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Micron-TEC

Small and precise thermal chamber based on TEC technology.

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Small and precise thermal chamber based on TEC technology.
Main pros:
* Small size.
* Small temperature drift.
* Temperature dependence of indoor / outdoor temperature less than 10mK / K.
* Possibility of using for long-term 24/7/365 thermal stabilization of small standards (Voltage reference, resistors reference, and others), to minimize natural thermal cycling and aging.
* Possibility of thermal stabilization of small blocks of physics of quanta high-energy fotons.

CONCEPT

Maxim Integrated MAX1978 was chosen as the core of the controller, this is a highly integrated controller for Peltier thermoelectric modules, there is a PWM controller,  chopper op-amps, power output switches, reference voltage source and more. It is a bipolar controller, produces both heating and cooling mode at the same time. There is no difference between the ambient temperature above or below the box temperature, the box temperature will be stabilized in any case.

The feedback circuit is made on a miniature NTC-thermistor Murata NXFT15XH103FA1B150 connected to a programmable bridge circuit, assembled on a precision set of resistors Vishay NOMCA14031002AT5. Switch allows you to program  bridge resistance, this switch called Tset. The switch allows setting the comparator resistances of 2.5 kOhm, 3.3 kOhm, 5 kOhm, 10 kOhm, 12.5 kOhm, 13.3 kOhm, 15 kOhm, 20 kOhm, which provides 8 points of stabilization temperature in the range from + 7.3 ° C to + 66.1 ° C.

A Mean Well MPM-20-5 20 W was used as a power source.

TEC module, NTC thermistor and optional cooler are connected to the DB9 connector. Please note of the DB9 connector, the TEC pins paired to provide 3A current flow. The board itself is packed into a series of Gainta G203 cases.

All components in 0603 size except the 4.7μF capacitor, 68mΩ resistor and chokes.

The controller board is routed in 4 layers to ensure better heat absorption from IC.

Peltier modules are low-voltage, is Cryotherm TB-48-1.4-2.5  with a flange sealing to extend life.


CHAMBER

I use old CPU heatsink without fan with 4 heat pipes. Two holes drilled in it. Of course, one heat pipe suffered in this process, The holes were threaded for screws. The same mating holes without thread drilled into chamber.

Paint was removed from the bottom of the box with a metall brush. Then I put together a classic way: CPU heatsink - Arctic Cooling MX4 - Peltier - Arctic Cooling MX4 - Chamber. And all was pulled with nylon screws from AliExpress to minimize parasitic heat transfer through the screws.

A heat shield was cut from XPS (Extruded Polystyrene Foam).


It should fit snugly over it and not slip. Important that it does not touch the CPU heatsink to decrease heat transfer. Heatsink slots need to be closed with aluminum tape to do air does not circulate through them. And perimeter gap of the flange, need to be closed  with thin polyamide tape to prevent wind flow between gap.


Thermal sensor need to be attached to wall. I have tried several crimping options. As you can see in the picture, at first I fixed it to the floor of the box.

But i was wrong, that is failure way, because that way is stabilized the temperature only of the floor in box. Because wall temperature is slightly different. As a result, the still air temperature be dependent on the external temperature, at least +26...+70mK/K.

This problem can be solved by mounting the sensor on wall of the box. Coefficient down to -7.8mK/K.

Note: Amber line is still air in the chamber. Blue line is the ambient test temperature.

I twist the sensor leads with the "G" form to minimize heat transfer to sensor through leads and fill it with epoxy glue.

Testing under natural room conditions (65 hours):

Chamber temperature is very stable and does not drift. Peak to peak temperature drift in the chamber was only 0.023 ° C, whole 65 hours test.

Power Test:

Blue line - TEC current. Measured voltage on Itec pin and calculated to Amps trough formula into MAX1978 datasheet. (1.5V DMM null offset + MX+B math where M=1,84 B=0)
Amber line - TEC box temperature measured with TI TMP117 sensor.
Note: Positive current - warm-up Peltier mode.Negative current - cooling...

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  • 1 × ‎A6S-4102-H
  • 1 × NOMCA14031002AT5‎
  • 7 × GRM188R61A106MAALD‎
  • 4 × ‎GRT188R61H105KE13D‎
  • 1 × GRM1885C1H103JA01D‎

View all 26 components

  • Log

    Andrey Bykanov02/10/2021 at 18:56 0 comments

    09.06.2020 Project started

    14.06.2020 Prototype PCB ordered

    24.01.2021 Prototype PCB soldered

    05.02.2021 Prototype PCB tested and errors are fixed.

View project log

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ivan003003 wrote 09/27/2021 at 11:31 point

Please tell me what is the model part of your blue head thermo sensors.

Thanks.

  Are you sure? yes | no

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