Patents Examined by Michael Day
  • Patent number: 5811928
    Abstract: A display having first and second substrates positioned in a juxtaposed relationship to one another. The first and second substrates have a spherical configuration including conforming inner concave and convex surfaces of the first and second substrates, respectfully, and an outer concave surface of the second substrates. Electrically activated display elements are formed on the conforming inner concave and convex surfaces of the first and second substrates so that images produced by the display elements can be viewed from the concave surface of the second substrate. The first and second substrates are connected to one another with a peripheral vacuum seal sealing the display elements between the first and second substrates. The concave viewing surface eliminates the effects of glare.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 21, 1997
    Date of Patent: September 22, 1998
    Assignee: The BOC Group, Inc.
    Inventor: Russell J. Hill
  • Patent number: 5811943
    Abstract: A linear accelerator for charged particles includes a plurality of accelerating stages in a linear arrangement along a central axis. Each accelerating stage has at least one passageway radially spaced from the central axis for transmitting a beam of charged particles. Electromagnetic wave energy is coupled to the accelerating stages to produce an accelerating electric field in a region of the passageway of each of the accelerating stages. Coupling circuits couple the electromagnetic wave energy between adjacent accelerating stages. Each accelerating stage may be configured as an annular accelerating cavity or as two or more accelerating cavities disposed around the central axis. The passageway may be configured as two or more discrete apertures or a single annular aperture. Beam bending devices may be used to direct the charged particle beam through the accelerator two or more times. The linear accelerator produces a high current, high energy charged particle beam.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 23, 1996
    Date of Patent: September 22, 1998
    Assignee: Schonberg Research Corporation
    Inventors: Andrey Mishin, Russell G. Schonberg
  • Patent number: 5811923
    Abstract: The present invention is directed to methods and apparatus for enhancing the performance of visual display units which utilize plasma display panels. More specifically, the present invention provides methods and apparatus for providing an optically enhancing/noise suppressing device for positioning in front of the viewing surface of a plasma display panel. The device also increases the impact resistance of the PDP. The device of the present invention is manufactured separately from the PDP. The device may be provided with attachment means for securing the device to the surface of the visual display unit in a position in front of the viewing surface of the PDP or may be designed to be free-hanging, i.e., suspended, or otherwise positioned in front of the viewing surface of the PDP.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 23, 1996
    Date of Patent: September 22, 1998
    Assignee: Optical Coating Laboratory, Inc.
    Inventors: Jaroslaw Zieba, James W. Seeser, Michael Cumbo, William T. Beauchamp, Robert Scanlon, Curtis Hruska
  • Patent number: 5811917
    Abstract: Structured surface, having a support layer and, connected electrically to it, peak-shaped elements each peak-shaped element exhibiting a cylindrical or conical shaped stem region adjacent to the support layer and at least two, preferably 2 to 4 peaks at the free end of the stem region. The structured surface is suitable in particular as electron emission source for ultra-flat image screens, for electron lithography or for scanning or transmission microscopy.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 9, 1996
    Date of Patent: September 22, 1998
    Assignee: Alusuisse Technology & Management Ltd.
    Inventors: Kurt Sekinger, Harald Fuchs, Jean-Fran.cedilla.ois Paulet, Roman Fuchs
  • Patent number: 5811935
    Abstract: A discharge lamp includes a first and a second substrate (12, 14), a cavity disposed in the first substrate (12) or in a portion of the first and a second substrate (12, 14), a first and a second aligned electrode (270, 272) disposed between the first and a second substrate (12, 14) having respective ends extending into the cavity, wherein the first and the second aligned electrode (270, 272) are "T-shaped" when viewed in cross-section. The T-shaped electrodes provide mechanical support that minimizes bending and distortion in the horizontal and vertical directions. The discharge lamp may include a charge of mercury or an inert gas, and may further include a phosphor layer (80).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 26, 1996
    Date of Patent: September 22, 1998
    Assignee: Philips Electronics North America Corporation
    Inventors: Ronald D. Pinker, Thomas F. McGee, III, David Alan Cammack, Babar Ali Khan
  • Patent number: 5808403
    Abstract: A microtip cathode for flat panel display screens has a constant access resistance and includes a substrate (10), a resistive layer (19), at least one cathode conductor (13), an insulating layer (16), and a control gate (3). The microtip cathode further includes an auxiliary insulating layer (18) disposed between the cathode conductor (13) and the insulating layer (16) to suppress needle hole effects in the insulating layer (16).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 4, 1995
    Date of Patent: September 15, 1998
    Assignee: Pixel International S.A.
    Inventor: Jean-Frederic Clerc
  • Patent number: 5808413
    Abstract: A flat display device preferably of the PALC type in which the plasma channels are defined by walls of an organic material, preferably a polyimide material. A protective layer is provided over the polyimide walls to prevent deterioration. Spaced electrode portions are preferably provided on facing surfaces of the walls. The preferred method is to lay down a thick layer of polyimide material and a thin resist over the polyimide layer, pattern the resist, and then use the resist to pattern the polyimide layer in the shape of the desired walls. The walls are then covered with a thin dielectric sheet-like member to form the plasma channels.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 10, 1997
    Date of Patent: September 15, 1998
    Assignee: Philips Electronics North America Corporation
    Inventors: Petrus Franciscus Gerardus Bongaerts, Henri R. J. R. Van Helleputte, Adrianus Leonardus Josephus Burgmans, Jacob Bruinink, Babar Ali Khan, Karel Elbert Kuijk
  • Patent number: 5808408
    Abstract: A plasma display has a plurality of discharge cells arranged in a matrix. The discharge cells are formed of an air-tight space sealed by a support substrate, a cathode electrode, and a glass substrate, and storing a discharge gas, e.g., He--Ne, Ne--Xe, He--Xe, or the like. The distance among the cells, i.e., the width of each partition wall formed of the substrate is set to about 0.1 .mu.m to 300 .mu.m. An emitter for emitting electrons, and a counter electrode are disposed in the cell. The counter electrode is disposed on the glass substrate to oppose the emitter. The distal end portion of the emitter is sharp to have a radius of curvature of about 1 .mu.m to 100 .mu.m at its distal end.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 26, 1997
    Date of Patent: September 15, 1998
    Assignee: Kabushiki Kaisha Toshiba
    Inventor: Masayuki Nakamoto
  • Patent number: 5804913
    Abstract: A cathode ray tube (1) including an electron gun (6) for generating at least one electron beam and a deflection unit for deflecting the electron beam(s) across a display screen. The deflection unit (11) includes a first system (21) and a second system (22, 32) of saddle-shaped deflection coils. Which are interconnected via connecting pieces (41, 51, 63, 64) which are flexibly arranged with respect to each other.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 1, 1996
    Date of Patent: September 8, 1998
    Assignee: U.S. Philips Corporation
    Inventors: Antonius P. M. Grubben, Edward P. V. Maesen, Johannes H. F. C. Sieben
  • Patent number: 5798605
    Abstract: The thin-type display device (1) with a vacuum envelope has a transparent front wall (3), which is provided with a display screen, and at least an electron source (5) and a duct structure, which cooperates with the electron source (5) and which extends substantially parallel to the front wall (3). Ducts (6, 6', 6") of the duct structure serve as electron-propagation means and are provided with walls (11, 11', 11") of an electrically insulating material having a secondary emission coefficient which is suitable for electron propagation. In the display device (1) 1.ltoreq.s/w.ltoreq.5 and s.multidot.w.gtoreq.5 mm.sup.2, where s is the depth of the ducts (6, 6', 6") and w is the width of the ducts (6, 6', 6"). Preferably, the width w.gtoreq.1.5 mm and the depth 3.5.ltoreq.s.ltoreq.15 mm. The voltage difference over the length of the ducts (6, 6', 6"), measured parallel to the front wall (3), is less than 75 V/cm, preferably less than 40 V/cm.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 10, 1997
    Date of Patent: August 25, 1998
    Assignee: U.S. Philips Corporation
    Inventors: Nicolaas Lambert, Theunis S. Baller, Gerardus G. P. Van Gorkom, Edwin A. Montie, Petrus H. F. Trompenaars, Siebe T. De Zwart
  • Patent number: 5793157
    Abstract: A cathode ray tube has a cathode structure including a cathode body comprised of porous refractory metal impregnated with electron-emissive material, a metal cup for containing the cathode body therein, a metal sleeve having a closed end and mounting a heater therein, a cylindrical metal eyelet and a plurality of thin metal wires stretched across one end of the metal eyelet and suspending the metal cup and the metal sleeve concentrically with and in the cylindrical metal eyelet. The metal cup and the closed end of the metal sleeve are fixed with the plurality of thin metal wires interposed therebetween, and ends of the plurality of thin metal wires are welded to a metal flange formed at the one end of the metal eyelet. The metal cup can be welded to the closed end of the metal sleeve by an electron beam with the plurality of thin metal wires interposed therebetween.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 14, 1996
