Television – Video display – Projection device
Patent
1998-09-04
2000-09-05
Lee, Michael H.
Television
Video display
Projection device
346748, 346776, 359820, H04N 574, H04N 931
Patent
active
061150827
DESCRIPTION:
BRIEF SUMMARY
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
This invention relates to projection televisions and, in particular, to improved coupler systems for mounting projection lenses to the cathode ray tubes (CRTs) of such televisions.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
Modern consumer rear-screen projection televisions utilize liquid coupling of the projection optics to the CRT faceplates to enhance contrast and to avoid localized hot spots on the CRT which may result in CRT failure. The coupling is accomplished by way of a metal coupler (either die cast or stamped) which has a special coating to provide a surface durable enough to withstand the corrosive nature of the coupling fluid, e.g., a mixture of ethylene glycol and glycerine.
The metal coupler is a significant cost component in the overall television set. An example of such a prior art coupler, composed of die-cast aluminum and comprising multiple cooling fins and an integral expansion chamber, is shown in FIG. 2 of Hanyu et al., U.S. Pat. No. 5,010,396.
In the past, attempts have been made to cost-reduce the system by molding the coupler from plastic resins and protecting the coupler body from the coupling fluid by adding a rubber bladder inside the coupler housing. This system has not been commercially successful. Possible reasons for this include cost of the bladder, reliability/life of the bladder, poor thermal conductivity through the bladder/housing, thermal degradation of the bladder and/or coupler, and lack of x-ray absorption (another function of the metal couplers).
The present invention is directed at solving these problems associated with the use of plastic materials in couplers.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
In view of the foregoing, it is an object of this invention to provide a commercially usable coupler which comprises a plastic material. More particularly, it is an object of the invention to provide a coupler which is primarily composed of plastic and yet achieves high levels of both x-ray absorption and dissipation of the heat generated by a CRT.
To achieve the foregoing and other objects, the invention provides an improved coupler system for use with a cathode ray tube whose faceplate is cooled by a coupler fluid, the system comprising: a fluid tight relationship, said first member fluid; and exposure to the coupler fluid; heat transferring relationship, said second member being composed of a metallic material capable of absorbing x-rays; and first member in a fluid tight relationship so as to seal the fluid receiving space of the first member.
In certain preferred embodiments of the invention, the first and second members are arranged so that the second member does not come into direct contact with the coupler fluid. A preferred form for the second member is that of a hollow shell which fits around the outside (periphery) of the CRT's faceplate and defines a cavity which receives the first member.
For some applications, the second member may not be required for heat and x-ray control and thus may be omitted from the coupler system.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
FIG. 1 is an exploded, perspective view of a coupler system constructed in accordance with the invention.
FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional view of the coupler system of FIG. 1 in its assembled state.
FIG. 3 is an exploded, perspective view of an alternate embodiment of the coupler system of FIG. 1.
FIG. 4 is a cross-sectional view of the coupler system of FIG. 3 in its assembled state.
FIG. 5 is a schematic diagram of a projection television employing the coupler system of the invention.
The foregoing drawings, which are incorporated in and constitute part of the specification, illustrate the preferred embodiments of the invention, and together with the description, serve to explain the principles of the invention. It is to be understood, of course, that both the drawings and the description are explanatory only and are not restrictive of the invention.
The reference numbers used in the drawings correspond to the following:
DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS
With reference to the drawings, where
REFERENCES:
patent: 4511927 (1985-04-01), Bauer
patent: 4904054 (1990-02-01), Hiroshima
Klee Maurice M.
Lee Michael H.
U.S. Precision Lens Inc.
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