Structural Battery Assembly With Electrolyte Pumping for Vehicle Range
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Current electric vehicles, particularly aircraft, have limited range and payload capacity due to the low energy density of existing battery technologies, and higher energy density batteries like metal-air batteries are not scalable to larger transportation vehicles.
Innovation Solution
A battery assembly is integrated into the structure of transportation vehicles as a stiffening element, housing higher energy density batteries such as metal-air batteries, with a pumping system to manage electrolyte flow and include access ports for anode replacement.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Use of energy by moving object
If higher energy density batteries such as metal-air batteries are used, then energy density is improved, but scalability to larger and more complex transportation vehicles is worsened
Solution Approach 1:
The battery system is divided into modular battery assemblies that can be independently installed and removed. Each battery assembly contains complete battery components including anodes, cathodes, and electrolyte systems, allowing the vehicle to be configured with appropriate battery capacity for different applications while maintaining the benefits of high energy density metal-air battery technology
Solution Approach 2:
The battery assembly design creates a universal platform that can be adapted to various vehicle types and sizes. The standardized assembly interface and modular architecture allow the same battery technology to scale from smaller to larger transportation vehicles without requiring fundamental design changes to the battery chemistry or core structure
2Ease of operation
If battery assembly is stored in cargo hull, then ease of access is improved, but payload carrying capacity is worsened
Solution Approach 1:
The battery assembly is integrated with the vehicle's structural framework, combining the battery housing with load-bearing structural elements. This merging of storage and structural functions eliminates the need for separate cargo space allocation, allowing batteries to be positioned within the structural skeleton rather than occupying dedicated storage volumes
3Strength
If battery assembly is integrated into structure, then structural integrity is improved, but ease of maintenance is worsened
Solution Approach 1:
The battery system is segmented into modular assemblies with standardized interfaces that connect to the structural framework. This segmentation allows individual battery modules to be independently accessed and replaced without compromising the overall structural integrity, as the modular connection points are designed to maintain structural load paths during maintenance operations
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
This integration increases energy density and structural integrity, enhances payload capacity, and improves battery performance by allowing efficient maintenance and electrolyte management.
Implementation Method 1
The housing body is porous and configured to allow an electrolyte to pass through the housing body
Implementation Method 2
The systems and methods described herein also provide a pump and pumping circuit that manages electrolyte flow through the battery assembly to maximize performance of the metal-air battery
Data Source
AI summary
The disclosure provides a battery assembly. The battery assembly includes a plurality of stiffener assemblies. Each stiffener assembly in the plurality of stiffener assemblies comprises a stiffener body, an inner surface of the stiffener body that forms a hollow channel through the stiffener body, a cathode assembly, and an anode assembly. The battery assembly further includes a pump in fluid communication with the hollow channel of the stiffener bodies, where the pump is configured to circulate an electrolyte through the hollow channels.