Magnetostrictive delay lines: engineering theory and sensing applications

Abstract

A review of the engineering theory and the sensing element applications of the magnetostrictive delay line (MDL) technique is presented. The state of the art of magnetic materials and effects used in sensor design is overviewed and the operation of MDLs and their basic engineering properties are discussed. The resulting position, stress and field sensors based on this technique as well as their most significant applications are demonstrated. Finally, the industrialization process and the integration of the sensors with electronic circuitry as well as their evaluation with respect to the state of the art are discussed.