US3667039A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Electricity measurement devices employing liquid crystalline materials
Assignee: National Aeronautics and Space Administration
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Filing: 1970-06-17
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Granted: 1972-05-30
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Expires: 1990-06-17
Abstract
Abstract Disclosed are measuring instruments utilizing liquid crystalline elements that exhibit visible change in response to input signals above given threshold levels. By applying the input signals nonuniformly so that the threshold value is exceeded in only certain portions of the liquid crystalline element, visible discontinuities are created therein. The locations of these discontinuities are made dependent on the magnitudes of the input signals, direct readouts of which are provided by suitably calibrated indicia.
Inventors
- 👤 Andre Garfein
- 👤 Wilhelm Rindner
- 👤 David C Rubin
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-23 03:35
CPC Classifications
G; G02; G02F; G02F1/00; G02F1/01; G02F1/13; G02F1/132; G01; G01R; G01R13/00; G01R13/40
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 8
Claim 1
Independent Claim
176 words
Voltage indicating apparatus comprising: a housing for retaining liquid crystalline material, said housing having transparent wall means that allows visual observation of said liquid crystalline material and said housing having a readout axis; a body of liquid crystalline material distributed along the readout axis and filling the housing, said material having a voltage input transistion threshhold which when exceeded by an applied field strength causes said material to change optical properties; electrode means including a plurality of electrodes extending along said readout axis on opposite sides of said body of liquid crystalline material to direct an electrical field therethrough non-uniformly to exceed said transistion threshold field strength of the material progressively as the field is increased and; electrical contact means including a plurality of contacts for connection to a source under test connected to said electrode means, at least one of said electrodes being connected to said contacts at opposite ends of said readout axis so as to produce a substantial voltage drop along said axis upon connection of said contacts to said source under test.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
176 words
Voltage indicating apparatus comprising: a housing for retaining liquid crystalline material, said housing having transparent wall means that allows visual observation of said liquid crystalline material and said housing having a readout axis; a body of liquid crystalline material distributed along the readout axis and filling the housing, said material having a voltage input transistion threshhold which when exceeded by an applied field strength causes said material to change optical properties; electrode means including a plurality of electrodes extending along said readout axis on opposite sides of said body of liquid crystalline material to direct an electrical field therethrough non-uniformly to exceed said transistion threshold field strength of the material progressively as the field is increased and; electrical contact means including a plurality of contacts for connection to a source under test connected to said electrode means, at least one of said electrodes being connected to said contacts at opposite ends of said readout axis so as to produce a substantial voltage drop along said axis upon connection of said contacts to said source under test.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
22 words
Voltage indicating apparatus according to claim 1 including graduated readout indicia disposed on said housing means and distributed along said readout axis.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
29 words
Voltage indicating apparatus according to claim 2 wherein said one electrode is formed from a transparent material so as to permit visual observation therethrough of said liquid crystalline body.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
23 words
Voltage indicating apparatus according to claim 1 wherein said liquid crystalline body has a nonuniform thickness separating said electrodes along said readout axis.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
22 words
Voltage indicating apparatus according to claim 4 including graduated readout indicia disposed on said housing means and distributed along said readout axis.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
29 words
Voltage indicating apparatus according to claim 5 wherein said one electrode is formed from a transparent material so as to permit visual observation therethrough of said liquid crystalline body.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
31 words
Voltage indicating apparatus according to claim 6 wherein said non-uniform thickness of said liquid crystalline body varies in a uniform sense from one end of said readout axis to the other.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1975-05-30 | 1975-11-29 | 1976-05-30 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1979-05-30 | 1979-11-29 | 1980-05-30 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1983-05-30 | 1983-11-29 | 1984-05-30 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |