US3680948A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Mode annunciation display means for aircraft instrument panels
Assignee: Bendix Corp
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Filing: 1969-12-11
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Granted: 1972-08-01
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Expires: 1989-12-11
Abstract
Abstract Flight mode display means for an aircraft instrument panel, and which display means uses a tapered fiber optical bundle for magnifying images on a carrier electro-mechanically indexed to the viewing axis of the optical bundle.
Inventors
- 👤 Arthur Sussman
- 👤 Jack Nitzberg
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-26 00:33
CPC Classifications
G; G09; G09F; G09F11/00; G09F11/02; G02; G02B; G02B6/00; G02B6/44; G02B6/4401; G02B6/4415; G02B6/4427; G02B6/4428; G09F11/24; G09F11/26
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 9
Claim 1
Independent Claim
113 words
An image transmitting and magnifying system, comprising: a coherent bundle of tapered optical fibers; a light source positioned near the small end of the optical fibers; a message carrier carrying a plurality of messages and positioned between the light soUrce and the small end of the optical fibers; indexing means for operating the message carrier; logic means connected to the indexing means for controlling the indexing means to align a message for viewing through the optical bundle; and the optical bundle, message carrier and light source cooperating to provide a shadow image of the message at the small end of the fibers and a magnified image at the large end of the fibers.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
113 words
An image transmitting and magnifying system, comprising: a coherent bundle of tapered optical fibers; a light source positioned near the small end of the optical fibers; a message carrier carrying a plurality of messages and positioned between the light soUrce and the small end of the optical fibers; indexing means for operating the message carrier; logic means connected to the indexing means for controlling the indexing means to align a message for viewing through the optical bundle; and the optical bundle, message carrier and light source cooperating to provide a shadow image of the message at the small end of the fibers and a magnified image at the large end of the fibers.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
29 words
A system as described by claim 1, wherein the light source includes: a pair of miniature lamps; and a reflector disposed rearward of the lamps for increasing lighting efficiency.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
98 words
A system as described by claim 2, with a light pipe for transmitting light from the light source and including: a bundle of optical fibers having a pair of branches meeting to form a single stem; each of the branches having an input end positioned in close proximity to a corresponding lamp in the light source; the single stem having an output end positioned in close proximity to the small end of the tapered optical fibers; and the message carrier disposed between the output end of the light pipe and the small end of the tapered optical fibers.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
72 words
A system as described by claim 1, including: a transport assembly having a sprocket drum and a roller disposed at a distance from the sprocket drum; the message carrier being a continuous loop of film positioned on the transport assembly and arranged to be carried by the roller and sprocket drum thereof; and the indexing means being coupled to the sprocket drum for indexing the film when driven by the logic means.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
81 words
A system as described by claim 4, wherein the indexing means includes: a stepper motor coupled to the sprocket drum; a shaft encoder coupled to the stepper motor; the logic unit connected to the shaft encoder for comparing the angular position of the encoder with an input command signal; and correspondence between the encoder position and the command signal being effective for de-activating the stepper motor to align a selected message on the message carrier for viewing through the optical bundle.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
34 words
A system as described by claim 3, including: a spectral filter positioned at the output end of the light pipe for converting light from the lamps to a predetermined color required of the display.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
28 words
A system as described by claim 1, including: a light pipe positioned intermediate the light source and the message carrier for efficiently transmitting light from the light source.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
33 words
A system as described by claim 1, including: an infra-red absorber of heat positioned intermediate the light source and the message carrier for absorbing heat that would otherwise affect the mechanical properties thereof.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1975-08-01 | 1976-01-31 | 1976-08-01 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1979-08-01 | 1980-01-31 | 1980-08-01 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1983-08-01 | 1984-01-31 | 1984-08-01 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |