Rapid Oil Debris Monitoring for Aircraft Engine Condition Assessment Using Giant Magnetoresistive (GMR) Eddy Current Sensors

This paper demonstrates the detection of metal particles as small as 50 microns in size using GMR eddy current sensors. A microfluidic device based on GMR sensors for monitoring metal wear particles in lubrication oil will be developed. The ability to detect and count debris particles and determine their size is valuable in evaluating the level of wear in machinery components. When abnormal wear begins, the size of debris particles grows larger than 50 microns. Current technologies based on inductive sensors are limited for detection of metal particles larger than 100 microns. In addition to the ability of detecting and sizing individual particles, the GMR-based detector will also be capable to differentiate ferrous and non-ferrous debris. This is important in enhancing aircraft engine condition assessment.