Previous articles in this series described how thermocouple wire size [1] and thermocouple attachment method [2] can affect steady state temperature measurements. This article briefly discusses how these factors can affect the transient response of thermocouples when used to monitor temperatures that change value over time. Bare Thermocouple Junction Before addressing … [Read more...]
About the Author
Ross Wilcoxon
Ross Wilcoxon is a Principal Mechanical Engineer in the Rockwell Collins Advanced Technology Center. He conducts research and supports product development related to component reliability, electronics packaging and thermal management for communication, processing, displays and radars. Prior to joining Rockwell Collins in 1998, he was an assistant professor at South Dakota State University.
Tech Brief: Thermocouple Attachment
The previous article in this series on thermocouples described how the size of the thermocouple wire could affect its accuracy [1]. This is particularly true if the wire is exposed to high convection coefficients. This article addresses a separate issue, namely the degree to which the attachment method impacts thermocouple readings. As it turns out, once again the … [Read more...]
Bad Data!
Overview Sometimes, regardless of how carefully we conduct testing to gather data, we end up with results that just seem wrong. This could be a sign that we have stumbled upon an earth-shattering breakthrough that will change the world’s understanding of fundamental physics1 …. or, it’s possible that a mistake in the testing led to bad data. This column will discuss a few … [Read more...]
Probability
INTRODUCTION After a couple of decades in the industry, I have observed that a number of experienced engineers can be intimidated by the topic of statistics—these columns will attempt to reduce the level of intimidation. While I have been interested in statistics for a few decades now, I don’t claim to be an expert. I will do my best to get things as right as I can, as well as … [Read more...]
Is That Normal?
Introduction These columns on statistics began by describing the field of statistics as using the mathematical laws of probability to deal with data uncertainty [1]. Many statistical tools developed to apply probability do assume that data are drawn from a normally distributed population, in which the probability distribution function, f(x), of a population follows Equation … [Read more...]
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