Patents by Inventor Michael Hird
Michael Hird has filed for patents to protect the following inventions. This listing includes patent applications that are pending as well as patents that have already been granted by the United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO).
-
Patent number: 7910018Abstract: Liquid crystal compounds of Formula (I) for use in liquid crystal devices contains a dioxatetralin unit within the mesogenic liquid crystal core. The dioxatetralin unit may be located at any position within the mesogenic core of the liquid crystal compound, either at the terminus of the liquid crystal core or alternatively substantially in the middle of the liquid crystal core. The compounds of the invention exhibit fast switching and may be used in liquid crystal mixtures for particular use in imaging or display media, such as monitors or televisions.Type: GrantFiled: November 1, 2005Date of Patent: March 22, 2011Assignee: Qinetiq LimitedInventors: Rachel P Tuffin, Stephane Trombotto, John W Goodby, Michael Hird
-
Publication number: 20090066905Abstract: Liquid crystal compounds of Formula (I) for use in liquid crystal devices contains a dioxatetralin unit within the mesogenic liquid crystal core. The dioxatetralin unit may be located at any position within the mesogenic core of the liquid crystal compound, either at the terminus of the liquid crystal core or alternatively substantially in the middle of the liquid crystal core. The compounds of the invention exhibit fast switching and may be used in liquid crystal mixtures for particular use in imaging or display media, such as monitors or televisions.Type: ApplicationFiled: November 1, 2005Publication date: March 12, 2009Inventors: Rachel Patricia Tuffin, John William Goodby, Michael Hird, Stephane Trombotto
-
Patent number: 7462427Abstract: The use of a mesogenic compound having a terminal end chain comprising carbon, oxygen, or sulphur, which has at least one pendent C1-4alkyl, C1-4alkoxy or a cycloalkyl ring, arranged no more than 6 atoms from the end of the chain either decreasing the melting point, increasing the clearing point, increasing the speed of switching and/or increasing the tilt angle of a liquid crystal mixture. Examples of such compounds are of formula (I) where M is a mesogenic core group, and X and Y are terminal groups, provided that at least one group X or Y is a group of sub-formula (i) where Z1, Z2, R1, R2, R3, R4, R5, R6, R7, s, q, m and n are as defined in the specification. Novel compounds of formula (I) are also described and claimed.Type: GrantFiled: September 12, 2002Date of Patent: December 9, 2008Assignee: Qinetiq LimitedInventors: John W Goodby, Michael Hird, Kenneth J Toyne, Guirec Y Cosquer, Stephen J Cowling, Neil Gough
-
Patent number: 7351452Abstract: A compound of formula (I) or a dimer thereof; where R1 and R2 are independently selected from optionally substituted alkyl, optionally substitituted alkenyl, optionally substituted alkynyl, a functional group or a group of sub-formula (i) —(O)m—(CH2)p—R7??(i) where m is 0 or 1; p is an integer of from 1 to 12; R7 is a group of formula —CqX2q+1 where q is an integer of from 1 to 12 and X is halogen such as fluoro, or R7 a group of sub-formula (ii) where k is an integer of from 1 to 10, R8, R10, and R12 and each R9 and R11 are independently selected from alkyl, alkenyl or aryl, such as lower alkyl and in particular methyl; provided that at least one of R1 or R2 is a group of sub-formula (i); R3, R4, R5 and R6 are independently selected from hydrogen or halogen, and in particular fluorine, n is 0 or 1, and A is a ring structure as specified. Compounds of formula (I) may have liquid crystal properties and/or be useful in liquid crystal devices.Type: GrantFiled: November 7, 2002Date of Patent: April 1, 2008Assignee: Qinetiq LimitedInventors: John W Goodby, Michael Hird, Kenneth J Toyne, Chu C Dong, Robert D. C Richards
-
Publication number: 20050001200Abstract: A compound of formula (I) or a dimer thereof; where R1 and R2 are independently selected from optionally substituted alkyl, optionally substituted alkenyl, optionally substituted alkynyl, a functional group or a group of sub-formula (i) where m is 0 or 1; p is an integer of from 1 to 12; R7 is a group of formula —CqX2q+1 where q is an integer of from 1 to 12 and X is halogen such as fluoro, or 7 a group of sub-formula (ii) where k is an integer of from 1 to 10, R8, R10, and R12 and each R9 and R11 are independently selected from alkyl, alkenyl or aryl, such as lower alkyl and in particular methyl; provided that at least one of R1 or R2 is a group of sub-formula (i); R3, R4, R5 and R6 are independently selected from hydrogen or halogen, and in particular fluorine, n is 0 or 1, and A is a ring structure as specified. Compounds of formula (I) may have liquid crystal properties and/or be useful in liquid crystal devices.Type: ApplicationFiled: November 7, 2002Publication date: January 6, 2005Inventors: John Goodby, Michael Hird, Kenneth Toyne, Chu Dong, Robert Richards
-
Publication number: 20040206933Abstract: The use of a mesogenic compound having a terminal end chain comprising carbon, oxygen, or sulphur, which has at least one pendent C1-4alkyl, C1-4alkoxy or a cycloalkyl ring, arranged no more than 6 atoms from the end of the chain either decreasing the melting point, increasing the clearing point, increasing the speed of switching and/or increasing the tilt angle of a liquid crystal mixture. Examples of such compounds are of formula (I) where M is a mesogenic core group, and X and Y are terminal groups, provided that at least one group X or Y is a group of sub-formula (i) where Z1, Z2, R1, R2, R3, R4, R5, R6, R7, s, q, m and n are as defined in the specification. Novel compounds of formula (I) are also described and claimed.Type: ApplicationFiled: April 29, 2004Publication date: October 21, 2004Inventors: John W Goodby, Michael Hird, Kenneth J Toyne, Guirec Y Cosquer, Stephen J Cowling, Neil Gough
-
Patent number: 6391397Abstract: A fluorinated phenyl compound having the general formula [1]: wherein each of s, v and x=0 or 1, each of t and u=1, 2 or 3, and each of y and z=0, 1 or 2; A, B and C are independently selected from conjugated cyclic moieties including heterorings and fused rings; R1 and R3 may be independently cyano, or (C1-C12)alkyl, (C1-C12)alkoxy, (C1-C11) alkoxycarbonyl or (C1-C11)alkylcarbonyloxy which may be fluoro- and/or cyano-substituted; R2=H or F; R4=H or F; and R5=H or F. Such compounds have high transverse dipole moments and are potentially useful in liquid crystal compositions and in devices including same.Type: GrantFiled: April 5, 2000Date of Patent: May 21, 2002Assignees: Sharp Kabushiki Kaisha, The Secretary of State for Defence in Her Britannic Majesty's Government of the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern IrelandInventors: John Clifford Jones, Ian Charles Sage, John William Goodby, Michael Hird, Robert Andrew Lewis, Kenneth Johnson Toyne
-
Publication number: 20020011588Abstract: A liquid crystalline compounds:Type: ApplicationFiled: August 2, 2001Publication date: January 31, 2002Inventors: Kenneth Johnson Toyne, John William Goodby, Alexander Seed, George William Gray, Damien Gerad McDonnel, Edward Peter Raynes, Sally Elizabeth Day, Kenneth John Harrison, Michael Hird
-
Patent number: 6337420Abstract: An electroclinic device having two spaced cell walls each bearing electrode structures and treated on at least one facing surface with an alignment layer, a layer of a smectic liquid crystal material enclosed between the cell walls, where the liquid crystal material contains one or more of the compounds described by formula I as defined in the specification.Type: GrantFiled: March 7, 2000Date of Patent: January 8, 2002Assignee: The Secretary of State for Defence in Her Britannic Majesty's Government of the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland Defence Evaluation Research AgencyInventors: Andrew John Slaney, Damien Gerard McDonnell, Amarjit Kaur Samra, Maurice Stanley, Victoria Minter, John William Goodby, Michael Hird, Simon John Cross, Chu Chuan Dong
-
