A number of Boeing 787 Dreamliners were recently grounded for a whole host of reasons. Among them are probably the concerns cited by different quarters regarding the safety of these planes. WSJ has now claimed that Boeing is currently working on the battery of 787 Dreamliners to render them safer.
Boeing typically uses lithium-ion batteries in the 787 Dreamliner planes. The company has been working on finding a way to separate the battery cells by a larger margin so that the risks of fire and heat are minimized. Boeing’s current strategy apparently considers lithium-ion batteries as a high-risk component.
To further mitigate the risk, the company has explored the possibilities of incorporating heat sensors with the battery and placing a more secure cover over the battery to keep it away from any accidental human interference. Moreover, measures are being taken to secure cells within their exact location because their rapid movement can adversely affect the Dreamliner’s electronics.
Although Boeing seems determined to prove the viability of its 787 Dreamliner planes by tweaking their batteries and making them securer, the company will still require the green signal from U.S. and Japanese regulators before it is allowed to make them available again. If all goes well and the regulators find the changes good enough, we can expect to see the Dreamliners in action by March.
Source: WSJ
Courtesy: Engadget
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