Power source assembly for an electric vertical take-off and landing (evtol) aircraft

Abstract

A power source assembly for an electric eVTOL aircraft comprising a battery pack. The battery pack further comprising an end panel, a plurality of high energy density battery modules, wherein each module comprises a plurality of battery units, further comprising a plurality of battery cells electronically coupled together, a cell retainer disposed in a predetermined arrangement comprising two columns, a protective wrapping of thermally insulating material woven between columns of battery units, and a terminal electronically disposed on the end panel electronically connected to each of the plurality of high energy density battery modules.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A power source assembly for an electric vertical take-off and landing (eVTOL) aircraft comprising:
 a battery pack comprising:
 a plurality of battery modules, wherein each of the battery modules comprises:
 a plurality of battery cells, wherein each battery cell of the plurality of battery cells is electronically coupled to at least one other battery cell of the plurality of battery cells; and 
 a cell retainer disposing the plurality of battery cells in a predetermined arrangement; 
 
 a barrier disposed between at least a battery module of the plurality of battery modules and at least a fuse configured to connect to the at least a battery module and another at least a battery module of the plurality of battery modules; and 
 at least terminal located at an end of the battery pack that is electronically connected to the at least a fuse and each battery module of the plurality of battery modules. 
   
     
     
         2 . The assembly of  claim 1 , wherein the cell retainer comprises a structure that is configured to mechanically couple the plurality of battery cells in the predetermined arrangement. 
     
     
         3 . The assembly of  claim 2 , wherein the predetermined arrangement comprises a first column and a second column. 
     
     
         4 . The assembly of  claim 3 , wherein the first column is offset from the second column by a distance equal to the radius of a battery cell. 
     
     
         5 . The assembly of  claim 1 , wherein the cell retainer is configured to hold the plurality of battery cells in a fixed position while an eVTOL aircraft is in motion. 
     
     
         6 . The assembly of  claim 1 , wherein an electrical bus in electrical communication with the plurality of battery cells is mounted to the cell retainer. 
     
     
         7 . The assembly of  claim 1 , wherein the cell retainer has rigid structure. 
     
     
         8 . The assembly of  claim 7 , wherein the cell retainer is configured to transfer structural loads through the plurality of battery cells. 
     
     
         9 . The assembly of  claim 1 , wherein the cell retainer comprises an injection molded component. 
     
     
         10 . The assembly of  claim 1 , wherein the cell retainer comprises a polymer. 
     
     
         11 . The assembly of  claim 10 , wherein the polymer comprises polypropylene. 
     
     
         12 . The assembly of  claim 1 , wherein the cell retainer is mechanically connected to an eVTOL aircraft. 
     
     
         13 . The assembly of  claim 1 , wherein the cell retainer is configured to thermally insulate the plurality of battery cells. 
     
     
         14 . The assembly of  claim 1 , wherein the cell retainer is configured to electrically insulate the plurality of battery cells. 
     
     
         15 . The assembly of  claim 1 , wherein each battery cell is disposed within each of the battery modules such that at least a portion of a first surface of each battery cell is in contact with at least a portion of a thermal conductor configured to transfer heat from the battery cell. 
     
     
         16 . The assembly of  claim 1 , wherein each battery module comprises an electrical contact having an electrical connection with at least one other battery module of the battery pack. 
     
     
         17 . The assembly of  claim 1 , wherein each battery module further comprises a cell guide disposed under the cell retainer. 
     
     
         18 . The assembly of  claim 1 , wherein the barrier comprises a flame retardant. 
     
     
         19 . The assembly of  claim 1 , wherein the fuse comprises an explosive fuse. 
     
     
         20 . The assembly of  claim 1 , wherein the barrier comprises a thermally insulating material.