Motorola Corporation

Pankaj B Desai

Marc Kenneth Chason

Richard S Kommrusch

George Thomas Valliath

Kevin W Jelley

Robert Benjamin Akins

A flat panel display (12) includes a backplate (14) and a faceplate (16) attached to the backplate (14) defining a vacuum enclosure (18) therebetween. A spacer (46, 62, 64, 78, 80, 90) is positioned between the backplate (14) and the faceplate (16). The spacer geometry is anti-symmetrical and non-integral with respect to an array of electron emitters (30, 48, 76) on a cathode plate (22) overlying the backplate (14). The spacers have a curved surface (52, 78, 82) that is characterized by a radius r, or by a length d.sub.3 of a unit shape having bend angles .alpha. and .beta., whereas the electron emitter arrays are characterized by orthogonally arranged rows (32) and columns (34). The anti-symmetrical and non-integral relationship between the spacers (46, 62, 64, 78, 80, 90) and the electron emitters reduces the number of electron emitters and pixels (49, 77, 86) that are occluded by the spacers. Additionally, the anti-symmetrical and non-integral relationship permits the spacers (46, 62, 64, 78, 80, 90) to be randomly distributed between the backplate (14) and the faceplate (16) of the flat panel display (12). A spacer processing method includes the step of cutting ribbons from a thin spacer sheet, placing the ribbons into cavities within a mold, and heating the mold to below the annealing point of the spacer material.

Flat panel display having a random spacer arrangement

A pseudo rod, fabricated from several plate sections joined together at their edges and having a cross-section resembling a polygon approximates a rod having a circular cross section. Using multiple plates joined at their edges permits growing a crystalline material on the planar faced substrates and if the plates are crystalline material, the crystalline material grown thereon can have improved current carrying capability.

Growing community of inventors

Hoffman Estates, IL, United States of America

Pankaj B Desai