US4046456A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Electro-optic cell with transverse electric field
Assignee: Honeywell Inc
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Filing: 1976-04-22
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Granted: 1977-09-06
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Expires: 1996-04-22
Abstract
Abstract This disclosure is directed to an electro-optic cell construction of the type which employs a layer of minute dipole particles in a suspension carried between two transparent sheets for use as an electro-optic light controlling device such as a shutter, or the like. In combination with the dipole particle containing fluid chamber are optically transparent piezoelectric transformer elements for causing a transverse electric field in the fluid chamber to increase the speed of response of the shutter action.
Inventors
- 👤 Ulrich Bonne
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-26 09:48
CPC Classifications
G; G02; G02F; G02F1/00; G02F1/01; G02F1/0102; G02F1/17; G02F1/172
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 6
Claim 1
Independent Claim
137 words
A light controlling device comprising: a pair of spaced transparent plates presenting a light path through said plates; a transparent fluid suspending medium between said plates; a plurality of elongated dipoles freely carried within the fluid medium; first means for applying an electric field in a direction parallel to said light path to orient said dipoles parallel to said light path, thereby rendering transparent said light controlling device; and optically transparent piezoelectric transformer means in said fluid between said plates, and connection means from said transformer means adapted for connection to a source of electrical power for energizing said piezoelectric transformer means, said transformer means being so oriented in said fluid that when energized generating a transverse electric field and motion to orient said dipoles orthogonal to said light path to render opaque said light controlling device.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
137 words
A light controlling device comprising: a pair of spaced transparent plates presenting a light path through said plates; a transparent fluid suspending medium between said plates; a plurality of elongated dipoles freely carried within the fluid medium; first means for applying an electric field in a direction parallel to said light path to orient said dipoles parallel to said light path, thereby rendering transparent said light controlling device; and optically transparent piezoelectric transformer means in said fluid between said plates, and connection means from said transformer means adapted for connection to a source of electrical power for energizing said piezoelectric transformer means, said transformer means being so oriented in said fluid that when energized generating a transverse electric field and motion to orient said dipoles orthogonal to said light path to render opaque said light controlling device.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
20 words
The invention according to claim 1 in which said piezoelectric transformer means consists of one piezoelectric transformer in said fluid.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
53 words
The invention according to claim 1 in which said piezoelectric transformer means comprises a first and a second piezoelectric transformer in said fluid, said first and second piezoelectric transformers being positioned orthogonal to one another and each generating a transverse electric field orthogonal to the other and also orthogonal to said light path.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
37 words
The invention according to claim 3 in which the first and second piezoelectric transformers are positioned in said device so that a light path through said plates also passes sequentially through said first and second piezoelectric transformers.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
36 words
The invention according to claim 1 in which said optically transparent piezoelectric transformer means is a material of the group consisting of quartz, barium titanate, lithium niobate, Rochelle salt, ammonium dihydrogen phosphate (ADP) and lanthanum PLZT.
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) | 1980-09-05 | 1981-03-07 | 1981-09-06 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1984-09-05 | 1985-03-07 | 1985-09-06 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1988-09-05 | 1989-03-07 | 1989-09-06 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |