U.S. patent number 3,708,219 [Application Number 05/174,494] was granted by the patent office on 1973-01-02 for light valve with flowing fluid suspension.
This patent grant is currently assigned to Research Frontiers, Inc.. Invention is credited to Matthew Forlini, Francis C. Lowell, Robert L. Saxe.
United States Patent |
3,708,219 |
Forlini , et al. |
January 2, 1973 |
LIGHT VALVE WITH FLOWING FLUID SUSPENSION
Abstract
A light valve having a cell containing a fluid suspension of
minute particles dispersed therein capable of orientation by an
electric or magnetic field to change the transmission of light
through the suspension, and means for applying such a field
thereto, includes circulating means for producing a flow of the
fluid suspension through the cell during operation thereof to
reduce or avoid agglomeration of the particles. Various means are
described for producing a smooth generally laminar flow of the
fluid suspension in the active region of the cell. The circulating
means may include means for dispensing agglomerated particles which
may be produced during cell operation. A sheet for polarizing
material in the path of light from the valve, with its direction of
polarization perpendicular to fluid flow in the cell, markedly
increases the closing speed. Two valves with fluid flow at right
angles increases the closing speed without seriously decreasing the
density ratio between closed and open states.
Inventors: |
Forlini; Matthew (Ozone Park,
NY), Lowell; Francis C. (Roslyn, NY), Saxe; Robert L.
(New York City, NY) |
Assignee: |
Research Frontiers, Inc.
(Plainview, NY)
|
Family
ID: |
22636359 |
Appl.
No.: |
05/174,494 |
Filed: |
August 24, 1971 |
Related U.S. Patent Documents
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Application
Number |
Filing Date |
Patent Number |
Issue Date |
|
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25541 |
Apr 1, 1970 |
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Current U.S.
Class: |
359/253;
359/281 |
Current CPC
Class: |
G02F
1/0102 (20130101); G02F 1/172 (20130101) |
Current International
Class: |
G02F
1/01 (20060101); G02F 1/17 (20060101); G02f
001/26 () |
Field of
Search: |
;350/147,150,157,16R,16D |
References Cited
[Referenced By]
U.S. Patent Documents
Primary Examiner: Schonberg; David
Assistant Examiner: Miller; Paul R.
Parent Case Text
This application is a continuation of Ser. No. 25,541, 4/1/70, now
abandoned.
Claims
We claim:
1. A light valve including a cell for containing a fluid suspension
of minute particles dispersed therein capable of having their
orientation changed by an electric or magnetic field to change the
transmission of light through the suspension, said cell having
front and rear wall sections spaced apart a distance which is small
compared to the lateral dimensions of the sections, and means for
applying an electric or magnetic field to the suspension between
said wall sections to change the light transmission thereof, in
which the improvement comprises circulating means connected to said
cell at spaced points thereof for producing a flow of said fluid
suspension through said cell during operation thereof, and means
for producing a smooth generally laminar flow of said fluid
suspension between said wall sections.
2. A light valve including a cell containing a fluid suspension of
minute particles dispersed therein capable of having their
orientation changed by an electric or magnetic field to change the
transmission of light through the suspension, said cell having
front and rear wall sections spaced apart a distance which is small
compared to the lateral dimensions of the sections, and means for
applying an electric or magnetic field to the suspension between
said wall sections to change the light transmission thereof, in
which the improvement comprises circulating means including conduit
means connected to said cell at spaced points thereof and means for
producing a flow of said fluid suspension through said cell and
conduit means, and means for producing a smooth generally laminar
flow of said fluid suspension between said wall sections.
3. A light valve in accordance with claim 2 in which said conduit
means is connected to said cell to supply said fluid suspension to
the cell on one side of the region between said wall sections and
withdraw the fluid suspension from the cell on the opposite side of
said region.
4. A light valve in accordance with claim 2 in which said
circulating means includes means for dispersing agglomerated
particles of said fluid suspension.
5. A light valve in accordance with claim 2 including a sheet of
polarizing material positioned generally perpendicular to the
direction of light passing through said cell, the direction of
polarization of said sheet being effectively at a substantial angle
to the direction of fluid flow in said cell.
6. A light valve in accordance with claim 5 in which said direction
of polarization is effectively approximately perpendicular to the
direction of fluid flow in said cell.
7. A pair of light valves in accordance with claim 2 positioned so
that light passes through said valves in succession in a direction
generally perpendicular to the direction of fluid flow therein,
said cells being oriented so that the direction of fluid flow in
one valve effectively makes a substantial angle with the direction
of fluid flow in the other valve.
8. A pair of light valves in accordance with claim 7 in which the
directions of fluid flow in said valves are effectively
approximately mutually perpendicular.
9. A light valve including a cell containing a fluid suspension of
minute particles dispersed therein capable of having their
orientation changed by an electric field to change the transmission
of light through the suspension, said cell having front and rear
wall sections spaced apart a distance which is small compared to
the lateral dimensions of the sections to confine the fluid
suspension therebetween to a layer, and area electrodes of opposite
sides of said layer for producing an electric field through the
layer to change the light transmission thereof, in which the
improvement comprises circulating means including an inlet and an
outlet connected to said cell at spaced points for producing a flow
of said fluid suspension through said cell during operation
thereof, said cell being designed and adapted to produce a smooth
generally laminar flow of said fluid suspension in the region
between said electrodes.
10. A light valve in accordance with claim 9 in which said
circulating means includes means for dispersing agglomerated
particles of said fluid suspension.
11. A light valve in accordance with claim 9 in which said inlet
and outlet are positioned and adapted to supply said fluid
suspension on one side of the region between said electrodes and
withdraw the fluid suspension from the opposite side of said
region.
12. A light valve in accordance with claim 11 in which said inlet
and outlet are positioned on respectively opposite sides of the
region between said electrodes, at least one of said inlet and
outlet being spaced a substantial distance from said region between
the electrodes to aid in producing said smooth generally laminar
flow in said region.
13. A light valve in accordance with claim 11 in which said cell
has inlet and outlet sections between said opposite sides of the
region between said electrodes and the respective inlet and outlet,
the spacing between the front and rear walls of the cell at at
least one of said inlet and outlet sections being substantially
greater than the spacing of the wall sections at the region between
said electrodes.
14. A light valve in accordance with claim 13 in which the spacing
between the front and rear walls at both of said inlet and outlet
sections is substantially greater than the spacing at the region
between said electrodes.
15. A light valve in accordance with claim 11 including a barrier
wall positioned within said cell between said region between the
electrodes and said inlet and extending along the respective side
of said region for at least a major portion of the length thereof,
the height of said barrier wall being less than the separation of
the front and rear walls at the location thereof to thereby allow a
flow of the fluid suspension thereover.
16. A light valve in accordance with claim 15 including a second
barrier wall positioned within said cell between said region
between the electrodes and said outlet and extending along the
respective side of said region for at least a major portion of the
length thereof, the height of said second barrier wall being less
than the separation of the front and rear walls at the location
thereof to thereby allow a flow of the fluid suspension
thereover.
17. A light valve in accordance with claim 15 in which said inlet
is adjacent one end of said respective side of the region between
the electrodes, and the width of said barrier wall tapers from
wider to narrower dimensions from the inlet end toward the other
end of said respective side.
18. A light valve in accordance with claim 16 in which said inlet
and said outlet are adjacent corresponding ends of the respective
sides of said region between the electrodes, and the width of said
barrier walls taper from wider to narrower dimensions from
respective inlet and outlet ends toward the other ends of the
respective sides.
19. The method of preventing minute suspended particles in a fluid
suspension from significantly agglomerating in a light valve cell
comprising
producing a smooth generally laminar flow of the fluid suspension
to prevent significant agglomerating of the particles and
flowing said laminar flow through the light valve cell.
20. The method of claim 19 wherein the fluid suspension is caused
to flow through the light valve by means of a circulating
system.
21. The method of claim 19 wherein the smooth generally laminar
flow is produced by means of a barrier.
22. A light valve including a cell adapted to contain a fluid
suspension of minute particles dispersed therein capable of having
their orientation changed by an electric or magnetic field to
change the transmission of light through the suspension, said cell
having front and rear wall sections, means for applying an electric
or magnetic field to the suspension between said wall sections to
change the light transmission thereof and means for producing a
smooth generally laminar flow of the fluid suspension between said
wall sections.
