Acceleration Solutions

Train Acceleration Control

Acceleration and deceleration control is critical in trains and people movers. The input dynamics of these systems are constantly changing as people board and disembark, operating environments change and train spacing becomes ever tighter. Accelerometers provide feedback to the vehicle onboard computer for controlling speed and adjusting train acceleration for a safe and comfortable ride.

Custom-engineered LCA accelerometers have been meeting special railcar control requirements for many years. In addition to employing tailored output dynamics and precise scaling, the LCA includes ruggedized electronic components to ensure durability for this demanding application.

Roadway Pavement Profiling

Smoothness is an essential roadway pavement characteristic that directly affects vehicle ride quality, reliability and durability. Data from inertial road profile measuring instruments are utilized to diagnose the condition of specific roadways prior to repair, and to determine payment for road construction. Inertial road profiling instruments include height sensors and vertical accelerometers which are double integrated to obtain displacement.

Accurately calculating displacement by acceleration double integration requires an accelerometer having a stable bias and exceptionally low output noise. The LCF-200 is the sensor of choice for those applications requiring the most exacting pavement smoothness and contour measurements.

Bridge Monitoring

Accelerometers are used extensively for dynamic bridge monitoring. Real-time structural knowledge is critical, as failure could be catastrophic following an earthquake or other hazardous event. Monitoring can also reduce maintenance costs and increase a span’s useful life. Accelerometers, since they do not require an external measurement reference, are often applied as self-contained systems utilizing acceleration alone to determine bridge condition.

With milli-g bias and scale factor stability, both the LCF-200 and LSBC accelerometers are well matched to structural instrumentation requirements. For portable installations, the LCF calibration and bias accuracy are unaffected by transportation shocks and mishandling between multiple test locations. The LSB, with its wide bandwidth for structural monitoring at higher frequencies, has been selected for many permanent installations.