Variable digital light deflector
Abstract
Abstract VARIABLE DIGITAL LIGHT DEFLECTION IS OBTAINED BY STACKING LIGHT DEFLECTION PLATES ON THE HYPOTENUSE OF A RIGHT-ANGLE PRISM. LIGHT ENTERS ONE FACE OF THE PRISM AND STRIKES THE HYPOTENUSE OF THE PRISM AT AN ANGLE EQUAL TO OR GREATER THAN THE CRITICAL ANGLE. NORMALLY, THE LIGHT WILL BE TOTALLY INTERNALLY REFLECTED IN THE PRISM AND PASS OUT THE OTHER FACE OF THE PRISM. HOWEVER, IF A DEFLECTOR PLATE IS ATTACHED TO THE HYPOTENUSE OF THE PRISM AND IS MAKING OPTICAL CONTACT WITH THE HYPOTENUSE OF THE PRISM, THE TOTAL INTERNAL REFLECTION WILL BE FRUSTRATED, AND THE LIGHT BEAM WILL PASS INTO THE DEFLECTOR PLATE. THE DEFLECTOR PLATES MAY BE STACKED ONE ON TOP OF THE OTHER. THE PHENOMENON OF TOTAL INTERNAL REFLECTION AND FRUSTRATION OF TOTAL INTERNAL REFLECTION IS USED TO CONTROL HOW MANY DEFLECTOR PLATES THE LIGHT BEAM PASSES THROUGH BEFORE IT IS TOTALLY INTERNALLY REFLECTED AND MOVES BACK THROUGH THE DEFLECTOR PLATES, THE PRISM, AND OUT THE FACE OF THE PRISM. THE DEFLECTOR PLATES MAY BE SOLID GLASS PLATES OR LIQUID CELLS. THEY MAY BE ENERGIZED BY A PIEZOELECTRIC CRYSTAL TO FLEX AND THEREBY MAKE OR BREAK OPTICAL CONTACT.
Inventors
- 👤 Anton G Wellbrock
Bibliographic Details
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USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1974-01-04 | 1974-07-06 | 1975-01-05 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1978-01-04 | 1978-07-06 | 1979-01-05 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1982-01-04 | 1982-07-06 | 1983-01-05 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |