Systems and methods for pre-charging short circuit detection in electric aircraft
A system for pre-charging short circuit detection in electric aircraft. The system includes a charging connector and a controller communicatively connected to the charging connector. The charging connector includes a housing, at least a conductor, and at least a control signal conductor. The housing is configured to mate with an electric aircraft port of an electric aircraft. The at least a conductor is configured to conduct a charging current to the electric aircraft. The at least a control signal conductor is configured to conduct a control signal. The controller is configured to receive a circuit health datum, through the at least a control signal conductor, prior to initiation of charging of the electric aircraft, and to disable initiation of charging of the electric aircraft if the circuit health datum comprises a short circuit datum. A method for pre-charging short circuit detection in electric aircraft is also provided.
1 . A system for pre-charging short circuit detection in electric aircraft, the system comprising:
a charging connector, wherein the charging connector comprises:
a housing configured to mate with an electric aircraft port of an electric aircraft; and wherein the at least a conductor is configured to make a connection with a mating component on the electric aircraft port when the housing is mated with the electric aircraft port;
a battery sensor configured to detect a circuit health datum of a battery within the electric aircraft, wherein the circuit health datum includes a battery temperature; and
a controller communicatively connected to the charging connector through a control signal conductor, wherein the controller is configured to:
receive the circuit health datum through the control signal conductor during a pre-charge operation and prior to initiation of charging of the electric aircraft;
determine whether the circuit health datum indicates a short circuit based on whether at least the battery temperature of the battery health datum exceeds a corresponding threshold; and
disable initiation of charging of the electric aircraft in response to determining the circuit health datum indicates a short circuit.
2 . The system of claim 1 , wherein the controller is a part of the charging connector.
3 . The system of claim 2 , wherein the controller is located within the housing of the charging connector.
4 . The system of claim 1 , wherein the short circuit datum further includes a short circuit location datum.
5 . A method for pre-charging short circuit detection in electric aircraft, the method comprising:
mating a housing of a charging connector with an electric aircraft port of an electric aircraft,
wherein the charging connector further comprises:
at least a conductor configured to conduct a charging current to the electric aircraft;
a battery sensor configured to detect a circuit health datum of a battery within the electric aircraft, wherein the circuit health datum includes a battery temperature;
wherein mating the housing of the charging connector with the electric aircraft port further comprises connecting the at least a conductor with a mating component on the electric aircraft port;
receiving, by a controller communicatively connected to the charging connector through a control signal conductor during a pre-charge operation, a circuit health datum including a battery temperature;
determining whether the circuit health datum indicates a short circuit based on whether at least the battery temperature of the battery health datum exceeds a corresponding threshold; and
disabling, by the controller, initiation of charging of the electric aircraft if the in response to determining the circuit health datum indicates a short circuit.
6 . The method of claim 5 , wherein the controller is a part of the charging connector.
7 . The method of claim 6 , wherein the controller is located within the housing of the charging connector.
8 . The method of claim 5 , wherein the short circuit datum further includes a short circuit location datum.
9 . The method of claim 5 , wherein the method further comprises detecting, by at least an electrical sensor, a circuit characteristic.
10 . The method of claim 5 , wherein the battery sensor further comprises at least a temperature sensor.
11 . The method of claim 10 , wherein the at least a temperature sensor is configured to detect the battery temperature and a battery temperature change rate.