    Date of Patent: August 11, 1998
    Assignees: Hitachi, Ltd., Hitachi Electronic Devices Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Hiroshi Takakura, Takashi Kono, Michihide Shibata, Yasuhiko Nonaka
  • Patent number: 5793151
    Abstract: A spark plug in use for an internal combustion engine, includes an insulator placed in a metal shell in a manner to extend its front end beyond the metal shell, a center electrode is placed within an axial bore provided by the insulator, an outer electrode which is welded to a front end of the metal shell is so bent that a firing end of the outer electrode faces a front end of the insulator with a space therebetween to cause surface-spark discharges along a front end surface of the insulator and to cause a semi-surface spark discharge between the center electrode and the outer electrode, the front end of the center electrode is protroacted from a front end of the insulator by at most than 0.5 mm or retracted from the front end of the insulator by at most than 1.0 mm, and the firing end of the outer electrode is in line with the front end surface of the insulator, thereby optimizing a carbon-deposit cleaning performance of the spark plug with the semi-surface spark discharge, according to the invention.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 20, 1996
    Date of Patent: August 11, 1998
    Assignee: NGK Spark Plug Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Junichi Kagawa, Kozo Amano, Yoshihiro Matsubara
  • Patent number: 5789858
    Abstract: A fluorescent display device capable of being sealed while being evacuated to a high vacuum without independently forming any evacuation hole at an electrode formation section of a substrate of an envelope. A cathode substrate is sealedly formed of an electrode formation section of a large plate-like shape provided thereon with a field emission cathode, an evacuation section of a small plate-like shape formed with a cutout, and a seal member. An anode substrate on which a display section is spacedly arranged oppositely to the cathode substrate. A getter chamber including an evacuation tube is connected to the evacuation hole. Thus, the present invention eliminate independent formation of any specific evacuation at the electrode formation section, to thereby prevent damage and contamination of the substrates.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 4, 1996
    Date of Patent: August 4, 1998
    Assignee: Futaba Denshi Kogyo K.K.
    Inventors: Shigeo Itoh, Takeshi Tonegawa, Mikio Yokoyama, Yuuich Kogure
  • Patent number: 5789849
    Abstract: A fluorescent lamp, particularly of annular shape, with a tube-shaped disrge vessel has a base with contact pins, in which the two ends of the vessel face each other. The contact pins are essentially arranged in the annular plane of the lamp on both sides of the base. The mount belonging thereto has a U-shaped profile. The arms of the mount are provided with recesses for taking up and making contact with the contact pins of the base. This makes possible a linear motion when inserting the base into the mount. Retaining springs on the mount and recesses on the base belonging thereto make possible a locking of the base with the mount. Another advantage is the small structural height of the lamp including the mount.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 14, 1997
    Date of Patent: August 4, 1998
    Assignee: Patent-Treuhand-Gesellschaft fur elektrische Gluehlampen mbH
    Inventors: Horst Porembski, Andreas Hollstein
  • Patent number: 5783914
    Abstract: The present invention provides apparatus for acceleration of a charged particle beam which includes energy means for altering the energy of a circulating beam circulating in the apparatus and means for extracting output beams from the apparatus. Control means are arranged to be operable to alter the energy of the circulating beam using the energy means so as to be able to extract output beams of at least two energies from the apparatus using the means for extracting. Thus there is provided an accelerator, and an extraction method therefor, which is capable of extracting a small diameter beam having a varying energy level. This facilitates improved medical irradiation treatment using the beam.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 17, 1997
    Date of Patent: July 21, 1998
    Assignee: Hitachi, Ltd.
