Patent
1983-01-06
1986-10-07
Corbin, John K.
G02F 101
Patent
active
046155872
ABSTRACT:
A method and apparatus for rapidly erasing and rebiasing a thermoptic thin film. A thermal insulating material (16) is disposed adjacent a thermoptic thin film (10). A layer of resistive material (14) is disposed between the insulating material and the thermoptic thin film and is connected to a current generator (18) which supplies a current to the layer dissipating heat into the thermoptic thin film and insulating layer. A thermal body (22), having high thermal conductivity and interfacing with the insulating layer the opposite boundary from the thermoptic thin film, contains a conduit through which a refrigerated liquid is flowed to establish a thermal gradient from the thermoptic thin film to the fluid. Sufficient current is supplied to the resistive layer to maintain the temperature of the thermoptic thin film at the bias temperature. A control circuit is provided for intermittently interrupting the current flow, causing heat to dissipate from the thermoptic thin film and the temperature to drop to a point below the hysteresis loop, whereby images written in the thermoptic thin film are erased. A sensor (28) may be provided adjacent the thermoptic thin film for generating a temperature signal corresponding to the temperature of the film. The signal is fed back to the control circuit. When the temperature of the film drops below 45.degree. C. and the film is erased, sufficient current is then furnished to the resistive layer to cause the temperature of the film to increase to the bias temperature.
REFERENCES:
patent: 3484722 (1969-12-01), Barker, Jr. et al.
patent: 3497286 (1970-02-01), Morton et al.
patent: 3533823 (1970-10-01), Newkirk et al.
patent: 3836236 (1974-09-01), Kirk et al.
patent: 3986768 (1976-10-01), Peters et al.
patent: 4082413 (1978-04-01), Austin et al.
patent: 4099853 (1978-07-01), Glickler et al.
patent: 4110013 (1978-08-01), Eitel
patent: 4114978 (1978-09-01), Bostick et al.
patent: 4236156 (1980-11-01), Eden
patent: 4253739 (1981-03-01), Carlson
patent: 4283113 (1981-08-01), Eden
patent: 4314742 (1982-02-01), Dye et al.
patent: 4442429 (1984-04-01), Kotani et al.
Koch Mark E.
Krasutsky Nicholas J.
Cate J. M.
Corbin John K.
LTV Aerospace and Defense Company
Sadacca S. S.
Shapiro Bruce S.
LandOfFree
High speed erasing and rebiasing of thermoptic thin films does not yet have a rating. At this time, there are no reviews or comments for this patent.
If you have personal experience with High speed erasing and rebiasing of thermoptic thin films, we encourage you to share that experience with our LandOfFree.com community. Your opinion is very important and High speed erasing and rebiasing of thermoptic thin films will most certainly appreciate the feedback.
Profile ID: LFUS-PAI-O-640231