PNIPU: System of automatic control of thermoelectric devices

2023: Introduction of automatic instrument control system required

Perm Polytechnic scientists have automated the control of devices for cooling and heating temperatures. The university announced this on September 21, 2023.

In recent years, the demand for thermoelectric devices, namely Peltier elements, has increased significantly in the world.

Such an element is a thermoelectric converter made in the form of a plate with two power leads. If a constant voltage is applied to these terminals, then one of the sides of the element will begin to cool and the second will heat up. Devices using the Peltier element are distinguished by an almost unlimited resource of work, small dimensions, the possibility of local cooling, silence and ecology. They have a wide range of applications, for example, they are used in night vision devices, digital cameras, communication devices, telescopes with cooling, air conditioners, water coolers, car refrigerators. The main task of element control is to maintain the temperature of the plates precisely, which leads to complex mathematical calculations of the Peltier element control system. Scientists at the Perm Polytechnic University have proposed a calculation algorithm that provides fast and high-quality control of a thermoelectric device.

The automatic control system of the device is necessary, since it is important to take into account and calculate all factors that affect the operation of the device to control the temperature. For example, even a change in the ambient temperature of an object already leads to a decrease in the quality of the thermoelectric device. Classical control methods using typical regulators do not give satisfactory results, since they require high accuracy of mathematical calculations of both the Peltier element model and the regulator parameters. The control system we proposed works on a fuzzy logic algorithm, which allows you to get a higher quality of control, with fewer mathematical calculations, "explained Natalya Andrievskaya, Candidate of Technical Sciences, Associate Professor of the Department of Microprocessor Automation at PNIPU.

The fuzzy logic algorithm estimates the deviations of the current temperature value from the specified one. It generates a control effect in the form of a voltage signal applied to the thermoelectric device. Thus, the automatic control system developed by scientists consists of the Peltier element itself and a microcontroller, which receives readings from a temperature sensor and, based on the algorithm, changes the behavior of the device itself (to cooling or heating).

The development of scientists of the Perm Polytechnic University by 40% increases the quality of control of thermoelectric devices. Ensures accuracy and efficiency in the operation of thermoelectric devices of small dimensions that support the necessary temperatures, for example, laser diodes, electric current generators, household and industrial air conditioners, communication devices and others.