US3886388A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Aluminum retention maze and getter
Assignee: Texas Instruments Inc
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Filing: 1974-04-10
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Granted: 1975-05-27
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Expires: 1994-04-10
Abstract
Abstract Aluminum or aluminum foil is placed in communication with the interior of a cold cathode gas discharge display chamber to prevent undesirable quantities of mercury from entering the display chamber and to absorb undesirable O2 and H2O which may evolve during the life of the display device.
Inventors
- 👤 Jr Rigaud B Paine
- 👤 Jr Michael Peshock
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-30 05:11
CPC Classifications
H; H01; H01J; H01J17/00; H01J17/02; H01J17/22; H01J17/24
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 18
Claim 1
Independent Claim
63 words
IN A GAS DISCHARGE DISPLAY PANEL WHERE A DISPLAY GAS WITH MERCURY ATMOSPHERE IS RETAINED IN A CHAMBER BETWEEN DISPLAY CONTROL ELECTRODES, THE COMBINATION WHICH COMPRISES AN ALUMINUM BODY IN SURFACE COMMUNICATION WITH THE ATMOSPHERE IN SAID CHAMBER FOR INTERACTING WITH SAID MERCURY AND FORMING A PRODUCT TO SERVE AS A GETTER FOR O2 AND H2O WHICH EVOLVE DURING ENERGIZATION OF SAID DISPLAY.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
63 words
IN A GAS DISCHARGE DISPLAY PANEL WHERE A DISPLAY GAS WITH MERCURY ATMOSPHERE IS RETAINED IN A CHAMBER BETWEEN DISPLAY CONTROL ELECTRODES, THE COMBINATION WHICH COMPRISES AN ALUMINUM BODY IN SURFACE COMMUNICATION WITH THE ATMOSPHERE IN SAID CHAMBER FOR INTERACTING WITH SAID MERCURY AND FORMING A PRODUCT TO SERVE AS A GETTER FOR O2 AND H2O WHICH EVOLVE DURING ENERGIZATION OF SAID DISPLAY.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
76 words
In a gas discharge display panel wherein a display gas with mercury atmosphere is retained in a chamber between display control electrodes, the combination which comprises an aluminum body convoluted to provide exposure of a relatively large surface area per unit volume in surface communication with said atmosphere in said chamber for interacting with said mercury and forming a product to serve as a getter for O2 and H2O which evolve during operation of said display.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
76 words
In a gas discharge display panel wherein a display gas with mercury atmosphere is retained in a chamber between display control electrodes, the combination which comprises an aluminum body convoluted to provide exposure of a relatively large surface area per unit volume in surface communication with said atmosphere in said chamber for interacting with said mercury and forming a product to serve as a getter for O2 and H2O which evolve during operation of said display.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
79 words
In a gas discharge display panel where a display gas with mercury therein is retained in a chamber between display control electrodes some of which nest on a base substrate, the combination which comprises: a. external tube means on the side of said substrate opposite said electrodes and flow communicating through said substrate to said chamber; and aluminum-mercury amalgum in said tube means to serve as a getter for oxygen and water which evolves during use of said panel.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
79 words
In a gas discharge display panel where a display gas with mercury therein is retained in a chamber between display control electrodes some of which nest on a base substrate, the combination which comprises: a. external tube means on the side of said substrate opposite said electrodes and flow communicating through said substrate to said chamber; and aluminum-mercury amalgum in said tube means to serve as a getter for oxygen and water which evolves during use of said panel.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
17 words
The combination set forth in claim 3 wherein said aluminum is in the form of crinkled foil.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
67 words
Means for retaining excess mercury and absorbing undesirable quantities of oxygen and water vapor in a gas discharge display panel formed on a semiconductor base, which comprises: a. external tube means attached to said base; b. a heat-sensitive glass capsule filled with liquid mercury and sealed within said tube means; and c. aluminum enclosed within said tube means at a location between said capsule and said substrate.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
67 words
Means for retaining excess mercury and absorbing undesirable quantities of oxygen and water vapor in a gas discharge display panel formed on a semiconductor base, which comprises: a. external tube means attached to said base; b. a heat-sensitive glass capsule filled with liquid mercury and sealed within said tube means; and c. aluminum enclosed within said tube means at a location between said capsule and said substrate.
