Apparatus and method for fault detection in a battery module
A apparatus for fault detection for use in an electric aircraft is disclosed herein. The apparatus includes a battery module with a plurality of battery cells, a plate extending along the row of cells, insulation between the plate and the plurality of cells, a sensor configured to detect a potential signal, and a controller communicatively connected to the sensor. The controller is configured to receive the potential signal and determine a fault.
1. An apparatus for fault detection in a battery module, the apparatus comprising:
a battery module comprising a plurality of battery cells;
a plate extending along the plurality of battery cells;
an insulation disposed between the plurality of battery cells and the plate, wherein the insulation is configured to electrically insulate the plate from the plurality of battery cells;
a sensor configured to detect a potential signal as a function of a potential between the plate and a reference potential; and
a controller communicatively connected to the sensor, wherein the controller is configured to:
receive the potential signal from the sensor; and
determine a fault as a function of the potential signal.
2. The apparatus of claim 1 , wherein the plate comprises a cooling plate.
3. The apparatus of claim 2 , wherein the cooling plate comprises a heat pipe.
4. The apparatus of claim 2 , wherein the cooling plate comprises a coolant tube.
5. The apparatus of claim 2 , wherein the plate is grounded to the reference potential.
6. The apparatus of claim 1 , wherein the controller is further configured to determine a local fault as a function of the potential signal.
7. The apparatus of claim 1 , wherein determining a fault further comprises determining a fault as a function of an acceptable potential range.
8. The apparatus of claim 6 , wherein the plate is a floating ground.
9. The apparatus of claim 1 , wherein the controller is further configured to determine a global fault as a function of the potential signal.
10. The apparatus of claim 1 , wherein determining a fault comprises determining a short circuit.
11. An apparatus for fault detection in a battery module, the apparatus comprising:
a battery module comprising a plurality of battery cells;
a plate extending along the plurality of battery cells;
an insulation disposed between the plurality of battery cells and the plate, wherein the insulation is configured to electrically insulate the plate from the plurality of battery cells;
a sensor coupled between the plate and one of a battery cell or a ground to detect a potential signal being inadvertently affected by the battery cell through the insulation; and
a controller communicatively connected to the sensor, wherein the controller is configured to:
receive the potential signal from the sensor; and
determine a fault as a function of the potential signal.
12. The apparatus of claim 11 , wherein determining a fault comprises determining a short circuit between the plate and the battery cell.
13. An apparatus for fault detection in a battery module, the apparatus comprising:
a battery module comprising a plurality of battery cells;
a plate extending along the plurality of battery cells;
an insulation disposed between the plurality of battery cells and the plate, wherein the insulation is configured to electrically insulate the plate from the plurality of battery cells;
a sensor coupled between the plate and one of a battery cell or a ground to detect a potential signal, the potential signal being indicative of a possible breakdown of the insulation; and
a controller communicatively connected to the sensor, wherein the controller is configured to:
receive the potential signal from the sensor; and
determine an insulation breakdown fault as a function of the potential signal.
14. The apparatus of claim 13 , wherein determining an insulation breakdown fault includes evaluating a voltage across the sensor.