Structural Battery Stiffeners With Electrolyte Pumping for Metal-Air Scaling
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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 limited
Solution Approach 1:
The battery system is divided into modular battery assemblies that can be distributed throughout the vehicle structure. Each assembly contains metal-air batteries with anodes, cathodes, and electrolyte reservoirs, allowing the system to be scaled by adding or removing modules rather than requiring a monolithic battery design.
Solution Approach 2:
The battery assemblies serve multiple functions: they provide electrical energy storage, act as structural stiffening elements within the vehicle, and can be positioned to optimize both energy density and structural integrity. This multi-functionality enables scalability across different vehicle sizes and configurations.
2Strength
If battery assembly is integrated into vehicle structure as stiffening element, then structural integrity is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The battery assembly design merges the electrical energy storage function with the structural support function. The battery housing and structural members are integrated into a single assembly that simultaneously provides both energy storage and structural stiffening, eliminating the need for separate structural components in certain locations.
Solution Approach 2:
The battery components are nested within structural elements of the vehicle. The battery assemblies are positioned within and integrated into the vehicle's structural framework, allowing the battery housing to serve as both containment and structural reinforcement.
3Quantity of substance
If metal-air batteries are used with porous housing body, then electrolyte flow is improved, but manufacturing precision requirements increase
Solution Approach 1:
The battery housing body is constructed with a porous structure that allows electrolyte to permeate through it and reach the anode. This porous design eliminates the need for separate electrolyte delivery channels and complex flow control mechanisms, simplifying the overall system while ensuring adequate electrolyte distribution.
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, enhancing payload capacity and enabling efficient maintenance of metal-air batteries.
Implementation Method 1
a pump in fluid communication with the hollow channel of one or more of the plurality of stiffener assemblies, wherein the pump is configured to circulate the electrolyte through the hollow channel of the one or more of the plurality of stiffener assemblies
Implementation Method 2
the housing body is porous and configured to allow an electrolyte to pass through the housing body
Implementation Method 3
a cathode assembly positioned between the hollow channel in the stiffener body and air external to the stiffener body
Data Source
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AI summary
The disclosure provides a battery assembly (116). The battery assembly (116) includes a plurality of stiffener assemblies (118). Each stiffener assembly (118) in the plurality of stiffener assemblies (118) comprises a stiffener body (130), an inner surface (132) of the stiffener body (130) that forms a hollow channel (134) through the stiffener body (130), a cathode assembly (144), and an anode assembly (164). The battery assembly (116) further includes a pump (101) in fluid communication with the hollow channel (134) of the stiffener bodies (130), where the pump (101) is configured to circulate an electrolyte through the hollow channels (134).