Patent US5111315A successfully refreshed from Google Patents.
US5111315A
Expired / Lapsed
US
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Optical system for illuminating a light valve
Assignee: Raytheon Co
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Filing: 1991-02-14
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Granted: 1992-05-05
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Expires: 2011-02-14
Abstract
Abstract A color sequential illumination system (10) for a single light valve full-color projector is disclosed herein. The inventive color sequential system (10) is operative to illuminate a light valve (28) in response to an input beam. A prepolarizer arrangement (11, 13) polarizes optical energy of a first band of wavelengths within the input beam in a first state, and polarizes optical energy of a second band of wavelengths within the input beam in a second state. The system (10) includes a first liquid crystal switch (14), in optical alignment with the prepolarizer arrangement (11, 13), for selectively rotating the polarization states of optical energy within the first and second wavelength bands. A polarizer filter (18, 20), in optical alignment with the first liquid crystal switch (14), filters optical energy within the second wavelength band polarized in the predetermined state. A second liquid crystal switch (16), in optical alignment with the polarizer filter (18 20), selectively rotates the polarization states of optical energy within the first and second wavelength bands. The inventive system (10) also includes a broadband polarizer (24), in optical alignment with the second liquid crystal switch (16), for directing optical energy polarized in a predetermined state to the light valve (28).
Inventors
- 👤 Arno G. Ledebuhr
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-27 15:14
CPC Classifications
G; G02; G02F; G02F1/00; G02F1/01; G02F1/13; G02F1/133; G02F1/1333; G02F1/1335; G02F1/1336; G02F1/133621; G02F1/1347; G02F1/13471; G02F1/13473; H; H04; H04N; H04N9/00; H04N9/12; H04N9/31; H04N9/3102; H04N9/3111; H04N9/3141; H04N9/315; G02F1/133622
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 16
Claim 1
Independent Claim
166 words
An optical system for illuminating a light valve in response to an optical input beam, comprising: prepolarizer means for polarizing optical energy of a first band of wavelengths within said input beam in a first state and for polarizing optical energy of a second band of wavelengths within said input beam in a second state; first liquid crystal switch means, in optical alignment with said prepolarizer means, for selectively rotating the polarization states of optical energy within said first and second wavelength bands; polarizer filter means, in optical alignment with said first liquid crystal switch means, for filtering optical energy within said second wavelength band polarized in a predetermined state; second liquid crystal switch means, in optical alignment with said polarizer filter means, for selectively rotating the polarization states of optical energy within said first and second wavelength bands; and broadband polarizer means, in optical alignment with said second liquid crystal switch means, for directing optical energy polarized in a predetermined state to said light valve.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
166 words
An optical system for illuminating a light valve in response to an optical input beam, comprising: prepolarizer means for polarizing optical energy of a first band of wavelengths within said input beam in a first state and for polarizing optical energy of a second band of wavelengths within said input beam in a second state; first liquid crystal switch means, in optical alignment with said prepolarizer means, for selectively rotating the polarization states of optical energy within said first and second wavelength bands; polarizer filter means, in optical alignment with said first liquid crystal switch means, for filtering optical energy within said second wavelength band polarized in a predetermined state; second liquid crystal switch means, in optical alignment with said polarizer filter means, for selectively rotating the polarization states of optical energy within said first and second wavelength bands; and broadband polarizer means, in optical alignment with said second liquid crystal switch means, for directing optical energy polarized in a predetermined state to said light valve.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
35 words
The system of claim 1 wherein said prepolarizer means includes a first prepolarizer for polarizing optical energy within said first wavelength band and a second prepolarizer for polarizing optical energy within said second wavelength band.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
30 words
The system of claim 1 wherein said polarizer filter means includes a polarizer for separating from said input beam optical energy within said second wavelength band having said predetermined polarization.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
166 words
An optical system for illuminating a light valve in response to an optical input beam, comprising: prepolarizer means for polarizing optical energy of a first band of wavelengths within said input beam in a first state and for polarizing optical energy of a second band of wavelengths within said input beam in a second state; first liquid crystal switch means, in optical alignment with said prepolarizer means, for selectively rotating the polarization states of optical energy within said first and second wavelength bands; polarizer filter means, in optical alignment with said first liquid crystal switch means, for filtering optical energy within said second wavelength band polarized in said second state; second liquid crystal switch means, in optical alignment with said polarizer filter means, for selectively rotating the polarization states of optical energy within said first and second wavelength bands; and broadband polarizer means, in optical alignment with said second liquid crystal switch means, for directing optical energy polarized in said second state to said light valve.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
166 words
An optical system for illuminating a light valve in response to an optical input beam, comprising: prepolarizer means for polarizing optical energy of a first band of wavelengths within said input beam in a first state and for polarizing optical energy of a second band of wavelengths within said input beam in a second state; first liquid crystal switch means, in optical alignment with said prepolarizer means, for selectively rotating the polarization states of optical energy within said first and second wavelength bands; polarizer filter means, in optical alignment with said first liquid crystal switch means, for filtering optical energy within said second wavelength band polarized in said second state; second liquid crystal switch means, in optical alignment with said polarizer filter means, for selectively rotating the polarization states of optical energy within said first and second wavelength bands; and broadband polarizer means, in optical alignment with said second liquid crystal switch means, for directing optical energy polarized in said second state to said light valve.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
150 words
An optical system for illuminating a light valve in response to an optical input beam, comprising: prepolarizer means for polarizing first, second and third bands of wavelengths within said input beam in predetermined states; first liquid crystal switch means, in optical alignment with said prepolarizer means, for selectively rotating the polarization of optical energy within said first, second and third bands passing therethrough; polarizer filter means, in optical alignment with said first liquid crystal switch means, for filtering optical energy within said second and third wavelength bands polarized in predetermined states; second liquid crystal switch means, in optical alignment with said polarizer filter means, for selectively rotating the polarization states of optical energy within said first, second and third wavelength bands passing therethrough; and broadband polarizer means, in optical alignment with said second liquid crystal switch means, for directing optical energy polarized in a predetermined state to said light valve.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
150 words
An optical system for illuminating a light valve in response to an optical input beam, comprising: prepolarizer means for polarizing first, second and third bands of wavelengths within said input beam in predetermined states; first liquid crystal switch means, in optical alignment with said prepolarizer means, for selectively rotating the polarization of optical energy within said first, second and third bands passing therethrough; polarizer filter means, in optical alignment with said first liquid crystal switch means, for filtering optical energy within said second and third wavelength bands polarized in predetermined states; second liquid crystal switch means, in optical alignment with said polarizer filter means, for selectively rotating the polarization states of optical energy within said first, second and third wavelength bands passing therethrough; and broadband polarizer means, in optical alignment with said second liquid crystal switch means, for directing optical energy polarized in a predetermined state to said light valve.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
190 words
An optical system for illuminating a light valve in response to an optical input beam, comprising: prepolarizer means for polarizing a first band of wavelengths within said input beam in a first state, and for polarizing second and third bands of wavelengths within said input beam in a second state orthogonal to said first state; first liquid crystal switch means, in optical alignment with said prepolarizer means, for selectively rotating the polarization of optical energy within said first wavelength band to said second state, and for selectively rotating the polarization of optical energy within said second and third bands to said first state; polarizer filter means, in optical alignment with said first liquid crystal switch means, for filtering optical energy within said second and third wavelength bands polarized in predetermined states; second liquid crystal switch means, in optical alignment with said polarizer filter means, for selectively rotating the polarization states of optical energy within said first, second and third wavelength bands passing therethrough; and broadband polarizer means, in optical alignment with said second liquid crystal switch means, for directing to said light valve optical energy polarized in a predetermined state.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
190 words
An optical system for illuminating a light valve in response to an optical input beam, comprising: prepolarizer means for polarizing a first band of wavelengths within said input beam in a first state, and for polarizing second and third bands of wavelengths within said input beam in a second state orthogonal to said first state; first liquid crystal switch means, in optical alignment with said prepolarizer means, for selectively rotating the polarization of optical energy within said first wavelength band to said second state, and for selectively rotating the polarization of optical energy within said second and third bands to said first state; polarizer filter means, in optical alignment with said first liquid crystal switch means, for filtering optical energy within said second and third wavelength bands polarized in predetermined states; second liquid crystal switch means, in optical alignment with said polarizer filter means, for selectively rotating the polarization states of optical energy within said first, second and third wavelength bands passing therethrough; and broadband polarizer means, in optical alignment with said second liquid crystal switch means, for directing to said light valve optical energy polarized in a predetermined state.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
220 words
An optical system for illuminating a light valve in response to an optical input beam, comprising: prepolarizer means for polarizing a green band of wavelengths within said input beam in a first state, and for polarizing red and blue bands of wavelengths within said input beam in a second state orthogonal to said first state; first liquid crystal switch means, in optical alignment with said prepolarizer means, for selectively rotating the polarization of optical energy within said green wavelength band to said second state, and for selectively rotating the polarization of optical energy within said red and blue bands to said first state; a red polarizer filter, in optical alignment with said first liquid crystal switch means, for filtering optical energy within said red wavelength band polarized in said second state; a blue polarizer filter, in optical alignment with said first liquid crystal switch means, for filtering optical energy within said blue wavelength band polarized in said first state; second liquid crystal switch means, in optical alignment with said polarizer filter means, for selectively rotating the polarization states of optical energy within said red, green and blue first, second and third wavelength bands; and broadband polarizer means, in optical alignment with said second liquid crystal switch means, for directing to said light valve optical energy polarized in a predetermined state.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
220 words
An optical system for illuminating a light valve in response to an optical input beam, comprising: prepolarizer means for polarizing a green band of wavelengths within said input beam in a first state, and for polarizing red and blue bands of wavelengths within said input beam in a second state orthogonal to said first state; first liquid crystal switch means, in optical alignment with said prepolarizer means, for selectively rotating the polarization of optical energy within said green wavelength band to said second state, and for selectively rotating the polarization of optical energy within said red and blue bands to said first state; a red polarizer filter, in optical alignment with said first liquid crystal switch means, for filtering optical energy within said red wavelength band polarized in said second state; a blue polarizer filter, in optical alignment with said first liquid crystal switch means, for filtering optical energy within said blue wavelength band polarized in said first state; second liquid crystal switch means, in optical alignment with said polarizer filter means, for selectively rotating the polarization states of optical energy within said red, green and blue first, second and third wavelength bands; and broadband polarizer means, in optical alignment with said second liquid crystal switch means, for directing to said light valve optical energy polarized in a predetermined state.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
235 words
An optical system for illuminating a liquid crystal light valve in response to an optical input beam, comprising: prepolarizer means for polarizing a green band of wavelengths within said input beam in a first state, and for polarizing red and blue bands of wavelengths within said input beam in a second state orthogonal to said first state; first liquid crystal switch means, in optical alignment with said prepolarizer means, for selectively rotating the polarization of optical energy within said green wavelength band to said second state, and for selectively rotating the polarization of optical energy within said red and blue bands to said first state; a red polarizer filter, in optical alignment with said first liquid crystal switch means, for filtering optical energy within said red wavelength band polarized in said second state; a blue polarizer filter, in optical alignment with said first liquid crystal switch means, for filtering optical energy within said blue wavelength band polarized in said first state; second liquid crystal switch means, in optical alignment with said polarizer filter means, for selectively rotating the polarization states of optical energy within said red, green and blue first, second and third wavelength bands; broadband polarizer means, in optical alignment with said second liquid crystal switch means, for directing to said light valve optical energy polarized in a predetermined state; and controller means for sequentially actuating said first and second liquid crystal switch means.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
235 words
An optical system for illuminating a liquid crystal light valve in response to an optical input beam, comprising: prepolarizer means for polarizing a green band of wavelengths within said input beam in a first state, and for polarizing red and blue bands of wavelengths within said input beam in a second state orthogonal to said first state; first liquid crystal switch means, in optical alignment with said prepolarizer means, for selectively rotating the polarization of optical energy within said green wavelength band to said second state, and for selectively rotating the polarization of optical energy within said red and blue bands to said first state; a red polarizer filter, in optical alignment with said first liquid crystal switch means, for filtering optical energy within said red wavelength band polarized in said second state; a blue polarizer filter, in optical alignment with said first liquid crystal switch means, for filtering optical energy within said blue wavelength band polarized in said first state; second liquid crystal switch means, in optical alignment with said polarizer filter means, for selectively rotating the polarization states of optical energy within said red, green and blue first, second and third wavelength bands; broadband polarizer means, in optical alignment with said second liquid crystal switch means, for directing to said light valve optical energy polarized in a predetermined state; and controller means for sequentially actuating said first and second liquid crystal switch means.
Claim 15
Independent Claim
128 words
A method for illuminating a light valve by utilizing an optical input beam, comprising the steps of: a) polarizing optical energy of a first band of wavelengths within said input beam in a first state, and polarizing optical energy of a second band of wavelengths within said input beam in a second state; b) selectively rotating the polarization states of optical energy within said beam having said first and second wavelength bands; c) filtering from said beam optical energy within said second wavelength band polarized in a predetermined state; d) selectively rotating the polarization states of optical energy within said filtered beam included within said first and second wavelength bands; and e) directing optical energy from said filtered beam polarized in a predetermined state to said light valve.
Claim 16
Independent Claim
128 words
A method for illuminating a light valve by utilizing an optical input beam, comprising the steps of: a) polarizing optical energy of a first band of wavelengths within said input beam in a first state, and polarizing optical energy of a second band of wavelengths within said input beam in a second state; b) selectively rotating the polarization states of optical energy within said beam having said first and second wavelength bands; c) filtering from said beam optical energy within said second wavelength band polarized in a predetermined state; d) selectively rotating the polarization states of optical energy within said filtered beam included within said first and second wavelength bands; and e) directing optical energy from said filtered beam polarized in a predetermined state to said light valve.
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