Thermally induced pressure operated optical switch and display device using the same
Patent 7149380 Issued on December 12, 2006. Estimated Expiration Date: 
March 4, 2025. Estimated Expiration Date is calculated based on simple USPTO term provisions. It does not account for terminal disclaimers, term adjustments, failure to pay maintenance fees, or other factors which might affect the term of a patent.
March 4, 2025. Estimated Expiration Date is calculated based on simple USPTO term provisions. It does not account for terminal disclaimers, term adjustments, failure to pay maintenance fees, or other factors which might affect the term of a patent.Patent ReferencesPressure-actuated optical switch Optical switch and method for assembling the same Patent #: 6072924 InventorsAssigneeApplicationNo. 11072967 filed on 03/04/2005US Classes:385/16, Switch (i.e., switching from one terminal to another, not modulation)385/17, Matrix switch (i.e., M X N, where M and N are 3 or more)385/18, Reflective-type switch385/15, WITH OPTICAL COUPLER385/36, Prism385/901, ILLUMINATING OR DISPLAY APPARATUS250/221, Controlled by article, person, or animal359/318, By reflection385/19Stationary waveguides with movable opaque elementExaminersPrimary: Healy, BrianAttorney, Agent or FirmInternational ClassG02B 6/35AbstractA thermally induced pressure operated optical switch (3) includes a prism (31), and a substrate (32) disposed below the prism. The substrate defines a plurality of switch elements (35). Each switch element includes a first chamber (351), a second chamber (352) containing matching liquid (36) having a reflective index substantially the same as that of the prism, and a thermal pressure generator (37) communicating with the second chamber for causing the matching liquid to flow between the first and second chambers. The switch elements are arranged in an array in like manner to the way pixels of a display device are arranged. Thus, the thermal pressure generators can be selectively turned on and off, in order to control the switch elements to manipulate optical beams for displaying all kinds of images. The optical switch can be employed in a display device, a projector, or like apparatuses.Field of SearchWITH OPTICAL COUPLERSwitch (i.e., switching from one terminal to another, not modulation) Matrix switch (i.e., M X N, where M and N are 3 or more) Reflective-type switch OPTICAL WAVEGUIDE SENSOR Including physical deformation or movement of waveguide INTEGRATED OPTICAL CIRCUIT PLANAR OPTICAL WAVEGUIDE Thin film optical waveguide Multilayer structure (mixture) Prism ILLUMINATING OR DISPLAY APPARATUS | |
