Patents by Inventor Nicholas T. Simopoulos
Nicholas T. Simopoulos 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: 5094185Abstract: Electroluminescent phosphors, electroluminescent panels and lamps made with such phosphors, and a process and apparatus for treating phosphors are disclosed in which the phosphor particles are coated with a very thin coating of SiO.sub.2, to protect the phosphor particles from aging due to moisture intrusion. The phosphor particles are coated in a cold wall reactor by the pyrolytic decomposition of silane in the presence of heat and oxygen to a coating thickness of approximately between 0.1 and 3.0 microns. The apparatus and method of coating includes the placement of a quantity of phosphor in a cup-shaped heated reactor bowl and subjecting the particles to a temperature of about 490.degree. C. and an atmosphere of silane and oxygen, while continuously mechanically agitating the particles with a blade arrangement in which the particles are continuously rotated and turned so as to expose the surfaces of the heated particles to the reaction atmosphere.Type: GrantFiled: July 26, 1990Date of Patent: March 10, 1992Assignee: Lumel, Inc.Inventors: Nicholas T. Simopoulos, George N. Simopoulos
-
Patent number: 4961956Abstract: Electroluminescent phosphors, electroluminescent panels and lamps made with such phosphors, and a process and apparatus for treating phosphors are disclosed in which the phosphor particles are coated with a very thin coating of SiO.sub.2, to protect the phosphor particles from aging due to moisture intrusion. The phosphor particles are coated in a cold wall reactor by the pyrolytic decomposition of silane in the presence of heat and oxygen to a coating thickness of approximatley between 0.1 and 3.0 microns. The apparatus and method of coating includes the placement of a quantity of phosphor in a cup-shaped heated reactor bowl and subjecting the particles to a temperature of about 490.degree. C. and an atmosphere of silane and oxygen, while continuously mechanically agitating the particles with a blade arrangement in which the particles are continuously rotated and turned so as to expose the surfaces of the heated particles to the reaction atmosphere.Type: GrantFiled: May 8, 1989Date of Patent: October 9, 1990Assignee: Lumel, Inc.Inventors: Nicholas T. Simopoulos, George N. Simopoulos
-
Patent number: 4904901Abstract: An electroluminescent panel and method of making the same includes a plurality of layers on a transparent electrode in which each layer is formed with the same compatible polymer carrier resin base material so that the individual layers have an integrated uniformity. A polyester laminating resin is disclosed for the resin base material of each layer which is activated by a small amount of diisocyanate sufficient to provide temperature stability, but insufficient to transform the base material into a urethane. Also disclosed is an electroluminescent lamp which emits light only in discrete areas such as to produce a pattern of light in which the phosphor is applied in a pattern corresponding to the discrete areas which are to be illuminated. Similarly, the electrodes are restricted to the illuminated regions or areas, thereby conserving material as well as reducing the power requirements of the lamp.Type: GrantFiled: May 8, 1989Date of Patent: February 27, 1990Assignee: Lumel, Inc.Inventors: Nicholas T. Simopoulos, George N. Simopoulos, Gregory N. Simopoulos
-
Patent number: 4855189Abstract: Electroluminescent phosphors, electroluminescent panels and lamps made with such phosphors, and a process and apparatus for treating phosphors are disclosed in which the phosphor particles are coated with a very thin coating of SiO.sub.2, to protect the phosphor particles from aging due to moisture intrusion. The phosphor particles are coated in a cold wall reactor by the pyrolytic decomposition of silane in the presence of heat and oxygen to a coating thickness of approximately between 0.1 and 3.0 microns. The apparatus and method of coating includes the placement of a quantity of phosphor in a cup-shaped heated reactor bowl and subjecting the particles to a temperature of about 490.degree. C. and an atmosphere of silane and oxygen, while continuously mechanically agitating the particles with a blade arrangement in which the particles are continuously rotated and turned so as to expose the surfaces of the heated particles to the reaction atmosphere.Type: GrantFiled: November 24, 1987Date of Patent: August 8, 1989Assignee: Lumel, Inc.Inventors: Nicholas T. Simopoulos, George N. Simopoulos
-
Patent number: 4853079Abstract: An electroluminescent panel and method of making the same includes a plurality of layers on a transparent electrode in which each layer is formed with the same compatible polymer carrier resin base material so that the individual layers have an integrated uniformity. A polyester laminating resin is disclosed for the resin base material of each layer which is activated by a small amount of diisocyanate sufficient to provide temperature stability, but insufficient to transform the base material into a urethane.Also disclosed is an electroluminescent lamp which emits light only in discrete areas such as to produce a pattern of light in which the phosphor is applied in a pattern corresponding to the discrete areas which are to be illuminated. Similarly, the electrodes are restricted to the illuminated regions or areas, thereby conserving material as well as reducing the power requirements of the lamp.Type: GrantFiled: May 10, 1988Date of Patent: August 1, 1989Assignee: Lumel, Inc.Inventors: Nicholas T. Simopoulos, George N. Simopoulos, Gregory N. Simopoulos
-
Patent number: 4767966Abstract: An electroluminescent panel and method of making the same includes a plurality of layers on a transparent electrode in which each layer is formed with the same compatible polymer carrier resin base material so that the individual layers have an integrated uniformity. A polyester laminating resin is disclosed for the resin base material of each layer which is activated by a small amount of diisocyanate sufficient to provide temperature stability, but insuffient to transform the base material into a urethane. Also disclosed is an electroluminescent lamp which emits light only in discrete areas such as to produce a pattern of light in which the phosphor is applied in a pattern corresponding to the discrete areas which are to be illuminated. Similarly, the electrodes are restricted to the illuminated regions or areas, thereby conserving material as well as reducing the power requirements of the lamp.Type: GrantFiled: March 17, 1986Date of Patent: August 30, 1988Assignee: Luminescent Electronics, Inc.Inventors: Nicholas T. Simopoulos, George N. Simopoulos, Gregory N. Simopoulos
-
Patent number: 4647337Abstract: Flexible, electroluminescent panels or lamps employ a phosphor which is embedded in a coating formulation, in which a polyester laminating resin has been activated by a catalyst containing toluene diisocyanate or diphenylmethane diisocyanate, to provide a relatively high dielectric constant and to provide a flexible panel which is resistant to shorting, due to trimming, cutting or puncturing. The panel is characterized by relatively high efficiency and high light output.Type: GrantFiled: November 25, 1985Date of Patent: March 3, 1987Assignee: Luminescent Electronics, Inc.Inventors: Nicholas T. Simopoulos, George N. Simopoulos, Gregory N. Simopoulos
-
Patent number: 4595861Abstract: DC operated power supplies for electroluminescent lamps are self-inhibited from further oscillations and thus are current limited in the event that a failure occurs in an EL lamp which results in the EL lamp being shorted. Single ended and push/pull transformer power supplies are disclosed, and a transformerless solid state power supply is disclosed utilizing a voltage multiplier, and an inhibitor circuit at the output of the voltage multiplier responsive to substantial voltage drop upon the occurrence of a shorting of the EL lamp, to inhibit further oscillations and operations of the circuit.Type: GrantFiled: July 30, 1984Date of Patent: June 17, 1986Assignee: Luminescent Electronics, Inc.Inventors: Nicholas T. Simopoulos, George N. Simopoulos, Gregory N. Simopoulos