Patent ID: 7993057

Claim:
A temperature detection system comprising a thermocouple assembly, the thermocouple assembly comprising: a junction; a first conductor coupled to the junction, the first conductor being formed of a first material; second and third conductors coupled to the junction, the second and third conductors being formed of a second material different than the first material, wherein the second and third conductors are formed of the same second material; and a controller for determining a temperature measurement from the thermocouple assembly, wherein the controller is configured for monitoring the first, second and third conductors and for detecting a failure in at least one of the conductors, and wherein the controller is configured to respond to a detection of a failure of the first, second or third conductor by ceasing to use inputs from the failed conductor for determining a temperature measurement from the thermocouple assembly, wherein the first conductor and the second conductor form a first thermocouple therebetween, and the first conductor and the third conductor form a second thermocouple therebetween.