Paired Aircraft Battery Packs for Redundant High-Voltage Isolation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing electric aircrafts face challenges in ensuring redundancy in power systems to avoid single points of failure, efficient battery charging based on flight information, and safe shutdown mechanisms for first responders in the event of a crash.
Innovation Solution
A high voltage power system for aircrafts connects battery packs in a unit where each acts as a backup, with battery management systems controlling charge levels based on flight information and providing low voltage cut loops for safe shutdown.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Quantity of substance
If battery packs are connected in parallel to increase capacity, then the energy storage increases, but the risk of fault propagation and single point of failure increases
Solution Approach 1:
The battery system is divided into multiple independent battery packs, each with its own management system and electrical isolation. This segmentation prevents fault propagation between packs while maintaining overall system capacity through parallel connection of independent units.
Solution Approach 2:
Isolation mechanisms and independent management systems act as intermediaries between battery packs, preventing direct electrical coupling that would allow fault propagation. Each pack operates as an independent unit with controlled interfaces.
2Productivity
If multiple battery packs are charged simultaneously from separate sources, then charging efficiency increases, but system complexity and charging time increase
Solution Approach 1:
Multiple battery packs are connected in parallel to a single charging source, allowing simultaneous charging of all packs through one interface. This merging approach maintains high charging productivity while reducing system complexity by eliminating the need for multiple separate charging systems.
Solution Approach 2:
A single charging source is designed to charge multiple battery packs simultaneously through parallel connection, making the charging system universal and multi-functional rather than requiring dedicated charging equipment for each pack.
3Reliability
If first responders need to quickly shut off power in a crash, then safety response time decreases, but the complexity of shutdown mechanisms increases
Solution Approach 1:
The emergency shutdown function is extracted as a separate, dedicated mechanism (cut loop) that operates independently from the normal battery management system. This simple wire-cut mechanism provides rapid safety response without the complexity of electronic control systems.
Solution Approach 2:
The electronic shutdown control is replaced with a simple mechanical wire-cut mechanism. First responders can physically cut the low-voltage wire to trigger immediate power shutdown, providing a foolproof, complexity-free emergency response system.
4Reliability
If battery packs are electrically isolated for safety, then fault propagation is prevented, but redundancy and backup capability are reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The electrical connection between battery packs is made dynamic rather than static. Packs can be electrically isolated when faults are detected or during normal operation, but can be connected in parallel when all packs are healthy, providing both safety and redundancy as needed.
Data Source
Figure 1A
Figure 1B~1C
Figure 1D
AI summary
A power distribution system for an aircraft, comprising a plurality of electric propeller units (EPUs), includes a first paired battery pack unit comprising a first battery electrically connected to a second battery via a first high voltage bus. The first and second batteries are configured to provide power to respectively first and second sets of EPUs of the plurality of EPUs. The system includes a second paired battery pack unit comprising a third battery electrically connected to a fourth battery via a second high voltage bus. The third and fourth batteries are configured to provide power to respectively third and fourth sets of EPUs of the plurality of EPUs. The first high voltage bus and the second high voltage bus are electrically separate from one another.