Abstract: A microphone assembly including an outer housing, an inner housing, a printed circuit board (PCB) and a cord. The outer housing includes an outer surface, an inner surface opposite the outer surface and defining an opening there through, and a plurality of attachment structures protruding from the inner surface thereof. The inner housing includes an outer surface, an opening, and a plurality of attachment structures protruding from the outer surface thereof. The PCB includes at least one micro-electromechanical systems (MEMS) microphone including an acoustic port. The PCB is coupled to the inner housing such that the acoustic port of the at least one MEMS microphone is positioned within the opening. The cord interconnects the attachment structures of the outer and inner housings, respectively, together.

Abstract: A railcar acoustic monitoring system including a first trackside frame assembly that includes a first outer frame assembly, a second outer frame assembly, and a first inner frame assembly. The first outer frame assembly including a first microphone assembly positioned on 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. The second outer frame assembly including a second microphone assembly positioned on 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. The first inner frame assembly including 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.

Abstract: A railcar acoustic monitoring system including a first trackside frame assembly that includes a first outer frame assembly, a second outer frame assembly, and a first inner frame assembly. The first outer frame assembly including a first microphone assembly positioned on 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. The second outer frame assembly including a second microphone assembly positioned on 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. The first inner frame assembly including 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.

Abstract: A computer-implemented method for identifying a defect of a passing train via acoustic monitoring. The method may include the steps of: receiving data from the passing train within a zone of observance using an array of microphone assemblies of an acoustic monitoring system that are positioned around a section of the track. The method may further include processing the data to determine pressure levels received by each of the array of microphone assemblies. The method may further include calculating a theoretical pressure level for a plurality of points within a three-dimensional space for each microphone of the array of microphone assemblies. The method may further include determining one or more locations within the three-dimensional coordinate space that represents an origin of a noise source indicating the defect. And the method may further include determining a type of defect based on the acoustic signatures.

Abstract: A computer-implemented method for identifying a defect of a passing train via acoustic monitoring. The method may include the steps of: receiving data from the passing train within a zone of observance using an array of microphone assemblies of an acoustic monitoring system that are positioned around a section of the track. The method may further include processing the data to determine pressure levels received by each of the array of microphone assemblies. The method may further include calculating a theoretical pressure level for a plurality of points within a three-dimensional space for each microphone of the array of microphone assemblies. The method may further include determining one or more locations within the three-dimensional coordinate space that represents an origin of a noise source indicating the defect. And the method may further include determining a type of defect based on the acoustic signatures.

Abstract: The present disclosure provides an automated rail inspection system. The present disclosure also provides a method for calibrating a strain gage based neutral temperature measurement system.