INTEGRATED COOLING AND VENTING SYSTEM
A cooling and venting system is disclosed. The system includes an airflow path through an aircraft, configured to accommodate a battery and allow airflow through the aircraft. In some embodiments, a battery pack that has openings for airflow is placed in the airflow path.
1 . A cooling and venting system, comprising:
an airflow path through an aircraft, configured to accommodate a battery and allow airflow through the aircraft;
an inlet positioned at a first end of the airflow path; and
an outlet positioned at a second end of the airflow path.
2 . The system of claim 1 , wherein the airflow path comprises a continuous, unobstructed upward slope from the battery to the outlet.
3 . The system of claim 1 , wherein gas created by the battery is expelled from the aircraft through the airflow path.
4 . The system of claim 1 , wherein airflow through the airflow path cools the battery.
5 . The system of claim 1 , wherein a battery pack structure storing multiple batteries is placed in the airflow path.
6 . The system of claim 5 , wherein the battery pack structure comprises openings through the battery pack structure.
7 . The system of claim 6 , wherein the openings are configured to allow airflow to pass over each battery stored in the battery pack structure.
8 . The system of claim 1 , wherein the airflow path comprises a fully sealed path through the aircraft.
9 . The system of claim 1 , wherein fire-resistant materials are used to isolate the airflow path from other areas of the aircraft.
10 . The system of claim 1 , wherein air enters the inlet, travels through the airflow path, and exits the outlet.
11 . The system of claim 1 , wherein the inlet is positioned on the underside of the aircraft.
12 . The system of claim 1 , wherein the outlet is positioned on the top of the aircraft.
13 . The system of claim 1 , wherein the airflow path crosses through a fuselage of the aircraft.
14 . The system of claim 1 , wherein the airflow path is angled with the outlet positioned higher on the aircraft than the inlet.
15 . The system of claim 1 , wherein the airflow path is more shallowly angled at its two ends than at a center section of the airflow path.
16 . The system of claim 1 , wherein one or more additional airflow paths are used in the electric aircraft.
17 . The system of claim 16 , wherein the airflow path and the one or more additional airflow paths pass through a shared chamber.
18 . The system of claim 17 , wherein the battery is stored in the shared chamber.
19 . The system of claim 1 , wherein the inlet is a National Advisory Committee for Aeronautics inlet.
20 . The system of claim 1 , wherein the outlet is louvered.