Patents Represented by Attorney, Agent or Law Firm Carlos M. Herrera
  • Patent number: 6727638
    Abstract: A method and apparatus for improving magnetic shielding in mask-frame-assemblies. The system includes providing a cathode ray tube, a mask frame assembly disposed within the cathode ray tube and at least one magnetic shield disposed on the edge of the mask frame assembly. These magnetic shields provide shielding for the horizontal component of the terrestrial magnetic field and thus reduces distortion in the picture displayed on the tube.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 22, 2000
    Date of Patent: April 27, 2004
    Assignee: Thomson Licensing S.A.
    Inventors: Cesare De Paolis, Goffredo Antonelli, Giuseppe Giannantonio, Paolo Ginesti
  • Patent number: 6720719
    Abstract: A color cathode-ray tube having an evacuated envelope with an electron gun therein for generating at least one electron beam is disclosed. The envelope further includes a faceplate panel having a luminescent screen with phosphor lines on an interior surface thereof. A tensioned focus mask, having a plurality of spaced-apart strands, is located adjacent to an effective picture area of the screen. The spacing between the strands defines a plurality of slots substantially parallel to the phosphor lines on the screen. Each of the strands has a substantially continuous insulating material layer formed on a screen-facing side thereof. A plurality of cross-wires are oriented substantially perpendicular to the plurality of strands and are bonded thereto by the insulating material layer. The plurality of cross-wires are bonded to busbars (located at opposite ends of the focus mask) with a resistive coating that has adhesive properties.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 6, 2001
    Date of Patent: April 13, 2004
    Assignee: Thomson Licensing S. A.
    Inventors: Donald Walter Bartch, David Paul Ciampa, Samuel Paul Benigni
  • Patent number: 6720722
    Abstract: A color picture tube having a tensioned mask supported by a frame mounted within the tube. The frame is constructed of a carbon steel material, and the mask is constructed of a nickel alloy material that expands substantially less per unit length than does the frame in the normal operating temperature range of the tube, and expands substantially the same per unit length as the frame in the higher thermal cycling temperature range used during tube processing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 13, 2002
    Date of Patent: April 13, 2004
    Assignee: Thomson Licensing S.A.
    Inventors: Rein Roman Mutso, Edward Richard Garrity, Jr., Christopher Lee French
  • Patent number: 6717345
    Abstract: A method and apparatus of maintaining spacing between tension focus mask strands in a tension focus mask. The method includes providing a tension focus mask comprising busbars with crosswires connected therebetween. A permanent adhesive is applied to the screen-side of the mask strands. Next, novel non-permanent horizontal guide members are attached to the gun-side of the mask strands, where an adhesive is applied to the guide member before the guide members are applied to the mask. The guide members maintain the vertical mask strand spacing during: (1) the application of the horizontal crosswires to the screen-side of the mask and (2) the subsequent thermal processing. The thermal processing cures the adhesive on the screen-side of the mask, thereby: (1) permanently attaching the crosswires to the mask strands and (2) volatilizing the adhesive on the gun-side of the mask strands such that the non-permanent guide member detach from the mask strands.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 21, 2000
    Date of Patent: April 6, 2004
    Assignee: Thomson Licensing S.A.
    Inventors: Richard LaPeruta, Jr., Edward Richard Garrity, Jr., Donald Walter Bartch, James Francis Edwards
  • Patent number: 6717344
    Abstract: A cathode-ray tube comprises a color-selection frame/mask assembly, the mask being held under tension by being welded onto the ends of the long sides of the frame, the frame/mask assembly being suspended within the tube with the aid of supports capable of serving to augment the mechanical rigidity of the sides onto which these supports are welded and to cause the long sides of the frame to approach closer to each other during the phases of manufacture at high temperature.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 14, 2000
    Date of Patent: April 6, 2004
    Assignee: Videocolor S.p.A.
    Inventors: Pedro Eugenio Cosma, Carlo Tulli
  • Patent number: 6710531
    Abstract: The invention provides an improved vibration damper for use in a tension mask assembly of a CRT. The improved vibration damper is provided along edges of a tension mask which is attached to a support frame. The vibration damper consists of an elongated strip member having first and second ends mounted to a surface of the tension mask along its borders. A substantial portion of the elongated strip member located between the first and second ends lies in frictional contact with the tension mask to receive vibrations induced in the mask.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 21, 2001
    Date of Patent: March 23, 2004
    Assignee: Thomson Licensing S.A.
    Inventors: Joseph Arthur Reed, Gary Lee Diven
  • Patent number: 6705915
    Abstract: A process for assembling a cathode for electron gun comprising a body of emissive material, a cup into which the body of emissive material is inserted, a substantially cylindrical metal skirt, the said process comprising the following successive steps: insertion of the cup into one of the open ends of the metal skirt, welding of the cup to the skirt, crimping of the body/cup/skirt assembly by lateral squeezing at the level of the weld zone in such a way as to cause an indent-like deformation of the lateral face of the body.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 18, 2002
    Date of Patent: March 16, 2004
    Assignee: Thomson Licensing S.A.
    Inventors: Jean-Luc Ricaud, Jean-Claude Pruvost, Francois Nizery, Jean Remy Adamski
  • Patent number: 6700319
    Abstract: A cathode-ray tube having a luminescent screen on a faceplate panel and a tension mask assembly, wherein the assembly comprises a pair of support blades for supporting a tension mask. The tension mask has a pair of mask borders each being fixed to a respective support blade and a plurality of strands extending between the mask borders. The mask further comprises cross wires extending generally perpendicular to the strands on a screen facing side and at least one shield assembly extending between and attached to the mask borders. The shield assembly has a sheath extending along one side of the mask in contact with at least one strand and a shield attached to the cross wires of the mask in overlapping relation to the sheath.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 29, 2001
    Date of Patent: March 2, 2004
    Assignee: Thomson Licensing S. A.
    Inventors: Joey John Michalchuk, Richard William Nosker
  • Patent number: 6696778
    Abstract: An apparatus and method for terminating crosswires on a tension focus mask. The apparatus includes a set of base segment side rails each having a length and two respective ends. A pair of square tubes attached perpendicular to the respective ends of said base segment side rails to substantially form a rectangle. Also included are a pair of massive side rails having a length and two respective ends mounted above said base segments perpendicularly to said square tubes on each of the side rapid. Beam shield is offered to the massive side rail and insulating members are sandwiched between the side rail and a bus bar. Finally, a tension mask is attached and crosswires are laid and affixed to the bus bar.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 22, 2000
    Date of Patent: February 24, 2004
    Assignee: Thomson Licensing S. A.
    Inventors: James Edward Doty, Joey John Michalchuk, Richard William Nosker
  • Patent number: 6683401
    Abstract: The present invention provides an improved tension mask frame assembly 10 in which mask support members 40 are provided with side walls 42, 46 and a back wall 44 that are held together primarily by means of either tabs formed along an edge of the back wall 48 received into respective apertures 50 in the side wall 42 or by means of a ridge 69 formed in the side wall 62 which abuts the back wall 64.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 13, 2001
    Date of Patent: January 27, 2004
    Assignee: Thomson Licensing S.A.
    Inventors: Istvan Gorog, Walter David Masterton, Alan Weir Bucher
  • Patent number: 6680008
    Abstract: The invention provides a novel compound of materials, which solves the problem of metal diffusion into glass layers during the formation of electrodes on a glass substrate. The invention provides a compound which comprises a powder of a conducting metal or alloy and a powder of a meltable metal or alloy. The use of a metal compound furthermore makes it possible to eliminate a firing step in the electrode formation process. Depending on various embodiments, the compound may furthermore include an adhesion promoter, in order to bond the electrodes to the substrate, a resin and/or a photosensitive substance. The invention also relates to a process for manufacturing a plasma panel using the said compound, and to a plasma panel obtained by the said process.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 18, 2000
    Date of Patent: January 20, 2004
    Assignee: Thomson Plasma
    Inventor: Guy Baret
  • Patent number: 6680563
    Abstract: A color picture tube (10) has a tensioned mask (24) supported by a support frame (28) mounted within the tube. The mask has a significantly lower coefficient of thermal expansion than the frame. Intermediate members (48) are located between the mask and the frame. The intermediate members are of a material having a coefficient of thermal expansion similar to that of the mask. The frame has elongated tabs (46) extending therefrom. Each of the tabs is attached at one end thereof to the remaining portion of the frame. The distal ends of the tabs are welded to the intermediate members.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 27, 2001
    Date of Patent: January 20, 2004
    Assignee: Thomson Licensing S.A.
    Inventors: Joseph Arthur Reed, Gary Lee Diven
  • Patent number: 6678222
    Abstract: The present invention relates to an apparatus for reading from and/or writing to optical recording media with optical scanner, light source, focusing means, tilting-detection device and tilting-compensation device. The object of the invention is to propose an apparatus and a method, which enables optimum compensation of tilting using as few apparatus functions as possible. This is achieved according to the invention by using a tilting-detection device comprising an optical grating, a detector element, a control device for controlling light source and the focusing means and a control device controlling for the tilting-compensation device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 26, 2000
    Date of Patent: January 13, 2004
    Assignee: Thomson Licensing, S.A.
    Inventors: Heinz-Jörg Schröder, Lieu Kim Dang
  • Patent number: 6677700
    Abstract: A color cathode-ray tube has an evacuated envelope with an electron gun therein for generating an electron beam. The envelope further includes a faceplate panel having a luminescent screen with phosphor elements on an interior surface thereof. A focus mask, having a plurality of spaced-apart first conductive strands, is located adjacent to an effective picture area of the screen. The spacing between the first conductive strands defines a plurality of apertures substantially parallel to the phosphor elements on the screen. Each of the first conductive strands has a substantially continuous insulating material layer formed on a screen-facing side thereof. A plurality of second conductive wires are oriented substantially perpendicular to the plurality of first conductive strands and are bonded thereto by the insulating material layer. The insulating material layer is partially or slightly conductive to an extent sufficient to prevent an accumulation of a significant electrical charge.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 22, 2000
    Date of Patent: January 13, 2004
    Assignee: Thomson Licensing S. A.
    Inventors: Samuel Paul Benigni, Wilber Clarence Stewart, Philip Michael Heyman, Richard William Nosker
  • Patent number: 6674224
    Abstract: A color cathode-ray tube (CRT) having an evacuated envelope with an electron gun therein for generating at least one electron beam is disclosed. The envelope further includes a faceplate panel having a luminescent screen with phosphor lines on an interior surface thereof. A tension focus mask, having a plurality of spaced-apart first electrodes, is located adjacent to an effective picture area of the screen. The plurality of spaced-apart first electrodes has a screen-facing side having a predetermined width and a relatively wider electron-gun-facing side. Each side forming sharp corner edges extending along the length of each first electrodes. A substantially continuous insulating material is deposited on the screen-facing side and on the corners of the first electrodes to shield the sharp corner edges of the first electrodes. A plurality of second electrodes are oriented substantially perpendicular to the plurality of first electrodes and are bonded thereto by the insulating material layer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 6, 2001
    Date of Patent: January 6, 2004
    Assignee: Thomson Licensing S.A.
