Abstract: A battery module includes a monoblock comprising one or more battery cells, a first power path electrically coupled to the monoblock and electrically couplable to one or more terminals, a switching device coupled to the first power path and configured to open and to close a circuit thereof, a control system that controls the switching device, and a second power path electrically coupled to the monoblock. The second power path is configured to provide power to the control system. An absence of a voltage signal from the second power path detected by the control system causes the switching device to open to electrically disconnect the one or more terminals of the first power path. Detection of the voltage signal from the second power path by the control system may cause the switching device to close to electrically connect the one or more terminals of the first power path.

Abstract: When grounded, aircraft may taxi using thrust from the main aircraft engines, which can waste fuel and is often inefficient. This disclosure outlines an electric aircraft taxi system, or eTaxi system, that can operate without continuous power from the aircraft engines, allowing the engines to be turned off during taxi to save fuel. An electric auxiliary power unit, or eAPU, is equipped on the aircraft and powers electric motor-generators that can both drive landing gear wheels and regenerate power from the wheels during regenerative braking. When the eTaxi system is on, a drive controller and a taxi controller gather inputs from the aircraft controls and converts them into commands sent to the electric motor-generators, brakes, and steering devices.

Abstract: An apparatus for controlling a battery monoblock charge and discharge current comprising: a battery monoblock having a series stack of battery cells, a battery monoblock controller connected to the series stack of battery cells and connected to a monoblock current sensor, a first battery cell voltage sensor connected to the series stack of battery cells, a second battery cell voltage sensor connected to the series stack of battery cells, and a bi-directional DC/DC converter connected between the series stack of battery cells and the first battery cell voltage sensor and connected to the battery monoblock controller, wherein the bi-directional DC/DC converter controls a charge or a discharge of the battery monoblock.