Cold cathode display panel having a multiplicity of gas cells

Claim 2

A cold cathode display panel comprising an envelope containing a gas capable of generating light when energized electrically, an insulating panel member in said envelope having a plurality Of gas-filled apertures extending therethrough which comprise light-generating cells, a plurality of electrodes in operative relation with said panel member, selected ones of said electrodes including structural means comprising protrusions which enter said apertures and are shaped to match the cross-section of said apertures whereby they engage and interlock with said apertures so that said selected ones of said electrodes are in proper operative relation with said gas-filled cells and are uniformly separated from each other and are held in place with respect to each other and said panel member, there being at least two electrodes engaging said panel member in contact with the gas in each cell, one of said two electrodes being operable as an anode and the other being operable as a cathode.

Claim 3

The panel defined in claim 1 wherein said cells have a generally cylindrical shape and said protrusions have a generally cylindrical shape.

Claim 4

The panel defined in claim 1 wherein said protrusions are cathode electrodes.

Claim 5

The panel defined in claim 1 wherein said protrusions are anode electrodes.

Claim 6

The panel defined in claim 1 and including light-emitting phosphor material deposited on said protrusions.

Claim 7

The panel defined in claim 1 and including light-emitting phosphor material deposited in each said cup-shaped cathode.

Claim 8

The panel defined in claim 1 and including a photocathode in each said cell.

Claim 9

A cold cathode display panel comprising an envelope containing a gas capable of radiating energy when electrically energized, an insulating panel member in said envelope having a plurality of gas-filled apertures extending therethrough which comprise light-generating cells, a disk-like cathode electrode projecting into each said gas cell from one end thereof, an anode electrode located near the opposite end of each said gas cell in physical contact with the gas in the cell, means for energizing selected ones of said gas cells to produce light therein, said means including a first plurality of conductors each electrically interconnecting a plurality of said cathode electrodes and a second plurality of conductors, each electrically interconnecting a plurality of said anode electrodes, said cathode electrodes being rigidly attached to said first plurality of conductors to facilitate the alignment of said cathode electrodes and said conductors with said gas cells, each said projecting cathode being generally cup-shaped and including a central depression.

Claim 10

A cold cathode display panel comprising an envelope containing a gas capable of radiating energy when electrically energized, an insulating panel member in said envelope having a plurality of gas-filled apertures extending therethrough which comprise light-generating cells, a disk-like cathode electrode projecting into each said gas cell from one end thereof, an anode electrode located near the opposite end of each said gas cell in physical contact with the gas in the cell, means for energizing selected ones of said gas cells to produce light therein, said means including a first plurality of conductors each electrically interconnecting a plurality of said cathode electrodes and a second plurality of conductors, each electrically interconnecting a plurality of said anode electrodes, said cathode electrodes being rigidly attached to said first plurality of conductors to facilitate the alignment of said cathode electrodes and said conductors with said gas cells, each said projecting cathode being generally cup-shaped and including a central depression.

Claim 11

The panel defined in claim 8 and including a central post positioned within each said central depression.

Claim 12

The panel defined in claim 8 wherein each cell includes an electron-emitting photocathode.

Claim 13

The panel defined in claim 8 wherein each cell includes electron emitting photocathode material located in said central depression.

Claim 14

The panel defined in claim 8 wherein said anode electrodes are ribbon-like conductors which are narrowed in the region of each of the gas cells to permit viewing of the light generated within said gas cells.

Claim 15

The panel defined in claim 8 wherein said anode electrodes are ribbon-like conductors which include a plurality of apertures in the region of each of the gas cells.

Claim 16

The panel defined in claim 8 wherein the anodes are screen-like members.

Claim 17

The panel defined in claim 8 wherein each gas cell includes a phosphor material, and wherein said means for energizing selective ones of said gas cells serves to activate the gas of the selected cells which, in turn, activates the phosphor material.

Claim 18

A cold cathode display panel comprising an envelope containing a gas capable of radiating energy when electrically energized, an insulating panel member in said envelope having a plurality of gas-filled apertures extending therethrough which comprise light-generating cells, a disk-like cathode electrode projecting into each said gas cell from one end thereof, an anode electrode located neAr the opposite end of each said gas cell in physical contact with the gas in the cell, means for energizing selected ones of said gas cells to produce light therein, said means including a first plurality of conductors each electrically interconnecting a plurality of said cathode electrodes and a second plurality of conductors, each electrically interconnecting a plurality of said anode electrodes, said cathode electrodes being rigidly attached to said first plurality of conductors to facilitate the alignment of said cathode electrodes and said conductors with said gas cells, the interior wall surface of each said gas cells being interrupted by a surface discontinuity located between the cathode and anode electrodes thereof.

Claim 19

A cold cathode display panel comprising an envelope containing a gas capable of radiating energy when electrically energized, an insulating panel member in said envelope having a plurality of gas-filled apertures extending therethrough which comprise light-generating cells, a disk-like cathode electrode projecting into each said gas cell from one end thereof, an anode electrode located neAr the opposite end of each said gas cell in physical contact with the gas in the cell, means for energizing selected ones of said gas cells to produce light therein, said means including a first plurality of conductors each electrically interconnecting a plurality of said cathode electrodes and a second plurality of conductors, each electrically interconnecting a plurality of said anode electrodes, said cathode electrodes being rigidly attached to said first plurality of conductors to facilitate the alignment of said cathode electrodes and said conductors with said gas cells, the interior wall surface of each said gas cells being interrupted by a surface discontinuity located between the cathode and anode electrodes thereof.

Claim 20

The panel defined in claim 16 wherein the wall of each said gas cell is recessed between the cathode and anode electrodes to provide a discontinuous path for any material sputtered from said cathode electrode.

Claim 21

The panel defined in claim 16 wherein the first and second plurality of conductors are row and column conductors, respectively, and wherein said row conductors are elongated ribbon-like conductors with the cathode electrodes formed by elevations along the surface of said conductors in the regions of the successive gas cells.

Claim 22

The panel defined in claim 18 wherein said ribbon-like row conductors are wider than the corresponding transverse dimension of said gas cells and serve to close one end of the gas cells.

Claim 23

The panel defined in claim 18 wherein said cathode electrodes are tabs projecting from said ribbon-like conductors, which tabs are formed from portions of said ribbon-like conductors where said ribbons have been cut to provide the projecting tabs.

Claim 24

The panel defined in claim 20 wherein at least two tabs extend into each cell, the tabs in each cell being aligned at an angle with respect to those in adjacent cells.

Claim 25

The panel defined in claim 7 wherein the photocathode in each cell is supported on the wall of the cell.

Claim 26

The panel defined in claim 7 wherein each cell contains an electron-emitting photocathode including a compound of barium or cesium which provides free barium or cesium when the cell is aged.

Claim 27

The panel defined in claim 18 wherein said compound is a barium compound from which barium is released under particle bombardment in said cells.

Claim 28

A cold cathode display panel comprising an envelope containing a gas capable of radiating energy when electrically energized, an insulating panel member in said envelope containing a plurality of gas-filled apertures extending therethrough which comprise light-generating cells, first and second phosphor materials within each of said cells, at least three electrodes associated with each cell, two of said electrodes being located at opposite ends of the cell in physical contact with the gaseous atmosphere of the cell, means for establishing an electrical potential between two of said three electrodes for stimulating one of said phosphor materials to produce a first color in selected ones of said cells, and means for establishing an electrical potential between a different two of said three electrodes for stimulating the second phosphor material to produce a second color in selected ones of said cells.

Claim 29

A cold cathode display panel comprising an envelope containing a gas capable of radiating energy when electrically energized, an insulating panel member in said envelope containing a plurality of gas-filled apertures extending therethrough which comprise light-generating cells, first and second phosphor materials within each of said cells, at least three electrodes associated with each cell, two of said electrodes being located at opposite ends of the cell in physical contact with the gaseous atmosphere of the cell, means for establishing an electrical potential between two of said three electrodes for stimulating one of said phosphor materials to produce a first color in selected ones of said cells, and means for establishing an electrical potential between a different two of said three electrodes for stimulating the second phosphor material to produce a second color in selected ones of said cells.

Claim 30

The panel defined in claim 25 further including means for stimulating the two phosphor materials in selected cells simultaneously to produce a third color in selected ones of said cells.

Claim 31

The panel defined in claim 25 wherein at least one of said phosphor materials in each cell is located on the interior wall of the cell.

