Fast-charging and equalization technology of aeronautical lithium battery

The advancement and performance enhancement of electric aircraft are significantly influenced by the efficiency and reliability of lithium-ion batteries. Battery inconsistency can lead to degradation of battery life and poses risks such as fire or explosion. This imbalance is critical, especially in fast-charging battery storage systems. While both fast-charging and balancing functions are vital, achieving both simultaneously remains challenging. This paper addresses two primary technical challenges associated with lithium-ion batteries in electric aircraft applications: balancing technology and fast-charging technology within battery management systems. Firstly, a reconfigurable battery system with both balancing and fast-charging capabilities is proposed. Secondly, a control strategy for the unique structure of reconfigurable battery packs is presented. Thirdly, the reconfigurable battery system is fabricated. Then, an experimental test bench is established. Validation of the reconfigurable battery system and control strategy through experiments demonstrates that the proposed method effectively achieves both balancing and fast-charging functions, significantly enhancing battery pack performance. Compared to normal mode, charging speed increases by 2 times, and battery capacity improves by 10.7% after charging with balancing.