Structural optimization of magnetostrictive composite materials in magnetostrictive current sensor

Fiber optic current sensor based on magnetostrictive composite material is suitable for multiple industrial fields. Aiming at increasing the low sensitivity caused by conventional magnetostrictive composites, this work designed optimized magnet focusing structure of magnetostrictive composite material to develop high-performance fiber optic current sensor. The influence of magnetic focusing structures on the performance of current sensor was analyzed and validated through theoretical modeling and finite element-based simulation. Experimental tests were carried out to validate the superiority of proposed sensor compared with the existing sensors. Results show that the dimensional difference in the four proposed magnetostrictive composite structures (section B) leads to the different magnetic field distribution, and the proposed sensors are more sensitive than those of traditional structures. A repeatability error of 2.5%, a sensitivity of 0.16952 & mu;& epsilon; A(-1), and a linearity of 2.2% can be achieved by the proposed hourglass type sensor with low-cost and wide range between 0 A and 900 A.

Automated summary

This work designed an optimized magnet focusing structure to increase the sensitivity of the fiber optic current sensor based on magnetostrictive composite material. The influence of the magnetic focusing structure on the sensor's performance was analyzed and validated through theoretical modeling and simulation. Experimental tests showed that the proposed sensor was more sensitive than the traditional ones.