23. The light valve of claim 22 including a circulating means for
producing a flow of fluid suspension through said cell.
24. The light valve of claim 23 wherein said means for producing a
smooth generally laminar flow includes a barrier means.
25. The light valve of claim 24 wherein the circulating means is
connected to said cell to supply fluid suspension to the cell on
side of a region between said wall sections and withdraw the fluid
suspension from the cell on the opposite side of said region.
Description
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
This invention relates to light valves of the type including a cell
containing a fluid suspension of minute particles capable of
orientation by an electric or magnetic field to change the
transmission of light through the suspension.
Light valves of this type have been known for many years. Fluid
suspensions of herapathite in a suitable liquid have commonly been
preferred, although other types of particles have been suggested.
In general, the shape of the particles should be such that in one
orientation they intercept more light than in another orientation.
Particles which are needle-shaped, rod-shaped, lath-shaped, or in
the form of thin flakes, have been suggested. The particles may
variously be light absorbing or light reflecting, polarizing,
birefringent metallic or non-metallic, etc. In addition to
herapathite, many other materials have been suggested such as
graphite, mica, garnet red, aluminum, periodides of alkaloid
sulphate salts, etc. Preferably dichroic, birefringent or
polarizing crystals are employed.
Very finely divided or minute particles are employed, and are
suspended in a liquid in which the particles are not soluble, and
which is of suitable viscosity. In order to help stabilize the
suspension when in the non-actuated state, a protective colloid
should preferably be used to prevent agglomeration or settling.
A fluid suspension which has been used with success uses generally
needle-shaped particles of herapathite, isopentyl acetate as the
liquid suspending medium, and nitrocellulose as a protective
colloid. Plasticizing agents such as dibutyl phthalate have also
been used in the suspension to increase the viscosity.
Both electric and magnetic fields have been suggested for aligning
the particles, although electric fields are more common. To apply
an electric field, conductive area electrodes are provided on a
pair of oppositely disposed walls of the cell, and an electric
potential applied thereto. The electrodes may be thin transparent
conductive coatings on the inner sides of the front and rear walls
of the cell, thereby forming an ohmic type cell wherein the
electrodes are in contact with the fluid suspension. It has also
been suggested to cover the electrodes with a thin layer of
transparent material such as glass in order to protect the
electrodes. Such thin layers of glass form dielectric layers
between the electrodes and the fluid suspension, and the cells may
be termed capacitive cells. Direct, alternating and pulsed voltages
have been applied to the electrodes in order to align the particles
in the fluid suspension. When the voltage is removed, the particles
return to a disoriented random condition due to Brownian
movement.
Commonly the front and rear walls of the cell are transparent, for
example, panels of glass or plastic. With no applied field, and
random orientation of the particles, the cell has a low
transmission to light and accordingly is in its closed condition.
When a field is applied, the particles become aligned and the cell
is in its open or light transmitting condition. Instead of making
the rear wall transparent, it may be made reflective. In such case
light is absorbed when the cell is unenergized and is reflected
when the cell is energized. These principal actions may be modified
by employing light reflecting rather than light absorbing
particles.
In such cells a serious problem is the agglomeration of the
particles. While protective colloids are helpful in reducing or
avoiding agglomeration in the stored or inactive condition, when
the cell is in use the tendency to agglomerate increases. Depending
on the particular suspension employed, and the voltage and
frequency used, agglomeration may become noticeable in a matter of
seconds, minutes or hours of use. Once agglomeration has occurred,
it tends to remain more or less permanently even though the
exciting voltage is removed.
Such agglomeration considerably impairs the usefulness of the light
valve since it creates inhomogeneities in the suspension and hence
changes the light transmission from point to point. Also it reduces
the ratio of optical density between the closed state and the open
state. Further, the density in the closed state may decrease.
The possible settling of particles out of the fluid suspension has
previously been recognized. In this connection it has been
suggested to furnish a constantly renewed supply of particles to
the suspension, or to stir up and redistribute settled particles,
or to cause a slight current or flow of particles within the
container so as to assure a constant suspension. While such
expedients may help to avoid settling, agglomeration may still
occur during use. Also, the turbulence involved may appreciably
affect the performance of the cell.
In copending application, Ser. No. 25,542, filed Apr. 1, 1970 by
Matthew Forlini for "Light Valves with High Frequency Excitation,"
the use of frequencies higher than heretofore proposed is
described, in order to avoid agglomeration of the particles in the
suspension. While effective, the use of high frequencies involves
considerable power consumption in the high frequency power source,
and the power source may be quite expensive.
The present invention is designed to prevent agglomeration, while
allowing the use of a wide range of frequencies including power
line frequencies, hence avoiding the need for expensive power
supplies. Other advantages are also obtained, as will be described
hereinafter.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
In accordance with the invention, a circulating means is employed
to cause the fluid suspension to flow through the cell during
operation thereof. To this end the cell is provided with inlet and
outlet connections, and a pump is connected thereto, thereby
forming conduit means connected to the cell at spaced points
thereof and means for producing a circulation of the fluid
suspension through the cell and conduit means.
Within the cell, means are employed to insure that the suspension
will flow through the active cell region in a smooth,
non-turbulent, generally laminar manner. Any turbulence, or
markedly non-uniform flow has deleterious effects, as will be
described hereinafter. Several ways of providing the desired smooth
flow are described in the specific embodiments.
Advantageously a rate of flow is selected so that, with the
particular fluid suspension and operating conditions employed, the
fluid suspension passes through the cell before appreciable
agglomeration takes place. However, to prevent an increase in the
size of agglomerates due to repeated passages through the cell,
dispersive forces may be applied to the suspension while passing
through the circulating system so as to disperse any agglomerates
that may have formed.
In addition to preventing agglomeration, the fluid flow is found to
reduce the time required for the cell to change its light
transmission upon removal of the applied field. Usually the cell
becomes more opaque upon removal of the applied field, and the
fluid flow thus reduces the closing time.
With fluid flow, it has been found that the cell suspension
partially polarizes the light passing therethrough when the
energizing field is removed. Thus, in accordance with another
feature of the invention, a sheet of light-polarizing material is
placed in the path of light through the cell, with the direction of
polarization perpendicular to the direction of flow in the cell,
thereby markedly increasing the closing speed of the cell when the
applied field is removed.
In accordance with a further feature of the invention, two flow
cells are placed in the path of the light to be controlled, and
arranged with their flow directions perpendicular to each other.
This arrangement also increases the closing speed, and permits
obtaining a greater ratio of densities between closed and open
conditions than that obtained with a single flow cell and
polarizing sheet.
Further features of the invention will be explained in connection
with the description of specific embodiments given hereinafter.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
FIG. 1 is a general view of a known type of light valve with which
the invention may be used;
FIGS. 2 and 3 are cross-sectional views showing ohmic and
capacitive type cells known in the art;
FIGS. 4a and 4b illustrates the closed and open states of the cell
suspension, respectively;
FIG. 5 shows a recirculating flow cell in accordance with the
invention;
FIG. 6 is a cross-section along the line 6--6 of FIG. 5;
FIG. 7 is a cross-section similar to FIG. 6, showing an alternative
construction of the cell;
FIGS. 8 and 9 are face and cross-sectional views of another
embodiment of the cell;
FIG. 10 illustrates the use of a sheet of polarizing material in
conjunction with a flow cell in accordance with the invention;
FIG. 11 shows two cross flow cells;
FIG. 12 is a cross-section of another embodiment of the invention
taken along the line 12--12 of FIG. 13; and
FIG. 13 is a cross-section taken along the line 13--13 of FIG.
12.
Referring to FIGS. 1 and 2, a light valve generally indicated as 10
is formed of two sheets of glass 11 and 12 having transparent
conductive coatings 13 and 14 on the inner surfaces thereof. The
conductive coatings form area electrodes for the application of
energizing voltage to the cell. The glass plates are separated by a
spacer 15 sealed to the glass plates around the edges thereof to
provide a chamber 16 therebetween in which the fluid suspension of
minute particles is placed. Once the fluid suspension has been
introduced, the cell is sealed. The conductive coatings 13 and 14
are connected to a suitable power supply 17. Inasmuch as the fluid
suspension in chamber 16 is in contact with conductive coatings 13
and 14, this may be termed an ohmic type cell.
