Abstract: There is disclosed in one example, one or more tangible, non-transitory computer-readable storage media having stored thereon machine-executable instructions to: receive battery data from at least one sensor connected to a battery bank of an electric vertical takeoff and landing (eVTOL) aircraft, wherein the battery bank comprises a plurality of batteries; compute from the battery data an available flight time remaining for the eVTOL aircraft; compute a nominal flight time remaining, wherein the nominal flight time remaining excludes a reserve flight time; and display the nominal flight time remaining to a pilot in a human-readable format.

Abstract: In an example, a computing apparatus includes a hardware platform, having a processor and a memory, and instructions encoded within the memory to instruct the processor to receive a peak power demand for a landing maneuver of a VTOL aircraft powered at least partly by a battery, receive flight profile data for a flight profile of the VTOL aircraft, and configuration data for the VTOL aircraft, estimate power consumption of the flight profile in context of the configuration, and estimate a peak power capacity available for the landing maneuver, and provide an error notice if the peak power capacity does not meet the peak power demand.

Abstract: A battery system is described with methods and systems for thermally isolating a battery module experiencing thermal runaway. In one embodiment, a thermal actuator can cut a busbar coupling neighboring battery modules together, thereby preventing or slowing the spread of thermal runaway. In other embodiments, a fusible material can joint portions of a busbar. High temperatures can cause the fusible material to melt off of the busbar portions and thereby break the thermal or electrical conductivity between busbar portions and neighboring modules.

Abstract: There is disclosed in one example, one or more tangible, non-transitory computer-readable storage media having stored thereon machine-executable instructions to: receive battery data from at least one sensor connected to a battery bank of an electric vertical takeoff and landing (eVTOL) aircraft, wherein the battery bank comprises a plurality of batteries; compute from the battery data an available flight time remaining for the eVTOL aircraft; compute a nominal flight time remaining, wherein the nominal flight time remaining excludes a reserve flight time; and display the nominal flight time remaining to a pilot in a human-readable format.

Abstract: In an example, a computing apparatus includes a hardware platform, having a processor and a memory, and instructions encoded within the memory to instruct the processor to receive a peak power demand for a landing maneuver of a VTOL aircraft powered at least partly by a battery, receive flight profile data for a flight profile of the VTOL aircraft, and configuration data for the VTOL aircraft, estimate power consumption of the flight profile in context of the configuration, and estimate a peak power capacity available for the landing maneuver, and provide an error notice if the peak power capacity does not meet the peak power demand.

Abstract: There is disclosed in one example an apparatus, including: a hardware platform including a processor and a memory; and instructions encoded within the memory to instruct the processor to: receive stored performance data for an aircraft battery, the stored performance data including data that correlate power density to temperature and remaining charge; simulate a planned flight for an aircraft, including predicting a plurality of temperature and remaining charge values; and direct operation of a heat exchange apparatus to precondition the battery to a selected temperature before the planned flight.

Abstract: In one aspect, a flexible fan blade for use in a centrifugal fan impeller having at least one of a rear plate and a front plate with an air inlet is provided. The flexible fan blade comprises a fixed central portion fixedly coupled to at least one of the front plate and the rear plate of the centrifugal fan impeller. The flexible fan blade also includes a trailing edge extending from the fixed central portion and being moveable between a first position and a second position. The trailing edge is fabricated from a compliant material. Furthermore, the trailing edge is flexible in relation to the fixed central portion between a first position and a second position. The flexible fan blade also includes a leading edge extending from the fixed central portion in opposed relation to the trailing edge.