Self-validating thermocouple

A thermocouple circuit, comprising:

• a reference junction;
• and
• a measuring junction;
• wherein the measuring junction is in thermal contact with an excitation element;
• wherein the measuring junction is located within a first circuit path inhibiting an alternating current signal;
• wherein the excitation element is located within a second circuit path providing an open circuit to a direct current signal;
• and
• wherein the first circuit path comprises at least one inductor in series with the measuring junction.

A thermocouple circuit, comprising:

• a reference junction;
• and
• a measuring junction;
• wherein the measuring junction is in thermal contact with an excitation element;
• wherein the measuring junction is located within a first circuit path inhibiting an alternating current signal;
• wherein the excitation element is located within a second circuit path providing an open circuit to a direct current signal;
• and
• wherein the first circuit path and the second circuit path share a first lead for reading the measuring junction and applying the alternating current signal to the excitation element.

A thermocouple system, comprising:

• a thermocouple circuit, wherein the thermocouple circuit comprises:
• a reference junction;
• and
• a measuring junction;
• wherein the measuring junction is in thermal contact with an excitation element;
• wherein the measuring junction is located within a first circuit path inhibiting an alternating current signal;
• wherein the excitation element is located within a second circuit path providing an open circuit to a direct current signal;
• and
• wherein the first circuit path comprises at least one inductor in series with the measuring junction;
• a pulse wave modulator coupled to provide an alternating current signal to the excitation element;
• a cold junction compensator and signal conditioner circuit coupled to receive a detected voltage signal from the thermocouple circuit and to provide a compensated and conditioned voltage signal;
• an analog to digital converter coupled to receive the compensated and conditioned signal and provide a digital signal representative of an expected temperature of the measuring junction;
• a processor coupled to receive the digital signal;
• and
• an interface coupled to be processor to provide input/output.

A thermocouple system, comprising:

• a thermocouple circuit, wherein the thermocouple circuit comprises:
• a reference junction;
• and
• a measuring junction;
• wherein the measuring junction is in thermal contact with an excitation element;
• wherein the measuring junction is located within a first circuit path inhibiting an alternating current signal;
• wherein the excitation element is located within a second circuit path providing an open circuit to a direct current signal;
• and
• wherein the first circuit path comprises at least one inductor in series with the measuring junction;
• a pulse wave modulator coupled to provide an alternating current signal to the excitation element;
• a cold junction compensator and signal conditioner circuit coupled to receive a detected voltage signal from the thermocouple circuit and to provide a compensated and conditioned voltage signal;
• an analog to digital converter coupled to receive the compensated and conditioned signal and provide a digital signal representative of an expected temperature of the measuring junction;
• a processor coupled to receive the digital signal;
• and
• an interface coupled to be processor to provide input/output.