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US3834794A
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US
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Liquid crystal electric field sensing measurement and display device
Assignee: WALTER E HELLER WESTERN Inc
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Filing: 1973-06-28
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Granted: 1974-09-10
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Expires: 1993-06-28
Abstract
Abstract A flat panel, electric field controlled device is provided for the measurement and display of electrical parameters such as voltage, the voltage sensing effect being provided by a nematic liquid crystal medium having high positive dielectric anisotropy and placed in a thin flat-sided optically transparent cell. Optical transmission of the nematic liquid crystal medium is controlled by voltages applied to interdigital arrays of parallel electrode elements affixed on the inner surface of only one of the transparent parallel cell walls. Continuous relative changes in the respective potentials applied to the electrode arrays provide continuous analog movement of the borders between birefringent and non-birefringent areas formed in the liquid crystal medium.
Inventors
- 👤 R Soref
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-30 20:49
CPC Classifications
G; G01; G01R; G01R13/00; G01R13/40; G02; G02F; G02F1/00; G02F1/01; G02F1/13; G02F1/133; G02F1/1333; G02F1/1343; G02F1/134309; G02F1/134363; G02F2201/00; G02F2201/12; G02F2201/124
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 11
Claim 1
Independent Claim
263 words
Electric field sensing display apparatus comprising: first and second coplanar optically-transparent array means having respective first and second interleaved pluralities of electrically conductive elongate electrode means for defining electric field patterns therebetween, first optically transparent plate means having first surface means for supporting said electrically conductive elongate electrode means in spaced substantially parallel alternate cooperative relation, first elongate distributor means affixed to said inner surface means and coupled at one end of each of said first plurality of electrically conductive elongate electrode means at spaced intervals along said first elongate distributor means, second elongate distributor means affixed to said inner surface means and coupled at one end of each of said second plurality of electrically conductive elongate electrode means at spaced intervals along said second elongate distributor means. at least one of said first and second elongate distributor means having a substantially high impedance characteristic with respect to said first and second interleaved pluralities of electrically conductive elongate electrode means, second optically transparent plate means in substantially parallel spaced relation with said first optically transparent plate means and having second surface means, wall means for completing enclosure means defined in part by said first and second optically transparent plate means, terminal means exterior of said enclosure means adapted to be coupled to a voltage source for producing a voltage gradient along said elongate distributor means having a high impedance characteristic, and electric field sensitive means disposed within said enclosure means for controlling the degree of optical transmission of said electric field sensing display apparatus in accordance with the value of said voltage gradient.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
263 words
Electric field sensing display apparatus comprising: first and second coplanar optically-transparent array means having respective first and second interleaved pluralities of electrically conductive elongate electrode means for defining electric field patterns therebetween, first optically transparent plate means having first surface means for supporting said electrically conductive elongate electrode means in spaced substantially parallel alternate cooperative relation, first elongate distributor means affixed to said inner surface means and coupled at one end of each of said first plurality of electrically conductive elongate electrode means at spaced intervals along said first elongate distributor means, second elongate distributor means affixed to said inner surface means and coupled at one end of each of said second plurality of electrically conductive elongate electrode means at spaced intervals along said second elongate distributor means. at least one of said first and second elongate distributor means having a substantially high impedance characteristic with respect to said first and second interleaved pluralities of electrically conductive elongate electrode means, second optically transparent plate means in substantially parallel spaced relation with said first optically transparent plate means and having second surface means, wall means for completing enclosure means defined in part by said first and second optically transparent plate means, terminal means exterior of said enclosure means adapted to be coupled to a voltage source for producing a voltage gradient along said elongate distributor means having a high impedance characteristic, and electric field sensitive means disposed within said enclosure means for controlling the degree of optical transmission of said electric field sensing display apparatus in accordance with the value of said voltage gradient.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
39 words
Apparatus as described in claim 1 wherein said first elongate distributor means is coupled at one end of each of said first plurality of electrically conductive electrode means at substantially equally spaced intervals along said first elongate distributor means.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
27 words
Apparatus as described in claim 1 wherein said high impedance characteristic is constant along the region coupled to said first plurality of electrically conductive elongate electrode means.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
27 words
Apparatus as described in claim 1 wherein said high impedance characteristic progressively varies along the region coupled to said first plurality of electrically conductive elongate electrode means.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
21 words
Apparatus as described in claim 1 wherein said electric field sensitive means comprises a liquid crystal material demonstrating positive dielectric anisotropy.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
28 words
Apparatus as described in claim 5 wherein the thickness of said liquid crystal material between said first and second surface means lies substantially between 0.5 and 2.5 microns.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
28 words
Apparatus as described in claim 5 wherein the thickness of said liquid crystal material between said first and second surface means lies substantially between 1.4 and 1.9 microns.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
44 words
Apparatus as described in claim 1 wherein at least one of said first and second elongate distributor means has a high electriCal conductivity characteristic substantially equal to the electrical conductivity characteristic of said first and second interleaved pluralities of electrically conductive elongate electrode means.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
46 words
Apparatus as described in claim 1 including terminal means exterior of said enclosure means adapted to be coupled to a second voltage source for placing the entirety of said elongate distributor means having a high electrical conductivity at substantially the voltage of said second voltage source.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
48 words
Apparatus as described in claim 5 further including: optical polarizer means permitting illumination of and viewing of said liquid crystal electric field sensitive means therethrough, and mirror means spaced from said liquid crystal electric field sensitive means opposite said optical polarizer means for returning light through said apparatus.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
US3674342A
Cited
US3727527A
Cited
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1977-09-09 | 1978-03-11 | 1978-09-10 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1981-09-09 | 1982-03-11 | 1982-09-10 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1985-09-09 | 1986-03-11 | 1986-09-10 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |