US3742600A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Method for maintaining the separation of plates
Assignee: Research Frontiers Inc
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Filing: 1971-07-26
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Granted: 1973-07-03
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Expires: 1991-07-26
Abstract
Abstract A method and apparatus are disclosed for maintaining a predetermined separation between the walls of light valves, especially when the pressure on the inside of the walls may be less than the pressure on the outside of the same walls (atmospheric pressure). To maintain this separation, a plurality of small chemically inert, non-deformable beads are added to the fluid suspension in the light valve. These beads which have at least one dimension which is the same as the desired spacing between the walls distribute themselves throughout the suspension to prevent the pressure differential from causing the walls to come closer together than the predetermined distance between them and thereby help to assure the proper operation of the light valve.
Inventors
- 👤 F Lowell
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-22 20:32
CPC Classifications
G; G02; G02F; G02F1/00; G02F1/01; G02F1/17; G02F1/172; E; E06; E06B; E06B3/00; E06B3/66; E06B3/67; E06B3/6715; E06B3/6722; Y; Y10; Y10T; Y10T29/00; Y10T29/49; Y10T29/49002; Y10T29/49805
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 12
Claim 1
Independent Claim
98 words
A method of maintaining the proper separation between the walls of a cell, which cell has at least two walls which define a predetermined dimension containing a fluid comprising the steps of: providing small non-reactive bodies in the cell which have at least one dimension substantially equal to the desired predetermined dimension between the walls and which are substantially surrounded by the fluid, and are capable of movement, and applying a force to a wall of the cell by a pressure differential so that the bodies are held between the two walLs to maintain the predetermined dimension therebetween.
Claim 2
Independent Claim
98 words
A method of maintaining the proper separation between the walls of a cell, which cell has at least two walls which define a predetermined dimension containing a fluid comprising the steps of: providing small non-reactive bodies in the cell which have at least one dimension substantially equal to the desired predetermined dimension between the walls and which are substantially surrounded by the fluid, and are capable of movement, and applying a force to a wall of the cell by a pressure differential so that the bodies are held between the two walLs to maintain the predetermined dimension therebetween.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
38 words
The method of claim 1 including the step of applying forces to both walls of the cell in a direction towards each other to cause the pressure differential so that the bodies are held between the two walls.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
53 words
The method of claim 2 wherein the forces are caused by the pressure of the fluid in the cell on one side of a wall being less at a point in the cell than the pressure of the fluid at the corresponding point on the other side of the wall of the cell.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
23 words
The method of claim 3 including the step of adding the bodies to the fluid after the fluid is placed in the cell.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
36 words
The method of claim 4 wherein the pressure in the cell before the application of the forces is a least at one point greater in the cell due to the fluid pressure than outside the cell.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
47 words
The method of claim 5 wherein the pressure of the fluid at at least the point in the cell is reduced so that it is slightly less than the pressure outside the cell by removing some of the fluid from the cell and hermetically sealing the cell.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
42 words
The method of claim 6 wherein the walls of the cell bow outwardly when the pressure of fluid is greater in the cell than on the outside and bow inwardly when the pressure is greater on the outside than on the inside.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
42 words
The method of claim 7 wherein the cell is a light valve and the fluid comprises a fluid suspension containing particles which change their orientation on the application of an electric or magnetic field to affect the radiation passing through the cell.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
18 words
The method of claim 8 wherein the outside pressure is atmospheric pressure and the suspended particles are herapathite.
Claim 11
Independent Claim
180 words
The method of causing at least one wall of a deformed cell having at least two walls which define a predetermined dimension to return substantially to its undeformed condition by reducing the pressure of fluid inside the cell where the pressure of the fluid is at least at one point in the cell, greater than the pressure on the wall of the fluid at a corresponding point on the other side of the wall outside the cell comprising the steps of: providing small non-reactive bodies in the cell which have at least one dimension substantially equal to the desired predetermined dimension between the walls and which are substantially surrounded by the fluid, causing the wall to return to its undeformed condition by reducing the pressure inside the cell by removing fluid until the pressure of the fluid inside the cell at that point is substantially equal to the pressure of the fluid outside the cell at that point, and so that the bodies are held between the two walls to maintain the predetermined dimension therebetween, and hermetically sealing the cell.
Claim 12
Independent Claim
180 words
The method of causing at least one wall of a deformed cell having at least two walls which define a predetermined dimension to return substantially to its undeformed condition by reducing the pressure of fluid inside the cell where the pressure of the fluid is at least at one point in the cell, greater than the pressure on the wall of the fluid at a corresponding point on the other side of the wall outside the cell comprising the steps of: providing small non-reactive bodies in the cell which have at least one dimension substantially equal to the desired predetermined dimension between the walls and which are substantially surrounded by the fluid, causing the wall to return to its undeformed condition by reducing the pressure inside the cell by removing fluid until the pressure of the fluid inside the cell at that point is substantially equal to the pressure of the fluid outside the cell at that point, and so that the bodies are held between the two walls to maintain the predetermined dimension therebetween, and hermetically sealing the cell.
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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) | 1976-07-02 | 1977-01-01 | 1977-07-03 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1980-07-02 | 1981-01-01 | 1981-07-03 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1984-07-02 | 1985-01-01 | 1985-07-03 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |