US3836916A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Apparatus for exposing lines on a photosensitive surface
Assignee: International Business Machines Corp
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Filing: 1973-02-26
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Granted: 1974-09-17
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Expires: 1993-02-26
Abstract
Abstract Apparatus for exposing lines on a photosensitive surface by means of relative movement between a light beam and the surface in which the quantity of radiant energy impinging upon the surface is controlled by movable, opaque blades that block variable portions of the light beam, with the blade movement being varied in accordance with the relative velocity between the beam and surface. A rectangular aperture is used to define the shape of the beam and the blades are oppositely moved along the direction of travel of the aperture to alter the quantity of light admitted therethrough. Several embodiments of this apparatus are disclosed and include blades having straight ends, variously shaped ends, and a variable iris diaphragm, all of which can controllably limit energy impingement upon the photosensitive surface.
Inventors
- 👤 J Wiley
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-03 05:35
CPC Classifications
G; G03; G03F; G03F7/00; G03F7/70; G03F7/70383; G03F7/704
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 14
Claim 1
Independent Claim
110 words
Apparatus for exposing a line on photosensitive material comprising: a source of light; means for supporting photosensitive material thereon; optical means for directing a beam of light from said source to the photosensitive material on said support means; means providing an aperture for forming the shape of said beam; means for relatively moving said support means and said beam; means for generating an output signal of variable amplitude in proportion to the velocity of said relative movement; a plurality of movable opaque blades; and means responsive to said output signal for moving said blades uniformly and simultaneously to block varying portions of said light beam passing beyond said aperture means.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
110 words
Apparatus for exposing a line on photosensitive material comprising: a source of light; means for supporting photosensitive material thereon; optical means for directing a beam of light from said source to the photosensitive material on said support means; means providing an aperture for forming the shape of said beam; means for relatively moving said support means and said beam; means for generating an output signal of variable amplitude in proportion to the velocity of said relative movement; a plurality of movable opaque blades; and means responsive to said output signal for moving said blades uniformly and simultaneously to block varying portions of said light beam passing beyond said aperture means.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
26 words
Apparatus as described in claim 1 wherein said blades are formed to leave a predetermined minimum beam portion unblocked regardless of the magnitude of said signal.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
31 words
Apparatus as described in claim 2 wherein said blade plurality is formed so that the largest dimension of said minimum beam Portion is smaller than the minimum dimension of said aperture.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
17 words
Apparatus as described in claim 1 wherein said blade plurality is a pair of oppositely movable blades.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
19 words
Apparatus as described in claim 4 wherein said blades are formed at their adjacent ends with opposing concave surfaces.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
37 words
Apparatus as described in claim 4 wherein the movement of each blade in said plurality is the same amount with respect to the optical axis of said beam when said blades move in accordance with said signal.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
19 words
Apparatus as described in claim 4 wherein said blades are formed at their adjacent ends with opposing V-shaped notches.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
25 words
Apparatus as described in claim 4 wherein said aperture is a non-square rectangle and said blades move substantially along the longitudinal axis of said aperture.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
25 words
Apparatus as described in claim 4 wherein said blades move substantially transversely to the direction of relative motion between said beam and said support means.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
22 words
Apparatus as described in claim 1 wherein said blade plurality is formed as a variable iris diaphragm having three or more blades.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
32 words
Apparatus as described in claim 1 wherein said aperture means forms a rectangle and further includes means for varying the position of said rectangle relative to the position of said blade plurality.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
27 words
Apparatus as described in claim 1 wherein said aperture means includes a plurality of apertures and means for selecting one of said plurality of beam forming apertures.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
29 words
Apparatus as described in claim 1 wherein said blade movement is substantially along a line parallel to the direction of relative motion between said beam and said support means.
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) | 1977-09-16 | 1978-03-18 | 1978-09-17 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1981-09-16 | 1982-03-18 | 1982-09-17 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1985-09-16 | 1986-03-18 | 1986-09-17 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |