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Session 2259

Student Independent Research Project : Evaluation of Thermal Voltage Converters Low-Frequency Errors

Svetlana Avramov-Zamurovic and Roger Ashworth United States Naval Academy Weapons and Systems Department 105 Maryland Avenue, Annapolis, MD 21402 email: avramov@nadn.navy.mil

Abstract: This paper describes a student independent research project. The project task was to evaluate the low frequency errors of Thermal Voltage Converters (TVCs). A method to evaluate the low frequency errors of TVCs has been developed ([ 1], [2]). This method is based on measurements of the dc transfer function and time constant of the tested TVC. The error analysis is performed in the frequency domain. The first phase of the student project was to confirm the developed method by generating MATLAB simulation based on the publications [l] and [2]. The project’s second phase was to analyze the TVC errors in the time domain and compare the results.

INTRODUCTION

At the United States Naval Academy students have the opportunity to engage in research projects through the course called independent research study. It is offered to the fourth year students and it is related to the ongoing research efforts of the faculty members. It is wonderful opportunity for the interested students to obtain some research experience and it provides students prospective to the faculty member. Very often the high level research is way beyond student’s comprehension. Having motivated student engaged in a project results in the focus on fundamentals. Through these discussions most of the time both the student and the teacher benefit.

TVC FUNDAMENTALS

TVC consists of a resistor, R, and a thermoelement (TE) connected in series. The resistor limits the current, I, through the TE. A TE consists of a low resistance heater to which a temperature sensor is attached. The sensor is generally a thermocouple that produces a small output electromotive force, E emf, proportional to the heater temperature. The heater temperature is proportional to the input 2 power P = I R. If the amplitude of the applied AC voltage is constant and its period is small compared to the time constant of the TE, the heater temperature and the output E emf, are constant. TVCs are used in this operating mode as ac-dc converters.

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Avramov-Zamurovic, S., & Ashworth, R. (1998, June), Student Independent Research Project : Evaluation Of Thermal Voltage Converters Low Frequency Errors Paper presented at 1998 Annual Conference, Seattle, Washington. 10.18260/1-2--7430