Patents by Inventor Jonathan L. Mace
Jonathan L. Mace 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).
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Patent number: 10436005Abstract: Detonation control modules and detonation control circuits are provided herein. A trigger input signal can cause a detonation control module to trigger a detonator. A detonation control module can include a timing circuit, a light-producing diode such as a laser diode, an optically triggered diode, and a high-voltage capacitor. The trigger input signal can activate the timing circuit. The timing circuit can control activation of the light-producing diode. Activation of the light-producing diode illuminates and activates the optically triggered diode. The optically triggered diode can be coupled between the high-voltage capacitor and the detonator. Activation of the optically triggered diode causes a power pulse to be released from the high-voltage capacitor that triggers the detonator.Type: GrantFiled: September 29, 2016Date of Patent: October 8, 2019Assignee: Triad National Security, LLCInventors: Jonathan L. Mace, Gerald J. Seitz, Lawrence E. Bronisz
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Patent number: 10329890Abstract: An explosive system for fracturing an underground geologic formation adjacent to a wellbore can comprise a plurality of explosive units comprising an explosive material contained within the casing, and detonation control modules electrically coupled to the plurality of explosive units and configured to cause a power pulse to be transmitted to at least one detonator of at least one of the plurality of explosive units for detonation of the explosive material. The explosive units are configured to be positioned within a wellbore in spaced apart positions relative to one another along a string with the detonation control modules positioned adjacent to the plurality of explosive units in the wellbore, such that the axial positions of the explosive units relative to the wellbore are at least partially based on geologic properties of the geologic formation adjacent the wellbore.Type: GrantFiled: January 31, 2017Date of Patent: June 25, 2019Assignee: Triad National Security, LLCInventors: Jonathan L. Mace, Bryce C. Tappan, Gerald J. Seitz, Lawrence E. Bronisz
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Patent number: 10184331Abstract: An explosive assembly includes a first explosive unit having a first longitudinal end portion having a first mechanical coupling feature, a second explosive unit having a second longitudinal end portion having a second mechanical coupling feature, and a tubular connector having a first end portion mechanically coupled to the first mechanical coupling feature and a second end portion mechanically coupled to the second mechanical coupling feature, such that the first explosive unit, the connector, and the second explosive unit are connected together end-to-end along a common longitudinal axis. Each explosive unit can contain a high explosive material and a detonator, and the connector can comprise a detonation control module electrically coupled to the detonators and configured to detonate the explosive units.Type: GrantFiled: January 14, 2013Date of Patent: January 22, 2019Assignee: Los Alamos National Security, LLCInventors: Jonathan L. Mace, Bryce C. Tappan
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Publication number: 20170138164Abstract: An explosive system for fracturing an underground geologic formation adjacent to a wellbore can comprise a plurality of explosive units comprising an explosive material contained within the casing, and detonation control modules electrically coupled to the plurality of explosive units and configured to cause a power pulse to be transmitted to at least one detonator of at least one of the plurality of explosive units for detonation of the explosive material. The explosive units are configured to be positioned within a wellbore in spaced apart positions relative to one another along a string with the detonation control modules positioned adjacent to the plurality of explosive units in the wellbore, such that the axial positions of the explosive units relative to the wellbore are at least partially based on geologic properties of the geologic formation adjacent the wellbore.Type: ApplicationFiled: January 31, 2017Publication date: May 18, 2017Applicant: Los Alamos National Security, LLCInventors: Jonathan L. Mace, Bryce C. Tappan, Gerald J. Seitz, Lawrence E. Bronisz
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Patent number: 9593924Abstract: An explosive system for fracturing an underground geologic formation adjacent to a wellbore can comprise a plurality of explosive units comprising an explosive material contained within the casing, and detonation control modules electrically coupled to the plurality of explosive units and configured to cause a power pulse to be transmitted to at least one detonator of at least one of the plurality of explosive units for detonation of the explosive material. The explosive units are configured to be positioned within a wellbore in spaced apart positions relative to one another along a string with the detonation control modules positioned adjacent to the plurality of explosive units in the wellbore, such that the axial positions of the explosive units relative to the wellbore are at least partially based on geologic properties of the geologic formation adjacent the wellbore.Type: GrantFiled: January 14, 2013Date of Patent: March 14, 2017Assignee: Los Alamos National Security, LLCInventors: Jonathan L. Mace, Bryce C. Tappan, Gerald J. Seitz, Lawrence E. Bronisz
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Publication number: 20170016703Abstract: Detonation control modules and detonation control circuits are provided herein. A trigger input signal can cause a detonation control module to trigger a detonator. A detonation control module can include a timing circuit, a light-producing diode such as a laser diode, an optically triggered diode, and a high-voltage capacitor. The trigger input signal can activate the timing circuit. The timing circuit can control activation of the light-producing diode. Activation of the light-producing diode illuminates and activates the optically triggered diode. The optically triggered diode can be coupled between the high-voltage capacitor and the detonator. Activation of the optically triggered diode causes a power pulse to be released from the high-voltage capacitor that triggers the detonator.Type: ApplicationFiled: September 29, 2016Publication date: January 19, 2017Applicant: Los Alamos National Security, LLCInventors: Jonathan L. Mace, Gerald J. Seitz, Lawrence E. Bronisz
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Patent number: 9488456Abstract: Detonation control modules and detonation control circuits are provided herein. A trigger input signal can cause a detonation control module to trigger a detonator. A detonation control module can include a timing circuit, a light-producing diode such as a laser diode, an optically triggered diode, and a high-voltage capacitor. The trigger input signal can activate the timing circuit. The timing circuit can control activation of the light-producing diode. Activation of the light-producing diode illuminates and activates the optically triggered diode. The optically triggered diode can be coupled between the high-voltage capacitor and the detonator. Activation of the optically triggered diode causes a power pulse to be released from the high-voltage capacitor that triggers the detonator.Type: GrantFiled: January 14, 2013Date of Patent: November 8, 2016Assignee: Los Alamos National Security, LLCInventors: Jonathan L. Mace, Christopher R. Bradley, Doran R. Greening, David W. Steedman
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Patent number: 9476685Abstract: Detonation control modules and detonation control circuits are provided herein. A trigger input signal can cause a detonation control module to trigger a detonator. A detonation control module can include a timing circuit, a light-producing diode such as a laser diode, an optically triggered diode, and a high-voltage capacitor. The trigger input signal can activate the timing circuit. The timing circuit can control activation of the light-producing diode. Activation of the light-producing diode illuminates and activates the optically triggered diode. The optically triggered diode can be coupled between the high-voltage capacitor and the detonator. Activation of the optically triggered diode causes a power pulse to be released from the high-voltage capacitor that triggers the detonator.Type: GrantFiled: January 14, 2013Date of Patent: October 25, 2016Assignee: Los Alamos National Security, LLCInventors: Jonathan L. Mace, Gerald J. Seitz, Lawrence E. Bronisz
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Patent number: 9354029Abstract: The detonation of one or more explosive charges and propellant charges by a detonator in response to a fire control signal from a command and control system comprised of a command center and instrumentation center with a communications link therebetween. The fire control signal is selectively provided to the detonator from the instrumentation center if plural detonation control switches at the command center are in a fire authorization status, and instruments, and one or more interlocks, if included, are in a ready for firing status. The instrumentation and command centers are desirably mobile, such as being respective vehicles.Type: GrantFiled: October 8, 2015Date of Patent: May 31, 2016Assignee: Los Alamos National Security, LLCInventors: Jonathan L. Mace, Gerald J. Seitz, John A. Echave, Pierre-Yves Le Bas
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Publication number: 20160033248Abstract: The detonation of one or more explosive charges and propellant charges by a detonator in response to a fire control signal from a command and control system comprised of a command center and instrumentation center with a communications link therebetween. The fire control signal is selectively provided to the detonator from the instrumentation center if plural detonation control switches at the command center are in a fire authorization status, and instruments, and one or more interlocks, if included, are in a ready for firing status. The instrumentation and command centers are desirably mobile, such as being respective vehicles.Type: ApplicationFiled: October 8, 2015Publication date: February 4, 2016Inventors: Jonathan L. Mace, Gerald J. Seitz, John A. Echave, Pierre-Yves Le Bas
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Patent number: 9181790Abstract: The detonation of one or more explosive charges and propellant charges by a detonator in response to a fire control signal from a command and control system comprised of a command center and instrumentation center with a communications link therebetween. The fire control signal is selectively provided to the detonator from the instrumentation center if plural detonation control switches at the command center are in a fire authorization status, and instruments, and one or more interlocks, if included, are in a ready for firing status. The instrumentation and command centers are desirably mobile, such as being respective vehicles.Type: GrantFiled: January 14, 2013Date of Patent: November 10, 2015Assignee: Los Alamos National Security, LLCInventors: Jonathan L. Mace, Gerald J. Seitz, John A. Echave, Pierre-Yves Le Bas
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Publication number: 20140374084Abstract: An explosive system for fracturing an underground geologic formation adjacent to a wellbore can comprise a plurality of explosive units comprising an explosive material contained within the casing, and detonation control modules electrically coupled to the plurality of explosive units and configured to cause a power pulse to be transmitted to at least one detonator of at least one of the plurality of explosive units for detonation of the explosive material. The explosive units are configured to be positioned within a wellbore in spaced apart positions relative to one another along a string with the detonation control modules positioned adjacent to the plurality of explosive units in the wellbore, such that the axial positions of the explosive units relative to the wellbore are at least partially based on geologic properties of the geologic formation adjacent the wellbore.Type: ApplicationFiled: January 14, 2013Publication date: December 25, 2014Inventors: Jonathan L. Mace, Bryce C. Tappan, Gerald J. Seitz, Lawrence E. Bronisz
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Publication number: 20140373743Abstract: An explosive assembly includes a first explosive unit having a first longitudinal end portion having a first mechanical coupling feature, a second explosive unit having a second longitudinal end portion having a second mechanical coupling feature, and a tubular connector having a first end portion mechanically coupled to the first mechanical coupling feature and a second end portion mechanically coupled to the second mechanical coupling feature, such that the first explosive unit, the connector, and the second explosive unit are connected together end-to-end along a common longitudinal axis. Each explosive unit can contain a high explosive material and a detonator, and the connector can comprise a detonation control module electrically coupled to the detonators and configured to detonate the explosive units.Type: ApplicationFiled: January 14, 2013Publication date: December 25, 2014Applicant: LOS ALAMOS NATIONAL SECURITY, LLCInventors: Jonathan L. Mace, Bryce C. Tappan
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Publication number: 20140366761Abstract: Detonation control modules and detonation control circuits are provided herein. A trigger input signal can cause a detonation control module to trigger a detonator. A detonation control module can include a timing circuit, a light-producing diode such as a laser diode, an optically triggered diode, and a high-voltage capacitor. The trigger input signal can activate the timing circuit. The timing circuit can control activation of the light-producing diode. Activation of the light-producing diode illuminates and activates the optically triggered diode. The optically triggered diode can be coupled between the high-voltage capacitor and the detonator. Activation of the optically triggered diode causes a power pulse to be released from the high-voltage capacitor that triggers the detonator.Type: ApplicationFiled: January 14, 2013Publication date: December 18, 2014Inventors: Jonathan L. Mace, Gerald J. Seitz, Lawrence E. Bronisz
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Publication number: 20140338894Abstract: Detonation control modules and detonation control circuits are provided herein. A trigger input signal can cause a detonation control module to trigger a detonator. A detonation control module can include a timing circuit, a light-producing diode such as a laser diode, an optically triggered diode, and a high-voltage capacitor. The trigger input signal can activate the timing circuit. The timing circuit can control activation of the light-producing diode. Activation of the light-producing diode illuminates and activates the optically triggered diode. The optically triggered diode can be coupled between the high-voltage capacitor and the detonator. Activation of the optically triggered diode causes a power pulse to be released from the high-voltage capacitor that triggers the detonator.Type: ApplicationFiled: January 14, 2013Publication date: November 20, 2014Inventors: Jonathan L. Mace, Christopher R. Bradley, Doran R. Greening, David W. Steedman
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Publication number: 20140338552Abstract: The detonation of one or more explosive charges and propellant charges by a detonator in response to a fire control signal from a command and control system comprised of a command center and instrumentation center with a communications link therebetween. The fire control signal is selectively provided to the detonator from the instrumentation center if plural detonation control switches at the command center are in a fire authorization status, and instruments, and one or more interlocks, if included, are in a ready for firing status. The instrumentation and command centers are desirably mobile, such as being respective vehicles.Type: ApplicationFiled: January 14, 2013Publication date: November 20, 2014Inventors: Jonathan L. Mace, Gerald J. Seitz, John A. Echave, Pierre-Yves Le Bas
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Patent number: 7134342Abstract: A magnetic infrasound sensor is produced by constraining a permanent magnet inside a magnetic potential well above the surface of superconducting material. The magnetic infrasound sensor measures the position or movement of the permanent magnet within the magnetic potential well, and interprets the measurements. Infrasound sources can be located and characterized by combining the measurements from one or more infrasound sensors. The magnetic infrasound sensor can be tuned to match infrasound source types, resulting in better signal-to-noise ratio. The present invention can operate in frequency modulation mode to improve sensitivity and signal-to-noise ratio. In an alternate construction, the superconductor can be levitated over a magnet or magnets. The system can also be driven, so that time resolved perturbations are sensed, resulting in a frequency modulation version with improved sensitivity and signal-to-noise ratio.Type: GrantFiled: August 31, 2004Date of Patent: November 14, 2006Assignee: The United States of America as represented by the United States Department of EnergyInventors: Fred M. Mueller, Lawrence Bronisz, Holger Grube, David C. Nelson, Jonathan L. Mace