Modular Titanium Web Airframe for Battery Thermal Protection
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Aircraft are vulnerable to thermal runaway events caused by battery temperature increases, leading to destructive consequences, and existing protection methods result in redundant weight and complex repair processes.
Innovation Solution
A modular hybrid structure using thin, lightweight titanium sheets as both structural members and replaceable heat shields integrated into the airframe, replacing traditional web structures to provide thermal protection and facilitate easy repair.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Weight of moving object
If traditional structural materials are used for web portions, then structural strength is achieved, but weight is excessive
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies composite materials by combining titanium sheets with aluminum alloy structural members. The titanium web members provide both structural strength and thermal protection properties, while the aluminum alloy beams provide primary structural support. This composite approach allows the web portions to be lighter than traditional solid aluminum alloy webs while maintaining required strength through the titanium material properties and optimized geometry.
2Reliability
If sacrificial or heat resistant materials are prepackaged around batteries, then thermal protection is improved, but weight increases and repair complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The titanium web members serve multiple functions simultaneously: they provide structural support as load-bearing web portions of the airframe, and they act as thermal protection barriers for the battery compartments. This multi-functionality eliminates the need for separate sacrificial heat shields, reducing weight while maintaining thermal protection capability. The same structural component performs both mechanical and thermal protective roles.
3Reliability
If sacrificial or heat resistant materials are prepackaged around batteries, then thermal protection is improved, but repair time increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the web structure into replaceable titanium web members that are fastened to the aluminum alloy beams. This segmentation allows individual web members to be quickly removed and replaced without affecting the entire airframe structure. In the event of thermal damage, only the damaged web member needs to be replaced, significantly reducing repair time compared to integrated sacrificial materials that would require complex removal and replacement procedures.
4Temperature
If traditional web structures are used, then structural integrity is maintained, but thermal protection capability is insufficient
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the material parameter from traditional aluminum alloy webs to titanium sheets, which have superior thermal resistance properties. Titanium's higher melting point and thermal stability provide better protection against thermal events. Additionally, the web members are designed as thin sheets with optimized thickness to achieve the required thermal protection level while minimizing weight, representing a parameter optimization approach.
Data Source
AI summary
A replaceable web structure for an aircraft frame is described and includes a plurality of structural members fabricated from a first type of material, the replaceable web structure comprising a plurality of web members fabricated from thin sheets of a second type of material, wherein each of the web members is fastened to a web frame of one of the structural members to replace a web portion of the one of the structural members; wherein the second type of material is stronger than the first type of material such that one of the sheets of the second type of material is lighter weight than a sheet of equal strength of the first type of material.