Lithium Polymer Battery System for Aerospace Environments
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current aerospace battery systems lack a scalable, modular, and intelligent power solution that can efficiently power small satellites and weight-sensitive launch vehicles, as existing technologies are not adaptable to harsh environments and fail to provide real-time monitoring, protection, and scalability, leading to safety concerns and inefficiencies.
Innovation Solution
A modular and scalable lithium polymer battery system with real-time monitoring and protection capabilities, designed to be adaptable from small to large sizes, incorporating dynamic packaging and intelligent control for safe operation in harsh environments, reducing weight and size while enhancing safety and efficiency.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Weight of moving object
If legacy battery systems (silver-zinc, lead acid, nickel-cadmium, lithium-ion) are used in aerospace applications, then power delivery is reliable, but weight and size are excessive for small satellites and weight-sensitive launch vehicles
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the chemical composition parameters of the battery system by using lithium polymer chemistry with specific electrolyte concentrations (1-3M lithium salt in organic carbonate solvent) and electrode materials (lithium cobalt oxide cathode, carbon anode), achieving higher energy density and reduced weight while maintaining reliability through controlled chemical parameters
Solution Approach 2:
The patent employs composite materials including lithium polymer electrolyte membranes, conductive polymer coatings, and layered electrode structures that combine multiple materials with complementary properties to achieve both lightweight construction and reliable power delivery in aerospace environments
2Quantity of substance
If flat lithium polymer pouch cells are stacked to achieve maximum power density, then energy density increases, but the system becomes unsuitable for harsh aerospace environments (vacuum, temperature extremes, radiation)
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the battery system into modular pouch cell units that can be independently configured and replaced, allowing the system to maintain high energy density while adapting to different aerospace environmental conditions through modular architecture
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements dynamic thermal management and pressure regulation systems that actively adjust operating conditions in response to environmental changes, enabling the high-density lithium polymer cells to operate reliably across extreme temperature ranges and vacuum conditions
3Ease of manufacture
If basic lithium polymer systems from consumer electronics are adapted for aerospace use, then implementation cost is reduced, but safety and intelligence control capabilities are insufficient for harsh environments
Solution Approach 1:
The patent incorporates real-time feedback systems with sensors monitoring voltage, current, temperature, and pressure at multiple points within the battery pack, with control algorithms that continuously adjust charging parameters and activate protection mechanisms to maintain safety while using cost-effective lithium polymer chemistry
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements preliminary protective measures including pre-deployed thermal runaway containment structures, pre-charged safety circuits, and pre-programmed fault response protocols that activate automatically before critical failures can occur, enhancing safety without complicating the basic lithium polymer system architecture
Data Source
AI summary
An Advanced Lithium Power System (10) that employs lithium polymer pouch cells and operates in all environments from atmospheric pressures, upward and through to the harsh and demanding realm of a space vacuum, including any aerospace related environments of launch, flight or operation for satellites, missiles, rockets and aircraft, being comprised of any number of stacked flat lithium polymer battery cells physically arranged and integrated within a constraining packaging enclosure that maximizes safety and power density while mitigating the debilitating effects of shock, vibration, thermal cycle, vacuum, radiation and electromagnetic interference, and simultaneously communicates electronically with a battery management system, providing instant autonomous cell protection, balancing and electronically isolated real-time monitoring of all individual cell parameters of voltage, current, temperature, state of charge and internal resistance, down to the individual cell level.