physical modules to adapt to different power distribution scenarios without permanent complex wiring
3Stability of the object's composition
If passive current flow-control components are used to distribute current amongst battery modules, then balanced discharge is achieved, but additional components and weight are added
Solution Approach 1:
The battery system achieves self-service through voltage droop characteristics inherent to the battery modules themselves. Each battery module naturally exhibits voltage droop under load, which the controller exploits to automatically balance current distribution across modules without requiring additional active balancing components or complex control systems, thereby maintaining discharge balance while minimizing added weight
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 system provides efficient power distribution with fail-safe redundancy and balanced discharge, enhancing safety and reducing weight and operational costs by optimizing battery utilization.
Implementation Method 1
The battery modules are electrically connected in series to generate a high-voltage output
Implementation Method 2
The battery modules are also electrically connected in parallel to generate a low-voltage output
Implementation Method 3
The parallel connection between the battery modules can employ passive current flow-control components (e.g., diodes) to distribute contributions to the low-voltage output amongst the battery modules based on voltages of the battery modules
Implementation Method 4
The battery can include a direct current to direct current converter to generate a low-voltage output for the battery from the combined output of the battery modules
Implementation Method 5
The direct current to direct current converter can be configured to implement a voltage droop in the low-voltage output for the battery to provide for passive balancing with the low-voltage output(s) of one or more other batteries
Data Source
AI summary
Power distribution systems, battery packs, and batteries employ battery modules that are connected in series to generate a high-voltage output and in parallel to generate a low-voltage output. A battery includes battery modules and a direct current to direct current converter. The battery modules are electrically connected in series to generate a first battery high-voltage output. The battery modules are electrically connected in parallel to generate a battery modules low-voltage output. The direct current to direct current converter generates a battery low-voltage output from the battery modules low-voltage output.