Smart Battery Module Voltage Control for Electric Aircraft
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing electric and hybrid aircraft designs face challenges in meeting stringent certification standards due to unique design requirements and safety risks, with current battery module configurations leading to increased weight, complexity, and efficiency losses, hindering commercial viability.
Innovation Solution
A smart battery module system with series-connected battery modules, a power converter, and a control unit that regulates voltage and current, utilizing GaN power semiconductor switches for efficient conversion and redundancy, enabling flexible configuration and real-time health monitoring to maintain output stability and safety.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If redundant battery management systems are implemented to improve reliability, then safety is enhanced, but system complexity increases and certification becomes more difficult
Solution Approach 1:
The battery management system is segmented into multiple independent battery management units, each capable of autonomously monitoring and managing battery modules. This segmentation allows the system to achieve redundancy and fault tolerance without requiring a single complex centralized system, thereby improving reliability while maintaining manageable complexity levels that facilitate certification.
2Power
If series-connected battery modules are used to increase voltage output, then power capability is improved, but weight and complexity increase
Solution Approach 1:
The system dynamically configures battery module connections between series and parallel arrangements based on real-time operational requirements. This dynamic reconfiguration allows the system to achieve high voltage output when needed through series connection while reducing weight and complexity by using fewer modules or alternative configurations when full power is not required, thus resolving the contradiction between power capability and weight.
3Power
If series-connected battery modules are used to increase voltage, then power capability is improved, but efficiency losses occur
Solution Approach 1:
The system dynamically switches between series and parallel battery module configurations to optimize efficiency for different operational conditions. During high-power demand phases, series connection provides high voltage output, while during normal operation or charging phases, parallel connection reduces resistive losses and improves overall efficiency, thus resolving the contradiction between power capability and energy efficiency.
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
The system reduces weight and complexity, enhances efficiency, and simplifies certification processes, making electric and hybrid aircraft more commercially viable by ensuring reliable operation and compliance with safety standards.
Implementation Method 1
utilizing GaN power semiconductor switches for efficient conversion
Data Source
AI summary
An electrical power supply system for an aircraft comprising: a string of a plurality of connected smart battery modules, wherein the string is configured to provide a common output voltage; wherein each of the smart battery modules comprises, terminals for outputting an output voltage to a device external to the smart battery module; a battery assembly configured to supply a DC voltage between two poles; a power converter electrically connected to the terminals and the poles, and a controller operably coupled to the semiconductor stage and configured to control the semiconductor stage for regulating the voltage conversation of the DC voltage into the output voltage a control unit operably coupled to the controller of each smart battery module and configured to set an output voltage and/or current setpoint or limit for each controller individually or configured to set an output voltage and/or current setpoint or limit for all controllers collectively.