Temperature Synchronization of Natural Convection in Adjacent Thermostatically Controlled Cavities

Abstract

This is an experimental study of the synchronization of temperatures in two adjacent cavities that share a common wall, with air as the working fluid. The temperature of each cavity is independently controlled using an on/off thermostat with a finite deadband. Each cavity also has a heater that turns on or off, leading to oscillations in the temperature. The temperature is measured in each cavity. Conduction through the common wall leads to thermal interaction between the cavities. Phase synchronization of the temperature oscillations is observed and, depending on system parameters, there is a phase shift between the oscillations.