FIG. 3 is similar to FIG. 2 and corresponding parts are similarly
designated. However, in FIG. 3 thin transparent coatings 18 and 19,
for example glass, are placed over the area electrodes 13 and 14 so
that the conductive coatings are protected from the fluid
suspension. Since layers 18 and 19 are of dielectric material, the
electrodes are, in effect, capacitively coupled to the fluid
suspension in chamber 16.
FIG. 4a shows the closed or opaque condition of the cell 10. Here
tiny acicular particles 21 are illustrated in random orientation. A
beam of light impinging on cell 10, indicated by arrows 22, is
substantially cut off.
FIG.4b shows the open or light transmitting condition of the cell
10. Here, due to the application of an electric field, the
particles 21 are aligned with their major axes perpendicular to the
wall faces. In this condition, the particles intercept much less
light than in the random condition shown in FIG. 4a. Consequently a
considerable portion of the beam of light 22 passes through the
cell, as indicated by the arrows 23.
Referring now to FIGS. 5 and 6, a flow cell in accordance with the
invention is illustrated. The cell itself is generally designated
as 31 and may be considered to be divided into three sections,
namely an active section A and input and output sections B and C.
The front and rear walls 32, 33 of the cell are of glass and, in
the active region A, are coated on their inside surfaces with
conductive coatings 34, 35 forming area electrodes. If desired, the
area electrodes may be protected by thin coatings of glass, as
described for FIG. 3. In this active region the parallel wall
sections with electrodes 34, 35 are spaced apart a distance which
is small compared to the lateral dimensions of the sections, to
confine the fluid suspension therebetween to a thin layer
designated 36. The herapathite suspension previously described is
advantageously employed. In this and subsequent drawings, the
dotted representation of the suspension previously used has been
omitted, to avoid confusion. The parallel area electrodes 34, 35
are connected to a power supply 37.
Instead of sealing the fluid suspension within the cell, in
accordance with the invention inlet and outlet tubes 38 and 39 are
connected to end sections 41 and 42 of the cell. A pump 43
continuously circulates the fluid suspension through the cell
during operation. An orbital pump has been used with success, but
other types may be employed as desired. Advantageously a reservoir
44 is provided in the circulating system. The reservoir provides a
heat interchanger to cool the suspension in applications where
intense beams of light are used, allows air or gas bubbles to
escape, provides for differential thermal expansion in various
parts of the system, and allows a large volume of suspension to be
used so that operation over a long period of time without
substantial deterioration is facilitated.
It has been found to be important to produce a smooth generally
laminar flow of the fluid suspension in the active region of the
cell, that is, in the thin layer 36 between the electrodes 34 and
35. If turbulent flow exists in this region, there will be
variations in light transmission with the cell energized.
Accordingly, as illustrated in FIG. 6, the spacing between the
front and rear walls of the cell in the inlet and outlet regions
41, 42 is substantially greater than the spacing of the wall
sections in the active region 36. Consequently, with suitable rates
of flow, turbulence in the region where tube 38 enters chamber 41
is dissipated before the fluid suspension reaches the adjacent side
of the action region at 43. Since it is preferred that the rate of
flow be substantially constant across the entire width of the
active region of the cell, the spacing of the front and the rear
walls in the outlet region 42 is likewise substantially increased.
Some variation in velocity of flow across the active region 36 may
be tolerated in practice, so long as the flow is reasonably
smooth.
It will be understood that the spacing of the wall sections in
region 36 may be quite small, say of the order of 20 or 30 mils,
and that the spacing of the walls in sections 41 and 42 may be many
times this spacing, in order to obtain the desired smooth flow of
the suspension in region 36. In the drawings, it is impractical to
illustrate the relative spacings accurately.
