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McCORD ENGINEERING, INC.

Specializing in Railroad Signal Consulting and Engineering

Railroad Signal Circuit Design, Checking, and Sealing.  Railway Signal System and Equipment Design, Troubleshooting, Evaluation, Application and Training.

SINEWAVE TECHNOLOGIES, INC.

Specializing in bridge damage detection and low-cost seismic and motion measuring devices

 
 
 
 
 
 

McCORD ENGINEERING, INC.

Railroad Signal Circuit Design, Checking, and Sealing.  Railway Signal System and Equipment Design, Troubleshooting, Evaluation, Application and Training.
Considerable experience and expertise with investigation and mitigation of power line inductive interference to Railroad signal systems.

David W. McCord, P.E.

26 YEARS OF RAILROAD SIGNAL DESIGN EXPERIENCE

  Bachelor of Science - Electrical Engineering  Master of Science - Industrial Engineering Member:
• AREMA Committee "F" (Railroad wayside devices)
• RSSI (Railway System Suppliers, Inc.
  Professional Engineer License in California, Florida, Nebraska, and Louisiana. National Council of Examiners for Engineering and Surveying Board Certified. Sufficient background and education to handle about any Railway Signal project.          

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DETECT BRIDGE AND STRUCTURE PROBLEMS

BEFORE THE REAL DAMAGE HAPPENS!
INTRODUCING AN ALL-NEW CONCEPT IN ANGLE AND POSITION DEFLECTION SENSORS, BRIDGE MONITOR SYSTEMS, EARTHQUAKE MEASUREMENT, AND LOW-COST BRUTE FORCE SEISMOGRAPHS
 
This photograph shows a PENDULUM MODULE (Motion to Voltage Converter) in a 6”X6”X30” NEMA 4 Enclosure.

     The new Motion to Voltage Converters (MVC’s) contain a Pendulum module with inductive position detection.  As the Pendulum moves, its deflection is reflected as two separate analog voltages on X-axis and Y-axis outputs. The sensitivity of the device is adjustable.  The output is extremely linear and stable with infinite resolution and no drift due to time or variations in power supply voltage.

These simple, low maintenance units are extremely useful for remotely:

• Detecting or measuring excessive sag or skew in bridges caused by structural failure, scouring or flooding.
• Detecting sudden shocks or movements on structures due to strikes by vehicles, ice flows or ships.
• Measuring or recording shock and vibration in bridge structures under normal loading.
• Measuring intensity of shocks and earth movement due to earthquakes.
• Detecting tilt of poles, structures, or antenna masts.
• Detecting slip on fills or mud slides.
• Remote monitoring of deflection from vertical of any structure from 0.1 degree to 30 degrees.
 The outputs are protected against surges and short circuits.  Remote monitoring may be done using a simple four-wire unshielded cable.

 Output voltages may be monitored using analog recorders, or the Motion to Voltage Converters may be combined with the Model BSD-SS Tilt and Strike detection system (Shown below) to provide outputs to drive relays, activate talkers or warning systems, or
transmit alarms to a central location.

Tell us your application.  Custom interface modules are available or
any recording or monitoring device with two or more analog inputs may be used.
Total system design and installation to your specification is available.

SPECIFICATIONS FOR MVC-SERIES Motion to Voltage Converters

• Temperature Range:  -40 to +80 degrees centigrade
• Operating Voltage: 9 to 30 volts D.C.
• Typical supply current to sensor:  2 milli-amperes
• Dimensions (standard unit):  6" wide X 30" high X 6" deep
• Weight (standard unit):  Under 10 lb..
• Output voltages:  Vary from 2 to 6 volts. (Output is 4 volts when pendulum is vertical.)
Price of Motion to Voltage Converter in 6”X6”X30” NEMA-12 box with surge protection: $995 U.S.
 

 
 

INTRODUCING THE MODEL BSD-SS BRIDGE
TILT AND STRIKE DETECTION SYSTEM

 The new BSD-Series Bridge Tilt and Strike Detection System analyzes the analog outputs from Motion to Voltage Converters which contain a Pendulum module with inductive position detection.  As the Pendulum moves, its deflection
is reflected as analog voltage on X-axis and Y-axis outputs.  The BSD system monitors the output voltages and provides the following features:

• Detects excessive sag or skew of as little as 0.1 degree (adjustable) and provides an alarm output.
• Detects sudden shocks or movement of as little as 1/2 - inch (adjustable) on structures struck by vehicles, ice flows, or ships and provides an alarm output.
• Detects normal vibration of the bridge during train passage to provide integrity message or recording activation without track circuits or other train detection devices.
EASY INSTALLATION

 The BSD-SS Cabinet is designed to mount in a Motion to Voltage Converter NEMA box.  In combination with a simple talker-radio, the entire unit can be self - contained in a single package.
 
The BSD-SS may also be mounted in a bungalow either flat against a wall, or in a standard 19” communication rack.  The Motion to Voltage Converter may be remotely monitored as far as 2,500’ away using a four-wire communication cable with or without shield.  Solderless Plug - connectors are provided for simple, error-free installation, replacement and testing.
 
All 19 indication LED’s, inputs and outputs are clearly marked on face of unit along with calibration instructions.

EASY CALIBRATION

The Motion to Voltage Converter does not have to be perfectly vertical when mounted.  For center calibration, The Model BSD-SS Bridge Tilt and Strike Detection System contains two 20 - turn potentiometers which are directly accessed using a small screwdriver.  One potentiometer is for the X-axis and the other for the Y-axis.  There are also two center indication LED’s.  If the appropriate LED is dark the potentiometer is turned clockwise until the LED is flashing.  If the LED is lit solid, merely turn the potentiometer counter-clockwise until the LED is flashing.  That's all there is to it!

INTEGRITY SELF-CHECK

Every 60 seconds (settable) the BSD-SS simulates movement of the Motion to Voltage converter pendulum and checks that all outputs turn off.  A relay check terminal is provided to check that relays being driven by the outputs release properly.  Integrity fail output is provided.

SPECIFICATIONS

• Temperature Range: -40 to +80 degrees centigrade
• Operating Voltage: 9 to 30 volts D.C.
• Typical supply current:  200 milli-amperes
• Dimensions:  19" wide X 7" high X 1.5" deep
• Weight:  5 lb..
• Output current:  200 ma. at 12 volts.
• Outputs provided:
• Separate tilt and strike alarms in both axis.
• Single Alarm output that detects if any strike or tilt
• alarm is activated.
• A motion detect output which can be used in lieu of track circuit for train detection.
• An integrity fail output which goes low if self-check fails.
Cost: $1995 U.S.