Distributed Battery Management System for Electric Aircraft
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Solution Overview
Problem
Electric vertical take-off and landing (eVTOL) aircraft face challenges in achieving high energy density power solutions, which is crucial for efficient and safe manned and unmanned flight, as current power sources lack the necessary energy density and reliability.
Innovation Solution
A battery management system integrated into the battery pack for eVTOL aircraft, featuring dual battery management components with sensor suites for data measurement, including moisture sensors, and a data storage system to monitor and store critical battery data, ensuring redundancy and isolation to maintain operation even in case of component failure.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a single battery management component is used, then device complexity is reduced, but reliability deteriorates due to single point of failure
Solution Approach 1:
The battery management system is divided into multiple independent battery management components (first BMC, second BMC) positioned at different ends of the battery pack. Each BMC independently monitors and manages battery parameters, eliminating single point of failure and improving system reliability through distributed architecture.
Solution Approach 2:
Each battery management component is equipped with its own sensor suite locally positioned to monitor battery parameters in its specific region. The first BMC has a first sensor suite at the first end, while the second BMC has a second sensor suite at the second end, enabling localized monitoring that improves overall system reliability without requiring centralized complex wiring.
2Use of energy by moving object
If battery pack size is increased to achieve higher energy density, then energy density improves, but thermal management and safety monitoring become more difficult
Solution Approach 1:
The battery pack is divided into multiple zones with independent monitoring at each end. The first sensor suite monitors parameters at the first end while the second sensor suite monitors parameters at the second end, enabling comprehensive monitoring of large battery packs without requiring a single complex centralized sensor system.
Solution Approach 2:
Multiple moisture sensors are introduced as intermediary detection elements within the battery pack structure. These sensors detect moisture intrusion early before it affects battery performance or safety, providing an intermediate warning system that enables preventive action while maintaining high energy density configurations.
3Reliability
If redundant battery management components are added, then reliability improves through failover capability, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The redundant battery management functionality is segmented into separate independent components rather than duplicating the entire system. The first BMC and second BMC are distributed at opposite ends of the battery pack, providing geographic redundancy that improves reliability while minimizing inter-component complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The second battery management component serves as a simplified copy or backup of the first battery management component. Each BMC contains essential monitoring and control functionality, allowing one to take over if the other fails, providing redundancy without requiring full system duplication and reducing overall complexity.
Data Source
AI summary
A battery management system integrated in a battery pack configured for use in electric aircraft, the system comprising a first battery management component disposed on a first end of the battery pack, the first battery management component comprising a first sensor suite configured to measure a first plurality of battery pack data wherein the first sensor suite comprises a moisture sensor. The battery management system comprising a second battery management component disposed on a second end of the battery pack, the second battery management component comprising a second sensor suite configured to measure a second plurality of battery pack data wherein the second sensor suite comprises a moisture sensor. The battery management system comprising a data storage system configured to store the first plurality of battery pack data and the second plurality of battery pack data.