A Highly-Reliable Cost-Effective Solution for Speed Measurement Within the Traction Industry
Product History
Our involvement in speed measurement began in 1996 when we realised our UK traction customers had requirements for such products.We approached a number of manufacturers and were awarded the Airpax agency.
However, some products were not suitable for all the market and we began to design and manufacture our own range exactly to meet customer specifications.
The engineers of LUL, Jubilee Line and members of RHC held several in-depth meetings in 1997 to design and manufacture a particular speed probe. The end result was the RHC-ME10AF-071. This was made to customers’ specific application and is still in service today, it has recently passed 10,000,000 working hours MTBF.
1998 was a year of many successes, including the opening of RHC office in Rochester, America to service the New York Subway project.
Technology and engineering has since evolved and we now offer push-pull, TTL and supply tracking outputs on both single and dual channel or uni and bi-directional probes.
Today we are a complete design, manufacturing, test and distirbution house with numerous on-going world wide projects.
We have a strong engineering & support force including R&D of 16 people.
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Product Features
- CE Approved and Marked Accordingly
- Designed to Meet the Harsh Working Environments of the Traction Industry
- Manufactured to Customers' Specifications
- Various Nose Lengths
- Plug and Go Installation
- Made in Stainless Steel
- Reverse Voltage Protected
- Single (Uni-directional) and Dual Channels (Bi-directional)
- TTL, Supply Tracking or Push/Pull Output
- Capable of Measuring Zero Speed
- Various Terminal Connections
- Added Protection Available Using Conduit
- A Highly-Reliable and Cost-Effective Solution for Traction Speed Measurement
Operating Principles
The Hall-effect magnetic sensor can detect every change in target position - from zero-volocity up to 15kHz.A steady pulse train is generated at a frequency proportional to the speed of the target. Sensor output voltage changes state whenever a gear tooth or valley passes in front of it...
Although a “gear” profile is very often used as a “target” for speed-sensing applications, any kind of “ferrous-discontinuity” has the potential to act as a target. Other common targets include ferrous vanes, slotted/drilled shafts, magnetic vanes and ring magnets.
Key Features
- Suitable for a gear diametral pitch of up to 20, enabling accurate speed readings to be derived over fairly large air-gaps.
- Constant-amplitude output signals (with choice of supply-tracking or push pull output, TTL compatible,) simplifies electronic interfacing.
- Can also now be Non-oriented operation for ease and accuracy of the installation setting-up procedure.
- Bi-channel types for speed and direction sensing.
These speed sensors incorporate active DC-couple Hall effect sensor principles with solid-state circuitry to provide one or two push-pull driver output channel(s) of consistent logic pulses over the frequency range of 0 to 15kHz with typical duty cycles between 30 and 70% (when operating with a gear target with an even tooth-to-valley ratio). At all frequencies the minimum pulse width for positive and negative transitions from the speed sensor is >10 μs.
Control electronics
should be configured to ensure that VS remains within the range 10V-30Vdc and that current source/drain on the signal line remains at less than 20mA.Attempts to source more than 20mA from the sensor will result in a reduction of the voltage of the SIGNAL HI level followed by current limiting at <60mA when the SIGNAL output is connected via short circuit to RETURN.
Attempts to sink more than 20mA into the sensor will result in an increase in voltage of the SIGNAL LO level followed by current limiting at <60mA when the SIGNAL output is connected via short circuit to SUPPLY.
The above applies to EACH channel of the dual-channel versions.
Product Ranges
Single-Channel, Open-Collector, Hall-Effect Speed Sensors- Type RHC ME10AC/D/F/G/J/K,/li>
- Short or Long Nosed
- Straight or 90 Degree Exits
- Cable, Conduit or Connector
Short Nose with Flying Lead
Long Nose with ‘O’ Ring and Right Angled Conduit Lead
Long Nose with Conduit Encased Flying Lead
Short Nosed with Connector
Product Ranges
Single-Channel, Push-Pull, Hall-Effect Speed Sensors| Part Number | Nose Length | Conduit Exit | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| RHC-ME10AL-130 | 14.24 mm | straight | conduit |
| RHC- ME10AL-230 | 14.24 mm | straight | conduit & connector |
| RHC- ME10AL-330 | 14.24 mm | 90 degree | conduit |
| RHC- ME10AL-430 | 14.24 mm | 90 degree | conduit & connector |
| RHC- ME10AL-530 | 45.00 mm | straight | conduit |
| RHC- ME10AL-630 | 45.00 mm | straight | conduit & connector |
| RHC- ME10AL-730 | 45.00 mm | 90 degree | conduit |
| RHC- ME10AL-830 | 45.00 mm | 90 degree | conduit & connector |
Dual-Channel, Push-Pull, Hall-Effect Speed Sensors
| Part Number | Nose Length | Conduit Exit | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| RHC- ME10AN-130 | 14.24 mm | straight | conduit |
| RHC- ME10AN-230 | 14.24 mm | straight | conduit & connector |
| RHC- ME10AN-330 | 14.24 mm | 90 degree | conduit |
| RHC- ME10AN-430 | 14.24 mm | 90 degree | conduit & connector |
| RHC- ME10AN-530 | 45.00 mm | straight | conduit |
| RHC- ME10AN-630 | 45.00 mm | straight | conduit & connector |
| RHC- ME10AN-730 | 45.00 mm | 90 degree | conduit |
| RHC- ME10AN-830 | 45.00 mm | 90 degree | conduit & connector |
Dual-Channel, Push-Pull, Hall-Effect Speed Sensors
The Dual-Channel probe offers two outputs, phase shifted for measurement of both speed and direction from a unit that is the same physical size as the Single-Channel probe.It is also available with connectors, various nose lengths and different conduit exits.
Working Drawing Example
A typical production drawing as specified by customer, designed and manufactured by RHC.
Analogue Displays
A complete range of single and double pointer speed indicators specially designed for use in traction vehicles.| Moving Coil Instruments 5.3310… | Servo Speed Indicator 5.2617… | |
|---|---|---|
| Dimensions | Ø 85mm/ Ø 136mm, 96 x 96mm, 144 x 144mm | 144 x 144mm |
| Mechanism | Moving coil | Stepper motor |
| Analogue indication | Vact; Vnom | Vact; Vnom |
| Digital indicat | - | 7-segment; 4 digit display |
| Input signal | 0..20 mA; Voltage on demand | 0..20 mA; Voltage on demand |
| Output signal | - | 0..20 mA; Voltage on demand |
| Indication lamps | Up to 2 | Up to 4 |
| Control circuit | - | Pointer position monitoring and status indicator |
| Temperature range | -20° to +70°C | -25° to +70°C |
| Accuracy | Class 1.5 at an ambient temperature 20°C | <± 1% with respect to the full range of the input signal for the entire temperature range |
Digital Displays
Available with two or three 7-segment displays and 7-digit oddometers.Speed Display:
2 digit 7 segment Red LED. 57mm height 100,000 Hour rated.
Distance Diplay:
2 digit 7 segment Red LED. 10.9mm height 100,000 Hour rated.
Adjustments:
Up/Down Piezzo switches, Adjustable for 10%-100% in 10% steps.
Power Supply:
18 to 31vdc via 3 pin MIL-C5015 connector, mating connector also supplied with diplay.
Housing:
Aluminium, black anodised.
Available with two or three 7-segment displays and 7-digit odometers.
Application Projects
Our products are suitable for locomotives, EMU, DMU and Light Rail Traction. We currently have our speed probes and measurement equipment in the following projects and markets:- New York Subway Trains
- Sacramento Mass Transit
- Washington Metro (WMATA)
- Brazil
- Australia (Hillside)
- Sweden (Regina)
- London Underground (Jublilee & Northern Lines)
- Midland and West Coast Mainlines
- Moscow (Metrowagonmash)
- Arlanda (Sweden)
- Malaysia
- Barcelona
- Dublin Dart
- Taiwan
- Inchon
- Shanghai (Xinmin)
- Pusan, China
- France
Product Approvals
Our products are not only manufactured to meet the harsh environments of the Traction Industry, but are also approved under the following standards:- EN60077
- EN55011, 1998
- EN50155
- IEC529
- BS303531
- EN50121-3-2-2000
- IP67
Third Party References are readily available and all products are readable via an OTMR or ATO system.
