Patents by Inventor James R. Bilodeau

James R. Bilodeau has filed for patents to protect the following inventions. This listing includes patent applications that are pending as well as patents that have already been granted by the United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO).

  • Patent number: 12168468
    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.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 16, 2023
    Date of Patent: December 17, 2024
    Assignee: VOESTALPINE SIGNALING USA INC.
    Inventors: James R. Bilodeau, John D. Ritchey, Eric C. Sprengle, Jody Lutz
  • Publication number: 20240109571
    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.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 16, 2023
    Publication date: April 4, 2024
    Applicant: VOESTALPINE SIGNALING USA INC.
    Inventors: James R. Bilodeau, John D. Ritchey, Eric C. Sprengle, Jody Lutz
  • Patent number: 11787454
    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.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 14, 2020
    Date of Patent: October 17, 2023
    Assignee: VOESTALPINE SIGNALING USA INC.
    Inventors: James R. Bilodeau, John D. Ritchey, Eric C. Sprengle, Jody Lutz
  • Publication number: 20210041232
    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.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 14, 2020
    Publication date: February 11, 2021
    Applicant: voestalpine SIGNALING USA Inc.
    Inventors: James R. Bilodeau, John D. Ritchey, Eric C. Sprengle, Jody Lutz
  • Patent number: 10864930
    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.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 29, 2019
    Date of Patent: December 15, 2020
    Assignee: voestalpine SIGNALING USA Inc.
    Inventors: James R. Bilodeau, John D. Ritchey, Eric C. Sprengle, Jody Lutz
  • Publication number: 20200070862
    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.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 29, 2019
    Publication date: March 5, 2020
    Applicant: voestalpine SIGNALING USA Inc.
    Inventors: James R. Bilodeau, John D. Ritchey, Eric C. Sprengle, Jody Lutz
  • Patent number: 10167003
    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.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 16, 2016
    Date of Patent: January 1, 2019
    Assignee: voestalpine SIGNALING USA Inc.
    Inventor: James R. Bilodeau
  • Patent number: 8155809
    Abstract: A system and method for data logging, collection, and analysis techniques. Logging, collection, and analysis of data relating to the condition of a structure, such as a railway rail. Monitoring the neutral temperature of a railway rail.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 2, 2010
    Date of Patent: April 10, 2012
    Inventors: James R. Bilodeau, William A. Rhodes
  • Patent number: 7698028
    Abstract: A system and method for data logging, collection, and analysis techniques. Logging, collection, and analysis of data relating to the condition of a structure, such as a railway rail. Monitoring the neutral temperature of a railway rail.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 13, 2008
    Date of Patent: April 13, 2010
    Inventors: James R. Bilodeau, William A. Rhodes
  • Patent number: 7392117
    Abstract: A system and method for data logging, collection, and analysis techniques. Logging, collection, and analysis of data relating to the condition of a structure, such as a railway rail. Monitoring the neutral temperature of a railway rail.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 2, 2004
    Date of Patent: June 24, 2008
    Inventors: James R. Bilodeau, William A. Rhodes