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US4983318A
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Method for electric field orientation of liquid crystal polymers and oriented materials of liquid crystal polymers obtained by the method
Assignee: Kuraray Co Ltd
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Filing: 1988-06-03
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Granted: 1991-01-08
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Expires: 2008-06-03
Abstract
Abstract This invention relates to a method for electric field orientation of liquid crystal polymers and oriented materials of liquid crystal polymers obtained by the method. This electric field orientation method comprises applying a pulsating electric field which is predominantly unidirectional and whose magnitude is varying periodically or non-periodically to a liquid crystal polymer capable of forming an optically anisotropic melt phase. The oriented material of liquid crystal polymer thus obtained has been unidirectionally oriented and polarized. This oriented, polarized material of liquid crystal polymer can be utilized as a piezoelectric material, pyroelectric material, electret material, non-linear optical element or the like.
Inventors
- 👤 Mitsuo Matsumoto
- 👤 Kiyoto Ohtsuka
- 👤 Koichi Sato
- 👤 Takuji Okaya
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-31 03:58
CPC Classifications
G; G02; G02F; G02F1/00; G02F1/35; G02F1/355; G02F1/361; G02F1/3615; C; C09; C09K; C09K19/00; C09K19/04; C09K19/38; C09K19/3804; C09K19/3809; C09K19/3833; C09K19/3842; C09K19/3847; C09K19/3852; G02F1/3617; H; H10; H10N; H10N15/00; H10N15/10; H10N15/15; H10N30/00; H10N30/80; H10N30/85; H10N30/857
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 26
Claim 1
Independent Claim
59 words
A method for electric field orientation of liquid crystal polymers which comprises subjecting a liquid crystal polymer capable of forming an optically anisotropic melt phase to a pulsating electric field which is predominantly unidirectional and which has a frequency of not less than 10 Hz so that the molecules of said liquid crystal polymer are uniformly oriented and polarized.
Claim 2
Independent Claim
59 words
A method for electric field orientation of liquid crystal polymers which comprises subjecting a liquid crystal polymer capable of forming an optically anisotropic melt phase to a pulsating electric field which is predominantly unidirectional and which has a frequency of not less than 10 Hz so that the molecules of said liquid crystal polymer are uniformly oriented and polarized.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
81 words
A method for electric field orientation of liquid crystal polymers as claimed in claim 1, wherein the application of the pulsating electric field is performed within a temperature range in which one of the following states occurs: the liquid crystal polymer forms an optically anisotropic melt phase, said liquid crystal polymer forms an optically isotropic melt phase, and said liquid crystal polymer forms an otpically anisotropic melt phase and an isotropic melt phase which coexists with said optically anisotropic melt phase.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
41 words
A method for electric field orientation of liquid crystal polymers as claimed in claim 2, wherein the application of the pulsating electric field is performed within the temperature range in which the liquid crystal polymer forms an optically anisotropic melt phase.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
40 words
A method for electric field orientation of liquid crystal polymers as claimed in claim 2, wherein the application of the pulsating field is performed within the temperature range in which the liquid crystal polymer forms an optically isotropic melt phase.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
48 words
A method for electric field orientation of liquid crystal polymers as claimed in claim 2, wherein the application of the pulsating electric field is performed within the temperature range in which both the optically anisotropic melt phase and isotropic melt phase of the liquid crystal polymer are coexistent.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
65 words
A method for electric field orientation of liquid crystal polymers as claimed in claim 2, wherein after the application of the pulsating electric field is performed within said temperature range in which said one of said states occurs, the temperature of said liquid crystal polymer is reduced to room temperature, with the application of said pulsating electric field being continued during reducing of the temperature.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
79 words
A method for electric field orientation of liquid polymers as claimed in claim 2, wherein after the application of the pulsating electric field is performed within the temperature range in which said one of said states occurs, the temperature of said liquid crystal polymer is reduced to a temperature at which the relaxation of orientation of liquid crystal molecules cannot substantially occur any longer, with the application of said pulsating electric field being continued during reducing of the temperature.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
