The Boeing 787 Dreamliner, which has been grounded for weeks now, may soon have a chance to fly again. Boeing has proposed a redesign for the bursting in flame batteries that would minimise the risk of fire.
It’s not a permanent solution but it would get the 787 in the air for the time being. The WSJ reports that Boeing will increase the space and separation “between cells in the lithium-ion batteries to reduce the potential hazards from heat or fire spreading within the batteries and adding enhanced heat-sensors.”
Boeing might also make the battery cells more rigid to stop them from moving around. No matter what though, Boeing is still fully committed to the new lithium-ion batteries in the 787 Dreamliner (other aeroplanes use nickel-cadium).
The design changes of the Dreamliner’s battery aren’t final yet, but Boeing is dedicating hundreds of engineers and tech experts to solve the battery’s flaws. The 787 Dreamliner is the future of Boeing but it’s no good to Boeing if it continues to be grounded. [WSJ]