FIG. 7 illustrates another way to produce smooth, generally laminar
flow in the active region 36 of the cell. Here again, the
separation of conductive coatings 34, 35 is greatly exaggerated as
compared to their lateral dimensions. With the inlet and outlet
tubes 38, 39 spaced a substantial distance from the active region
36, and with a sufficient distance from each tube to the active
region, the initial turbulence may be reduced to acceptable values
so that the flow through the active region 36 is smooth and
generally laminar. The distance from the tubes to the inlet and
outlet sides 44 and 45 of the active region may be much greater
than that shown, in order to obtain the desired smooth flow. Also,
the tubes 38, 39 may be placed on opposite walls 32, 33 of the
cell, if desired.
Referring to FIGS. 8 and 9, another construction for insuring
smooth, generally laminar flow in the active region 36 is
illustrated. Here barrier walls 51 and 52 are positioned between
the inlet and outlet tubes 38, 39 and the respective sides 44, 45
of the active region 36. The barrier walls extend to the spacers 53
on either side of the cell. The height of the barrier walls is
somewhat less than the separation of the cell walls so as to
provide thin passages 54 and 55 through which the fluid suspension
flows. Considering the inlet region, as the fluid suspension enters
the wall through inlet 38, it must pass over the barrier wall 51,
through the thin passage 54, before reaching the active area 36.
Consequently, turbulence is removed. In the outlet region, the
fluid suspension must pass over barrier wall 52, through the thin
passage 55, before reaching the outlet 39, so that the generally
laminar flow in the upper portion of region 36 is not substantially
impaired. If desired, the cell may be extended above and below
barrier walls 51 and 52 so as to provide a greater volume in the
spaces 56 and 57 to eliminate turbulence and promote smooth flow in
active region 36.
In the embodiments of FIGS. 5-9, the inlet and outlet sections have
been made similar, which is believed to enhance the smooth
generally laminar flow desired in the active region 36. However,
they may be made dissimilar if desired, and various combinations of
inlet and outlet constructions may be employed.
In operating closed-type cells such as illustrated in FIGS. 1-3,
the opening time of the cell is quite short, since the particles
become rapidly aligned upon applying the electric field. However,
the closing time is much longer. With a flowing fluid suspension,
it has been found that the closing time is decreased. This is
believed to be due to the hastening of the disorientation of the
particles from their aligned condition by the fluid flow when the
applied voltage is removed. Also the scatter of light from the cell
is reduced by the flow.
It has also been found possible to greatly increase the closing
speed by placing a sheet of polarizing material in the path of
light through the cell, either in front of or behind the cell, with
the direction of polarization perpendicular to the direction of
flow of the fluid suspension. This is illustrated in FIG. 10,
wherein the direction of fluid flow is indicated by arrow 61 and
the direction of polarization of polarizing sheet 62 is shown by
the double-headed arrow 63. As herein used, the direction of
polarization may be considered to be that of the magnetic vector of
the light radiation, so that the orientation of polarizing sheet 62
is such as to cut off the polarized portion of the light passing
through the cell.
When the energizing voltage is removed, it is believed that the
laminar flow of the fluid suspension tends to align the particles
more or less in the direction of flow, so that the light passing
through the cell as it is closing tends to become partially
polarized. In any event, it is found that by placing a sheet of
polarizing material in the path of light through the cell, with
proper orientation, closing speeds can be obtained which are
several times faster than the closing speeds observed without the
use of the polarizing sheet.
The use of a sheet of polarizing material decreases the amount of
light passing by the polarizing sheet when the cell is in its open
condition. Consequently the ratio of light transmission from open
to closed states may be decreased. This may not be disadvantageous
in certain applications, or may be more than offset by the faster
closing.
FIG. 11 shows an arrangement whereby rapid closing may be obtained
without seriously decreasing the light transmission ratio. In FIG.
11 two flow cells 31 and 31' are placed one in front of the other,
with the directions of fluid flow therein at right angles. Thus,
the fluid suspension enters cell 31 via inlet tube 38 and travels
in a vertical direction to outlet tube 39. Outlet tube 39 is
connected through tube 65 to inlet tube 38' of cell 31', and
travels in a horizontal direction to outlet tube 39'. The two cells
are energized from a common source 37. In the open condition of the
cells, the light transmission through the cells will be less than
that for a single cell, since light must pass successively through
the two cells. However, the same is true when the cells are closed.
Consequently, the ratio of transmission between open and closed
conditions is approximately the same as that for a single cell.