    Inventors: Edward Richard Garrity, Jr., Kevin Duane Close, Steven Anthony Colbert, Richard LaPeruta, Jr., David Paul Ciampa, Samuel Paul Benigni
  • Patent number: 6674232
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a getter placement and attachment assembly for securing and placement of the getter along the major axis of a CRT. The getter placement and attachment assembly includes a getter spring for removably securing the getter to an internal magnetic shield affixed to the frame of the color selection electrode or mask frame of a CRT. The internal magnetic shield has sidewalls enclosures with a plurality of apertures therethrough along the major axis of the CRT to permit optimum deposition of a getter film within the CRT.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 13, 2000
    Date of Patent: January 6, 2004
    Assignee: Thomson Licensing S. A.
    Inventors: Stephen Thomas Opresko, James Francis Edwards, Kelly Eugene Hamm, Lynn Adin Shively
  • Patent number: 6670746
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a cathode ray tube (CRT) having an improved electrical connector. An electrical connector is provided for detachably coupling an electrical lead to the electron gun through the neck of the CRT. The connector has a through passage defined by a diameter greater than the diameter of the neck. The neck is inserted in the passage and the connector is secured to the outer surface of the neck. Adjacent the passage is a plurality of integral resilient leaf springs extending toward the stem at a plurality of circumferentially spaced locations. The leaf spring elements include base elements for terminal engagement and tip ends projecting and bias toward the electrical leads of the electron gun to provide electrical connection to the cathode ray tube. The passage of the connector is preferably defined by an opening in a printed circuit board or other electrical terminal contact from which the leaf springs extend.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 12, 2001
    Date of Patent: December 30, 2003
    Assignee: Thomson Licensing S.A.
    Inventor: Istvan Gorog
  • Patent number: 6669525
    Abstract: A method of cleaning the neck of a funnel of a CRT during the manufacture thereof. The method comprises: inserting a drain tube within the neck, wherein a gap exists between the drain tube and the neck; directing a fluid through the gap; and draining the fluid that was directed through the gap through the drain tube, whereby the fluid removes material from the neck that was applied during a prior coating process and any dirt. The drain tube is part of a cleaning apparatus that further comprises a housing and a labyrinth flow controller positioned within the housing adjacent to the drain tube forming a laminar flow section whereby fluid is directed through the housing and into the tube.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 29, 2001
    Date of Patent: December 30, 2003
    Assignee: Thomson Licensing S.A.
    Inventors: John Stephen Farrah, Donald Walter Bartch, Leonard Pratt Wilbur, Jr.
  • Patent number: 6650037
    Abstract: The invention provides a CRT having a funnel sealed at one end to a faceplate panel with a luminescent screen on an interior surface thereof, a mask assembly supported within the CRT and in proximity to the screen, the faceplate panel having a plurality of peripheral sidewalls each having an inside surface. The CRT also includes a plurality of studs, with at least one stud affixed in each of the corners of inside surface of the sidewalls. A plurality of springs engage the corner studs, to support the mask assembly within the CRT; at least one additional stud is affixed along the inside surface of one sidewall and a shim is attached around the additional stud. On the mask assembly at least one bracket is positioned to have a slot into which the shim is loosely engaged, thereby mitigating motion in a plane parallel to the interior sidewall.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 20, 2002
    Date of Patent: November 18, 2003
    Assignee: Thomson Licensing S.A.
    Inventors: Joseph Arthur Reed, Gary Lee Diven, Louis Emmanuel Matalon, Kelly Eugene Hamm, Steven William Haun
  • Patent number: 6650038
    Abstract: Cathode-ray tube (1) comprising a frame/mask assembly for selecting colors having a mask (8) and a frame (19), the mask being held under tension by being attached to ends of long sides (9) of the frame, the frame/mask assembly being suspended inside the tube using support means (10) which are able to increase the mechanical rigidity of the frame by support means having longitudinal dimples (40) which cause the long sides of the frame to come together during the high-temperature manufacturing phases.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 10, 2002
    Date of Patent: November 18, 2003
    Inventors: Carlo Tulli, Paolo Ginesti, Pedro Eugenio Cosma, Alessio Masi