US3704059A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Switchable light modulating device
Assignee: Bunker Ramo Corp
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Filing: 1970-10-23
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Granted: 1972-11-28
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Expires: 1990-10-23
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
2026-11-03 20:03
CPC Classifications
G; G02; G02B; G02B26/00; G02B26/004
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 9
Claim 1
Independent Claim
162 words
A light modulating device comprising: a hollow housing having a selected wall composed of light transparent material serving as a window for accepting impinging incident light rays; a liquid partially occupying the hollow of said housing and having light absorption characteristics; a displacer element movably disposed within said housing and having a light reflective surface carried on a selected outer surface portion thereof located adjacent said window and shaped with respect thereto so as to provide a liquid-receiving gap therebetween; said displacer element being movable within said housing so as to settle into said liquid under the influence of gravity and thereby displace said liquid into said gap to prevent incident light from reaching said light reflective surface; and control means operably coupled to said displacer element for controllably moving said displacer element sufficiently out of said liquid so as to substantially remove said liquid from said gap and thereby permit incident light to reach said light reflective surface for reflection therefrom.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
162 words
A light modulating device comprising: a hollow housing having a selected wall composed of light transparent material serving as a window for accepting impinging incident light rays; a liquid partially occupying the hollow of said housing and having light absorption characteristics; a displacer element movably disposed within said housing and having a light reflective surface carried on a selected outer surface portion thereof located adjacent said window and shaped with respect thereto so as to provide a liquid-receiving gap therebetween; said displacer element being movable within said housing so as to settle into said liquid under the influence of gravity and thereby displace said liquid into said gap to prevent incident light from reaching said light reflective surface; and control means operably coupled to said displacer element for controllably moving said displacer element sufficiently out of said liquid so as to substantially remove said liquid from said gap and thereby permit incident light to reach said light reflective surface for reflection therefrom.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
22 words
The invention as defined in claim 1 wherein said reflective surface is provided in the form of a multiple wedged dispersive reflector.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
31 words
The invention as defined in claim 1 wherein said displacer element and said control means each includes magnetic means for cooperative operation in moving said displacer element out of said liquid.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
136 words
A light modulating device comprising: a hollow housing having a selected wall composed of light transparent material serving as a window for accepting impinging incident light rays; a liquid partially occupying the hollow of said housing and having light absorption characteristics; a displacer element movably disposed within said housing for varying the displacement of said liquid thereon; said displacer element having a light reflective surface carried on a selected outer surface portion thereof located adjacent said window and shaped with respect thereto so as to provide a liquid-receiving gap therebetween; said displacer element also including magnetic means; and magnetic control means cooperating with said magnetic means of said displacer element for controlling the displacement of said liquid by said displacer element so as to selectively control the presence or non-presence of said liquid in said gap.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
136 words
A light modulating device comprising: a hollow housing having a selected wall composed of light transparent material serving as a window for accepting impinging incident light rays; a liquid partially occupying the hollow of said housing and having light absorption characteristics; a displacer element movably disposed within said housing for varying the displacement of said liquid thereon; said displacer element having a light reflective surface carried on a selected outer surface portion thereof located adjacent said window and shaped with respect thereto so as to provide a liquid-receiving gap therebetween; said displacer element also including magnetic means; and magnetic control means cooperating with said magnetic means of said displacer element for controlling the displacement of said liquid by said displacer element so as to selectively control the presence or non-presence of said liquid in said gap.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
15 words
The invention in accordance with claim 4, wherein said magne control means inCludes an electromagnet.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
13 words
The invention in accordance with claim 5, wherein said electromagnet is remotely controlled.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
54 words
The invention in accordance with claim 4, wherein said magnetic means of said displacer element comprises magnetic material provided in a selected outer surface portion thereof, and wherein said magnetic control means includes a magnetic means provided adjacent the outer surface portion of said displacer element containing said magnetic material for cooperative operation therewith.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
US3233515A
Cited
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1975-11-28 | 1976-05-29 | 1976-11-28 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1979-11-28 | 1980-05-29 | 1980-11-28 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1983-11-28 | 1984-05-29 | 1984-11-28 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |