US3784831A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Electrooptical system
Assignee: TDK Micronas GmbH
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Filing: 1971-11-04
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Granted: 1974-01-08
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Expires: 1991-11-04
Abstract
Abstract A direct view infrared monitoring system including a storage tube having a storage mesh with a photoconductive storage surface thereon sensitive only to infrared radiation, the tube having a photocathode to flood the photoconductive surface with electrons. The photocathode is made of a material which is sensitive only to ultraviolet radiation and is transparent to the infrared. A shutter is employed to allow illumination of the photoconductive surface with the infrared or to stop such illumination during reading and erasing steps. The shutter is opened for writing. According to one or more embodiments of the invention, a luminescent screen is supplied with an increased number of electrons by the use of a channel type electron multiplier positioned between the storage mesh and the screen.
Inventors
- 👤 P Reif
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-29 09:23
CPC Classifications
H; H01; H01J; H01J31/00; H01J31/08; H01J31/50; H01J31/52
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 27
Claim 1
Independent Claim
383 words
In an electrooptical system, the combination comprising: a storage tube including an evacuated envelope having radiation transparent input and output windows, an approximately flat photocathode layer fixed relative to said input window contiguous thereto inside said envelope to receive radiations of a first and a second different predetermined spectrums, said photocathode layer being of a type which is sensitive to and emits electrons when illuminated by said radiation of said first predetermined spectrum, a relatively flat conductive mesh fixed relative to said envelope in a position adjacent to and approximately parallel to but spaced from said photocathode layer to receive said radiations of said first and second spectrums passing through said photocathode, said mesh having holes extending completely therethrough in directions from said photocathode layer toward said mesh to pass electrons therethrough, a photoconductive layer fixed to one side of said mesh, which said one side is approximately parallel to and closest to said photocathode layer, said photoconductive layer having holes therethrough which lie in registration with said mesh holes, and a substantially flat luminescent screen fixed relative to said envelope inside thereof in a position contiguous to said output window and in a position approximately parallel to said photocathode layer to receive electrons from said mesh, said mesh and said photoconductive layer being positioned between said photocathode layer and said screen, all lines approximately perpendicular to said photocathode layer and to said screen at least within a predetermined area on said photocathode layer also lying approximately perpendicular to both of said mesh sides, said photoconductive layer being made of a material which is sensitive to and will change conductivity when illuminated by said radiation of said second predetermined spectrum and is relatively insensitive to said radiation of said first spectrum, said input window and said photocathode layer being relatively insensitive and transparent to said radiation of said second spectrum to pass the same when it is directed toward said input window and said photocathode layer from a position outside said envelope onto said photoconductive layer, said output window being transparent to radiation created by electrons bombarding said screen on the side thereof opposite the side on which said output window is positioned; and flood means fixed relative to said envelope to illuminate said photocathode layer with said radiation of said first spectrum.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
383 words
In an electrooptical system, the combination comprising: a storage tube including an evacuated envelope having radiation transparent input and output windows, an approximately flat photocathode layer fixed relative to said input window contiguous thereto inside said envelope to receive radiations of a first and a second different predetermined spectrums, said photocathode layer being of a type which is sensitive to and emits electrons when illuminated by said radiation of said first predetermined spectrum, a relatively flat conductive mesh fixed relative to said envelope in a position adjacent to and approximately parallel to but spaced from said photocathode layer to receive said radiations of said first and second spectrums passing through said photocathode, said mesh having holes extending completely therethrough in directions from said photocathode layer toward said mesh to pass electrons therethrough, a photoconductive layer fixed to one side of said mesh, which said one side is approximately parallel to and closest to said photocathode layer, said photoconductive layer having holes therethrough which lie in registration with said mesh holes, and a substantially flat luminescent screen fixed relative to said envelope inside thereof in a position contiguous to said output window and in a position approximately parallel to said photocathode layer to receive electrons from said mesh, said mesh and said photoconductive layer being positioned between said photocathode layer and said screen, all lines approximately perpendicular to said photocathode layer and to said screen at least within a predetermined area on said photocathode layer also lying approximately perpendicular to both of said mesh sides, said photoconductive layer being made of a material which is sensitive to and will change conductivity when illuminated by said radiation of said second predetermined spectrum and is relatively insensitive to said radiation of said first spectrum, said input window and said photocathode layer being relatively insensitive and transparent to said radiation of said second spectrum to pass the same when it is directed toward said input window and said photocathode layer from a position outside said envelope onto said photoconductive layer, said output window being transparent to radiation created by electrons bombarding said screen on the side thereof opposite the side on which said output window is positioned; and flood means fixed relative to said envelope to illuminate said photocathode layer with said radiation of said first spectrum.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
55 words
The invention as defined in claim 1, wherein said first spectrum is in the range of ultra-violet radiation and said second spectrum is in the infrared range, the material of said photoconductive layer being of a type which does not change substantially in conductivity when it is illuminated by radiation falling within said ultra-violet range.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
36 words
The invention as defined in claim 2, wherein, said photocathode layer is made of a material which does not emit a substantial number of electrons when it is illuminated by radiation falling within said infrared range.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
46 words
The invention as defined in claim 1, including means supplying first, second and third stepped potentials to said photocathode layer, conDuctive mesh and luminescent screen respectively, switching means selectively connecting said photocathode between said first and second potentials, and means for selectively actuating said flood means.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
107 words
The invention as defined in claim 4, including a dielectric plate, said plate being fixed relative to said envelope inside thereof, said plate having input and output surfaces substnatially parallel to each other and to said photocathode layer and screen, said plate having a plurality of holes extending completely therethrough in a direction approximately normal to said input and output surfaces, an output conductive electrode on said output surface and fixed relative to said plate, said output electrode having a plurality of holes extending therethrough in registration with said plate holes, said plate holes being substantially defined by internal surfaces of said plate which are secondary emissive.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
47 words
The invention as defined in claim 5, including an input conductive electrode on said inpout surface and fixed relative to said plate, said input electrode having a plurality of holes extending completely therethrough in registration with said plate holes, said input electrode being spaced from said mesh.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
31 words
The invention as defined in claim 5, wherein said mesh is fixed relative to said plate on the input surface thereof, said mesh holes lying in registration with said plate holes.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
58 words
The invention as defined in claim 4, including a shutter having open and closed positions and being actuable in said closed position to stop radiation of said second spectrum from entering said input window in one direction, said flood means being actuable to illuminate said photocathode layer when said shutter is in both said open and closed positions.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
98 words
The invention as defined in claim 8, including a first filter outside said envelope and fixed relative thereto in spaced relation to said input window, said first filter having a passband which is said second spectrum, said shutter being adapted to stop radiation which would normally pass through said first filter to said photoconductive layer from reaching said input window, said flood means including a radiation source and a second filter positioned between said source and said input window to filter the radiation output of said source, said second filter having a passband which is said first spectrum.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
58 words
The invention as defined in claim 5, including a shutter having open and closed positions and being actuable in said closed position to stop radiation of said second spectrum from entering said input window in one direction, said flood means being actuable to illuminate said photocathode layer when said shutter is in both said open and closed positions.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
38 words
The invention as defined in claim 10, including at least a first filter outside said envelope and fixed relative thereto in spaced relation to said input window, said first filter having a passband whic is said second spectrum.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
32 words
The invention as defined in claim 11, wherein said shutter is adapted to stop radiation which would normally pass through said first filter to said photoconductive layer from reaching said input window.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
46 words
The invention as defined in claim 12, wherein said flood means includes a radiation source and a second filter positioned between said source and said input window to filter the radiation output of said source, said second filter having a passband which is said first spectrum.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
44 words
The invention as defined in claim 10, wherein said flood means includes a radiation source and a filter positioned between said source and said input window to filter the radiation output of said source, said filter having a passband which is said first spectrum.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
35 words
The invention as defined in claim 14, wherein said shutter is adapted to stop radiation which normally would enter said input window from a direction other than the direction of radiation thereto from said source.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
41 words
The invention as defined in claim 15, including a further filtEr fixed relative to said envelope in a position to filter radiation entering said input window in said other direction, said further filter havng a passband which is said second spectrum.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
58 words
The invention as defined in claim 6, including a shutter having open and closed positions and being actuable in said closed position to stop radiation of said second spectrum from entering said input window in one direction, said flood means being actuable to illuminate said photocathode layer when said shutter is in both said open and closed positions.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
69 words
The invention as defined in claim 17, including at least a first filter outside said envelope and fixed relative thereto in spaced relation to said input window, said first filter having a passband which is said second spectrum, said shutter being adapted to stop radiation which would normally pass through said first filter to said photoconductive layer from reaching said input window, said flood means including a radiation source.
Claim 20
Dependent Claim
43 words
The invention as defined in claim 18, wherein said flood means also includes a second filter positioned between said source and said input window to filter the radiation output of said source, said second filter having a passband which is said first spectrum.
Claim 21
Dependent Claim
71 words
The invention as defined in claim 17, wherein said flood means includes a radiation source and a filter positioned between said source and said input window to filter the radiation output of said source, said filter having a passband which is said first spectrum, said shutter being adapted to stop radiation which normally would enter said input window from a direction other than the direction of radiation thereto from said source.
Claim 22
Dependent Claim
40 words
The invention as defined in claim 20, including further filter fixed relative to said envelope in a position to filter radiation entering said input window in said other direction, said further filter having a passband which is said second spectrum.
Claim 23
Dependent Claim
58 words
The invention as defined in claim 7, including a shutter having open and closed positions and being actuable in said closed position to stop radiation of said second spectrum from entering said input window in one direction, said flood means being actuable to illuminate said photocathode layer when said shutter is in both said open and closed positions.
Claim 24
Dependent Claim
69 words
The invention as defined in claim 22, including at least a first filter outside said envelope and fixed relative thereto in spaced relation to said input window, said first filter having a passband which is said second spectrum, said shutter being adapted to stop radiation which would normally pass through said first filter to said photoconductive layer from reaching said input window, said flood means including a radiation source.
Claim 25
Dependent Claim
42 words
The invention as defined in claim 23, wherein said flood means also includes a second filter positioned between said source and said input window to filter the radiation output of said source, said filter having a passband which is said first spectrum.
Claim 26
Dependent Claim
71 words
The invention as defined in claim 22, wherein said flood means includes a radiation source and a filter positioned between said source and said input window to filter the radiation output of said source, said filter having a passband which is said first spectrum, said shutter being adapted to stop radiation which normally would enter said input window from a direction other than the direction of radiation thereto from said source.
Claim 27
Dependent Claim
41 words
The invention as defined in claim 25, including a further filter fixed relative to said envelope in a position to filter radiation entering said input window in said other direction, said further filter having a passband which is said second spectrum.
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USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1977-01-07 | 1977-07-09 | 1978-01-08 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1981-01-07 | 1981-07-09 | 1982-01-08 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1985-01-07 | 1985-07-09 | 1986-01-08 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |