Tfel edge emitter module and packaging assembly employing sealed cavity

Abstract

A thin film electroluminescent (TFEL) edge emitter module and packaging assembly is composed of a TFEL edge emitter module including an electroluminescent (EL) stack having a linear array of spaced-apart pixels with light-emitting front edges, an enclosure defining a sealed cavity which encloses at least a portion of the EL stack so as to sealably enclose the array of pixels in a contaminant-free environment, a thermally expansive and contractive liquid substantially filling the sealed cavity, and a cavity capacity expansion and contraction mechanism disposed in the enclosure in communication with the cavity and the liquid therein. In response to thermal expansion of the volume of the liquid filling the cavity, the capacity expansion and contraction mechanism is operable to change from a first condition toward a second condition and thereby increase the liquid-holding capacity of the enclosure cavity. Further, in response to thermal contraction of the volume of the liquid, the mechanism is operable to change from the second condition back toward the first condition and thereby decrease the liquid-holding capacity of the enclosure cavity. In such manner, the enclosure cavity liquid-holding capacity is continually maintained substantially equivalent to the enclosed volume of liquid filling the cavity.