US 11,787,454 B2
Railcar acoustic monitoring system and method of use
James R. Bilodeau, Loveland, CO (US); John D. Ritchey, Loveland, CO (US); Eric C. Sprengle, Loveland, CO (US); and Jody Lutz, Loveland, CO (US)
Assigned to VOESTALPINE SIGNALING USA INC., Loveland, CO (US)
Filed by voestalpine SIGNALING USA Inc., Loveland, CO (US)
Filed on Oct. 14, 2020, as Appl. No. 17/69,999.
Application 17/069,999 is a continuation of application No. 16/555,650, filed on Aug. 29, 2019, granted, now 10,864,930.
Claims priority of provisional application 62/725,076, filed on Aug. 30, 2018.
Prior Publication US 2021/0041232 A1, Feb. 11, 2021
Int. Cl. B61L 27/53 (2022.01); B61L 1/06 (2006.01); B61K 9/08 (2006.01); G01B 17/04 (2006.01); H04R 29/00 (2006.01)
CPC B61L 27/53 (2022.01) [B61K 9/08 (2013.01); B61L 1/06 (2013.01); G01B 17/04 (2013.01); H04R 29/005 (2013.01)] 20 Claims
OG exemplary drawing
 
1. A railcar acoustic monitoring system for determining defects of a passing train traveling on first and second rails of a railroad track, the first and second rails supported on a plurality of railroad ties, each of the plurality of railroad ties comprising a first end and a second end opposite the first end, the railcar acoustic monitoring system comprising:
a first trackside frame assembly comprising:
a first outer frame assembly comprising a first frame member and a first microphone assembly, the first frame member configured to couple to at least one of the plurality of railroad ties and extend laterally outward from the first end thereof, the first microphone assembly coupled to the first frame member such that the first microphone assembly is positioned laterally outward from a first outer side of the first rail of the railroad track, the first microphone assembly oriented to receive acoustic signals associated with the passing train;
a second outer frame assembly comprising a second frame member and a second microphone assembly, the second frame member configured to couple to at least one of the plurality of railroad ties and extend laterally outward from the second end thereof, the second microphone assembly coupled to the second frame member such that the second microphone assembly is positioned laterally outward from a second outer side of a second rail of the railroad track, the second microphone assembly oriented to receive acoustic signals associated with the passing train; and
a first inner frame assembly comprising a first housing, a third microphone assembly oriented to receive acoustic signals emanating from the first rail, and a fourth microphone assembly oriented to receive acoustic signals associated with the passing train.