US3597044A
Expired / Lapsed
US
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Electro-optic light modulator
Assignee: RCA Corp
•
Filing: 1968-09-03
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Granted: 1971-08-03
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Expires: 1988-09-03
Abstract
Abstract The light modulator is comprised of a nematic liquid crystal composition of p-acyloxybenzylidene anils and means for applying an electric field across the composition.
Inventors
- 👤 Joseph A Castellano
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-23 16:39
CPC Classifications
G; G02; G02F; G02F1/00; G02F1/01; G02F1/13; G02F1/137; G02F1/13743; C; C09; C09K; C09K19/00; C09K19/52; C09K19/60
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 9
Claim 1
Independent Claim
21 words
The light valve as recited in claim 1 wherein said liquid crystal is a mixture of a p-n-acyloxybenzylidene-p''-aminobenzonitrile and a p-n-alkoxybenzylidene-p''-amino-benzonitrile.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
33 words
The light valve recited in claim 2 wherein said mixture comprises p-n-hexyloxybenzylidene-p''-aminobenzonitrile together with at least one member of the group consisting of the para substituted caproyl, heptoyl and capryl ester of benzylidene-p''-aminobenzonitrile.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
22 words
The light valve recited in claim 2 wherein said mixture comprises from 33 to 34 percent each of p-n-hexyloxybenzylidene-p''-aminobenzonitrile, p-n-heptoylbenzylidene-p''-aminobenzonitrile and p-n-caprylbenzylidene-p''-aminobenzonitrile.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
10 words
The light valve of claim 1 including a pleochroic dye.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
14 words
The light valve recited in claim 5 wherein the pleochroic dye is indophenol blue.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
20 words
The light valve recited in claim 1 including one-half-5 weight percent of a pleochroic dye mixed with said liquid crystal.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
20 words
The light valve recited in claim 7 wherein said pleochroic dye is present in the range of 1-2 weight percent.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
90 words
A light modulating system comprising: a. a monochromatic light source, the light from which is directed into a liquid crystal light valve, b. a light valve comprised of a liquid crystal composition including a p-n-acyloxybenzylidene-p''-aminobenzonitrile wherein the acyloxy ester group has up to seven carbon atoms and having from one-half to 5 weight percent of a pleochroic dye therein, said dye being capable of absorbing light of the wavelength emitted by said monochromatic light source, c. means for causing alignment of the moleculeS of said liquid crystal composition and dye.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
52 words
The light modulating system recited in claim 9 wherein said dye is indophenol blue and said monochromatic light source is a helium-neon laser emitting light within the absorption band of said dye, and including a light polarizer in the path of said monochromatic light between said light source and said light valve.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
US3499702A
Cited
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1974-08-02 | 1975-02-01 | 1975-08-03 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1978-08-02 | 1979-02-01 | 1979-08-03 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1982-08-02 | 1983-02-01 | 1983-08-03 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |