X-57 Maxwell Battery from Cell Level to System Level Design and Testing

Abstract

The X-57 Maxwell flight demonstrator aircraft is an experimental aircraft designed to demonstrate radically improved aircraft efficiency with a 3.5 times aero-propulsive efficiency gain at a "high-speed cruise" flight condition for comparable general aviation aircraft. These gains are enabled by integrating the design of a new, optimized wing and a new electric propulsion system. There are 14 propulsors in all: 12 high lift motor that are only active during takeoff and climb, and 2 larger motors positioned on the wingtips that operate over the entire mission. The innovative electric propulsion system will have as its primary power a Li-ion battery system. Integrating a battery system into this innovative design poses unique challenges that require careful design considerations across the system. The presentation will cover a breakout of X-57 battery specifications, battery design and lessons learned when designing a high voltage battery system to power electrified aircrafts