US3650603A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Liquid crystal light valve containing a mixture of nematic and cholesteric materials in which the light scattering effect is reduced when an electric field is applied
Assignee: RCA Corp
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Filing: 1967-12-05
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Granted: 1972-03-21
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Expires: 1987-12-05
Abstract
Abstract A liquid crystal light valve comprises a mixture of at least one nematic liquid crystal compound of the type that aligns in an electric field, with cholesterol, a cholestrol derivative of a cholesteric liquid crystal and means for applying an electric field to said mixture.
Inventors
- 👤 George H Heilmeier
- 👤 Joel E Goldmacher
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-22 22:08
CPC Classifications
C; C09; C09K; C09K19/00; C09K19/04; C09K19/42; C09K19/50
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 11
Claim 1
Independent Claim
97 words
An electro-optic device comprising: a. spaced plates at least one of which is transparent to light, b. a mixture comprising at least one nematic liquid crystal compound of the type whose molecules align in an electric field in a direction essentially parallel to the direction of an electric field applied thereto, and at least one member of the group consisting of cholesterol, a cholesterol derivative, and a cholesteric liquid crystal, in the space between said supports, and c. electrode means for applying an electric field to said mixture to cause alignment of the nematic liquid crystal molecules.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
63 words
An electro-optic light scattering device comprising: a. a mixture comprising a liquid crystal composition comprising at least one member of the group consisting of cholesterol, a cholesterol derivative, and a cholesteric liquid crystal, and at least one nematic liquid crystal compound selected from the group consistng of p-n-ethoxbenzyldene-p''-amino-benzonitrile, p-n-butoxybenzylidene-p''-aminobenzonitrile, and p-n-octoxybenzylidene-p''-aminobenzonitile, and b. electrode means for applying an electric field to said mixture.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
26 words
The device recited in claim 3 wherein said nematic liquid crystal portion of said mixture comprises between 10 and 90 weight percent of p-n-ethoxybenzylidene-p''-aminobenzonitrile, and p-n-butoxybenzylidene-p''-aminobenzonitrile.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
22 words
The device recited in claim 4 wherein said nematic liquid crystal compound in said mixture comprises equal weights of p-n-ethoxybenzylidene-p''-aminobenzonitrile and p-n-butoxybenzylidene-p''aminobenzonitrile.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
25 words
The device recited in claim 3 wherein said nematic liquid crystal portion of said mixture comprises between 15 and 75 weight percent of p-n-ethoxybenzylidene-p''-aminobenzonitrile, p-n-octoxybenzylidene-p''-aminobenzonitrile.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
23 words
The device recited in claim 5 wherein said nematic liquid crystal compounds in said mixture comprises equal weights of p-n-ethoxybenzylidene-p''-aminobenzonitrile, p-n-butoxybenzylidene-p''-aminobenzonitrile, and p-n-octoxybenzylidene-p''-aminobenzonitrile.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
25 words
The device recited in claim 3 wherein the mixture includes from 5 to 30 weight percent of the combination of cholesteryl oleate and cholesteryl chloride.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
32 words
The device recited in claim 1 wherein the mixture consists of essentially from 5 to 95 weight percent of nematic liquid crystals and from 5 to 95 weight percent of cholesteric material.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
27 words
The light valve recited in claim 1 wherein the nematic liquid crystal portion of the mixture comprises from about 75 to 95 weight percent of the mixture.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
129 words
An electro-optic reflective display device comprising: a. a transparent front support plate, b. a specularly reflective back support plate spaced from and parallel to said front support plate, c. a plurality of parallel transparent conductive strips on said front support plate, d. a plurality of parallel conductive strips on said back support plate running in a direction essentially perpendicular to said transparent conductive strips on said front support plate, and e. a mixture comprising at least one nematic liquid crystal compound of the type that aligns in an electric field with its molecules essentially parallel to the direction of the field, with at least one member of the group consisting of cholesterol, a cholesterol deRivative and a cholesteric liquid crystal, said mixture filling the space between said support plates.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
79 words
An electro-optic light scattering device comprising: a. a mixture comprising a liquid crystal composition comprising at least one member of the group consisting of cholesterol, a cholesterol derivative, and a cholesteric liquid crystal, and at least one nematic liquid crystal compound chosen from the group known as p-n-alkoxybenzylidene-p''-aminobenzonitrile, wherein the nematic liquid crystal portion of said mixture comprises about 75 to 95 weight percent of said mixture, and b. electrode means for applying an electric field to said mixture.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
US3322485A
Cited
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1975-03-21 | 1975-09-20 | 1976-03-21 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1979-03-21 | 1979-09-20 | 1980-03-21 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1983-03-21 | 1983-09-20 | 1984-03-21 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |