Galfenol-based Sensor/Actuator Devices for Smart by-Wire Steering System for Automobile Technology

Abstract

AbstractPolycrystalline Galfenol (Fe-Ga-X, X=Al, C, Zr etc.) alloys were fabricated as a bulk sample from ark-melted and annealing process method for enhancing various engineering applicability. (Fe-Ga0.15-Al0.05)99.0-Zr0.5-C0.5 [at.%] sample showed a maximum magnetostriction of 134 ppm as well as a tensile stress over σ=800MPa. This large magnetostriction is caused by A2 phases without the excessive precipitation of ordered phases such as fcc ordered L12 and bcc ordered D03 phases. Secondarily, we will introduce an application as a smart torque sensor by utilizing Galfenol-ring around the steering shaft for steering-by-wire system of automobile. In this system, a torque sensing system by using the magnetostrictive ring of FeGa (Galfenol) alloy was developed and magnetic flux leaked from the Galfenol ring attached on the rotating shaft was experimentally measured by using two differential Hall probe sensor. As a result, the sensitivity in (Fe0.80Ga0.15Al0.05)99Zr0.5C0.5 ring increased by 2.9 times in comparison with the (Fe0.80Ga0.15Al0.05)98.5C1.5 alloy at rotations speed 500 rpm.