US5130828A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Liquid crystal temperature sensor and materials
Assignee: Manchester R&D Partnership
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Filing: 1989-10-03
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Granted: 1992-07-14
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Expires: 2009-10-03
Abstract
Abstract Liquid crystal temperature indicating compositions, preferably absent cholesteric liquid crystal material, and the containing of such compositions in volumes formed in a containment medium (29) that tends to distort the liquid crystal structure (36) when the temperature thereof is below a transition or clearing point temperature (FIG. 4). The containment medium (29) is water resistant, e.g. insoluble in water, and preferably has heat and optical stability, e.g., does not brown or otherwise discolor, at relatively high temperatures, e.g. above 100° C. Plural liquid crystal materials having different transition temperatures may be mixed to form a liquid crystal material having a transition temperature intermediate those of the ingredients (FIG. 11). In such distorted or curvilinearly aligned mesomorphic phase, the index of refraction of the liquid crystal is different, preferably greater, than that of the containment medium; therefore, incident light (11) will be scattered (21), preferably isotropically, and such scattered light can be used as a temperature identifier (FIG. 1). However, above a transition temperature, the liquid crystal material changes to an isotropic phase (30), which is substantially optically transparent, on the one hand; and the liquid crystal is so selected such that in the isotropic phase it has an index of refraction substantially matching that of the containment medium (29) (FIG. 5). Incident light (11) is transmitted (24) by the isotropic liquid crystal (23) and, accordingly, provides another temperature identifier (FIG. 3). The scattering liquid crystal material will appear visually brighter than the transmitting liquid crystal material, especially when illumination is provided by light from a source (7) independent of ambient light (FIG. 1). Moreover, dye can be used to color the scattered light.
Inventors
- 👤 James L. Fergason
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-02 22:47
CPC Classifications
C; C09; C09K; C09K19/00; C09K19/04; C09K19/42; G; G01; G01K; G01K11/00; G01K11/12; G01K11/16; G01K11/165
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 62
Claim 1
Independent Claim
279 words
A temperature sensor and indicator, comprising liquid crystal means for scattering or transmitting light incident thereon as a function of temperature of said liquid crystal means, containment means for containing plural volumes of said liquid crystal means, said containment means comprising means for distorting the natural structure of said liquid crystal means to distorted, curvilinearly aligned structure, and support means for supporting said volumes of liquid crystal means in said containment means for sensing temperature, said liquid crystal means having a mesomorphic or anisotopic phase at temperatures below a transition temperature and an isotropic phase at temperatures at and above such transition temperature, further comprising light source means for illuminating said liquid crystal means in said containment means, said light source means being positioned with respect to said liquid crystal means and containment means to direct incident light thereon generally along a path out of the expected viewing direction of said liquid crystal means, said containment means comprising means for containing said liquid crystal material in curvilinear alignment configuration at least at temperatures below such transition temperature, and said liquid crystal material, when in such mesomorphic or anisotropic phase, having an index of refraction different from said containment means to scatter light incident thereon and said liquid crystal material, when in such isotropic phase, having an index of refraction substantially matched to that of said containment means to reduce such scattering of light incident thereon whereby that liquid crystal means below such transition temperature scatters light from said light source toward such viewing direction causing such liquid crystal means to appear relatively bright and above such transition temperature such liquid crystal means reduces such scattering and appears relatively dark.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
279 words
A temperature sensor and indicator, comprising liquid crystal means for scattering or transmitting light incident thereon as a function of temperature of said liquid crystal means, containment means for containing plural volumes of said liquid crystal means, said containment means comprising means for distorting the natural structure of said liquid crystal means to distorted, curvilinearly aligned structure, and support means for supporting said volumes of liquid crystal means in said containment means for sensing temperature, said liquid crystal means having a mesomorphic or anisotopic phase at temperatures below a transition temperature and an isotropic phase at temperatures at and above such transition temperature, further comprising light source means for illuminating said liquid crystal means in said containment means, said light source means being positioned with respect to said liquid crystal means and containment means to direct incident light thereon generally along a path out of the expected viewing direction of said liquid crystal means, said containment means comprising means for containing said liquid crystal material in curvilinear alignment configuration at least at temperatures below such transition temperature, and said liquid crystal material, when in such mesomorphic or anisotropic phase, having an index of refraction different from said containment means to scatter light incident thereon and said liquid crystal material, when in such isotropic phase, having an index of refraction substantially matched to that of said containment means to reduce such scattering of light incident thereon whereby that liquid crystal means below such transition temperature scatters light from said light source toward such viewing direction causing such liquid crystal means to appear relatively bright and above such transition temperature such liquid crystal means reduces such scattering and appears relatively dark.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
139 words
A temperature sensor and indicator, comprising liquid crystal means for scattering or transmitting light incident thereon as a function of temperature of said liquid crystal means, containment means for containing plural volumes of said liquid crystal means, said containment means comprising means for distorting the natural structure of said liquid crystal means to distorted, curvilinearly aligned structure, and support means for supporting said volumes of liquid crystal means in said containment means for sensing temperature, said liquid crystal means having a mesomorphic or anisotropic phase at temperatures below a transition temperature and an isotropic phase at temperatures at and above such transition temperature, said liquid crystal means comprising a composition of matter, (percentages refer to mole percent) including a. from about 30% to less than about 100% bis(4-butoxylbenzoyl)-2-methylhydroquinone, and b. from more than about 0% to about 70% bis(4-pentylbenzoyl)-2-methylhydroquinone.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
139 words
A temperature sensor and indicator, comprising liquid crystal means for scattering or transmitting light incident thereon as a function of temperature of said liquid crystal means, containment means for containing plural volumes of said liquid crystal means, said containment means comprising means for distorting the natural structure of said liquid crystal means to distorted, curvilinearly aligned structure, and support means for supporting said volumes of liquid crystal means in said containment means for sensing temperature, said liquid crystal means having a mesomorphic or anisotropic phase at temperatures below a transition temperature and an isotropic phase at temperatures at and above such transition temperature, said liquid crystal means comprising a composition of matter, (percentages refer to mole percent) including a. from about 30% to less than about 100% bis(4-butoxylbenzoyl)-2-methylhydroquinone, and b. from more than about 0% to about 70% bis(4-pentylbenzoyl)-2-methylhydroquinone.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
21 words
The invention of claim 2, said liquid crystal means having a transition temperature from about 140° C. to about 205° C.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
184 words
A temperature sensor and indicator, comprising liquid crystal means for scattering or transmitting light incident thereon as a function of temperature of said liquid crystal means, containment means for containing plural volumes of said liquid crystal means, said containment means comprising means for distorting the natural structure of said liquid crystal means to distorted, curvilinearly aligned structure, and support means for supporting said volumes of liquid crystal means in said containment means for sensing temperature, said liquid crystal means having a mesomorphic or anisotropic phase at temperatures below a transition temperature and an isotropic phase at temperatures at and above such transition temperature, said containment means comprising means for containing said liquid crystal material in curvilinear alignment configuration at least at temperatures below such transition temperature, and said liquid crystal material, when in such mesomorphic or anisotropic phase, having an index of refraction different from said containment means to scatter light incident thereon and said liquid crystal material, when in such isotropic phase, having an index of refraction substantially matched to that of said containment means to reduce such scattering of light incident thereon.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
184 words
A temperature sensor and indicator, comprising liquid crystal means for scattering or transmitting light incident thereon as a function of temperature of said liquid crystal means, containment means for containing plural volumes of said liquid crystal means, said containment means comprising means for distorting the natural structure of said liquid crystal means to distorted, curvilinearly aligned structure, and support means for supporting said volumes of liquid crystal means in said containment means for sensing temperature, said liquid crystal means having a mesomorphic or anisotropic phase at temperatures below a transition temperature and an isotropic phase at temperatures at and above such transition temperature, said containment means comprising means for containing said liquid crystal material in curvilinear alignment configuration at least at temperatures below such transition temperature, and said liquid crystal material, when in such mesomorphic or anisotropic phase, having an index of refraction different from said containment means to scatter light incident thereon and said liquid crystal material, when in such isotropic phase, having an index of refraction substantially matched to that of said containment means to reduce such scattering of light incident thereon.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
36 words
The invention of claim 4, said containment means comprising a material that undergoes slow or no discoloring in response to relatively high temperature and that does not dissolve said liquid crystal means at relatively high temperature.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
24 words
The invention of claim 5, said containment means comprising a mixture of at least one polyvinyl alcohol and at least one poly(methylvinyl ether/maleic anhydride).
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
18 words
The invention of claim 4, further comprising dye means for coloring light scattered by said liquid crystal means.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
27 words
The invention of claim 7, said dye comprising a high visibility water soluble dye in said containment means, said dye being insoluble in said liquid crystal means.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
15 words
The invention of claim 4, said liquid crystal means comprising nematic or smectic liquid crystal.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
17 words
The invention of claim 4, said liquid crystal means comprising operationally nematic or operationally smectic liquid crystal.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
40 words
The invention of claim 4, said liquid crystal means comprising a material selected from the group comprising at least smectic liquid crystal and nematic liquid crystal, said material being in the absence of a cholesteric liquid crystal material admixed therewith.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
105 words
A temperature sensor, comprising liquid crystal material having an isotropic phase at and above a transition temperature and a mesomorphic or anisotropic phase below such transition temperature, containment means for containing said liquid crystal material in curvilinear alignment configuration at least at temperatures below such transition temperature, and said liquid crystal material, when in such mesomorphic or anisotropic phase, having an index of refraction different from said containment means to scatter light incident thereon and said liquid crystal material, when in such isotropic phase, having an index of refraction substantially matched to that of said containment means to reduce such scattering of light incident thereon.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
105 words
A temperature sensor, comprising liquid crystal material having an isotropic phase at and above a transition temperature and a mesomorphic or anisotropic phase below such transition temperature, containment means for containing said liquid crystal material in curvilinear alignment configuration at least at temperatures below such transition temperature, and said liquid crystal material, when in such mesomorphic or anisotropic phase, having an index of refraction different from said containment means to scatter light incident thereon and said liquid crystal material, when in such isotropic phase, having an index of refraction substantially matched to that of said containment means to reduce such scattering of light incident thereon.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
40 words
The invention of claim 12, said liquid crystal material comprising a material selected from the group comprising at least smectic liquid crystal and nematic liquid crystal, said material being in the absence of a cholesteric liquid crystal material admixed therewith.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
97 words
The invention of claim 12, said liquid crystal material comprising a composition of matter, including a) from 0 to 100 mole percent of a first liquid crystal material, and b) from 0 to 100 mole percent of a second liquid crystal material, such that the total of the liquid crystal materials equals 100 mole percent, said composition of matter having a mesomorphic or anisotropic phase at temperatures below a transition temperature and an isotropic phase at and above such transition temperature, and said transition temperature being in the range of about 15° C. to about 205° C.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
100 words
A temperature sensor, comprising liquid crystal means for scattering or transmitting light incident thereon as a function of temperature of said liquid crystal means, and containment means for containing plural volumes of said liquid crystal means, said containment means comprising a material that undergoes no or slow discoloring in response to relatively high temperature and that does not dissolve said liquid crystal means at relatively high temperatures, said containment means comprising a mixture of at least one polyvinyl alcohol and at least one poly(methylvinyl ether/maleic anhydride), said mixture comprising from about 5% to about 80% of the poly(methylvinyl ether/maleic anhydride).
Claim 20
Dependent Claim
100 words
A temperature sensor, comprising liquid crystal means for scattering or transmitting light incident thereon as a function of temperature of said liquid crystal means, and containment means for containing plural volumes of said liquid crystal means, said containment means comprising a material that undergoes no or slow discoloring in response to relatively high temperature and that does not dissolve said liquid crystal means at relatively high temperatures, said containment means comprising a mixture of at least one polyvinyl alcohol and at least one poly(methylvinyl ether/maleic anhydride), said mixture comprising from about 5% to about 80% of the poly(methylvinyl ether/maleic anhydride).
Claim 21
Dependent Claim
11 words
The invention of claim 15, said mixture comprising 20/30 polyvinyl alcohol.
Claim 22
Dependent Claim
169 words
A temperature sensor, comprising liquid crystal means for scattering or transmitting light incident thereon as a function of temperature of said liquid crystal means, and containment means for containing plural volumes of said liquid crystal means, said containment means comprising a material that undergoes no or slow discoloring in response to relatively high temperature and that does not dissolve said liquid crystal means at relatively high temperatures, comprising liquid crystal means having an isotropic phase at and above a transition temperature and a mesomorphic or anisotropic phase below such transition temperature, containment means for containing said liquid crystal means in curvilinear alignment configuration at least at temperatures below such transition temperature, and said liquid crystal means, when in such mesomorphic or anisotropic phase, having an index of refraction different from said containment means to scatter light incident thereon and said liquid crystal means, when in such isotropic phase, having an index of refraction substantially matched to that of said containment means to reduce such scattering of light incident thereon.
Claim 23
Dependent Claim
169 words
A temperature sensor, comprising liquid crystal means for scattering or transmitting light incident thereon as a function of temperature of said liquid crystal means, and containment means for containing plural volumes of said liquid crystal means, said containment means comprising a material that undergoes no or slow discoloring in response to relatively high temperature and that does not dissolve said liquid crystal means at relatively high temperatures, comprising liquid crystal means having an isotropic phase at and above a transition temperature and a mesomorphic or anisotropic phase below such transition temperature, containment means for containing said liquid crystal means in curvilinear alignment configuration at least at temperatures below such transition temperature, and said liquid crystal means, when in such mesomorphic or anisotropic phase, having an index of refraction different from said containment means to scatter light incident thereon and said liquid crystal means, when in such isotropic phase, having an index of refraction substantially matched to that of said containment means to reduce such scattering of light incident thereon.
Claim 24
Dependent Claim
23 words
The invention of claim 17, wherein said liquid crystal means has a transition temperature of a magnitude that is below room ambient temperature.
Claim 25
Dependent Claim
23 words
The invention of claim 17, wherein said liquid crystal means has a transition temperature of from about 15° C. to about 400° C.
Claim 26
Dependent Claim
166 words
A temperature sensor, comprising liquid crystal means for scattering or transmitting light incident thereon as a function of temperature of said liquid crystal means, and containment means for containing plural volumes of said liquid crystal means, said liquid crystal means comprising at least one of nematic liquid crystal material and smectic liquid crystal material in the absence of a cholesteric liquid crystal material admixed therewith, said liquid crystal means comprising a mixture of at least two liquid crystal material ingredients, one of said liquid crystal material ingredients having a relatively high transition temperature and the other having a relatively lower transition temperature, the transition temperature of said mixture of said liquid crystal materials being a function of the properties of each of said liquid crystal material ingredients in said mixture, wherein liquid crystal means has a transition temperature of a magnitude that is below room ambient temperature, and wherein said liquid crystal means has a transition temperature of from about 15° C. to about 400° C.
Claim 27
Dependent Claim
166 words
A temperature sensor, comprising liquid crystal means for scattering or transmitting light incident thereon as a function of temperature of said liquid crystal means, and containment means for containing plural volumes of said liquid crystal means, said liquid crystal means comprising at least one of nematic liquid crystal material and smectic liquid crystal material in the absence of a cholesteric liquid crystal material admixed therewith, said liquid crystal means comprising a mixture of at least two liquid crystal material ingredients, one of said liquid crystal material ingredients having a relatively high transition temperature and the other having a relatively lower transition temperature, the transition temperature of said mixture of said liquid crystal materials being a function of the properties of each of said liquid crystal material ingredients in said mixture, wherein liquid crystal means has a transition temperature of a magnitude that is below room ambient temperature, and wherein said liquid crystal means has a transition temperature of from about 15° C. to about 400° C.
Claim 28
Dependent Claim
126 words
A temperature sensor and indicator, comprising liquid crystal means for scattering or transmitting light incident thereon as a function of temperature of said liquid crystal means, containment means for containing plural volumes of said liquid crystal means, said containment means comprising means for distorting the natural structure of said liquid crystal means to distorted, curvilinearly aligned structure, and support means for supporting said volumes of liquid crystal means in said containment means for sensing temperature, said liquid crystal means having a mesomorphic or anisotropic phase at temperatures below a transition temperature and an isotropic phase at temperatures at and above such transition temperature, said containment means being insoluble in water, said containment means being formed of a reaction of one water soluble material and another material.
Claim 29
Dependent Claim
126 words
A temperature sensor and indicator, comprising liquid crystal means for scattering or transmitting light incident thereon as a function of temperature of said liquid crystal means, containment means for containing plural volumes of said liquid crystal means, said containment means comprising means for distorting the natural structure of said liquid crystal means to distorted, curvilinearly aligned structure, and support means for supporting said volumes of liquid crystal means in said containment means for sensing temperature, said liquid crystal means having a mesomorphic or anisotropic phase at temperatures below a transition temperature and an isotropic phase at temperatures at and above such transition temperature, said containment means being insoluble in water, said containment means being formed of a reaction of one water soluble material and another material.
Claim 30
Dependent Claim
11 words
The invention of claim 21, said containment means comprising a polyester.
Claim 31
Dependent Claim
67 words
A temperature sensor, comprising liquid crystal means for scattering or transmitting light incident thereon as a function of temperature of said liquid crystal means, and containment means for containing plural volumes of said liquid crystal means, said liquid crystal means comprising at least one of operationally nematic liquid crystal material and operationally smectic liquid crystal material in the absence of a cholesteric liquid crystal material admixed therewith.
Claim 32
Dependent Claim
67 words
A temperature sensor, comprising liquid crystal means for scattering or transmitting light incident thereon as a function of temperature of said liquid crystal means, and containment means for containing plural volumes of said liquid crystal means, said liquid crystal means comprising at least one of operationally nematic liquid crystal material and operationally smectic liquid crystal material in the absence of a cholesteric liquid crystal material admixed therewith.
Claim 33
Dependent Claim
33 words
The invention of claim 23, said liquid crystal means having a mesomorphic or anisotropic phase at temperatures below a transition temperature and an isotropic phase at temperatures at and above such transition temperature.
Claim 34
Dependent Claim
36 words
The invention of claim 23, said containment means comprising a material that undergoes no or slow discoloring in response to relatively high temperature and that does not dissolve said liquid crystal means at relatively high temperature.
Claim 35
Dependent Claim
60 words
A liquid crystal device, comprising liquid crystal means for scattering or transmitting light incident thereon as a function of a prescribed input, containment means for containing said liquid crystal means in curvilinear alignment configuration, and said liquid crystal means being operationally smectic, having a mesomorphic or anisotropic phase, and having index of refraction characteristics for selectively transmitting or scattering light.
Claim 36
Dependent Claim
60 words
A liquid crystal device, comprising liquid crystal means for scattering or transmitting light incident thereon as a function of a prescribed input, containment means for containing said liquid crystal means in curvilinear alignment configuration, and said liquid crystal means being operationally smectic, having a mesomorphic or anisotropic phase, and having index of refraction characteristics for selectively transmitting or scattering light.
Claim 37
Dependent Claim
48 words
The invention of claim 26, said containment means for containing plural volumes of said liquid crystal means, said containment means comprising a material that undergoes no or slow discoloring in response to relatively high temperature and that does not dissolve said liquid crystal means at relatively high temperature.
Claim 38
Dependent Claim
18 words
The invention of claim 27, said liquid crystal means comprising operationally nematic or operationally smectic liquid crystal material.
Claim 39
Dependent Claim
120 words
The invention of claim 27, said liquid crystal means comprising a mixture of at least two liquid crystal materials, each of said liquid crystal materials being operationally nematic or operationally smectic, and each having a mesomorphic or anisotropic phase at temperatures below a respective transition temperature and an isotropic phase at temperatures at and above such respective transition temperature, said mixture having a transition temperature characteristic that is a function of the respective transition temperatures of said at least two liquid crystal materials and the quantity of each in the mixture, and said mixture having a mesomorphic or anisotropic phase at temperatures below a transition temperature thereof and an isotropic phase at temperatures at and above such transition temperature thereof.
Claim 40
Dependent Claim
116 words
A liquid crystal temperature sensor, comprising a mixture of at least two liquid crystal materials, each of said liquid crystal materials being operationally nematic or operationally smectic, and each having a mesomorphic or anisotropic phase at temperatures below a respective transition temperature and an isotropic phase at temperatures at and above such respective transition temperature, said mixture having a transition temperature characteristic that is a function of the respective transition temperatures of said at least two liquid crystal materials and the quantity of each in the mixture, and said mixture having a mesomorphic or anisotropic phase at temperatures below a transition temperature thereof and an isotropic phase at temperatures at and above such transition temperature thereof.
Claim 41
Dependent Claim
116 words
A liquid crystal temperature sensor, comprising a mixture of at least two liquid crystal materials, each of said liquid crystal materials being operationally nematic or operationally smectic, and each having a mesomorphic or anisotropic phase at temperatures below a respective transition temperature and an isotropic phase at temperatures at and above such respective transition temperature, said mixture having a transition temperature characteristic that is a function of the respective transition temperatures of said at least two liquid crystal materials and the quantity of each in the mixture, and said mixture having a mesomorphic or anisotropic phase at temperatures below a transition temperature thereof and an isotropic phase at temperatures at and above such transition temperature thereof.
Claim 42
Dependent Claim
20 words
The invention of claim 30, said liquid crystal material being in the absence of cholesteric liquid crystal material admixed therewith.
Claim 43
Dependent Claim
48 words
The invention of claim 30, said containment means comprising containment means for containing plural volumes of said liquid crystal means and means for distorting the natural structure of said liquid crystal means to distorted, curvilinearly aligned structure at temperatures below the transition temperature of said liquid crystal means.
Claim 44
Dependent Claim
60 words
The invention of claim 30, said liquid crystal material, when in mesomorphic or anisotropic phase, having an index of refraction different from said containment means to scatter light incident thereon and said liquid crystal material, when in isotropic phase, having an index of refraction substantially matched to that of said containment means to reduce such scattering of light incident thereon.
Claim 45
Dependent Claim
22 words
The invention of claim 30, further comprising support means for supporting said liquid crystal means in said containment means for sensing temperature.
Claim 46
Dependent Claim
18 words
The invention of claim 30, further comprising reflecting means for reflecting light scattered by said liquid crystal means.
Claim 47
Dependent Claim
56 words
The invention of claim 30, further comprising light source means for illuminating said liquid crystal means in said containment means, said light source means being positioned with respect to said liquid crystal means and containment means to direct incident light thereon generally along a path out of the expected viewing direction of said liquid crystal means.
Claim 48
Dependent Claim
29 words
The invention of claim 30, said liquid crystal means comprising plural segments of liquid crystal means in containment means, a plurality of said segments having different respective transition temperatures.
Claim 49
Dependent Claim
24 words
The invention of claim 30, said containment means comprising a mixture of at least one polyvinyl alcohol and at least one poly(methylvinyl ether/maleic anhydride).
Claim 50
Dependent Claim
19 words
The invention of claim 38, said mixture comprising from about 5% to about 80% of the poly(methylvinyl ether/maleic anhydride).
Claim 51
Dependent Claim
12 words
The invention of claim 38, wherein said mixture further comprises a solvent.
Claim 52
Dependent Claim
22 words
The invention of claim 40, said solvent comprising at least one selected from the group comprising chloroform, dimethylglcol ether, and diethylglycol ether.
Claim 53
Dependent Claim
13 words
The invention of claim 30, wherein said containment means is insoluble in water.
Claim 54
Dependent Claim
12 words
The invention of claim 30, wherein said containment means comprises a polyester.
Claim 55
Dependent Claim
47 words
The invention of claim 30, wherein said containment means comprises a combination of at least two materials, at least one of said materials ordinarily being water soluble, and at least another of said materials being reactive with said one material to make said containment means water insoluble.
Claim 56
Dependent Claim
112 words
The invention of claim 30, said liquid crystal means comprising a composition of matter, including (a) from more than about 0 to less than about 100 mole percent of a first liquid crystal material, and (b) from more than about 0 to less than about 100 mole percent of a second liquid crystal material, said composition of matter having a mesomorphic or anisotropic phase at temperatures below a transition temperature and an isotropic phase at and above such transition temperature, and such transition temperature of the composition being a function of the transition temperature of each of said liquid crystal materials and the relative amounts of each liquid material in the composition.
Claim 57
Dependent Claim
25 words
The invention of claim 45, wherein said transition temperature of said composition is in the range of from about 15° C. to about 400° C.
Claim 58
Dependent Claim
83 words
The invention of claim 46, wherein each of said first and second liquid crystal materials is selected from a respective one of the following compositions, (percentages refer to mole percent): Mix A, PPMeOB 39.6%, PPPOB 26.6% and Ethylphenylpropylbenzoate 33.8%; Mix B, PPMeOB 60% and PPPOB 40%; and Mix C, a mixture of about 52% of (1) a mix of PPMeOB 60% and PPOB 40% 82% and (2) bix(4-butoxybenzoyl)-2-methylhydroquinone 18% and about 48% of (1) CnPPeB 33%, (2) CnPHepB 50%, and (3) bix(4-pentylbenzoyl)-2-methylhydroquinone 16.6%.
Claim 59
Dependent Claim
41 words
The invention of claim 30, said liquid crystal means comprising a composition of matter, (percentages refer to mole percent) including (a) from about 30% to less than about 100% bis(4-butoxylbenzoyl)-2-methylhydroquinone, and (b) from about more than 0% to about 70% bix(4-pentylbenzoyl)-2-methylhydroquinone.
Claim 60
Dependent Claim
21 words
The invention of claim 48, said liquid crystal means having a transition temperature from about 140° C. to about 205° C.
Claim 61
Dependent Claim
23 words
The invention of claim 30, wherein said liquid crystal means has a transition temperature of a magnitude that is below room ambient temperature.
Claim 62
Dependent Claim
18 words
The invention of claim 30, further comprising dye means for coloring light scattered by said liquid crystal means.
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