32 words
A method for electric field orientation of liquid crystal polymers as claimed in claim 1, wherein the maximum magnitude of the pulsating electric field applied is not less than 10 3 V/cm.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
42 words
A method for electric field orientation of liquid crystal polymers as claimed in claim 2, wherein the application of the pulsating electric field is performed at a given temperature within said temperature range for a period of 0.01 second to 100 hours.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
43 words
A method for electric field orientation of liquid crystal polymers as claimed in claim 2, wherein the application of the pulsating electric field is performed at a given temperature within said temperature range performed for a period of 1 second to 10 hours.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
42 words
A method for electric field orientation of liquid crystal polymers as claimed in claim 2, wherein the application of the pulsating electric field is performed at a given temperature within said temperature range for a period of 10 seconds to 1 hour.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
38 words
A method for electric field orientation of liquid crystal polymers as claimed in claim 6 or 7, wherein the temperature of the liquid crystal polymer is reduced at a rate of 0.01° C. to 200° C. per minute.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
38 words
A method for electric field orientation of liquid crystal polymers as claimed in claim 6 or 7, wherein the temperature of the liquid crystal polymer is reduced at a rate of 0.1° C. to 100° C. per minute.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
38 words
A method for electric field orientation of liquid crystal polymers as claimed in claim 6 or 7, wherein the temperature of the liquid crystal polymer is reduced at a rate of 0.1° C. to 25° C. per minute.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
28 words
A method for electric field orientation of liquid crystal polymers as claimed in claim 1, wherein the liquid crystal polymer is a side chain type liquid crystal polymer.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
28 words
A method for electric field orientation of liquid crystal polymers as claimed in claim 1, wherein the liquid crystal polymer is a main chain type liquid crystal polymer.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
34 words
A method for electric field orientation of liquid crystal polymers as claimed in claim 1, wherein, in applying the pulsating electric field, at least one of the electrodes is provided with an insulating layer.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
39 words
A method for electric field orientation of liquid crystal polymers as claimed in claim 1, wherein the glass transition temperature or the crystalline-to-optically anisotropic melt phase transition temperature of the liquid crystal polymer is not lower than 20° C.
Claim 20
Dependent Claim
39 words
A method for electric field orientation of liquid crystal polymers as claimed in claim 1, wherein the glass transition temperature or the crystalline-to-optically anisotropic melt phase transition temperature of the liquid crystal polymer is not lower than 30° C.
Claim 21
Dependent Claim
42 words
A method for electric field orientation of liquid crystal polymers as claimed in claim 1, wherein the transition temperature from the optically anisotropic melt phase to the optically isotropic melt phase of the liquid crystal polymer is not higher than 350° C.
Claim 22
Dependent Claim
49 words
A method for electric field orientation of liquid crystal polymers as claimed in claim 1, wherein the liquid crystal polymer is processed in the form of a shaped article and the pulsating electric field is applied to the liquid crystal polymer processed in the form of a shaped article.
Claim 23
Dependent Claim
29 words
A method for electric field orientation of liquid crystal polymers as claimed in claim 21, wherein the liquid crystal polymer is in the form of a film or sheet.
Claim 24
Dependent Claim
13 words
An oriented, liquid crystal polymer as obtained by the method of claim 1.
Claim 25
Dependent Claim
29 words
An oriented liquid crystal polymer as claimed in claim 23, wherein the pulsating electric field is applied to the liquid crystal polymer in the form of a shaped article.
Claim 26
Dependent Claim
24 words
An oriented liquid crystal polymer as claimed in claim 24, wherein the liquid crystal polymer is in the form of a film or sheet.
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) | 1994-01-07 | 1994-07-09 | 1995-01-08 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1998-01-07 | 1998-07-09 | 1999-01-08 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2002-01-07 | 2002-07-09 | 2003-01-08 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |