US3890604A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Selective dipole orientation of individual volume elements of a solid body
Assignee: Individual
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Filing: 1973-11-06
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Granted: 1975-06-17
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Expires: 1993-11-06
Abstract
Abstract A system of intersecting elastic waves is applied to a body containing magnetic or ferroelectric particles so that the volume element of said body intersected by the superposed portions of the waves at any given time has a higher energy density than any other portion of the body. Means are provided for applying to the body a magnetic or electrical field, the magnitude of the field and wave energy being so related that the magnetic or electric dipoles of only those individual particles within a volume element at maximum energy density will align with the applied field. Magnetic or electrical sensing means provide an indication of whether or not a field applied to a given volume element has changed the orientation of the dipoles of the magnetic or ferroelectric particles therewithin. The minimum size of the volume elements, and thus the maximum information storage capacity of a body of given size, is governed only by the minimum practical pulse width of the elastic waves.
Inventors
- 👤 Klaus Schroder
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-05 20:50
CPC Classifications
G; G11; G11B; G11B13/00; G02; G02F; G02F1/00; G02F1/01; G02F1/17; G02F1/172; G11B11/00; G11B11/08; G11B5/00; G11B9/00; G11B9/02; G11C; G11C11/00; G11C11/21; G11C11/22
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 27
Claim 1
Independent Claim
215 words
A system of controlling the physical properties of individual volume elements of a body of solid material by selective orientation of magnetic or ferroelectric dipoles of particles within the body, said system comprising: a. a solid body having within each volume element thereof a first material characterized by having spontaneously alignable dipoles and a second, non-alignable material, the dipole linkage of individual particles of said first material being such that the dipole orientation within one volume element is insufficient to change the dipole orientation within other volume elements; b. means for applying to said body at least one elastic wave, having a predetermined energy density and a pulse width defining the dimensions of said volume element, to travel through said body at a known velocity, thereby producing a maximum energy density in a given volume element of said body at a given time; and c. means for applying to at least that portion of said body including said given volume element a field of predetermined intensity and orientation, the combined energy levels of said wave and said field being sufficient to change the dipole orientation of said first material within said given volume element, the individual energy levels of said wave and said field being insufficient to change the dipole orientation of said first material.
Claim 2
Independent Claim
215 words
A system of controlling the physical properties of individual volume elements of a body of solid material by selective orientation of magnetic or ferroelectric dipoles of particles within the body, said system comprising: a. a solid body having within each volume element thereof a first material characterized by having spontaneously alignable dipoles and a second, non-alignable material, the dipole linkage of individual particles of said first material being such that the dipole orientation within one volume element is insufficient to change the dipole orientation within other volume elements; b. means for applying to said body at least one elastic wave, having a predetermined energy density and a pulse width defining the dimensions of said volume element, to travel through said body at a known velocity, thereby producing a maximum energy density in a given volume element of said body at a given time; and c. means for applying to at least that portion of said body including said given volume element a field of predetermined intensity and orientation, the combined energy levels of said wave and said field being sufficient to change the dipole orientation of said first material within said given volume element, the individual energy levels of said wave and said field being insufficient to change the dipole orientation of said first material.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
21 words
The invention according to claim 1 wherein said first material is a magnetic material and said field is a magnetic field.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
29 words
The invention according to claim 2 and further including an electrical coil surrounding said body and means for passing a current through said coil, thereby inducing said magnetic field.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
30 words
The invention according to claim 2 and further including means for sensing a change in the dipole orientation of said magnetic material in response to application of said magnetic field.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
21 words
The invention according to claim 1 wherein said first material is a ferroelectric material and said field is an electrical field.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
33 words
The invention according to claim 5 and further including a pair of plates arranged on opposite sides of said body, in spaced relation thereto, and means for applying a charge to said plates.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
30 words
The invention according to claim 5 and further including means for sensing a change in the dipole orientation of said ferroelectric material in response to application of said electrical field.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
41 words
The invention according to claim 5 wherein at least a portion of said second material is so arranged with respect to said first material that dipole orientation of said first material influences electron distribution in said portion of said second material.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
14 words
The invention according to claim 8 wherein said second material is a semi-conductor material.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
24 words
The invention according to claim 8 and further including a pair of leads electrically connected to said body for passage of current directly therethrough.
Claim 12
Independent Claim
171 words
A method of storing information in a solid body in the form of dipole orientation, said method comprising: a. applying a system of elastic waves having a predetermined elastic energy density to a solid body containing within each volume element thereof a first material characterized by having spontaneously alignable dipoles and a second, non-alignable material, the dipole linkage of individual particles of said first material being such that the dipole orientation within one volume element is insufficient to change the dipole orientation within other volume elements, said waves traveling through said body to produce a maximum energy density in a given volume element at a given time; and b. applying a field of predetermined orientation to said given volume element at said given time, the combined energy levels of said maximum energy density and said field being sufficient to change the dipole orientation of particles of said first material within said given volume element, the individual energy levels of said maximum energy density and field being insufficient to effect such change.
Claim 13
Independent Claim
171 words
A method of storing information in a solid body in the form of dipole orientation, said method comprising: a. applying a system of elastic waves having a predetermined elastic energy density to a solid body containing within each volume element thereof a first material characterized by having spontaneously alignable dipoles and a second, non-alignable material, the dipole linkage of individual particles of said first material being such that the dipole orientation within one volume element is insufficient to change the dipole orientation within other volume elements, said waves traveling through said body to produce a maximum energy density in a given volume element at a given time; and b. applying a field of predetermined orientation to said given volume element at said given time, the combined energy levels of said maximum energy density and said field being sufficient to change the dipole orientation of particles of said first material within said given volume element, the individual energy levels of said maximum energy density and field being insufficient to effect such change.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
12 words
The invention according to claim 11 wherein said body is a cube.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
13 words
The invention according to claim 11 wherein said elastic waves are ultrasonic Waves.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
39 words
The invention according to claim 11 wherein at least two of said waves travel in perpendicular directions through said body, said given volume element being defined by the volume occupied at any given time by all of said waves.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
36 words
The invention according to claim 14 wherein said field is applied for a discrete time interval corresponding substantially to the time a discrete volume element to be operated on is occupied by all of said waves.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
42 words
The invention according to claim 14 wherein three waves of discrete pulse length travel through said body in respective directions such that the superposed portions of the three waves travel in a line through said body and said field is applied continuously.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
17 words
The invention according to claim 16 wherein the pulse lengths of all of said waves are equal.
Claim 20
Dependent Claim
36 words
The invention according to claim 11 wherein four waves of discrete pulse length travel through said body to mutually overlap at only one volume element of said body, for each complete travel of the waves therethrough.
Claim 21
Dependent Claim
31 words
The invention according to claim 18 wherein said field is applied continuously, whereby said one volume element is subject to the energy levels of all of said waves and said field.
Claim 22
Dependent Claim
21 words
The invention according to claim 11 wherein said first material is a magnetic material and said field is a magnetic field.
Claim 23
Dependent Claim
21 words
The invention according to claim 11 wherein said first material is a ferroelectric material and said field is an electrical field.
Claim 24
Independent Claim
182 words
A method storing and retrieving information, comprising: a. applying a system of elastic waves having a predetermined elastic energy density to a solid body containing within each volume element thereof a first material characterized by having spontaneously alignable dipoles and a second, non-alignable material, the dipole linkage of individual particles of said first material being such that the dipole orientation within one volume element is insufficient to change the dipole orientation within other volume elements, said waves traveling through said body to produce a maximum energy density in a given volume element at a given time; and b. applying a field of predetermined orientation to said given volume element at said given time, the combined energy levels of said maximum energy denstiy and said field being sufficient to change the dipole orientation of particles of said first material within said given volume element, the individual energy levels of said maximum energy density and field being insufficient to effect such change; and c. sensing the presence of an induced electrical signal in an instrument sensitive to dipole orientation changes in said volume element.
Claim 25
Independent Claim
182 words
A method storing and retrieving information, comprising: a. applying a system of elastic waves having a predetermined elastic energy density to a solid body containing within each volume element thereof a first material characterized by having spontaneously alignable dipoles and a second, non-alignable material, the dipole linkage of individual particles of said first material being such that the dipole orientation within one volume element is insufficient to change the dipole orientation within other volume elements, said waves traveling through said body to produce a maximum energy density in a given volume element at a given time; and b. applying a field of predetermined orientation to said given volume element at said given time, the combined energy levels of said maximum energy denstiy and said field being sufficient to change the dipole orientation of particles of said first material within said given volume element, the individual energy levels of said maximum energy density and field being insufficient to effect such change; and c. sensing the presence of an induced electrical signal in an instrument sensitive to dipole orientation changes in said volume element.
Claim 26
Dependent Claim
31 words
The invention according to claim 22 wherein said first material is a magnetic material, said field is a magnetic field and said instrument is connected to a coil surrounding said body.
Claim 27
Dependent Claim
36 words
The invention according to claim 22 wherein said first material is a ferroelectric material, said field is an electrical field and said instrument is connected to a pair of plates on opposite sides of said body.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
US3320596A
Cited
US3735369A
Cited
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1978-06-16 | 1978-12-16 | 1979-06-17 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1982-06-16 | 1982-12-16 | 1983-06-17 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1986-06-16 | 1986-12-16 | 1987-06-17 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |