US3612657A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Light-intensity control device utilizing oriented particles suspended in a gel
Assignee: Zenith Electronics LLC
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Filing: 1970-06-22
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Granted: 1971-10-12
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Expires: 1990-06-22
Abstract
Abstract An adjustable light-intensity control device utilizes small, essentially flat particles oriented about parallel axes in the general direction of the light to be controlled and which are suspended in a clear loose gel in a suitable light-transmissive container. The light transmissivity of the device is changed by means of a ''''venetian blind'''' effect, with the container being provided with a partition which is moved in a direction transverse to the particle orientation so that the gel may be deformed to present an increasing fraction of the particle cross section to light rays which otherwise would pass through the device unobstructed. A servomechanism may be attached to the partition to make possible such applications as a window automatically adjustably to provide a constant ambient light level.
Inventors
- 👤 Samuel P Sawyer
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-23 17:24
CPC Classifications
G; G02; G02B; G02B26/00; G02B26/02; G02F; G02F1/00; G02F1/01; G02F1/17; G02F1/172
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 7
Claim 1
Independent Claim
122 words
A device for adjustably controlling incident light, comprising: a light-transmissive deformable body having at least one face receptive to incident light; particles of generally planar configuration distributed throughout and fixedly suspended within said body and oriented so that each such planar configuration is oriented in a direction transverse to one of said light-receptive faces; and means for changing the inclination of said particles relative to said one light-receptive face, including a partition positioned generally parallel to said one face within said body and movable relative to said one face in a direction generally parallel to said one face so that said body is deformed and the inclination of the particles is changed thereby varying the transmission of light through said body accordingly.
Claim 2
Independent Claim
122 words
A device for adjustably controlling incident light, comprising: a light-transmissive deformable body having at least one face receptive to incident light; particles of generally planar configuration distributed throughout and fixedly suspended within said body and oriented so that each such planar configuration is oriented in a direction transverse to one of said light-receptive faces; and means for changing the inclination of said particles relative to said one light-receptive face, including a partition positioned generally parallel to said one face within said body and movable relative to said one face in a direction generally parallel to said one face so that said body is deformed and the inclination of the particles is changed thereby varying the transmission of light through said body accordingly.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
24 words
A device as in claim 1, wherein said means for changing the inclination of said particles includes electrically operated means for moving said partition.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
33 words
A device as in claim 1 in which said particles are opaque, with said particles being distributed densely and said partition being movable to effectively stop the transmission of light through said body.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
22 words
A device as in claim 1 in which said particles are reflective and upon movement of said partition incident light is reflected.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
55 words
A device as in claim 1 in which said body is transparent and in which said particles are also oriented parallel to each other to provide full transmissivity to incident light travelling in planes parallel to those of said particles while decreasing transmissivity to incident light travelling in planes transverse to those of said particles.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
65 words
A device as in claim 1 in which: said one light-receptive face is essentially planar, and said body further includes a second planar light-receptive face generally parallel to said one face, with said partition also being essentially planar and positioned within said body between said first and second light-receptive faces, and said particles are oriented in a direction perpendicular to one of said light-receptive faces.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
US3257903A
Cited
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1974-10-11 | 1975-04-12 | 1975-10-12 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1978-10-11 | 1979-04-12 | 1979-10-12 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1982-10-11 | 1983-04-12 | 1983-10-12 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |