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The battery system improvements include a
redesign of the internal battery components to
minimize initiation of a short circuit within
the battery, better insulation of the cells and
the addition of a new containment and venting
system.
"We are confident the plan we approved today
includes all the right elements to conduct a
comprehensive evaluation of the battery system
redesign," said FAA Administrator Michael P.
Huerta. "Today's announcement starts a testing
process which will demonstrate whether the
proposed fix will work as designed."
The certification plan requires a series of
tests which must be passed before the 787 could
return to service. The plan establishes specific
pass/fail criteria, defines the parameters that
should be measured, prescribes the test
methodology and specifies the test setup and
design. FAA engineers will be present for the
testing and will be closely involved in all
aspects of the process.
The FAA also has approved limited test flights
for two aircraft. These aircraft will have the
prototype versions of the new containment system
installed. The purpose of the flight tests will
be to validate the aircraft instrumentation for
the battery and battery enclosure testing in
addition to product improvements for other
systems.
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