Detachable Liquid Battery Thermal Control for Weight-Free Flight
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing all-electric vehicles, such as all-electric aircraft, face challenges in efficiently managing battery temperature during charging, especially in extreme ambient conditions, which can affect charging time and vehicle readiness, and the added weight of liquid cooling systems during flight reduces flight time.
Innovation Solution
A detachable liquid temperature controlling system that uses temperature-controlled liquid to heat or cool the battery before, during, and after charging, ensuring the battery is within the acceptable temperature range, and then decouples from the system before flight to avoid additional weight.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Temperature
If a liquid cooling system is integrated into the battery system, then battery temperature control is improved, but vehicle weight increases
Solution Approach 1:
The battery system is divided into modular battery packs, each with its own cooling channels. The cooling system is segmented into multiple independent pathways that can be selectively activated based on thermal requirements, allowing weight optimization by only cooling active battery modules.
Solution Approach 2:
The liquid cooling system serves multiple functions: it cools the battery during charging, heats the battery when ambient temperature is low, and provides thermal management during flight. This multi-functionality eliminates the need for separate heating and cooling systems, reducing overall weight.
2Temperature
If a liquid cooling system is used during flight, then battery temperature management is improved, but flight time is reduced due to added weight
Solution Approach 1:
The battery is pre-cooled or pre-heated to optimal temperature ranges before flight using the liquid cooling system. During flight, the system operates in a maintenance mode with lower power consumption, or the battery operates within its acceptable temperature range without active cooling, thereby preserving flight time.
Solution Approach 2:
The cooling system operates dynamically based on real-time temperature sensors and flight conditions. The pump speed and cooling flow rate are adjusted according to battery temperature, ambient conditions, and flight phase, minimizing energy consumption and weight impact during flight while maintaining thermal management effectiveness.
3Device complexity
If passive cooling is used during normal operation, then system complexity is reduced, but temperature control effectiveness is insufficient during overheating
Solution Approach 1:
The system incorporates temperature sensors and control logic that automatically activate the liquid cooling pump when battery temperature exceeds predetermined thresholds. The system self-regulates based on thermal conditions without requiring external intervention, maintaining simplicity while ensuring effective cooling when needed.
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 effectively manages battery temperature without adding weight to the vehicle, reducing charging time and maintaining flight efficiency by leveraging liquid's superior thermal properties over air, thus enhancing vehicle readiness and flight duration.
Implementation Method 1
A temperature controlled liquid is circulated between a liquid temperature controlling system and the battery to heat or cool the battery
Implementation Method 2
leveraging liquid's superior thermal properties over air
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2
Figure 3A~3B
AI summary
A liquid temperature controlling system is used to circulate a temperature controlled liquid between the liquid temperature controlling system and a battery to produce a temperature controlled battery. The battery and the liquid temperature controlling system are detachably coupled at least while the temperature controlled liquid is circulated. The temperature controlled liquid is removed from the temperature controlled battery. The battery and the liquid temperature controlling system are decoupled after the temperature controlled liquid is removed. A charger is used to charge the temperature controlled battery.