US3886310A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Electrostatically deflectable light valve with improved diffraction properties
Assignee: Westinghouse Electric Corp
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Filing: 1973-08-22
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Granted: 1975-05-27
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Expires: 1993-08-22
Abstract
Abstract An electrostatically deflectable light valve adapted for use in an array for producing television pictures as a projected image upon a large display screen. The light valve structure is such that a plurality of reflective wing portions are free to be deflected along directional axes which are at an angle to the prime directional axes of the overall array, so that light which is predominantly diffracted along the array axes may be decoupled or separated from the signal light produced by activated light valves and used to project the image. The contrast ratio of signal light to background light for the system is significantly improved, using this method of discrimination.
Inventors
- 👤 Jens Guldberg
- 👤 Harvey C Nathanson
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-23 01:27
CPC Classifications
H; H04; H04N; H04N5/00; H04N5/74; H04N5/7416; H04N5/7425; G; G02; G02B; G02B26/00; G02B26/08; G02B26/0816; G02B26/0833; G02B26/0841; G09; G09F; G09F9/00; G09F9/30; G09F9/37; G09F9/372; H01; H01J; H01J29/00; H01J29/02; H01J29/10; H01J29/12
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 14
Claim 1
Independent Claim
106 words
An electrostatically deflectable light valve system comprising an array of spaced apart, deformable, light reflective elements supported upon a substrate, each of said reflective elements comprising a central core portion supported by a centrally located post member which extends from one side of the reflective elements to the supporting substrate, a plurality of generally planar, symmetrically spaced apart and shaped independently deformable and reflective wing portions extending outwardly from the central core portion, which wing portions are defined by an equal plurality of thin slits provided between said wing portions which slits extend from the central core portion to the outer edge of the wing portions.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
106 words
An electrostatically deflectable light valve system comprising an array of spaced apart, deformable, light reflective elements supported upon a substrate, each of said reflective elements comprising a central core portion supported by a centrally located post member which extends from one side of the reflective elements to the supporting substrate, a plurality of generally planar, symmetrically spaced apart and shaped independently deformable and reflective wing portions extending outwardly from the central core portion, which wing portions are defined by an equal plurality of thin slits provided between said wing portions which slits extend from the central core portion to the outer edge of the wing portions.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
16 words
The system specified in claim 1, wherein an electrode grid is disposed upon the supporting substrate.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
14 words
The system specified in claim 1, wherein the substrate is a light transmissive material.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
21 words
The system specified in claim 1 wherein four generally square wing portions are provided with thin slits separating the wing portions.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
25 words
The system specifified in claim 4, wherein the slits are aligned with the axes of the array pattern in which the light valves are arranged.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
32 words
The system specified in claim 5 when the planar portion of the light valve is substantially square and the slits extend from the edges of each wing to the central core portion.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
26 words
The system specified in claim 1, wherein a light reflective coating is provided on the top surface of the central core portion and the wing portions.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
109 words
The system specified in claim 3, in combination with a light source, an optical system for directing light through the transmissive substrate to the surface of the reflective light valves, said optical system including an opaque stop disposed in the optical path between the array of light valves and a display screen, so that when the wing portions of the light valves are nondeflected the light reflected is substantially totally reflected off or blocked by the stop and no light reaches the display screen, while when the wing portions are deflected a portion of the light reflected therefrom passes around the central stop and produces a large, displayed image.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
89 words
A light reflective element adapted for use as an electrostatically deflectable light valve which element comprises; a central core portion supported by a post member which extends from one side of the core portion, and a plurality of generally planar, symmetrically spaced and shaped independently deformable reflective wing portions extending outwardly from the central core portion, which wing portions are defined by an equal plurality of thin slits provided between said wing portions which slits extend from the central core portion to the outer edge of the wing portions.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
89 words
A light reflective element adapted for use as an electrostatically deflectable light valve which element comprises; a central core portion supported by a post member which extends from one side of the core portion, and a plurality of generally planar, symmetrically spaced and shaped independently deformable reflective wing portions extending outwardly from the central core portion, which wing portions are defined by an equal plurality of thin slits provided between said wing portions which slits extend from the central core portion to the outer edge of the wing portions.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
22 words
The light reflective element specified in claim 9, with four generally square wing portions provided, with thin slits separating the wing portions.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
106 words
An electrostatically deflectable light valve system comprising an array of spaced apart, deformable light reflective elements supported upon a substrate, the elements being arrayed along X and Y orthogonal axes, each of said reflective elements comprising a central core portion supported by a centrally located post member which extends from one side of the reflective elements to the supporting substrate, and four spaced apart, generally planar, symmetrically spaced and shaped deformable and reflective wing portions extending outwardly from a common central core portion, which four wing portions are spaced apart by slits extending in the direction of the X and Y axes of the array pattern.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
106 words
An electrostatically deflectable light valve system comprising an array of spaced apart, deformable light reflective elements supported upon a substrate, the elements being arrayed along X and Y orthogonal axes, each of said reflective elements comprising a central core portion supported by a centrally located post member which extends from one side of the reflective elements to the supporting substrate, and four spaced apart, generally planar, symmetrically spaced and shaped deformable and reflective wing portions extending outwardly from a common central core portion, which four wing portions are spaced apart by slits extending in the direction of the X and Y axes of the array pattern.
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) | 1978-05-26 | 1978-11-25 | 1979-05-27 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1982-05-26 | 1982-11-25 | 1983-05-27 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1986-05-26 | 1986-11-25 | 1987-05-27 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |