US4738502A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Optical deflector
Assignee: Omron Corp
•
Filing: 1984-03-19
•
Granted: 1988-04-19
•
Expires: 2004-03-19
Abstract
Abstract An optical deflector comprises a photo-conductive material having a temperature optical effect and formed with a propagation path for light which propagates in a predetermined direction, a heating and cooling member disposed on the surface of the light propagation path of the photo-conductive material and which effect heat generation operation for heating the photo-conductive material and endothermic operation for cooling the same to produce the distribution of refractive index corresponding to the temperature distribution formed by each operation, in the light propagation path, and a drive DC source to have the heating and cooling member effect the heat generation operation and endothermic operation.
Inventors
- 👤 Kazuo Mikami
- 👤 Tsukasa Yamashita
- 👤 Mitsutaka Katoh
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-06 10:08
CPC Classifications
G; G02; G02F; G02F1/00; G02F1/29; G02F1/01; G02F1/0147; G02F1/061; G02F1/065; G02F1/295
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 6
Claim 1
Independent Claim
112 words
An optical deflector comprising: a photo-conductive material having a temperature optical effect and formed with a propagation path for light which propagates in a predetermined direction; a heating and cooling member disposed on the surface of the light propagation path of the photo-conductive material and which effects a heat generation operation to heat said photo-conductive material and which effects an endothermic operation for cooling the same to produce a distribution of refractive index in the light propagation path corresponding to the temperature distribution formed by each operation; and a drive DC source which applies power to the heating and cooling member and which effects thereby the heat generation operation and endothermic operation.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
112 words
An optical deflector comprising: a photo-conductive material having a temperature optical effect and formed with a propagation path for light which propagates in a predetermined direction; a heating and cooling member disposed on the surface of the light propagation path of the photo-conductive material and which effects a heat generation operation to heat said photo-conductive material and which effects an endothermic operation for cooling the same to produce a distribution of refractive index in the light propagation path corresponding to the temperature distribution formed by each operation; and a drive DC source which applies power to the heating and cooling member and which effects thereby the heat generation operation and endothermic operation.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
37 words
An optical deflector according to claim 1 wherein the heating and cooling member comprises a Peltier effect element, and the power is applied to said Peltier effect element while being changed in polarity through a switching circuit.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
16 words
An optical deflector according to claim 1 wherein the photo-conductive material forms a thin film waveguide.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
18 words
An optical deflector according to claim 1 wherein the photo-conductive material is in the form of bulky configuration.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
16 words
An optical deflector according to claim 1 wherein the photo-conductive material comprises a high polymer material.
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) | 1991-04-19 | 1991-10-19 | 1992-04-19 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1995-04-19 | 1995-10-19 | 1996-04-19 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1999-04-19 | 1999-10-19 | 2000-04-19 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |