Aircraft Battery Vent Conduit with Non-Conductive Insulation

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Solution Overview

Problem

Lithium-ion batteries in aircraft with composite skin pose challenges in safely venting hot gas generated during failure events, as traditional venting solutions are not suitable for composite materials and may cause electrical conduction issues.

Innovation Solution

A ventilation conduit system with a non-conductive second portion extending from the battery enclosure to the composite skin, featuring a flange fitting and thermal spacer to prevent electrical conduction and thermal damage, allowing safe venting of hot gases overboard while protecting the aircraft skin.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If a traditional venting solution is used for lithium-ion batteries, then hot gas can be vented effectively, but electrical conduction issues and thermal damage to composite skin occur

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvebattery venting reliabilityVSAvoidelectrical conduction and thermal damage to composite skin

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The patent introduces an electrically non-conductive material as an intermediary component in the ventilation conduit system. This non-conductive section acts as a mediator between the battery enclosure and the composite skin, preventing electrical conduction while still allowing hot gas to vent. The intermediary component resolves the contradiction by enabling venting functionality without creating electrical conduction pathways or thermal damage risks to the composite skin.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Solution Approach 2:

The ventilation conduit is designed with different portions having different properties: a first portion that can be conductive and a second portion made of electrically non-conductive material. This local differentiation of material properties allows the system to maintain electrical isolation at critical interfaces with the composite skin while preserving venting effectiveness. The local quality change enables the conduit to address both venting reliability and electrical safety simultaneously.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #3Local quality

2Reliability

If a ventilation conduit penetrates the composite skin, then hot gas can be vented overboard, but thermal damage to the composite skin occurs

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvehot gas venting capabilityVSAvoidthermal damage to composite skin

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSTemperature

Solution Approach 1:

The electrically non-conductive material serves as a thermal intermediary that interrupts direct thermal conduction pathways to the composite skin. This intermediary component allows hot gas to pass through the ventilation conduit while preventing excessive heat transfer to the composite skin, thereby enabling effective venting without causing thermal damage.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Solution Approach 2:

The design incorporates protective measures in advance by using non-conductive, thermally insulating materials in the ventilation conduit before thermal damage can occur. This preemptive approach cushions the composite skin from thermal exposure by built-in thermal barriers, preventing damage before it happens rather than addressing it after the fact.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #11Beforehand cushioning (Prior cushioning)

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

Effectively mitigates the risk of electrical conduction and thermal damage to the composite skin during battery failure events by ensuring safe venting of hot gases, maintaining the integrity and safety of the aircraft.

Implementation Method 1

the second portion comprising an electrically non-conductive material

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectElectrical insulation: Conduction (electrical)

Implementation Method 2

a thermal spacer located between the flange fitting and the composite skin

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectThermal insulation: Thermal Insulation

Data Source

PatentUS10734622B2Ventilation conduit for an aircraft

Publication Date: 2020.08.04 THE BOEING CO

AI summary

According to an embodiment, an aircraft comprises a fuselage including composite skin; an enclosure located inside the fuselage; a rechargeable battery disposed inside the enclosure; and a ventilation conduit extending from the enclosure to an opening in the composite skin, the ventilation conduit including: a first portion having a first end coupled to the enclosure and a second end spaced from the composite skin, and a second portion extending between the composite skin and the second end of the first portion, the second portion comprising an electrically non-conductive material.