Jack B. Kuipers Collection, 1953-2006 | Heritage Hall, Hekman Library

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Collection Overview

Title: Jack B. Kuipers Collection, 1953-2006

ID: COLL/160

Primary Creator: Jack B. Kuipers (1921-)

Extent: 12.0 Boxes

Arrangement: Folder level description

Abstract

Professor of mathematics at Calvin College and pioneer in virtual reality technology. The collection details applied aerospace dynamics, conventional matrix methods, and quaternion algebra; “SPASYN” (a patented space synchronizer); and other patented products. The collection includes correspondence, reports, papers, articles, Quaternions and Rotation Sequences: A Primer with Applications book chapter drafts, patent materials, book reviews, presentation photo slides, and biographical information.

Biographical Note

A native of Grand Rapids, Michigan, Jack B. Kuipers (1921- ) was the oldest of eight children born to Berend and Grace (née Werkeman) Kuipers. He majored in mathematics and physics at Calvin College and earned a BS in electrical engineering and MS in automatic control engineering from the University of Michigan, and studied radar technology at MIT and Harvard University.

He served with the US Army Signal Corps during WW II and worked for various contractors in the aerospace industry during the 1950s and on the staff of the University of Michigan in the 1960s teaching courses in control and information theory. He joined the faculty of Calvin College Mathematics Department in 1967 and was appointed professor emeritus at Calvin in 1986.

The focus of his research has been on guidance systems, particularly SPASYN (an acronym for space synchronizer) which used radio signals to determine the relationship between two objects moving through three-dimensional space. This technology has been adapted to guidance and targeting systems, air traffic control, and virtual reality. He authored Quaternions and Rotation Sequences: A Primer with Applications to Orbits, Aerospace, and Virtual Reality that has gone through many printings and became the standard reference for aerospace engineering.

He also consulted for numerous companies. For his work, Kuipers earned eight patents in the United States and nine in other countries. In 2002, he was named a distinguished alumnus by Calvin College.

Kuipers married Lois Belle Holtrop (1925- ), the daughter of Corneal and Jennie (née Kruizenga) Holtrop. They have five children: Benjamin, Emily, Joel, Alison, and Lynne.

Box and Folder Listing

Browse by Series:

[Series 1: Personal],
[Series 2: Papers by Jack B. Kuipers],
[Series 3: SPASYN Research],
[Series 4: Patents -- Jack B. Kuipers],
[Series 5: Patents-Other],
[Series 6: Consulting Projects],
[Series 7: Research Material],
[Series 8: Patent Law Suits],
[Series 9: Presentations],
[Series 10: Miscellaneous],
[Series 11: Papers],
[All]

Series 1: Personal

Box 1

Folder 1: Curriculum Vitae and Biographical Information

Folder 2: Curriculum Vitae of Benjamin J. Kuipers (son of J.B.K.) "The Meaning of Life" (by B.J.K.)

Folder 3: News clippings

Folder 4: "Pin in the Sky," Grand Rapids Press Article, re: Rotation Sequences Book --- 1998

Folder 5

Item 1: Distinguished Alumni Award --- 2002
Item 2: Quaternions

Folder 6: Proposal to Study Quaternion Transformation Processing for Visual Panoramic Display --- undated

Folder 7: Quaternions and Rotation Sequence --- 1999

Folder 8: "Characterization and Application of Quaternions for Enhanced Computer Processing Algorithms" --- 1994

Folder 9: "Introduction to the Quaternion" --- undated

Folder 10: Quaternions and Rotation Sequences, (Chapters 1-3) --- 1996

Folder 11: Quaternions and Rotation Sequences, (Chapters 4-9) --- 1996

Folder 12: Quaternions and Rotation Sequences, (Chapters 10-14) --- 1996

Series 2: Papers by Jack B. Kuipers

Box 1

Folder 13: "Aircraft Kinematics" --- 1986
Folder 14: "Attitude Control of Satellites and Space Vehicles" --- 1963
Folder 15: "Coordinate Transformation Sensor" and Associated Patent --- 1971-1975
Folder 16: "Design a Strap down Attitude and Heading Reference System" --- undated
Folder 17: "The Distribution of End-To-End Distances in Polymer Molecules" --- undated
Folder 18: "An Electromagnetic Field Distortion Measurement System" --- 1978

Box 2

Folder 1: "An Electromagnetic Relative Position Tracking System" --- 1978

Folder 2: "The "Fifth Wheel" Automatic Brake Control System" --- 1961

Folder 3: "The Generalized Spasyn" --- 2000

Folder 4: "A Helicopter Landing Aid Twoway V-Offset Guidance" --- 1977

Folder 5: "A Navigation and Guidance System for Offshore Technology Operations" --- 1978

Folder 6: "A New Processing Strategy for Helmet Mounted Sight and Collision Avoidance System" --- 2002

Folder 7: "A Quaternion Process for Precise Electromagnetic Field Measurements" --- 1984

Folder 8: "Quaternion Algebra" --- 1986

Folder 9: "Quaternions and Rotation Sequences", (Given at Bulgarian Academy of Sciences) --- 1999

Folder 10: "Quaternions and their Geometrical Interpretation" --- undated

Folder 11: "Solution and Simulation of Certain Kinematics and Dynamic Problems Using Resolvers" --- 1967

Folder 12

Item 1: "A Transfer Function for a Vertical Gyro" --- 1975
Item 2: "A Pendulous Vertical Gyro"

Folder 13: "A Vertical Gyro Error" --- 1973

Folder 14: "Two Way a Position and Orientation Measurement System" --- 1977

Folder 15: "A View into the Nature of the Solution Space of Ordinary Differential Equations" --- 1973

Folder 16: "Why do We Believe in Electrons but not in Fairies?" --- 2005

Series 3: SPASYN Research

Box 2

Folder 17: "The SPASYN" --- 1976
Folder 18: "The SPASYN Technology" --- undated
Folder 19: "Twoway-A System for Cooperatively Determining Relative Position and Orientation between 2 Objects SPASYN-Mathematical Aspects" --- 1975
Folder 20: "An Electromagnetic Relative Position and Orientation Measurement System", "The SPASYN Technology" --- 1978
Folder 21: "An Electromagnetic Reactive Position and Orientation Tracking System"
Folder 22: "A Magnetic Position and Orientation Measurement System" --- 1978
Folder 23: Papers describing use of Quaternions in SPASYN Processing --- 1981
Folder 24: "The Twoway System and Processes, Near and Far-Field Strategies" --- 2001

Box 3

Folder 1: "A New Transducing Technique for Visually Coupled Control Systems" --- undated
Folder 2: "A Simplified Explanation" --- undated
Folder 3: "Twoway Processors Using Quaternions" --- 1984
Folder 4: "Recollections and Perspectives on SPASYN Technology" --- 1994
Folder 5: "A Simplified Explanation of SPASYN" --- 2000

Series 4: Patents -- Jack B. Kuipers

Box 3

Folder 6: "Method and Apparatus for Tracking Objects" --- 1976

Folder 7: 4,737,794 and 4,742,356 "Method and Apparatus for Determining Remote Object Orientation" --- 1988

Folder 8: 3,868,563 "Object Tracking and Orientation Determination Means" --- 1975

Folder 9

Item 1: 3,983,474 "Tracking and Determining Orientation of Object Using Coordinate Means" --- 1976
Item 2: 3,660,648 "Angular Rate Coordinate Transformer" --- 1972-1973
Item 3: 3,474,241 "Coordinate Transformer" --- 1966

Folder 10: 4,289,874 "Method and Apparatus for Tracking Objects" --- 1982

Folder 11: Held by Others on Positioning and Orientation Subjects --- 1994-2001

Folder 12: Comments on French Patents --- 1976

Folder 13: Owned by McDonnell Douglas Corporation --- undated

Folder 14: Assigned to Polemus Navigation Sciences Incorporated --- 1975-1977

Series 5: Patents-Other

Box 3

Folder 15: Held by Others on Positioning and Orientation Related Subjects --- 1961-1991

