A modular energy storage system within a vehicle (e.g. blended wing body aircraft, hovercraft, ship), comprises a plurality of discrete energy storage units 24 (e.g. banks of batteries) movable within the vehicle and selectively securable in a variety of positions. Preferably a plurality of connection points 26, 28 for receiving and securing batteries are distributed within aircraft fuselage and lifting surfaces, e.g. wings. The connection points may be distributed along the roll axis. Discrete energy storage units may be securable in a variety of longitudinal, lateral and vertical positions. The batteries may be movable during the aircraft loading process, to adjust mass distribution for balanced weighting and compensating changes in centre of gravity due to aircraft loading. Centre of gravity can be tuned, remaining within a small envelope for different loading conditions, allowing the use of a smaller vertical tail. Total battery mass may be changed from mission to mission.
A distributed energy storage system
2020-02-05
Patent
Electronic Resource
English