Patents by Inventor William W. Thorup

William W. Thorup 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: 9664491
    Abstract: Connection cables for separable firing unit assemblies comprise a first mating connector at a first end and a second mating connector at a second, opposing end. A stripline cable electrically connects the first mating connector to the second mating connector. Separable firing unit assemblies comprise an initiation device. An electronics assembly is configured to transmit a firing pulse to the initiation device. One of a first mating connector and a second mating connector is coupled to the initiation device and the other of the first mating connector and the second mating connector is coupled to the electronics assembly. A second housing of the second mating connector is configured to receive a portion of a first housing of the first mating connector therein.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 21, 2014
    Date of Patent: May 30, 2017
    Assignee: Orbital ATK, Inc.
    Inventors: Derek R DeVries, Brent D. Madsen, Eldon C. Peterson, Donald L. Jackson, William W. Thorup
  • Publication number: 20150285606
    Abstract: Connection cables for separable firing unit assemblies comprise a first mating connector at a first end and a second mating connector at a second, opposing end. A stripline cable electrically connects the first mating connector to the second mating connector. Separable firing unit assemblies comprise an initiation device. An electronics assembly is configured to transmit a firing pulse to the initiation device. One of a first mating connector and a second mating connector is coupled to the initiation device and the other of the first mating connector and the second mating connector is coupled to the electronics assembly. A second housing of the second mating connector is configured to receive a portion of a first housing of the first mating connector therein.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 21, 2014
    Publication date: October 8, 2015
    Inventors: Derek R. DeVries, Brent D. Madsen, Eldon C. Peterson, Donald L. Jackson, William W. Thorup
  • Patent number: 9127918
    Abstract: A distributed ordnance system comprises a plurality of ordnance controllers and a plurality of firing units. Each ordnance controller of the plurality of ordnance controllers may be operably coupled with at least one firing unit of the plurality of firing units. Each ordnance controller may be configured to provide power signals to the at least one firing unit coupled therewith, and communicate with the at least one firing unit for initiation of an ordnance event. A multiple-stage ordnance system may comprise a first stage and a second stage that each include an ordnance controller configured to control operation of an ordnance event, and at least one firing unit to initiate the ordnance event. Related methods for constructing a multiple-stage ordnance control system and controlling initiation of an energetic material are also disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 10, 2012
    Date of Patent: September 8, 2015
    Assignee: ALLIANT TECHSYSTEMS INC.
    Inventors: Derek R. DeVries, Brent D. Madsen, Eldon C. Peterson, Donald L. Jackson, William W. Thorup
  • Patent number: 9115970
    Abstract: A high voltage firing unit may comprise a high voltage converter, a capacitive discharge unit, and a control unit. The high voltage converter may be configured to generate a high voltage output signal from a lower voltage input signal. The capacitive discharge unit may be configured to store energy from the high voltage output signal across an energy storage device, and to discharge energy from the energy storage device in response to a fire control signal. The control unit operably may be configured to communicate with an external ordnance controller and control internal operations of the high voltage firing unit. An ordnance system, may comprise a high voltage firing unit and an ordnance controller configured to communicate data with the control unit and at least one power signal to the high voltage converter. A method for operating a high voltage firing unit is also disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 10, 2012
    Date of Patent: August 25, 2015
    Assignee: ORBITAL ATK, INC.
    Inventors: Derek R. DeVries, Brent D. Madsen, Eldon C. Peterson, Donald L. Jackson, William W. Thorup, Scott K. Lusk
  • Publication number: 20150192397
    Abstract: A high voltage firing unit may comprise a high voltage converter, a capacitive discharge unit, and a control unit. The high voltage converter may be configured to generate a high voltage output signal from a lower voltage input signal. The capacitive discharge unit may be configured to store energy from the high voltage output signal across an energy storage device, and to discharge energy from the energy storage device in response to a fire control signal. The control unit operably may be configured to communicate with an external ordnance controller and control internal operations of the high voltage firing unit. An ordnance system, may comprise a high voltage firing unit and an ordnance controller configured to communicate data with the control unit and at least one power signal to the high voltage converter. A method for operating a high voltage firing unit is also disclosed.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 10, 2012
    Publication date: July 9, 2015
    Applicant: ALLIANT TECHSYSTEMS INC.
    Inventors: Derek R. DeVries, Brent D. Madsen, Eldon C. Peterson, Donald L. Jackson, William W. Thorup, Scott K. Lusk
  • Patent number: 8863665
    Abstract: Connection cables for separable firing unit assemblies comprise a first mating connector at a first end and a second mating connector at a second, opposing end. A stripline cable electrically connects the first mating connector to the second mating connector. Separable firing unit assemblies comprise an initiation device. An electronics assembly is configured to transmit a firing pulse to the initiation device. One of a first mating connector and a second mating connector is coupled to the initiation device and the other of the first mating connector and the second mating connector is coupled to the electronics assembly. A second housing of the second mating connector is configured to receive a portion of a first housing of the first mating connector therein.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 11, 2012
    Date of Patent: October 21, 2014
    Assignee: Alliant Techsystems Inc.
    Inventors: Derek R. DeVries, Brent D. Madsen, Eldon C. Peterson, Donald L. Jackson, William W. Thorup
  • Publication number: 20140069289
    Abstract: A distributed ordnance system comprises a plurality of ordnance controllers and a plurality of firing units. Each ordnance controller of the plurality of ordnance controllers may be operably coupled with at least one firing unit of the plurality of firing units. Each ordnance controller may be configured to provide power signals to the at least one firing unit coupled therewith, and communicate with the at least one firing unit for initiation of an ordnance event. A multiple-stage ordnance system may comprise a first stage and a second stage that each include an ordnance controller configured to control operation of an ordnance event, and at least one firing unit to initiate the ordnance event. Related methods for constructing a multiple-stage ordnance control system and controlling initiation of an energetic material are also disclosed.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 10, 2012
    Publication date: March 13, 2014
    Applicant: ALLIANT TECHSYSTEMS INC.
    Inventors: Derek R. DeVries, Brent D. Madsen, Eldon C. Peterson, Donald L. Jackson, William W. Thorup
  • Publication number: 20130174755
    Abstract: Connection cables for separable firing unit assemblies comprise a first mating connector at a first end and a second mating connector at a second, opposing end. A stripline cable electrically connects the first mating connector to the second mating connector. Separable firing unit assemblies comprise an initiation device. An electronics assembly is configured to transmit a firing pulse to the initiation device. One of a first mating connector and a second mating connector is coupled to the initiation device and the other of the first mating connector and the second mating connector is coupled to the electronics assembly. A second housing of the second mating connector is configured to receive a portion of a first housing of the first mating connector therein.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 11, 2012
    Publication date: July 11, 2013
    Applicant: ALLIANT TECHSYSTEMS INC.
    Inventors: Derek R. DeVries, Brent D. Madsen, Eldon C. Peterson, Donald L. Jackson, William W. Thorup