Patents by Inventor Thomas E. MacPherson

Thomas E. MacPherson 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).

  • Methods of igniting devices
    Patent number: 10480920
    Abstract: Initiator modules for munitions control systems include a mounting portion for receiving a portion of an initiation device, a detonator device disposed within the initiator module, a connection portion configured to connect the initiator module with a munitions control system, and an electronics assembly configured to electronically couple with a munitions control system and transmit a signal to the detonator device. Munitions systems may include initiator modules received in a socket of a munitions control system. Methods of igniting explosive devices include coupling a shock tube to an explosive device, connecting an initiator module to a munitions control system, mounting a portion of the shock tube to the initiator module, and igniting the shock tube with a detonator device disposed within the initiator module.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 24, 2017
    Date of Patent: November 19, 2019
    Assignee: Northrop Grumman Innovation Systems, Inc
    Inventors: James D. Lucas, Denny L. Kurschner, Thomas E. MacPherson
  • METHODS OF IGNITING DEVICES
    Publication number: 20180195846
    Abstract: Initiator modules for munitions control systems include a mounting portion for receiving a portion of an initiation device, a detonator device disposed within the initiator module, a connection portion configured to connect the initiator module with a munitions control system, and an electronics assembly configured to electronically couple with a munitions control system and transmit a signal to the detonator device. Munitions systems may include initiator modules received in a socket of a munitions control system. Methods of igniting explosive devices include coupling a shock tube to an explosive device, connecting an initiator module to a munitions control system, mounting a portion of the shock tube to the initiator module, and igniting the shock tube with a detonator device disposed within the initiator module.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 24, 2017
    Publication date: July 12, 2018
    Inventors: James D. Lucas, Denny L. Kurschner, Thomas E. MacPherson
  • Initiator modules, munitions systems including initiator modules, and related methods
    Patent number: 9618308
    Abstract: Initiator modules for munitions control systems include a mounting portion for receiving a portion of an initiation device, a detonator device disposed within the initiator module, a connection portion configured to connect the initiator module with a munitions control system, and an electronics assembly configured to electronically couple with a munitions control system and transmit a signal to the detonator device. Munitions systems may include initiator modules received in a socket of a munitions control system. Methods of igniting explosive devices include coupling a shock tube to an explosive device, connecting an initiator module to a munitions control system, mounting a portion of the shock tube to the initiator module, and igniting the shock tube with a detonator device disposed within the initiator module.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 1, 2013
    Date of Patent: April 11, 2017
    Assignee: Orbital ATK, Inc.
    Inventors: James D. Lucas, Denny L. Kurschner, Thomas E. MacPherson
  • INITIATOR MODULES, MUNITIONS SYSTEMS INCLUDING INITIATOR MODULES, AND RELATED METHODS
    Publication number: 20160097623
    Abstract: Initiator modules for munitions control systems include a mounting portion for receiving a portion of an initiation device, a detonator device disposed within the initiator module, a connection portion configured to connect the initiator module with a munitions control system, and an electronics assembly configured to electronically couple with a munitions control system and transmit a signal to the detonator device. Munitions systems may include initiator modules received in a socket of a munitions control system. Methods of igniting explosive devices include coupling a shock tube to an explosive device, connecting an initiator module to a munitions control system, mounting a portion of the shock tube to the initiator module, and igniting the shock tube with a detonator device disposed within the initiator module.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 1, 2013
    Publication date: April 7, 2016
    Inventors: James D. Lucas, Denny L. Kurschner, Thomas E. MacPherson
  • Initiator modules, munitions systems including initiator modules, and related methods
    Patent number: 8408132
    Abstract: Initiator modules for munitions control systems include a mounting portion for receiving a portion of an initiation device, a detonator device disposed within the initiator module, a connection portion configured to connect the initiator module with a munitions control system, and an electronics assembly configured to electronically couple with a munitions control system and transmit a signal to the detonator device. Munitions systems may include initiator modules received in a socket of a munitions control system. Methods of igniting explosive devices include coupling a shock tube to an explosive device, connecting an initiator module to a munitions control system, mounting a portion of the shock tube to the initiator module, and igniting the shock tube with a detonator device disposed within the initiator module.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 12, 2010
    Date of Patent: April 2, 2013
    Assignee: Alliant Techsystems Inc.
    Inventors: James D. Lucas, Denny L. Kurschner, Thomas E. MacPherson
  • INITIATOR MODULES, MUNITIONS SYSTEMS INCLUDING INITIATOR MODULES, AND RELATED METHODS
    Publication number: 20110219977
    Abstract: Initiator modules for munitions control systems include a mounting portion for receiving a portion of an initiation device, a detonator device disposed within the initiator module, a connection portion configured to connect the initiator module with a munitions control system, and an electronics assembly configured to electronically couple with a munitions control system and transmit a signal to the detonator device. Munitions systems may include initiator modules received in a socket of a munitions control system. Methods of igniting explosive devices include coupling a shock tube to an explosive device, connecting an initiator module to a munitions control system, mounting a portion of the shock tube to the initiator module, and igniting the shock tube with a detonator device disposed within the initiator module.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 12, 2010
    Publication date: September 15, 2011
    Applicant: ALLIANT TECHSYSTEMS INC.
    Inventors: James D. Lucas, Denny L. Kurschner, Thomas E. MacPherson