The temperature-controlled system of variable thermal resistance based on self-powered thermoelectric effect

Variable thermal resistance (VTR) based on the Peltier and Seebeck effects can convert electric power to heat, thus promoting or hindering heat transfer. A method of using VTR is proposed in this project. VTR, a variable thermal boundary condition, is applied in temperature control systems owing to its fast response and high accuracy. An experiment was conducted to demonstrate the feasibility of using VTR in temperature control systems. Then, a thermal model was built using Simulink that can simulate the model under an ideal heat transfer condition. The experimental and simulation data indicate that the accuracy and anti-interference of a temperature control system can be strengthened by using VTR as the thermal boundary condition. The standard deviation of temperature signals decreases when using VTR control with basic on–off temperature control in the system.