Claim 32

The panel defined in claim 25 wherein at least one of said phosphor materials in each cell is located on one of said electrodes.

Claim 33

A gaseous display device comprising a central plate having a plurality of cells, a top insulating plate and a bottom insulating plate in contact with said center plate and of larger surface area than said ceNter plate, cathode electrodes positioned between said center plate and said bottom plate, anode electrodes positioned between said center plate and said top plate, a flexible gasket surrounding said center plate and sealing the space between said top and bottom plates, and a sealing material, between said top and bottom plates in the vicinity of said gasket, securing together all of said plates but prevented by said gasket from entering the space between said center plate and either of said top or bottom plates.

Claim 34

A gaseous display device comprising a central plate having a plurality of cells, a top insulating plate and a bottom insulating plate in contact with said center plate and of larger surface area than said ceNter plate, cathode electrodes positioned between said center plate and said bottom plate, anode electrodes positioned between said center plate and said top plate, a flexible gasket surrounding said center plate and sealing the space between said top and bottom plates, and a sealing material, between said top and bottom plates in the vicinity of said gasket, securing together all of said plates but prevented by said gasket from entering the space between said center plate and either of said top or bottom plates.

Claim 35

A cold cathode display panel comprising an envelope containing a gas capable of radiating energy when electrically energized, an insulating central panel member in said envelope having a plurality of gas-filled apertures extending therethrough which comprise light-generating cells, a first boundary panel contiguous one surface of said central panel and a second boundary panel contiguous the opposite surface thereof, said first and second boundary panels having greater lateral dimensions than the lateral dimensions of the central panel, a plurality of row conductors located between said central and first boundary panels and recessed in grooves located in one of said panels, a plurality of column conductors located between said central panel and said second boundary panel and recessed in grooves located in at least one of said panels, a gasket surrounding said central panel and disposed between said first and second boundary panels for forming a gas-tight seal, cement material in the region of said gasket member and between said first and second boundary panels for maintaining said seal gas-tight.

Claim 36

A cold cathode display panel comprising an envelope containing a gas capable of radiating energy when electrically energized, an insulating central panel member in said envelope having a plurality of gas-filled apertures extending therethrough which comprise light-generating cells, a first boundary panel contiguous one surface of said central panel and a second boundary panel contiguous the opposite surface thereof, said first and second boundary panels having greater lateral dimensions than the lateral dimensions of the central panel, a plurality of row conductors located between said central and first boundary panels and recessed in grooves located in one of said panels, a plurality of column conductors located between said central panel and said second boundary panel and recessed in grooves located in at least one of said panels, a gasket surrounding said central panel and disposed between said first and second boundary panels for forming a gas-tight seal, cement material in the region of said gasket member and between said first and second boundary panels for maintaining said seal gas-tight.

Claim 37

A cold cathode display panel as in claim 30 wherein said row and column conductors are located in grooves in said first and second boundary panels, respectively.

Claim 38

The panel defined in claim 30 wherein said gasket is formed of compressible material and in uncompressed state and has a transverse dimension larger than the space between said first and second boundary panels.

Claim 39

The panel defined in claim 30 wherein said gasket is a rope-like member.

Claim 40

A cold cathode display panel comprising an envelope containing a gas capable of radiating energy when electrically energized, an insulating panel member in said envelope containing rows of grooves on one surface thereof and columns of grooves on the opposite surface, said panel member having a plurality of gas-filled apertures extending therethrough, each extending between a row and a column groove and serving as a light-generating gas cell, means for energizing selective ones of said gas cells to produce light therein, said means including a first plurality of conductors extending along said row grooves and a second plurality of conductors extending along said column grooves for applying a predetermined electric field across selected ones of said cells, said row and column conductors being in physical contact with the gaseous atmosphere of said gas cells, said first conductors being generally rod-like in shape, and a flexible sheet intimately engaging said rod-like conductors to prevent cross-talk between cells.

