Highly sensitive giant magnetoresistance (GMR) based ultra low differential pressure sensor

Abstract

In this study, we demonstrate a simple, cost-effective, giant magnetoresistance (GMR) based magnetic pressure sensor. The basic principle lies behind the measurement of the change in the magnetic field profile generated by the deflected diaphragm attached with a permanent magnet. This magnetic field profile change on the sensor surface was measured by highly sensitive magnetoresistive gradiometer sensor. Based on studied magnetic field distribution of a magnet, a prototype pressure sensor was designed and fabricated, which consists of a polymer diaphragm, a permanent magnet and a giant magnetoresistance based magnetic field gradient sensor. The fabricated prototype was calibrated for ultra-low differential pressure range and it shows: (i) sensitivity up to 16.67 μV/V/Pa and (ii) nonlinearity of 1.5% FS in the range of 0–300 Pa. The real time application was demonstrated where, the sensor was flush mounted on a NACA 4415 airfoil, and both the static and the dynamic suction pressures were recorded as a function of the wind velocity and also with different angle of attack (AOA). The measured pressure was found to be highly accurate while compared with existing static measurement system.