Application of composite structural battery in civil aircraft

The composite structural battery enables the traditional composite structure not only to meet load-bearing requirements, but also to provide an electrical storage capability, which is one feasible way to realize the integration of structure and function in civil aircraft. In this paper, the research status and performance of composite structural batteries are reviewed. The structural stiffness efficiency and structural strength efficiency of the composite structure battery are about 60% respectively, and the energy storage efficiency is about 50%. The aircraft galley system and in-flight entertainment system can be powered primarily by the composite structure battery. As technology advances, it can also power the cabin environmental control system, wing electric anti-icing, and other systems. The first choice for structural battery application is the cabin floor, galley/lavatory structure, followed by wing-body fairing, wing/tail trailing edge and other structures. The advantages and disadvantages of composite structure batteries applied to civil aircraft structures are analyzed comprehensively. In typical application scenarios, composite structure batteries can achieve structural weight reduction and fuel saving benefits, but also bring an increase in manufacturing costs, inspection and maintenance costs, and ground electrical charging/infrastructure construction costs. Battery thermal management and cabin fire safety technologies face additional difficulties as a result of the use of composite structure batteries in passenger aircraft.