However, during the closing of the cells after the energizing
voltage is removed, the polarizing effect of one cell will be at
right angles to that of the other, thereby increasing the speed of
closing.
In FIGS. 10 and 11 the directions of polarization are mutually
perpendicular, so as to obtain the maximum effect. If desired,
angles other than 90.degree. may be employed. It will also be
understood that the direction of light from cell to polarizing
sheet in FIG. 10, or between the cells in FIG. 11, may be changed
by mirrors, prisms, etc. and the orientation of the components
suitably changed so that the effective angles are those described
herein.
Referring to FIGS. 12 and 13, another embodiment of a flow cell is
shown using barrier walls as in FIGS. 8 and 9, but providing an
overall more compact structure. Here barrier walls 71 and 72 are
employed which are tapered from top to bottom. As shown, the
spacing of the top of each barrier wall from the front wall 32 is
uniform, although it also could be tapered if desired. Bearing in
mind that the tops of the barrier walls are very close to the front
wall 32, perhaps only a few mils separation, the greater width of
the barrier walls at the top of the cell, as viewed in FIG. 12,
provides a greater resistance to fluid flow thereacross than at the
bottom of the cell. Consequently, fluid suspension entering at
inlet 38 travels downward and also sidewise over the top of barrier
wall 71. The change in resistance to flow of the wedge-shaped wall
tends to equalize flow in the horizontal direction in the space 36
between electrodes 34 and 35. Wedges 71 and 72 may terminate
slightly short of the bottom edge of the cell so as to leave open
channels in regions 73 of full cell thickness which aid flow of the
suspension out of the lower corners.
In FIG. 12 the stippled area 35 designates the lower area
electrode. As will be observed, the electrode does not extend fully
to the upper and lower edges of the cell. The velocity of flow
along upper and lower edges of the cell may be somewhat lower than
that in other regions, and hence these regions of the cell are
excluded from the active region. If desired, the corners of the
cell may be rounded to further improve the flow. As will be clear
from FIGS. 5-9, 12 and 13, the specific circulating arrangements
shown include conduit means connected to the respective cell at
spaced points thereof and means for producing a circulation of the
fluid suspension through the cell and conduit means.
As has been stated before, the time required for agglomeration to
become noticeable varies with the particular suspension employed
and the voltage and frequency of the power source. While in some
cases agglomeration may become noticeable in a matter of seconds or
minutes, in other cases several hours may elapse before it becomes
serious. Such agglomeration creates inhomogeneities in the
suspension which may seriously affect the usefulness of the light
valve. Also, the density ratio between closed and open states may
be seriously reduced, and the valve may be less opaque in its
closed state.
It is desirable to select a rate of flow such that a given volume
of the suspension flows through the cell before agglomeration
becomes visible. Even so, some agglomeration may be initiated, and
become more serious as the cell is continued in operation.
Accordingly, it is desirable to eliminate any agglomeration that
has taken place within the cell, before that portion of the
suspension again reaches the cell. Thus, it is desirable to apply
dispersive forces to the suspension during the recirculation
outside the active region of the cell to break up any groups of
particles that may exist. Such dispersive forces can be produced by
friction between the agglomerated particles and the walls of the
tubes or vessels through which the suspension flows, by the use of
narrow orifices or obstructions, or by rapidly agitating the
suspension. Frequently the liquid pump may be relied upon to
produce sufficient turbulence and liquid shear to break up the
agglomerates, but if necessary additional expedients may be
employed, as discussed above. It may be noted that the rate of flow
through the cell is somewhat reduced when the electric field is
applied, and this may be taken into account in selecting the
overall rate of flow.
Although the light valves described are commonly used with visible
light sources, with suitable suspensions it may be possible to
control the passage of similar types of electromagnetic radiation
such as infrared and ultraviolet. Also, instead of using continuous
area electrodes within the active region of the cells, the
electrodes may be formed in patterns so as to exhibit a desired
display. Further, instead of allowing light to pass through the
cell from front to rear, the rear surface may be made reflective so
as to provide a mirror of variable reflectivity. It will be
understood that the term "light valve" applies to these various
types of applications.
* * * * *