Electro-optical lens assembly

Details Electro-optical lens assembly Electro-optical lens assembly

1991-11-05

1995-05-02

Sikes, William L.

Optical: systems and elements

Holographic system or element

Using a hologram as an optical element

359 40, 359 71, 359 86, 359 87, 359 98, 359 68, 359 75, 359 83, 359 66, 116 63R, 340907, 34081567, 34081576, G02F 113, G08G 1095

Patent

active

054124921

ABSTRACT:
A liquid crystal lens assembly that can be used to replace existing color lenses in traffic signals without the need for any special modifications to the traffic signal. The lens assembly utilizes a dichroic liquid crystal mixture that absorbs light when no electric field is applied to the mixture. When an electric field is applied across the liquid crystal mixture by two electrodes, the molecules change their orientation within the mixture and absorb less light, and the signal appears "on". The illumination of the bulb behind the lens assembly is visible to the user. The electric field is energized at the same time that the bulb for the traffic signal is illuminated. A colored transflector positioned in the rearward portion of the lens assembly provides the color for the signal and also acts to reflect light from the front of the lens assembly. Wires for applying the electric field to the electrodes connect directly to the terminal block for the traffic signal. A heater may be used to maintain the liquid crystal mixture at a minimum threshold temperature.

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