US5532548A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Field forming electrodes on high voltage spacers
Assignee: Canon Inc
•
Filing: 1994-10-03
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Granted: 1996-07-02
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Expires: 2014-10-03
Abstract
Abstract A flat panel display includes a faceplate and an opposing backplate. The two are sealed together and a sealed envelope is created that includes an active area of length L 1 . The active layer includes addressable pixels on the faceplate. Spacers are perpendicular to the faceplate and backplate. The length of a spacer is in a direction parallel to the plane of the faceplate. At least one spacer is positioned in the envelope and provides rigidity to the display. This is required because of the high vacuum which is maintained within the envelope. One or more electrodes are formed on an exterior surface of the spacer. The electrodes extend a length of L 2 along a side of the spacer that is at least equal to L 1 . Voltages applied to the electrodes are controlled to achieve a desired voltage distribution between the backplate and the faceplate. The electrode is made of a material with a sheet resistance of less than about 10 5 to 10 7 Ω/□. The potential drop across the spacer between the faceplate and the backplate can be tailored by the selection of the position of the electrodes on the spacers, as well as the potentials applied to the electrodes. An additional way of tailoring the potential drop is selecting a desired thickness or conductivity of the spacer from top to bottom.
Inventors
- 👤 Christopher J. Spindt
- 👤 John E. Field
- 👤 David L. Morris
- 👤 Christopher J. Curtin
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-09 08:24
CPC Classifications
H; H01; H01J; H01J9/00; H01J9/02; H01J9/18; H01J9/185; H01J29/00; H01J29/02; H01J29/028; H01J29/08; H01J29/085; H01J29/46; H01J29/467; H01J29/86; H01J29/864; H01J31/00; H01J31/08; H01J31/10; H01J31/12; H01J31/123; H01J31/125; H01J31/127; H01J61/00; H01J61/02; H01J61/30; H01J9/24; H01J9/241; H01J9/242; H01J2329/00; H01J2329/86; H01J2329/8625; H01J2329/863; H01J2329/864; H01J2329/8645; H01J2329/865; H01J2329/8655
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 34
Claim 1
Independent Claim
112 words
A flat panel apparatus, comprising: a faceplate; a backplate positioned in an opposing relationship to the faceplate and connected in a sealed relationship to create a sealed envelope therebetween, the sealed envelope including a phosphor coated emissive area of length L 1 ; a spacer in the envelope supporting the backplate and the faceplate against forces acting in a direction toward the envelope; and at least one electrode disposed on the spacer which extends a length L 2 along a side of the spacer that is at least equal to L 1 , the voltage of the electrode being controlled to achieve a desired voltage distribution between the backplate and the faceplate.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
112 words
A flat panel apparatus, comprising: a faceplate; a backplate positioned in an opposing relationship to the faceplate and connected in a sealed relationship to create a sealed envelope therebetween, the sealed envelope including a phosphor coated emissive area of length L 1 ; a spacer in the envelope supporting the backplate and the faceplate against forces acting in a direction toward the envelope; and at least one electrode disposed on the spacer which extends a length L 2 along a side of the spacer that is at least equal to L 1 , the voltage of the electrode being controlled to achieve a desired voltage distribution between the backplate and the faceplate.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
38 words
The flat panel apparatus of claim 1, wherein the spacer has a height h, and each end of the electrode extends beyond the length L 1 of the active area in an amount of about (1.0 to 1.5)×h.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
29 words
The flat panel apparatus of claim 1, wherein the spacer includes two or more electrodes that are positioned on the spacer in a substantially parallel relationship to each other.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
19 words
The flat panel apparatus of claim 1, further comprising: a voltage divider that establishes the voltage of each electrode.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
47 words
The flat panel apparatus of claim 1, wherein the electrode includes at least a first electrode, and a second electrode, wherein the first electrode is located nearest to the faceplate than the second electrode and has a synchronized voltage applied to it to correct for pixel deflections.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
19 words
The flat panel apparatus of claim 1, further comprising: a power supply that establishes the voltage of the electrodes.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
23 words
The flat panel apparatus of claim 4, wherein the voltage divider comprises a resistive coating formed on an exterior surface of the spacer.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
26 words
The flat panel apparatus of claim 7, wherein resistive coating material is selectively removed from the voltage divider to establish the desired voltages on the electrodes,
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
45 words
The flat panel apparatus of claim 3, further comprising: an electrically conductive trace extending from each electrode to a location outside the sealed envelope of the apparatus, wherein material is selectively removed from the trace to establish a desired voltage on each of the electrodes.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
46 words
The flat panel apparatus of claim 1, further comprising: a coating formed on an exterior surface of the spacer, the coating being made of a material that has a secondary emission ratio less than 4 and a sheet resistance between 10 9 and 10 14 Ω/□.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
15 words
The flat panel apparatus of claim 10, wherein the electrodes are formed over the coating.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
15 words
The flat panel apparatus of claim 10, wherein the electrodes are formed under the coating.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
19 words
The flat panel apparatus of claim 3, wherein the electrodes are positioned along substantially equal segments on the spacer.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
19 words
The flat panel apparatus of claim 3, wherein the electrodes are positioned along substantially non-equal segments on the spacer.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
129 words
A flat panel apparatus, comprising: a faceplate; a backplate positioned in an opposing relationship to the faceplate; an enclosure member positioned between the backplate and the faceplate to form a sealed envelope therebetween, the sealed envelope including a phosphor coated emissive area of length L 1 ; a spacer in the envelope supporting the backplate and the faceplate against forces acting in a direction toward the envelope, the spacer having a selectable potential drop across an exterior surface of the spacer; and at least one electrode disposed on the spacer extending a length L 2 along a side of the spacer that is at least equal to L 1 , the voltage of the electrode being controlled to achieve a desired voltage distribution between the backplate and the faceplate.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
129 words
A flat panel apparatus, comprising: a faceplate; a backplate positioned in an opposing relationship to the faceplate; an enclosure member positioned between the backplate and the faceplate to form a sealed envelope therebetween, the sealed envelope including a phosphor coated emissive area of length L 1 ; a spacer in the envelope supporting the backplate and the faceplate against forces acting in a direction toward the envelope, the spacer having a selectable potential drop across an exterior surface of the spacer; and at least one electrode disposed on the spacer extending a length L 2 along a side of the spacer that is at least equal to L 1 , the voltage of the electrode being controlled to achieve a desired voltage distribution between the backplate and the faceplate.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
38 words
The flat panel apparatus of claim 15, wherein the spacer has a height h, and each end of the electrode extends beyond the length L 1 of the active area in an amount of about (1.0 to 1.5)×h.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
29 words
The flat panel apparatus of claim 15, wherein the spacer includes two or more electrodes that are positioned on the spacer in a substantially parallel relationship to each other.
Claim 20
Dependent Claim
19 words
The flat panel apparatus of claim 15, further comprising: a voltage divider that establishes the voltage of each electrode.
Claim 21
Dependent Claim
45 words
The flat panel apparatus of claim 18, wherein the electrode includes at least a first electrode and a second electrode, wherein the first electrode is located nearest to the faceplate than the second electrode and has a synchronized voltage applied to correct for pixel deflections.
Claim 22
Dependent Claim
23 words
The flat panel apparatus of claim 15, wherein the voltage divider comprises a resistive coating formed on an exterior surface of the spacer.
Claim 23
Dependent Claim
26 words
The flat panel apparatus of claim 20, wherein resistive coating material is selectively removed from the voltage divider to establish the desired voltages on the electrodes.
Claim 24
Dependent Claim
45 words
The flat panel apparatus of claim 17, further comprising: an electrically conductive trace extending from each electrode to a location outside the sealed envelope of the apparatus, wherein material is selectively removed from the trace to establish a desired voltage on each of the electrodes.
Claim 25
Dependent Claim
46 words
The flat panel apparatus of claim 15, further comprising: a coating formed on an exterior surface of the spacer, the coating being made of a material that has a secondary emission ratio less than 4 and a sheet resistance between 10 9 and 10 14 Ω/□.
Claim 26
Dependent Claim
15 words
The flat panel apparatus of claim 23, wherein the electrodes are formed over the coating.
Claim 27
Dependent Claim
15 words
The flat panel apparatus of claim 23, wherein the electrodes are formed under the coating.
Claim 28
Dependent Claim
120 words
A flat panel apparatus, comprising: a faceplate; a backplate positioned in an opposing relationship to the faceplate and connected in a sealed relationship to create a sealed envelope therebetween, the sealed envelope including a phosphor coated emissive area of length L 1 ; a spacer in the envelope supporting the backplate and the faceplate against forces acting in a direction toward the envelope; and at least two electrodes disposed on the spacer from opposite ends of the spacer which extend a length L 2 along a side of the spacer that is at least equal to 90% of L 1 , the voltage of the electrodes being controlled to achieve a desired voltage distribution between the backplate and the faceplate.
Claim 29
Dependent Claim
120 words
A flat panel apparatus, comprising: a faceplate; a backplate positioned in an opposing relationship to the faceplate and connected in a sealed relationship to create a sealed envelope therebetween, the sealed envelope including a phosphor coated emissive area of length L 1 ; a spacer in the envelope supporting the backplate and the faceplate against forces acting in a direction toward the envelope; and at least two electrodes disposed on the spacer from opposite ends of the spacer which extend a length L 2 along a side of the spacer that is at least equal to 90% of L 1 , the voltage of the electrodes being controlled to achieve a desired voltage distribution between the backplate and the faceplate.
Claim 30
Dependent Claim
78 words
A flat panel apparatus, comprising: a faceplate; a backplate positioned in an opposing relationship to the faceplate; an enclosure member positioned between the backplate and the faceplate to form a sealed envelope therebetween; a spacer in the envelope supporting the backplate and the faceplate against forces acting in a direction toward the envelope; and at least one electrode disposed on the spacer formed of a material having a sheet resistance of no greater than about 10 7 Ω/□.
Claim 31
Dependent Claim
78 words
A flat panel apparatus, comprising: a faceplate; a backplate positioned in an opposing relationship to the faceplate; an enclosure member positioned between the backplate and the faceplate to form a sealed envelope therebetween; a spacer in the envelope supporting the backplate and the faceplate against forces acting in a direction toward the envelope; and at least one electrode disposed on the spacer formed of a material having a sheet resistance of no greater than about 10 7 Ω/□.
Claim 32
Dependent Claim
27 words
The flat panel apparatus of claim 27, wherein the spacer is formed of a material with a sheet resistance of no greater than about 10 5 Ω/□.
Claim 33
Dependent Claim
22 words
The flat panel apparatus of claim 27, wherein the spacer has a selectable potential drop across an exterior surface of the spacer.
Claim 34
Dependent Claim
27 words
The flat panel apparatus of claim 27, wherein a voltage of the electrode is controlled to achieve a desired voltage distribution between the backplate and the faceplate.
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USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1999-07-02 | 2000-01-01 | 2000-07-02 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 2003-07-02 | 2004-01-01 | 2004-07-02 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2007-07-02 | 2008-01-01 | 2008-07-02 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |