Hybrid Interchangeable Battery Evaluation Tool for Aircraft Energy Split
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current hybrid-electric aircraft propulsion systems face challenges in optimizing the energy split between battery and fuel for efficient flight operations, particularly in determining the optimal battery size and energy distribution for specified ranges and payloads, given constraints like power limits, structural/volumetric limits, and cost considerations.
Innovation Solution
The Hybrid Interchangeable Battery Evaluation Tool (HIBET) is developed to optimize the energy split between battery and fuel by using a spreadsheet application or software implementation, which receives input variables and outputs necessary amounts of electrical energy and jet fuel, considering physical constraints and economic factors to ensure efficient flight completion.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Duration of action of moving object
If battery mass is increased to provide more electrical energy for propulsion, then the aircraft can operate in hybrid-electric mode for longer durations or greater ranges, but the structural weight and volumetric constraints of the aircraft are exceeded
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies parameter changes by optimizing the battery mass and energy split between electrical and fuel-based propulsion to achieve maximum hybrid-electric operation duration within structural constraints. The system calculates optimal battery parameters (mass, capacity) that maximize electric propulsion utilization while respecting weight and volume limits, thereby resolving the contradiction between extended electric operation and structural constraints
2Quantity of substance
If battery mass is increased to store more electrical energy, then the aircraft can carry sufficient energy for specified ranges, but the cost of the hybrid-electric system increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent optimizes battery parameters and energy split to achieve the minimum battery mass required for specified range and payload requirements. By calculating the optimal balance between electrical energy storage capacity and system cost, the system determines the most economical battery configuration that still meets the required energy storage capacity for hybrid-electric operation
3Use of energy by moving object
If the energy split between battery and fuel is not optimized, then the aircraft cannot achieve maximum energy efficiency, but determining the optimal split requires complex calculations considering multiple constraints
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs a self-service approach where the system automatically performs the complex optimization calculations to determine the optimal energy split between battery and fuel. The hybrid-electric propulsion system includes integrated computational tools that autonomously calculate the optimal battery mass, energy distribution, and propulsion mix based on input parameters such as range, payload, and environmental conditions, thereby achieving maximum energy efficiency without requiring manual complex calculations
Data Source
AI summary
A hybrid interchangeable battery evaluation tool (HIBET) is provided. HIBET determines an amount of electrical energy and an amount of jet fuel necessary for a hybrid electric aircraft to complete a flight based on a range of the flight, a payload of the hybrid electric aircraft, an indication of a battery mass limitation of the hybrid electric aircraft, and an optimization of an energy split between the electrical energy and the jet fuel. HIBET causes an indication of the amount of electrical energy to be displayed in a graphical user interface and/or to be otherwise outputted.