Light valve target comprising electrostatically-repelled micro-mirrors
US5768009A · kind A · utility
Assignee
Inventor
Key dates
| Filing date | Apr 18, 1997 |
| Grant date | Jun 16, 1998 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Apr 18, 2017 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC H)Electricity
- CPC primaryH04N9/3141
- WIPO fieldAudio-visual technology
- WIPO sectorElectrical engineering
Abstract
A high intensity image projection system includes a micro-mirror light valve target with micro-mirror elements repulsively pivotally-actuable. Each micro-mirror of the target array comprises a fixed base electrode joined to an overlying micro-mirror element by means of a hinge with each element formed of conductive material. As such, in operation, charge deposited upon either the base electrode or the micro-mirror element is free to migrate, in response to repulsive forces between deposited charges, to the element spaced therefrom. The resulting presence of like charge distributions upon the base electrode and micro-mirror element of a micro-mirror produces a repulsive electrostatic force for pivotally deflecting the micro-mirror element by an amount proportional to the charge deposited thereon. Capacitive charge storage elements and resistive paths are provided for storing and draining the deposited charge between applications of video frame information. In one embodiment, an array of micro-mirror light valves is formed directly upon the face plate of a vidicon tube. In another, a foil is formed that is mounted within the tube by a surrounding clip. In a third embodiment, charge i…
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.