Claim 41

A cold cathode display panel comprising an envelope containing a gas capable of radiating energy when electrically energized, an insulating panel member in said envelope containing rows of grooves on one surface thereof and columns of grooves on the opposite surface, said panel member having a plurality of gas-filled apertures extending therethrough, each extending between a row and a column groove and serving as a light-generating gas cell, means for energizing selective ones of said gas cells to produce light therein, said means including a first plurality of conductors extending along said row grooves and a second plurality of conductors extending along said column grooves for applying a predetermined electric field across selected ones of said cells, said row and column conductors being in physical contact with the gaseous atmosphere of said gas cells, said first conductors being generally rod-like in shape, and a flexible sheet intimately engaging said rod-like conductors to prevent cross-talk between cells.

Claim 42

The panel defined in claim 34 wherein said sheet is fiberglass.

Claim 43

The panel defined in claim 34 wherein said rod-like conductors are positioned between two sheets of fiberglass intimately engaging said conductors to prevent cross-talk between cells.

Claim 44

The panel defined in claim 34 wherein said rod-like conductors are coated with insulating material except where they communicate with said gas cells.

Claim 45

A cold cathode display panel comprising an envelope containing a gas capable of radiating energy when electrically energized, an insulating panel member in said envelope having rows and columns of gas-filled apertures extending therethrough which comprise light-generating cells, means for energizing selective ones of said gas cells to produce light therein, said mEans including a set of row conductors bounding one side of said panel and a set of column conductors bounding the opposite side of said panel for applying a predetermined electric field across selected ones of said cells, said row and column conductors being in physical contact with the gaseous atmosphere of said gas cells, and a flexible sheet extending along the surface of said panel bounded by one set of said conductors and intimately engaging and enclosing said conductors to prevent cross-talk between said cells.

Claim 46

A cold cathode display panel comprising an envelope containing a gas capable of radiating energy when electrically energized, an insulating panel member in said envelope having rows and columns of gas-filled apertures extending therethrough which comprise light-generating cells, means for energizing selective ones of said gas cells to produce light therein, said mEans including a set of row conductors bounding one side of said panel and a set of column conductors bounding the opposite side of said panel for applying a predetermined electric field across selected ones of said cells, said row and column conductors being in physical contact with the gaseous atmosphere of said gas cells, and a flexible sheet extending along the surface of said panel bounded by one set of said conductors and intimately engaging and enclosing said conductors to prevent cross-talk between said cells.

Claim 47

The panel defined in claim 38 wherein the conductors of said one set are rod-like and have a smaller transverse diameter than the transverse diameter of the cells.

Claim 48

The panel defined in claim 39 wherein said rod-like conductors are sandwiched between two flexible sheets, one of which lies contiguous the surface of said panel, and wherein the flexible sheet contiguous to the panel is apertured in the region of each of said gas cells.

Claim 49

The panel defined in claim 38 wherein both sets of conductors are rod-like in shape.

Claim 50

A cold cathode display panel comprising an envelope containing a gas capable of generating light when energized electrically, an insulating panel member in said envelope having a plurality of gas-filled apertures extending therethrough which comprise light-generating cells, a plurality of electrodes in operative relation with said panel member, said electrodes including structural means comprising protrusions shaped to enter said cells and thereby to engage and interlock with said panel member so that said electrodes are in proper operative relation with said gas-filled cells and are uniformly separated from each other and are held in place with respect to each other and said panel member, there being at least two such electrodes engaging said panel member in contact with the gas in each cell, one of said two electrodes being operable as an anode and the other being operable as a cathode.

Claim 51

A cold cathode display panel comprising an envelope containing a gas capable of generating light when energized electrically, an insulating panel member in said envelope having a plurality of gas-filled apertures extending therethrough which comprise light-generating cells, a plurality of electrodes in operative relation with said panel member, said electrodes including structural means comprising protrusions shaped to enter said cells and thereby to engage and interlock with said panel member so that said electrodes are in proper operative relation with said gas-filled cells and are uniformly separated from each other and are held in place with respect to each other and said panel member, there being at least two such electrodes engaging said panel member in contact with the gas in each cell, one of said two electrodes being operable as an anode and the other being operable as a cathode.

Claim 52

The panel defined in claim 42 wherein said protrusions are generally cylindrical in shape and said cells are generally cylindrical in shape.

Claim 53

The panel defined in claim 42 wherein said panel member has a top surface and a bottom surface and all of the anode electrodes are disposed adjacent to said top surface and all of the cathode electrodes are disposed adjacent to said bottom surface.