Multi-Layered Structural Laminates for Aircraft Battery Integration
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing battery integration concepts for aircraft and spacecraft are not suitable for structural integration due to weight and fuel consumption issues, and require additional reinforcing structures, which increase weight and fuel consumption, and existing cooling methods also add weight.
Innovation Solution
A battery arrangement using multi-layered structural laminates with integrated cooling plates and current collectors that carry out both thermal and mechanical functions, replacing additional structure-reinforcing components and allowing batteries to take on load forces, thereby optimizing weight and energy density.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Strength
If additional reinforcing structures are added to integrate batteries structurally, then structural integrity is improved, but weight increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines the battery housing with structural load-bearing elements into a single integrated component. The battery arrangement is designed to function both as an energy storage unit and as a structural element that can bear mechanical loads, eliminating the need for separate reinforcing structures and thereby reducing overall weight while maintaining structural integrity.
Solution Approach 2:
The battery arrangement is designed to perform multiple functions simultaneously: energy storage, thermal management, and structural load-bearing. By making the battery housing serve as both a containment structure and a load-bearing structural element, the invention achieves multi-functionality that resolves the contradiction between structural requirements and weight reduction.
2Temperature
If separate cooling devices are added for temperature control, then thermal management is improved, but weight increases
Solution Approach 1:
The cooling device is integrated directly into the battery housing structure rather than being implemented as a separate external component. The housing itself incorporates thermal management functionality through integrated cooling channels or thermally conductive materials, combining the structural containment function with active cooling function in a single element, thereby achieving temperature control without adding separate cooling device weight.
3Reliability
If multiple separate components are used for battery integration, then functional performance is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The invention merges multiple previously separate components (battery housing, structural reinforcement, cooling device, and mounting structure) into a single integrated battery arrangement. This consolidation maintains all necessary functional performances while significantly reducing the number of separate components, thereby simplifying the overall device structure and reducing assembly complexity.
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 solution enables efficient and lightweight integration of a large number of battery cells, reducing the need for additional structural components, improving power density, and allowing batteries to conduct loads, thus enhancing the structural and thermal performance of the vehicle while minimizing weight and fuel consumption.
Implementation Method 1
each multi-layered structural laminate has a cooling plate layer and a current collector layer
Implementation Method 2
the at least one battery is coupled electrically to the current collector layer
Data Source
AI summary
A battery arrangement for the structural integration of batteries in a vehicle, in particular an aircraft or spacecraft, includes at least one battery; and two supporting, multi-layered structural laminates, between which the at least one battery is held on both sides via battery holders, wherein each multi-layered structural laminate has a cooling plate layer and a current collector layer, wherein the at least one battery is coupled electrically to the current collector layer.