    Inventors: Kazuo Hiramoto, Junichi Hirota, Masahiro Tadokoro, Hiroaki Sakurabata
  • Patent number: 5783905
    Abstract: The invention generally relates to the technical field of devices using the effect to emit electrons out of a solid into vacuum due to high electric field strength. Such devices are usually called field emission devices. The invention relates more specifically to the structure of a field emission device, to the method of fabricating a field emission device, and to the use of a multitude of field emission devices in the technical field of flat panel displays. The inventive structure of a field emission device (15) comprises an individual series resistor for each electron emitting tip (1), wherein the series resistor is formed by the tip (1) itself. The tip (1) comprises a body (9) of a first material with high resistivity and an at least partial coating (7) of a second material with low work function, wherein the body (9) of the first material forms the series resistor and the coating (7) of the second material provides for electron emission.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 27, 1996
    Date of Patent: July 21, 1998
    Assignee: International Business Machines Corporation
    Inventors: Johann Greschner, Peter Pleshko, Gerhard Schmid
  • Patent number: 5783907
    Abstract: A high pressure discharge lamp including: (1) a ceramic discharge tube having an interior space filled with an ionizable light-emitting material and a starting gas, the ceramic discharge tube including a main body and at least one end portion connected to an end of the main body, a corner being formed between an inner surface of the main body and an inner surface of the at least one end portion; (2) a sealing member at least partially fixed inside the at least one end portion, a through-hole being formed through the sealing member; and (3) a current conductor inserted through the through-hole of the sealing member, wherein a storing recess for storing said ionizable light-emitting material as a liquid phase therein is formed at a surface of the sealing member on a side of the interior space.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 11, 1996
    Date of Patent: July 21, 1998
    Assignee: NGK Insulators, Ltd.
    Inventors: Go Suzuki, Norikazu Niimi
  • Patent number: 5780960
    Abstract: An electron emission apparatus comprising a gate emitter 6 formed as a conductive plate having an aperture 22 and an electron emitter structure 30 formed adjacent the aperture, the electron emission structure 30 having a void defining an emission surface.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 18, 1996
    Date of Patent: July 14, 1998
    Assignee: Texas Instruments Incorporated
    Inventor: Kenneth G. Vickers
  • Patent number: 5780959
    Abstract: An improved cathode structure for a cathode ray tube includes a first metal tube which can receive an emission part and a heating element, a second metal tube constituting the cathode shielding, and means for retaining the first tube in position inside the second, wherein the retaining means are constituted by a single metal piece. In a preferential mode of implementation, the metal retention piece is constituted by a crown having branches extending in the direction of the axis of the crown.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 3, 1996
    Date of Patent: July 14, 1998
    Assignee: Thomson Tubes and Displays, S.A.
    Inventors: Jean-Claude Pruvost, Jean-Remy Adamski
  • Patent number: 5773924
    Abstract: A color cathode ray tube includes an envelope having a front panel and a funnel joined to periphery of the front panel; a phosphor screen disposed on an inner surface of the front panel; a shadow mask disposed to face the phosphor screen and having a plurality of apertures for passing electron beams; an electron gun disposed in a neck of the funnel and emitting the electron beams toward the shadow mask; and a magnetic shield disposed within the envelope and surrounding a path along which the electron beams travel. The magnetic shield has a first side plate, a third side plate facing the first side plate, a second side plate, a fourth side portion facing the second side plate, a first opening on the side of the shadow mask, and a second opening on the side of the electron gun, thereby forming almost a hollow frustum of quadrangular pyramid, and only each of the first and third side plates has notches in the vicinity of both ends of edges of the first and third side plates on the side of the second opening.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 2, 1996
    Date of Patent: June 30, 1998
    Assignee: Mitsubishi Denki Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventor: Kouji Nakamura