Series 6: Consulting Projects

Box 4

Folder 1: Engineering Reports for Lear Incorporated --- 1953, 1957
Folder 2: Gyro Calculations --- 1954
Folder 3: Celestrial Mechanics Calculations --- 1957
Folder 4: Lear Co. Report "Switching Rate Gyro" --- 1957
Folder 5: All Attitude Autopilot --- 1957
Folder 6: Calculations and Reports for Lear Corporation --- 1957-1958
Folder 7: Course Book Dynamics Offlight --- 1959
Folder 8: Calculations for Unspecified Projects --- 1959
Folder 9: B-70 Brake System Project --- 1959-1961
Folder 10: B-70 Brake System Analysis --- 1960

Box 5

Folder 1: Calculations for Accelerometer Development --- 1967
Folder 2: "Calculations for B-70 Brake System Project" --- 1961
Folder 3: Memorandum: "Three Degree-of-Freedom Point Mass Analytical Model" (University of Michigan) --- 1964
Folder 4: "Improved Aero IA AMCS-Vertical Gyro Reference System" --- 1967
Folder 5: Sub-Contracts with Nortronics Corporations --- 1969
Folder 6: Consulting Services Agreement and Reports for Jet Electronics and Technology Incorporated --- 1973
Folder 7: "An Electromagnetic Position Sensor" (Air Force Avionics Laboratory) --- 1973
Folder 8: Work for Austin Company --- 1976
Folder 9: Honeywell/Advance Technology Systems Brochure: "A.F. Magnetic Helmet Mounted Sight System" --- 1979
Folder 10: Request for Proposal for "Quaternion Transforming Processing" (Macaulay-Brown Company) --- 1985
Folder 11: Proposal to Air Force on Characterization and Application of Quaternions for Enhanced Computer Processing --- 1988
Folder 12: Invoices for Research and Consultant Work --- 1989-1991
Folder 13: "Position and Orientation Measurement System" --- 1991-1992
Folder 14: Disclosure Drafts on the Gaertner Position --- 1992
Folder 15: Consulting Agreements between J.B.K. and Calvin College --- 2000-2001

Series 7: Research Material

Box 6

Folder 1: The Analysis and Design of Nonlinear Control Systems --- 1964
Folder 2: Analytical Mechanics Stability of Motion Celestial Ballistics --- 1968
Folder 3: "Animating Rotation and Quaternion Curves" --- 1986
Folder 4: "Application of Statistical Filtering" and "Estimation of a Satellites Ephemeris" --- 1964
Folder 5: "Charge Image Generator: Theory of Operation and Author Language Support" --- 1975
Folder 6: "Control System Analysis and Design via 2nd Method of Lyapunov" --- 1959
Folder 7: "The Detection of Radar Echoes in Noise I and II" --- 1960
Folder 8: "Control Theory", E.G. Gilbert --- undated
Folder 9: "Controllability and Observability in Multivariable Control Systems" --- 1963
Folder 10: "A Design for High Performance Aircraft Stability Augmentation Systems" --- undated
Folder 11: "Design Considerations for SPASYN Low Frequency Positioning Systems" --- 1977
Folder 12: "Design of Linear Flight Control Systems" --- 1964
Folder 13: "Design of Linear Flight Control Systems Using Optimal Control Theory" --- 1964
Folder 14: "Detection Theory" --- undated

Box 7

Folder 1: "Development of Manufacturing Methods for Production of Dual Axis Rate Transducers" --- 1966
Folder 2: "Digital Computer Program for a Generalized Inertial Guidance System" --- 1959
Folder 3-4: Dynamics of Flight --- 1958
Folder 5: "Electromagnetic Head Tracking- (SPA-SYN-COM) --- 1979
Folder 6: "Elements of Space and Reentry Vehicles" --- undated
Folder 7: "Engineering the Enterprise" --- 1999
Folder 8: Extension of Linear Constant-Coefficient Analysis Methods to Time-Varying Systems --- 1964
Folder 9: "Factored Complex Quaternions" --- 1981
Folder 10: "Fundamentals of Numerical Control" --- undated
Folder 11: "General Equations of Motion of a Satellite in Gravitational Gradient Field" --- 1959
Folder 12: "Generalization of Farfield SPASYN" --- 1983

Box 8

Folder 1: "Generation and Display of Geometric Fractals in 3-D --- 1982
Folder 2-3: "Guidance Design Analysis for Military Space Operations" --- 1964
Folder 4: "Installation and Operations Guide" for "The Bird" (Ascension Technology Corporation) --- 1990
Folder 5: "An Introduction to Celestial Mechanics" --- 1961
Folder 6: "An Introduction to the Principles of Infrared Physics" --- 1956
Folder 7-8: Lie Methods for Non-Linear Dynamics with Applications to Accelerator Physics --- 1999
Folder 9: "Magnetic Position and Orientation Tracking System" --- 1979
Folder 10: "The Mathematics of Computer Graphics" --- 1978
Folder 11: "Matrices and Linear Transformations" --- 1957
Folder 12: "Minimum Effort Control Systems" --- 1962
Folder 13

Box 9

Folder 1: "New Approach to General Minimum Energy Problem" --- undated
Folder 2: "Notes on Sampled-Data Systems" --- 1965
Folder 3: "The Optimal Control of Some Attitude Control Systems" --- 1962
Folder 4: "Optimal Programming Problems with Inequality Constraints" --- undated
Folder 5: "Optimum Linear Prediction and Filtering" --- undated
Folder 6: "Passive Aerodynamic Attitude Stability of Near Earth Satellites" --- 1961
Folder 7: "Problems in Nonlinear Control Systems" --- 1960
Folder 8: "A Satellite Method for Pressure and Temperature below 24 Kilometers" --- 1965
Folder 9: "Spacecraft Attitude, Rotations, and Quaternions" --- 1984
Folder 10: "A Space Synchro Helmet-Mounted Sight Flightworthy System" --- 1975
Folder 11: "Space Vehicle Trajectories" --- 1961
Folder 12-13: "Stability/ Attitude Signal Computation from Body Mounted Sensors" --- 1970
Folder 14: "Statistics of Orbit Determination" --- 1961

Box 10

Folder 1: "Symposium on Visually Coupled Systems" --- 1972
Folder 2: "Trajectory Synthesis Study and Related Material" --- 1962
Folder 3: "The Transit Navigational Satellite System" --- 1961
Folder 4: "Trigonometrics" --- 2001
Folder 5: "Two Gyros Stabilizing a Single Axis" --- 1957

Series 8: Patent Law Suits

Box 10

Folder 6: Kuipers's verses The Austin Company --- 1985
Folder 7: Kuipers's verses MacDonnell Douglas Corporation --- 1987-1998
Folder 8: Summary Judgment Kuipers's verses MacDonnell Douglas Corporation --- 1999

Box 11

Folder 1: Requests to Admit, Interrogatories etc. Kuipers's verses McDonnell Douglas --- 1999
Folder 2: Kuipers's verses MacDonnell Douglas Corporation, Legal Testimony --- 1999-2000
Folder 3: J.B.K Testimony in Court Proceedings: Polhemus Incorporated verses Ascension Technology --- 1992
Folder 4: "Attitude Control for a Geocentric Satellite" --- 1963
Folder 5-9: Correspondence --- 1953-2004
Folder 10-12: Correspondence-Patent Attorneys --- 1976-1977, 2001

Box 12

Folder 1: Kaiser Aerospace & Electronics Corp mediation brief --- 2000
Folder 2: McDonnell Douglas mediation statement --- 2000
Folder 3: Plaintiff's Facilitative mediation statement --- 2000
Folder 4: Rhoades-McKee Summary --- 1999
Folder 5: Final settlement correspondence --- 2000

Series 9: Presentations

Box 11

Folder 13: Calvin Mathematics Colloquium, "Some Phase-Age Geometry," Pictorials --- 1997
Folder 14: SPASYN Aircraft Applications
Folder 15: Presentations

Series 10: Miscellaneous

Box 11

Folder 16: Selection of "Thoughts" by H.J. Stob, (prepared for by J.B.K. --- undated
Folder 17: "Where's Heaven?" --- undated
Folder 18: "The Redemption of Time" --- 2006

Series 11: Papers

Box 12

Folder 6: Ther Luxodrome, the Nalemma & Other paths --- undated
Folder 7: The Development of Spasyn Technology --- undated
Folder 8: Far-Field Applications for Robotics and a Collision Avoidance System --- undated
Folder 9: Spasyn ecollections and Related History --- undated
Folder 10: N-Gons on the Sphers --- undated
Folder 11: Newsclippings --- 1989