eVTOL Battery Recharge Timing Using Mission and Thermal Data
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Solution Overview
Problem
Electric vertical take-off and landing (eVTOL) aircraft face complexities in battery recharge management due to the intricate nature of recharging compared to refueling, requiring optimized solutions for safe and efficient battery charging.
Innovation Solution
A system and method that includes sensors to measure battery data and a server to generate a recharge time based on battery and mission data, considering factors like battery degradation and thermal models to ensure safe charging and cooling times.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If battery recharging is performed without optimization, then the aircraft can operate, but the recharge process is complex and inefficient with risks of overheating and thermal runaway
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs preliminary assessment of battery state (temperature, charge level, health) before initiating recharging. The server receives battery data from sensors and determines optimal recharge parameters in advance, including charge rate and cooling requirements, to prevent overheating and thermal runaway before they occur.
Solution Approach 2:
The system continuously monitors battery parameters during recharging using sensors and feeds this data back to the server. The server adjusts recharge parameters in real-time based on feedback from temperature sensors, charge level monitors, and battery health indicators to maintain safe operating conditions.
2Loss of time
If fast recharging is implemented, then charging time is reduced, but the risk of overheating and thermal runaway increases
Solution Approach 1:
The recharge rate is dynamically adjusted based on real-time battery conditions. The server modifies charge parameters during the recharging process according to temperature readings, battery state of charge, and thermal models, allowing faster charging when safe and slower charging when thermal management is required.
Solution Approach 2:
The system changes multiple parameters simultaneously including charge current, cooling flow rate, and charge pause intervals based on battery temperature and state. Thermal models predict future temperature states to preemptively adjust parameters before dangerous overheating occurs.
3Reliability
If comprehensive battery monitoring is performed, then charging safety is improved, but system complexity and data processing requirements increase
Solution Approach 1:
A server acts as an intermediary between sensors and battery management. The server consolidates data from multiple sensors (temperature, charge level, current, voltage), processes it through thermal models, and generates simplified control commands for the battery management system, reducing complexity at the battery level while maintaining comprehensive monitoring.
Data Source
AI summary
Aspects relate to methods and systems for optimizing battery recharge management for use with an electric vertical take-off and landing aircraft. An exemplary system includes an electric vertical take-off and landing (eVTOL) aircraft comprising at least battery mechanically coupled to the eVTOL aircraft cand configured to power at least an aircraft component of the eVTOL aircraft, wherein the at least a battery comprises a plurality of battery cells, and at least a sensor, configured to measure battery data associated with the at least a battery, and a server remote from the eVTOL and in communication with the at least a sensor, wherein the server is configured to receive the battery data from the at least a sensor, receive mission data associated with a planned flight mission of the eVTOL aircraft, and generate a recharge time as a function of the battery data and the mission data.