Other

Semix Incorporated

Hslc Technology Associates Inc

Color Planar Displays, Inc.

Richard K Alderson

James R Talley

Ronald D Sleater

A support structure is provided that enables the use of high-voltage phosphors in field-emission flat panel displays, to maintain the vacuum gap between the cathode and the anode at a constant distance and to prevent distortion of the transparent view screen and backing plate of the display. A number of independent techniques each contributes to the solution of the problem of secondary electron emission. One technique is to alter the geometry of the triple junction of the support structure, the cathode, and the vacuum gap, thereby reducing the electrostatic field created at the triple junction. Reducing the electrostatic field reduces the initial primary electron bombardment originating at the triple junction. Altering the geometry of the support surface with respect to the field lines present at the triple junction also increases the probability that impinging electrons will impact at or nearly at right angles, and will also tend to be directed by the field lines back into the 'pocket' created by the shaping of the support structure edge, preventing secondary electrons from escaping and traveling along the structure surface to the anode. In accordance with another technique, the support structure is fluted so as to reduce the average coefficient of secondary electron emission, to trap a proportion of secondary electrons, and to limit the number of hops of other secondary electrons. In another technique, a high resistivity conductive layer is formed at the triple junction in order to reduce the field potential at the triple junction. A similar conductive layer may be formed at the opposite junction of the support structure, the anode, and the vacuum gap. A high resistivity conductive material coated on the surface of the insulating spacer can be used to decrease the charge relaxation time of the insulator, thereby maintaining a constant field potential over the surface of the insulator, reducing areas of high field potential which will tend to accelerate secondary electron emissions. In accordance with other techniques, the support structure is made of a non-porous material and may be coated with a coating having low secondary emission characteristics.

Support structure for flat panel displays

A head for an ink jet printer has a substrate with a longitudinal dimension extending across the width of the paper to be printed upon. A cavity is formed longitudinally in the substrate and a conduit is provided to supply ink to the cavity. A series of orifices are spaced along a longitudinal surface of the substrate and extend between the surface and the cavity. A plurality of electrodes are provided to generate an arc within each orifice to expel ink there from. A pair of electrodes are associated with each orifice and the electrodes connect to electrical buses that supply bias voltage to the electrodes. The bus connection multiplexes the electrodes enabling relatively few switches to selectively control the expulsion of ink from each orifice. A diaphragm lies against the substrate forming a wall of the cavity and of the orifices. The diaphragm is formed of a resilient material that dampens pressure waves produced within an orifice and the cavity when an arc occurs between electrodes for that orifice.

Ink jet print head

An ion pump permits the continuous evacuation of a small-envelope vacuum chamber while drawing a relatively small amount of power (micro watts). In a preferred embodiment, the present ion pump, due to its small size and integration within the vacuum chamber, enables the device in which the vacuum chamber is incorporated to be portable and to retain its original dimensions.

Vacuum maintenance device for high vacuum chambers

A modular infusion pump system utilizes a positive displacement pump for pumping a known quantity of fluid for each stroke. A plurality of longitudinally spaced apart fixed combs cooperate with a resilient tube to define a known pumping volume. A plurality of movable combs are interdigitated with the fixed combs and are periodically linearly directed to cause the pump volume to be compressed, and therefore the fluid expelled. A rotary to linear drive system is connected with the movable combs and a ratchet system prevents counterrotation when the motor is in the off position. Valves are disposed above and below the pumping unit to appropriately seal off the pumping volume. The valves and the movable combs are operated by means of cams carried by a common shaft.

Growing community of inventors

Phoenix, AZ, United States of America

Richard K Alderson