US3572896A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Switchable light modulating device
Assignee: Bunker Ramo Corp
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Filing: 1967-06-26
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Granted: 1971-03-30
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Expires: 1987-06-26
Abstract
Abstract A controllable light reflective device made up of a chamber having at least a portion of its walls transparent to form a window therein with a light reflective structure forming part of or associated with said window. A fluid is placed in the chamber with structure for controllably displacing the fluid to and from a selected portion of the chamber and in optical cooperation with the reflective structure so as to control the amount of incident light which is reflected by the device through the window.
Inventors
- 👤 Sidney Bertram
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-26 11:39
CPC Classifications
G; G02; G02B; G02B26/00; G02B26/004; G02B26/02; G09; G09F; G09F9/00; G09F9/30; G09F9/37; G09F9/375
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 10
Claim 1
Independent Claim
151 words
A reflective light modulating device for switching incident light applied thereto between visually observable states of high light reflection and of light absorption, comprising: a hollow housing having one portion thereof formed into a light transparent prism having a predetermined index of refraction; a fluid having a predetermined index of refraction substantially equal to or greater than the index of refraction of said prism adapted to substantially occupy the hollow of said housing except for the presence of a gas pocket formed in said fluid having a different index of refraction than said fluid; diverter means movably disposed within said housing and being substantially immersed in said fluid; and means cooperatively coupled to said diverter means for controllably moving said diverter means so as to selectively alternately locate said fluid and said gas pocket into and out of contact with said prism to modify the visually observable states of the device.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
151 words
A reflective light modulating device for switching incident light applied thereto between visually observable states of high light reflection and of light absorption, comprising: a hollow housing having one portion thereof formed into a light transparent prism having a predetermined index of refraction; a fluid having a predetermined index of refraction substantially equal to or greater than the index of refraction of said prism adapted to substantially occupy the hollow of said housing except for the presence of a gas pocket formed in said fluid having a different index of refraction than said fluid; diverter means movably disposed within said housing and being substantially immersed in said fluid; and means cooperatively coupled to said diverter means for controllably moving said diverter means so as to selectively alternately locate said fluid and said gas pocket into and out of contact with said prism to modify the visually observable states of the device.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
38 words
The invention as defined in claim 1 wherein said moving means includes a permanent magnet carried by said diverter means and an electromagnet carried on said housing for producing an electromagnetic field sufficient to move said diverter means.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
29 words
The invention as defined in claim 1 wherein said gas pocket constitutes a quantity of air captured within said housing and being substantially buoyant with respect to said fluid.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
58 words
The invention as defined in claim 2 wherein a rear wall of said prism and a forward wall of said diverter means are spaced apart so as to define a gap therebetween constituting a controllable light reflecting boundary adapted to be occupied alternately by said fluid and said gas pocket in response to movement of said diverter means.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
42 words
The invention as defined in claim 2 wherein said prism rear wall takes the form of a wedge lens projecting into the hollow of said housing and said diverter means forward wall is formed in shape to correspond to said wedge lens.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
29 words
The invention as defined in claim 4 wherein said prism rear wall constitutes a Fresnel lens and said diverter means forward wall takes the form of a flat surface.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
19 words
The invention as defined in claim 4 wherein said prism rear wall constitutes a light diffusing and reflecting surface.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
31 words
The invention as defined in claim 4 including guiding means cooperatingly disposed between said diverter means and said housing so as to maintain said gap during movement of said diverter means.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
52 words
The invention as defined in claim 1 wherein said moving means includes electromagnetic means and further includes signal pulsing means coupled to said electromagnetic means adapted to remotely produce signal pulses sufficient to selectively excite said electromagnetic means to move said diverter mEans in response to the presence of an electromagnetic field.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
US3200525A
Cited
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1974-03-29 | 1974-09-28 | 1975-03-30 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1978-03-29 | 1978-09-28 | 1979-03-30 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1982-03-29 | 1982-09-28 | 1983-03-30 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |