Detecting failure in a thermocouple array

A method of detecting a failure in a thermocouple array, the method comprising:

• selecting one of a plurality of thermocouples in the thermocouple array;
• connecting the one of a plurality of thermocouples to test nodes of an impedance determination circuit, the impedance determination circuit including a capacitor, wherein the capacitor has a capacitance equal to an expected capacitance of the one of the plurality of thermocouples;
• exciting the impedance determination circuit with an excitation circuitry, the excitation circuitry including a waveform generator;
• and
• detecting a shift in impedance across the impedance determination circuit with a comparator circuit, the comparator circuit including an amplifier and a comparator.

A system for detecting a failure in a thermocouple array, the system comprising:

• the thermocouple array, the thermocouple array comprising a plurality of thermocouples connected in parallel;
• an impedance determination circuit including a capacitor, wherein the capacitor has a capacitance equal to an expected capacitance of one of the plurality of thermocouples, wherein one of the plurality of thermocouples is connected to test nodes of the impedance determination circuit;
• a comparator circuit connected to the impedance determination circuit, the comparator circuit including an amplifier and a comparator;
• an excitation circuit connected to the impedance determination circuit, the excitation circuit including a waveform generator and an amplifier;
• a continuity circuit including a pair of bi polar transistors, an excitation circuit, a capacitor, and a resistor, wherein the one of the plurality of thermocouples is connected to test nodes of the continuity circuit;
• and
• a controller to identify a failure of the one of the plurality of thermocouples based on an output of the impedance determination circuit or the continuity circuit.