SpeedMass

In-motion weighing system

Introduction

The SPEEDMASS® In-Motion weighing system is a low maintenance data acquisition system designed to weigh rail vehicles while in motion. SPEEDMASS® has a number of advantages over the conventional pit-type weigh bridge:

  • Lower cost
  • Speed of installation
  • Improved productivity through reduced weighing cycle time
  • Less susceptible to lightning
  • Low Maintenance

Functions

Weight calculation

SPEEDMASS® uses a set of rail transducers welded onto existing rails, which are then calibrated to compare the mass of a weighed train to the weight indicated by the SPEEDMASS®.


Train Detection

The start and end of the train is detected by a set of inductive loops installed on either side of the transducers, connected to a detector unit and interfaced to the controller. This provides a maintenance-free system which not only detects the train but the direction of travel.


Controller

Data is handled via a central processing unit stored on a simple flash drive that is plugged straight into a single board computer, providing an integrated, user-friendly data analysis package. The system includes amplification of weight signals from the rail transducers and analogue to digital conversion. Up to four separate channels can be interfaced into the converter.

Options

SPEEDMASS®  can be tailored to your environment and requirements. Choose from:

  • Manual initiation of start weighment and end weighment 
  • Automatic initiation of start weighment and end weighment
  • Automatic identification of a locomotive for elimination from total train mass
  • Automatic identification of all the vehicles in a train for automatic train matching
  • Remote communication software to transmit train information to a remote computer

Technical Specifications

SPEEDMASS® In-Motion Weighing System

Accuracy Based on total train Speed up to 20 Km/Hr ± 1%
Method of weighing Wheel by wheel or Full Draught Weighing
Active length of weighing section 500 mm
Mechanical Construction No
Construction and Installation Downtime 8 hours - no civil work
Number of loadcells/transducers 2 transducers externally manufactured onto two sections of standard rail - each nominally 3m in length
2 double transducers for full draught weighing manufactured onto two sections of standard rail - each nominally 3m in length
Division Size 20 kg
Maximum gradient 1:300
Temperature Compensation Self Temperature compensation

SPEEDMASS® Controller

Hardware Platform Intel 486/Pentium processor with 4Mb RAM – Single Board computer with 8 Mb on board Flash Disk
A/D Conversion Dual/Quad 16 bit 100kHz 1 part in 65000
Digital Inputs Opto Isolated 5-30VDC - hardware interrupt generation - 12 Inputs
Digital Outputs Opto Isolated, OPTO22 or SPDT relays - 12 Outputs
Communications RS232/RS422/RS485
Ethernet

Operator input

Customers/Products Databases in standard DBF/Paradox format hold customer and product information
Weighment Details User defined input screen for the manual input of weighment details

Modes of operation

Manual Operator definition of a complete weighing cycle
Automatic Use of sensors to start and end weighments
Track switches Only used if all other elimination does not work
Inductive loop detectors Dual detectors used to detect presence and direction of train
AVI Automatic Vehicle Identification using transponders for vehicle elimination and/or vehicle tracking
Calibration Static Initial settings are determined by DIP switches on the loadcell amplifier. Final calibration is performed digitally
In motion calibration performed using a train of known mass as per the assize regulations
Dynamic Offsets Dynamic offsets can be set for both directions of travel
Directional Speed Dynamic correction factors can be set for any number of desired speed bands
Diagnostics The following routines can be used to test the controller: Digital I/O, Analogue I/O, Printer, Serial port.
Overvoltage/Lightning protection Surge protection at the rail and/or the control room depending on the distance. Faraday Cage protection of weighbridge and control room linked by dedicated earth cable
Loadcell amplifier 1 to 4 channel isolated/non-isolated amplifier Upto 10 60R loadcells per amplifier
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