US4274028A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Ultraviolet light generation
Assignee: Brady Corp
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Filing: 1979-08-13
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Granted: 1981-06-16
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Expires: 1999-08-13
Abstract
Abstract Apparatus for generating ultraviolet light of high intensity without production of heat, including an anode cathodoluminescent layer composed of a phosphor luminescent in the ultraviolet spectrum, a cold cathode electron emitting layer separated by an evacuated region from the cathodoluminescent layer, and a direct current electric field generated between cathode and anode across the evacuated region.
Inventors
- 👤 Norman J. Frame
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-26 05:00
CPC Classifications
H; H01; H01J; H01J63/00; H01J63/06; H01J31/00; H01J31/08; H01J31/50; H01J2231/00; H01J2231/50; H01J2231/50005; H01J2231/5001; H01J2231/50015; H01J2231/50021
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 17
Claim 1
Independent Claim
100 words
Apparatus for generating high intensity ultraviolet light, comprising an input substrate, an electron-emitting cathode layer on said input substrate, an output window, a cathodoluminescent anode layer on said output window, said layer comprising phosphor luminescent in substantially only the ultraviolet spectrum, an evacuated region separating said cathode and anode layers, and a D.C. voltage source connected across said layers for generating a longitudinal electric field, whereby electrons emitted by said cathode layer are accelerated by the electric field through said evacuated region and impinge on said cathodoluminescent layer causing a substantially pure, high-intensity ultraviolet light output through said output window.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
100 words
Apparatus for generating high intensity ultraviolet light, comprising an input substrate, an electron-emitting cathode layer on said input substrate, an output window, a cathodoluminescent anode layer on said output window, said layer comprising phosphor luminescent in substantially only the ultraviolet spectrum, an evacuated region separating said cathode and anode layers, and a D.C. voltage source connected across said layers for generating a longitudinal electric field, whereby electrons emitted by said cathode layer are accelerated by the electric field through said evacuated region and impinge on said cathodoluminescent layer causing a substantially pure, high-intensity ultraviolet light output through said output window.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
50 words
The apparatus of claim 1 wherein said electron-emitting cathode layer comprises an ultraviolet-sensitive layer which emits electrons when exposed to ultraviolet radiation and said input substrate comprises an input window transmissive of ultraviolet light, whereby ultraviolet light entering said input window causes electrons to be generated by said ultraviolet-sensitive layer.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
11 words
The apparatus of claim 2 wherein said ultraviolet-sensitive layer is gold.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
82 words
The apparatus of claim 1 wherein said electron-emitting cathode layer comprises two electrodes consisting of coplanar, finely-spaced, interleaved fingers thinly deposited on said input substrate, a second D.C. voltage source connected to said two electrodes, and an electron-emitting layer deposited over said two electrodes and composed of material which emits electrons when exposed to an electric field, said electron-emitting layer emitting electrons when excited by a second electric field generated within it by said two electrodes transversely to said longitudinal electric field.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
13 words
The apparatus of claim 4 wherein said electron-emitting layer is a semiconductor material.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
12 words
The apparatus of claim 5 wherein said semiconductor material is magnesium oxide.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
32 words
The apparatus of claim 1 wherein said cathodoluminescent anode layer comprises a layer of said ultraviolet-luminescent phosphor deposited on said output window and a conductive metal layer deposited over said phosphor layer.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
44 words
The apparatus of claim 7 further comprising a non-conductive tube spacing said input substrate from said output window and forming with said substrate and window said evacuated region and sealing means between said substrate and said tube and between said window and said tube.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
37 words
The apparatus of claim 8 wherein said sealing means comprises indium seals compressed between said tube and said substrate and window, said seals providing an electrical path between said voltage source and said anode and cathode layers.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
30 words
The apparatus of claim 1 wherein said output window comprises a fiber optic plate with longitudinally aligned fibers for maintaining resolution of the ultraviolet radiation emitted by said cathodoluminescent layer.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
41 words
The apparatus of claim 2 further comprising means of exposing said input window with unresolved ultraviolet light, said light thereby generating unresolved electron radiation and said electrons generating unresolved ultraviolet output radiation for purposes of flooding an object with ultraviolet radiation.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
30 words
The apparatus of claim 2 further comprising means for exposing said input window with a resolved image of ultraviolet light, whereby said image is amplified in intensity by said apparatus.
Claim 14
Independent Claim
128 words
A method for curing an ultraviolet sensitive material comprising placing a low-heat source of high intensity ultraviolet light in close proximity to said material and irradiating said material with high intensity ultraviolet light, said source comprising an input substrate, an electron-emitting cathode layer on said input substrate, an output window, a cathodoluminescent anode layer on said output window, said layer comprising phosphor luminescent in substantially only the ultraviolet spectrum, an evacuated region separating said cathode and anode layers, and a D.C. voltage source connected across said layers for generating a longitudinal electric field, whereby electrons emitted by said cathode layer are accelerated by the electric field through said evacuated region and impinge on said cathodoluminescent layer causing a substantially pure, high-intensity ultraviolet light output through said output window.
Claim 15
Independent Claim
128 words
A method for curing an ultraviolet sensitive material comprising placing a low-heat source of high intensity ultraviolet light in close proximity to said material and irradiating said material with high intensity ultraviolet light, said source comprising an input substrate, an electron-emitting cathode layer on said input substrate, an output window, a cathodoluminescent anode layer on said output window, said layer comprising phosphor luminescent in substantially only the ultraviolet spectrum, an evacuated region separating said cathode and anode layers, and a D.C. voltage source connected across said layers for generating a longitudinal electric field, whereby electrons emitted by said cathode layer are accelerated by the electric field through said evacuated region and impinge on said cathodoluminescent layer causing a substantially pure, high-intensity ultraviolet light output through said output window.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
25 words
The method of claim 13 wherein the emitting step comprises exposing to ultraviolet radiation an ultraviolet-sensitive layer which emits electrons when exposed to ultraviolet radiation.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
81 words
The method of claim 13 wherein said source further comprises: two electrodes consisting of coplanar, finely-spaced, interleaved fingers thinly deposited on said input substrate, a second D.C. voltage source connected to said two electrodes, and an electron-emitting layer deposited over said two electrodes and composed of material which emits electrons when exposed to an electric field, said electron-emitting layer emitting electrons when excited by a second electric field generated within it by said two electrodes transversely to said longitudinal electric field.
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USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1984-06-15 | 1984-12-15 | 1985-06-16 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1988-06-15 | 1988-12-15 | 1989-06-16 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1992-06-15 | 1992-12-15 | 1993-06-16 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |