US5317667A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Electrophoretic switch for a light pipe
Assignee: Visteon Global Technologies Inc
•
Filing: 1992-11-23
•
Granted: 1994-05-31
•
Expires: 2012-11-23
Abstract
Abstract An electrophoretic light switch is provided for controlling light in a light pipe having a transparent inner conductor, an outer conductor and a solution containing charged particles. Light is absorbed by the solution when the particles are attracted to the inner conductor causing the light intensity in the light pipe to be reduced.
Inventors
- 👤 Willes H. Weber
- 👤 Jeffrey T. Remillard
- 👤 John M. Ginder
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-03 00:59
CPC Classifications
G; G02; G02B; G02B6/00; G02B6/02; G02B6/032; G02F; G02F1/00; G02F1/01; G02F1/165; G02F1/166; G02F1/167; G02F1/1675; G02F1/1677; G02B6/24; G02B6/26; G02B6/35; G02B6/3564; G02B6/3568; G02F2203/00; G02F2203/02; G02F2203/026
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 17
Claim 1
Independent Claim
162 words
A device for modulating light output of a light pipe comprising: a light pipe having a first index of refraction; a transparent first conductor coating said light pipe having a second index of refraction greater than said first index of refraction; a cylindrical second conductor located substantially concentrically with respect to said light pipe and having a diameter greater than or equal to the diameter of said first conductor forming a space therebetween; and a solution having a third index of refraction less than said first index of refraction containing charged particles having a fourth index of refraction greater than said third index of refraction filling the space between said first conductor and said second conductor, said charged particles adapted to move in response to a potential difference between said first conductor and said second conductor; and retaining means for holding said second conductor in a fixed location with respect to said first conductor and for retaining said solution in said space.
Claim 2
Independent Claim
162 words
A device for modulating light output of a light pipe comprising: a light pipe having a first index of refraction; a transparent first conductor coating said light pipe having a second index of refraction greater than said first index of refraction; a cylindrical second conductor located substantially concentrically with respect to said light pipe and having a diameter greater than or equal to the diameter of said first conductor forming a space therebetween; and a solution having a third index of refraction less than said first index of refraction containing charged particles having a fourth index of refraction greater than said third index of refraction filling the space between said first conductor and said second conductor, said charged particles adapted to move in response to a potential difference between said first conductor and said second conductor; and retaining means for holding said second conductor in a fixed location with respect to said first conductor and for retaining said solution in said space.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
14 words
A device as in claim 1 wherein said light pipe is comprised of glass.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
14 words
A device as in claim 1 wherein said light pipe is comprised of plastic.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
17 words
A device as in claim 1 wherein said transparent first conductor is comprised of an indium-tin oxide.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
20 words
A device as in claim 1 wherein said second conductor has an inner surface coated with a light absorbing material.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
15 words
A device as in claim 5 wherein said second conductor is comprised of stainless steel.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
13 words
A device as in claim 1 wherein said solution is comprised of acetonitrile.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
15 words
A device as in claim 7 wherein said charged particles are comprised of polystryene spheres.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
22 words
A device as in claim 1 further comprising connection means for coupling respective voltages to said first conductor and said second conductor.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
24 words
A device as in claim 1 further comprising a voltage source electrically connected to said first and second conductors providing a potential difference therebetween.
Claim 12
Independent Claim
91 words
A method for controlling the light output of a light pipe comprising the steps of: providing a transparent first conductor adjacent to and surrounding said light pipe, a second conductor located substantially concentrically with respect to said first conductor and forming a space therebetween and a solution containing charged particles filling said space; applying a potential difference between said first conductor and said second conductor; and controlling the movement of said charged particles in said solution by changing the potential difference of said first conductor with respect to said second conductor.
Claim 13
Independent Claim
91 words
A method for controlling the light output of a light pipe comprising the steps of: providing a transparent first conductor adjacent to and surrounding said light pipe, a second conductor located substantially concentrically with respect to said first conductor and forming a space therebetween and a solution containing charged particles filling said space; applying a potential difference between said first conductor and said second conductor; and controlling the movement of said charged particles in said solution by changing the potential difference of said first conductor with respect to said second conductor.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
54 words
A method as in claim 11 further comprising the steps of: creating a evanescent field by the interaction of the light in said light pipe with the charged particles contained in the solution; and absorbing the light created by the evanescent field into said solution thereby reducing the light output of the light pipe.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
26 words
A method as in claim 11 wherein said transparent first conductor has an index of refraction equal to or greater than that of said light pipe.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
24 words
A method as in claim 11 wherein said solution has an index of refraction less than the index of refraction of said light pipe.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
24 words
A method as in claim 11 wherein said charged particles have an index of refraction greater than the index of refraction of said solution.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
US3408131A
Cited
US3442568A
Cited
US3770339A
Cited
US4123346A
Cited
US4121884A
Cited
US4324456A
Cited
US4218302A
Cited
US4648956A
Cited
US4730171A
Cited
US4803688A
Cited
US5031996A
Cited
US5119461A
Cited
US5111524A
Cited
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1997-05-30 | 1997-11-29 | 1998-05-31 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 2001-05-30 | 2001-11-29 | 2002-05-31 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2005-05-30 | 2005-11-29 | 2006-05-31 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |