Health-Conscious Fast Charging for Electrified Aircraft Batteries Using a Multistage-Constant-Current Temperature-Controlled Strategy

Abstract

The operational efficiency and widespread adoption of electric aircraft are highly dependent on their energy storage systems. Fast charging is essential for reducing downtime and improving turnaround times, but it can negatively impact battery health due to increased temperatures and accelerated chemical degradation. This issue becomes more pronounced under subzero conditions, where reduced chemical reaction rates increase internal impedance, leading to a greater rise in battery temperature and faster degradation. This article proposes a closed-loop multistage-constant-current, temperature-controlled (MCC-TC) fast charging strategy designed to preserve the health of aviation-grade batteries. MCC-TC algorithm modulates charging current by incorporating real-time battery temperature feedback. The experimental validation shows that the MCC-TC algorithm significantly reduces temperature rise ( $\Delta {T}$ ) and the rate of temperature rise ( $\Delta {T}$ / $\Delta {t}$ ) compared to the conventional constant-current constant-voltage (CC-CV) method. At $- 5~^{\circ }$ C and $30~^{\circ }$ C, the MCC-TC algorithm achieved reductions in $\Delta {T}$ and $\Delta {T}$ / $\Delta {t}$ of 47.68% and 65.35%, and 49.74% and 38.96%, respectively. These results highlight the potential of the algorithm to enhance battery health and improve the efficiency of the charging process.