Patent number: 6291034Abstract: Liquid crystal compounds of formula (I) are described, where formula (I) is given as R1—A—(X)m—(B)n—R2 where A is selected from naphthyl, fluorinated naphthyl, brominated naphthyl, B is selected from phenyl, methylated phenyl, brominated phenyl, fluorinated phenyl, thiophene, pyrimidine and pyridine. R1 and R2 are independently selected from alkyl, alkoxy, akynyl, thioalkyl, Br, CN, SCN, NCS, perfluoroalkyl, perfluoroalkoxy and hydrogen, X is selected from C≡C, COO and C≡C, m is 0 or 1, n is 0 or 1 where m is 1 and n is 0 where m is 0; provided that where A is naphthyl, n is 1 and m is 0 then B is selected from methylated phenyl, brominated phenyl, thiophene, pyrimidine and pyridine; and further provided that where A is naphthyl, X is C≡C, m is 1 and n is 1, then B is selected from thiophene, pyrimidine and pyridine.Type: GrantFiled: September 10, 1998Date of Patent: September 18, 2001Assignee: The Secretary of State for Defence in Her Britannic Majesty's Government of the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern IrelandInventors: Kenneth Johnson Toyne, John William Goodby, Alexander Seed, George William Gray, Damien Gerad McDonnel, Edward Peter Raynes, Sally Elizabeth Day, Kenneth John Harrison, Michael Hird
-
Patent number: 6278028Abstract: An electroclinic device having two spaced cell walls each bearing electrode structures and treated on at least one facing surface with an alignment layer, a layer of a smectic liquid crystal material enclosed between the cell walls, where the liquid crystal material contains one or more of the compounds described by formula I as defined in the specification.Type: GrantFiled: March 7, 2000Date of Patent: August 21, 2001Assignee: The Secretary of State for in Defence in Her Brittanic Majesty's Government of the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern IrelandInventors: Andrew John Slaney, Damien Gerard McDonnell, Amarjit Kaur Samra, Maurice Stanley, Victoria Minter, John William Goodby, Michael Hird, Simon John Cross, Chu Chuan Dong
-
Patent number: 6242636Abstract: An electoclinic device having two spaced cell walls each bearing electrode structures and treated on at least one facing surface with an alignment layer, a layer of a smectic liquid crystal material enclosed between the cell walls, where the liquid crystal material contains one or more of the compounds described by formula I as defined in the specification.Type: GrantFiled: January 5, 1999Date of Patent: June 5, 2001Assignee: The Secretary of State for Defence in Her Britannic Majesty's Government of the United Kingdom of Great Britian and Northern Ireland of Defence Evaluation and Research AgencyInventors: Andrew John Slaney, Damien Gerard McDonnell, Amarjit Kaur Samra, Maurice Stanley, Victoria Minter, John William Goodby, Michael Hird, Simon John Cross, Chu Chuan Dong
-
Patent number: 6121448Abstract: The synthesis of novel compound (I) is described: 5-bromo-2-iodopyrimidine may be used for the synthesis of a range of chemical compounds both known and novel. The synthesis of a number of novel liquid crystalline compounds is described.Type: GrantFiled: June 16, 1999Date of Patent: September 19, 2000Assignee: The Secretary of State for Defence in Her Brittanic Majesty's Government of the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern IrelandInventors: Robert Andrews Lewis, John William Goodby, Kenneth Johnson Toyne, Michael Hird
-
Patent number: 5986096Abstract: 5-Bromo-2-iodopyrimidine is used to synthesize a range of chemical compounds including liquid crystalline compounds.Type: GrantFiled: September 25, 1997Date of Patent: November 16, 1999Assignee: The Secretary of State for Defence in Her Britannic Majesty's a Government of the U.K. of Gt. Britain & N. Ireland of Defence Evaluation & Research AgencyInventors: Robert Andrews Lewis, John William Goodby, Kenneth Johnson Toyne, Michael Hird
-
Patent number: 5955000Abstract: This invention describes compounds of formula (I) ##STR1## wherein R is C.sub.1-16 alkyl or alkoxy; X is selected from F and Cl and indicates that one or more of the phenyl rings may be laterally substituted; x is selected from 0-3; A and B are independently selected from CO.sub.2, OCO, .tbd.C and single bond; R.sub.1 and R.sub.2 are independently selected from H and C.sub.1-16 alkyl provided that R.sub.1 and R.sub.2 are different; n is 0 or 1 provided that if n is zero then B is single bond. These compounds may be used as dopants suitable for use in ferroelectric liquid crystal mixtures.Type: GrantFiled: September 25, 1997Date of Patent: September 21, 1999Assignee: The Secretary of State for DefenceInventors: Benjamin Ross Carrick, John William Goodby, Kenneth Johnson Toyne, Michael Hird, Damien Gerard McDonnell
-
Patent number: 5891358Abstract: The invention describes liquid crystal compounds of formula (I) which are suitable for use in liquid crystal devices including those devices which exploit the electroclinic effect, ##STR1## where X may be CN, NO.sub.2, CF.sub.3, CF.sub.2 H, CFH.sub.2, halogen, hydrogen, alkyl or alkoxy; X.sub.2 may be CN, NO.sub.2, CF.sub.3, CF.sub.2 H, CFH.sub.2, halogen, hydrogen, alkyl or alkoxy; X.sub.3 may be CN, NO.sub.2, CF.sub.3, CF.sub.2 H, CFH.sub.2, halogen, alkyl, alkoxy or hydrogen; X.sub.4 may be CN, NO.sub.2, CF.sub.3, CF.sub.2 H, CFH.sub.2, halogen, alkyl, alkoxy or hydrogen; provided that at lease one of X or X.sub.2 is CF.sub.3, CF.sub.2 H, CFH.sub.2, CN, NO.sub.2 or halogen; A and B are independently phenyl, mono-fluorinated phenyl, di-fluorinated phenyl or cyclohexyl; Y may be single bond, COO, OOC, C.dbd.C; q may be 0 or 1; R.sub.1 may be an end group of formula (II) wherein Z may be a single bond, O, CO.sub.2, (CH.sub.2).sub.n or (CH.sub.2).sub.Type: GrantFiled: July 10, 1996Date of Patent: April 6, 1999Assignee: Secretary of State for Defence in her Britannic Majesty's Government of the United Kingdom of Great Britian & Northern Ireland of Defence Evaluation & Research AgencyInventors: Andrew John Slaney, Damien Gerard McDonnell, Amarjit Kaur Samra, Maurice Stanley, Victoria Minter, John William Goodby, Michael Hird, Simon John Cross, Chu Chuan Dong
-
Patent number: 5888421Type: GrantFiled: September 19, 1994Date of Patent: March 30, 1999Assignee: The Secretary of State for Defence in her Britannic Majesty's Government of the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern IrelandInventors: Kenneth Johnson Toyne, John William Goodby, Alexander Seed, George William Gray, Damien Gerad McDonnel, Edward Peter Raynes, Sally Elizabeth Day, Kenneth John Harrison, Michael Hird
-
Patent number: 5853613Abstract: The present invention describes liquid crystal compounds which are suitable for use in liquid crystal devices including those which exploit the electroclinic effect.Type: GrantFiled: January 16, 1997Date of Patent: December 29, 1998Assignee: Secretary of State for Defence in Her Britannic Majesty's Government of the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern IrelandInventors: John William Goodby, Kenneth Johnson Toyne, Michael Hird, Stephen John Lock
-
Patent number: 5820781Abstract: R.sub.1 --A--(X).sub.m --(B).sub.n --R.sub.2 (I)R.sub.3 --J--(Y).sub.p --(Z).sub.q --R.sub.4 (II)Liquid crystal compounds of formula (I) are described, where formula (I) is given as R.sub.1 --A--(X).sub.m --(B).sub.n --R.sub.2 where A is selected from nathyl, fluorinated naphthyl, brominated naphthyl, B is selected from phenyl, methylated phenyl, brominated phenyl, fluorinated phenyl, thiophene, pyrimidine and pyridine, R.sub.1 and R.sub.2 are independently selected from alkyl, alkoxy, alkynyl, thioalkyl, Br, CN, SCN, NCS, perfluoroalkyl, perfluoroalkoxy and hydrogen, X is selected from C.tbd.C, COO and C.tbd.C, m is 0 or 1, n is 0 or 1 where m is 1 and n is 0 where m is 0; provided that where A is naphthyl, n is 1 and m is 0 then B is selected from methylated phenyl, brominated phenyl, thiophene, pyrimidine and pyridine; and further provided that where A is naphthyl, X is C.tbd.C, m is 1 and n is 1, then B is selected from thiophene, pyrimidine and pyridine.Type: GrantFiled: June 6, 1995Date of Patent: October 13, 1998Assignee: The Secretary of State for Defence in her Britannic Majesty's Government of the United Kingdom of Great Britain & Northern IrelandInventors: Kenneth Johnson Toyne, John William Goodby, Alexander Seed, George William Gray, Damien Gerad McDonnel, Edward Peter Raynes, Sally Elizabeth Day, Kenneth John Harrison, Michael Hird
-
Patent number: 5798058Abstract: Compounds of formula (I) which are suitable for use in liquid crystal devices including those devices which exploit the electroclinic effect. The compounds of formula (I) may also be used as chiral dopoants suitable for use with ferroelectric liquid crystals or they may be used as chiral nematic dopants.Type: GrantFiled: December 31, 1996Date of Patent: August 25, 1998Assignee: Secretary of State for Defence in her Britannic Majesty's Government of the United Kingdom of Gt. Britain & N. Ireland of Defence Evaluation and Research AgencyInventors: John William Goodby, Kenneth Johnson Toyne, Michael Hird, Robert Andrew Lewis