Claim 10
Independent Claim
130 words
An apparatus for charging a gas discharge display panel to Avoid liquid mercury in a display chamber and to absorb undesirable quantities of oxygen and water vapor, which comprises: a. a base substrate for said panel having a port therethrough; b. external tube means attached to said base substrate and communicating with said chamber through said port; c. a heat-sensitive capsule filled with liquid mercury and positioned within said tube means; and d. an aluminum body enclosed within said tube means between said capsule and said substrate, whereby upon evacuation of said chamber followed by charging with a display gas, heating of said capsule releases said mercury to introduce mercury vapor to said chamber and contact liquid mercury with said aluminum body to form materials absorbant to oxygen and water.
Claim 11
Independent Claim
130 words
An apparatus for charging a gas discharge display panel to Avoid liquid mercury in a display chamber and to absorb undesirable quantities of oxygen and water vapor, which comprises: a. a base substrate for said panel having a port therethrough; b. external tube means attached to said base substrate and communicating with said chamber through said port; c. a heat-sensitive capsule filled with liquid mercury and positioned within said tube means; and d. an aluminum body enclosed within said tube means between said capsule and said substrate, whereby upon evacuation of said chamber followed by charging with a display gas, heating of said capsule releases said mercury to introduce mercury vapor to said chamber and contact liquid mercury with said aluminum body to form materials absorbant to oxygen and water.
Claim 12
Independent Claim
101 words
A method of control of mercury as to absorb undesirable oxygen and water products which may evolve during use of a gas discharge display panel to be charged with display gas and mercury vapor through external tube means leading to a chamber in said panel, which comprises: a. placing a mercury-filled heat-sensitive glass capsule in said tube means; b. heating said capsule to free said mercury for passage of mercury vapor into said chamber; and c. contacting excess liquid mercury from said capsule with aluminum within said tube means leading to said chamber to form material absorbant to oxygen and water.
Claim 13
Independent Claim
101 words
A method of control of mercury as to absorb undesirable oxygen and water products which may evolve during use of a gas discharge display panel to be charged with display gas and mercury vapor through external tube means leading to a chamber in said panel, which comprises: a. placing a mercury-filled heat-sensitive glass capsule in said tube means; b. heating said capsule to free said mercury for passage of mercury vapor into said chamber; and c. contacting excess liquid mercury from said capsule with aluminum within said tube means leading to said chamber to form material absorbant to oxygen and water.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
22 words
The method of claim 7 wherein said tube means is sealed to establish permanent flow communication between said chamber and said material.
Claim 15
Independent Claim
96 words
A method of control of excess mercury and undesirable oxygen and water products which may evolve during the life of a gas discharge display panel charged with a display gas, which comprises: a. placing a mercury-filled, heat-sensitive glass capsule in a charging path leading to said panel; b. enclosing aluminum within said path between said capsule and said panel; and c. heating said capsule to release said mercury for flow of mercury vapor into said panel and for contact between said aluminum and liquid mercury to form a material which is absorbant to oxygen and water.
Claim 16
Independent Claim
96 words
A method of control of excess mercury and undesirable oxygen and water products which may evolve during the life of a gas discharge display panel charged with a display gas, which comprises: a. placing a mercury-filled, heat-sensitive glass capsule in a charging path leading to said panel; b. enclosing aluminum within said path between said capsule and said panel; and c. heating said capsule to release said mercury for flow of mercury vapor into said panel and for contact between said aluminum and liquid mercury to form a material which is absorbant to oxygen and water.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
80 words
In a gas discharge display panel where a display gas with mercury therein is retained in a chamber between display control electrodes the combination which comprises an aluminum body in the form of crinkled foil placed in surface communication with said gas to react with said mercury and serve as a getter of O2 and H2O which evolve during use of said display, said body being housed in a receptacle formed outside said chamber in flow communication with said chamber.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
80 words
In a gas discharge display panel where a display gas with mercury therein is retained in a chamber between display control electrodes the combination which comprises an aluminum body in the form of crinkled foil placed in surface communication with said gas to react with said mercury and serve as a getter of O2 and H2O which evolve during use of said display, said body being housed in a receptacle formed outside said chamber in flow communication with said chamber.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
US3828218A
Cited
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 |