US3629638A - Plasma display device with internal-external electrode structure - Google Patents

Plasma display device with internal-external electrode structure Download PDF

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Publication number
US3629638A
US3629638A US3126A US3629638DA US3629638A US 3629638 A US3629638 A US 3629638A US 3126 A US3126 A US 3126A US 3629638D A US3629638D A US 3629638DA US 3629638 A US3629638 A US 3629638A
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United States
Prior art keywords
gas
cells
insulator member
holes
internal
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Legal status (The legal status is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the status listed.)
Expired - Lifetime
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US3126A
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English (en)
Inventor
Harry Veron
Richard Allan Carey Sr
Current Assignee (The listed assignees may be inaccurate. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation or warranty as to the accuracy of the list.)
WALTER E HELLER WESTERN Inc
Sperry Corp
Microsemi Corp Power Management Group
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Sperry Rand Corp
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Assigned to EMERSON ELECTRIC CO., A MO CORP. reassignment EMERSON ELECTRIC CO., A MO CORP. ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNORS INTEREST. Assignors: BECKMAN INSTRUMENTS, INC.
Assigned to BECKMAN INDUSTRIAL CORPORATION A CORP OF DE reassignment BECKMAN INDUSTRIAL CORPORATION A CORP OF DE ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNORS INTEREST. Assignors: EMERSON ELECTRIC CO., A CORP OF MO
Assigned to DIXON DEVELOPMENT, INC., A CA CORP. reassignment DIXON DEVELOPMENT, INC., A CA CORP. ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNORS INTEREST. Assignors: BECKMAN INDUSTRIAL CORPORATION
Assigned to WALTER E HELLER WESTERN INCORPORATED reassignment WALTER E HELLER WESTERN INCORPORATED ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNORS INTEREST. Assignors: DIXON DEVELOPMENT, INC. A CORP. OF CA.
Assigned to BABCOCK DISPLAY PRODUCTS,INC. reassignment BABCOCK DISPLAY PRODUCTS,INC. CHANGE OF NAME (SEE DOCUMENT FOR DETAILS). EFFECTIVE OCT.12,1984 Assignors: DIXION DEVELOPMENT,INC.
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Expired - Lifetime legal-status Critical Current

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    • H—ELECTRICITY
    • H01—ELECTRIC ELEMENTS
    • H01J—ELECTRIC DISCHARGE TUBES OR DISCHARGE LAMPS
    • H01J17/00—Gas-filled discharge tubes with solid cathode
    • H01J17/38—Cold-cathode tubes
    • H01J17/48—Cold-cathode tubes with more than one cathode or anode, e.g. sequence-discharge tube, counting tube, dekatron
    • H01J17/49—Display panels, e.g. with crossed electrodes, e.g. making use of direct current
    • H01J17/492—Display panels, e.g. with crossed electrodes, e.g. making use of direct current with crossed electrodes
    • H—ELECTRICITY
    • H01—ELECTRIC ELEMENTS
    • H01J—ELECTRIC DISCHARGE TUBES OR DISCHARGE LAMPS
    • H01J17/00—Gas-filled discharge tubes with solid cathode
    • H01J17/38—Cold-cathode tubes
    • H01J17/48—Cold-cathode tubes with more than one cathode or anode, e.g. sequence-discharge tube, counting tube, dekatron
    • H01J17/49—Display panels, e.g. with crossed electrodes, e.g. making use of direct current
    • H01J17/491—Display panels, e.g. with crossed electrodes, e.g. making use of direct current with electrodes arranged side by side and substantially in the same plane, e.g. for displaying alphanumeric characters

Definitions

  • ABSTRACT A gas discharge panel di a planar dielectric memberhavin ing holes arrayed therein and di exterior planar dielectric members.
  • An electrode con tion for firing the gas cells includes an external ele structure positioned on the outer surface of one of the exterior members operating in conjunction with an internal electrode arrangement positioned on the remote surface of the intermediate member, holes being formed in the internal electrode structure in overlaying relation with and conformi shape of the gas cells.
  • Operation of such devices is based on ionization of the gas in selected cells to provide a visual presentation of alphanumeric or other information which is to be displayed. This is accomplished by energizing an appropriate electrode or plurality of electrodes on each side of the gas cells in a manner to establish an ionizing potential difference across discrete cells such that a light pattern representative of the information to be displayed is produced.
  • a two-dimensional array of cells is formed intermediate two electrode planes each including a plurality of lineal parallel electrode elements with the electrodes in one plane orthogonally oriented relative to those in the other plane.
  • the electrodes have typically been positioned either immediately adjacent the gas, forming an internal electrode structure or, alternatively, have been spaced from the gas by respective insulating or dielectric layers to form an electrode structure which is external to the gas cells.
  • the lighted discharge cells must be viewed through a semitransparent electrode overlaying the cells, resulting in an undesirable diminution of the visible light.
  • An external electrode configuration substantially reduces the sputtering problem attendant to internal electrodes but usually requires considerably higher power input to achieve a desired light output, namely, a light level suitable for easy viewing under ordinary ambient room lighting conditions.
  • a unique electrode configuration comprising a combination of internal and external electrodes disposed respectively on opposite sides of an ionizable gaseous medium. More specifically, in a flexible symbol format embodiment of the present invention, a planar dielectric member, having a matrix of holes extending therethrough forming the gas cells, is positioned between a pair of exterior planar dielectric members and sealed together therewith at the edges to form a unitary gastight apparatus. A tube connected to the apparatus and scalable at the external end provides for evacuating air and other impurities preparatory to filling with a selected gas at a desired pressure.
  • a set of linear electrodes is affixed to the outer surface of one of the exterior dielectric members in superposed relation to respective rows of the gas discharge cells of the intermediate layer. These constitute the external electrodes.
  • Another set of linear electrodes, arranged in columns, is similarly positioned relative to the gas cells adjacent the interior surface of the other exterior planar member to form the internal electrodes. In each internal electrode holes are formed in overlaying relation and conforming to the shape of the gas cells. This construction provides for sharply defined lighting at each cell and enhances the brightness of the display inasmuch as it is viewed looking directly into the discharge without theprzesenceof an intervening-electrode.
  • the gas cells are formed in the shape of elongated rectangles arranged relative to one another in a standard alphanumeric symbol generating configuration.
  • the internal and external electrodes have the same location relative to the dielectric layers of the composite structure as previously described for the flexible symbol format.
  • the external electrodes have the same shape as the gas cells and are mounted in superimposed relation thereto.
  • the intemal electrodes are conveniently formed by a single conductive member having a plurality of holes extending therethrough with a shape matching and overlaying the gas cell holes.
  • FIG. I is an exploded perspective view of a flexible format embodiment of the invention
  • FIG. 2 is an exploded perspective view of a fixed format embodiment of the invention.
  • the dielectric members are thin plates, preferably constructed of a material such as glass or quartz and are typically only about 5 to 10 thousandths of an inch thick to minimize the overall thickness of the display panel, but these dimensions are not critical.
  • Interior member 12 has a plurality of holes 13 extending through it which can be formed, for example, by ultrasonic drilling or chemical etching in accordance with conventional techniques well known in the art.
  • External electrodes [4 are disposed on the outer surface of exterior member 10 so as to extend across respective horizontal rows of holes in interior member 12.
  • internal electrodes 16 are disposed on interior member I2 on the surface thereof remote from the external electrodes. As indicated, the internal electrodes extend in a direction orthogonal to the external electrodes and have holes in them in overlaying relation to the holes in the interior dielectric member. All the electrode elements are preferably constructed of chrome or aluminum.
  • exterior member 10 When assembled, exterior member 10 is brought into contact with interior member 12 while exterior member 11 is held against internal electrodes 16 and the dielectric members are then sealed around their edges as by an epoxy or encapsulating material to form a gastight unitary structure.
  • a tube (not shown) can be coupled through the side of the structure into its interior region for the purpose of out-gassing and filling with an ionizable gas such as neon at a pressure of about 300 Torr whereby individual gas cells are formed by the holes in the interior member.
  • Successful operation has been achieved with a device of this type wherein the electrodes are on the order of 1,000 Angstroms thick and 0.030 inches wide with the holes in both the internal electrodes and the interior dielectric member approximately 0.020 inches in diameter and spaced 0.062 inches center to center.
  • a selected gas cell is illuminated by applying an AC signal of sufficient amplitude to the appropriate internal and external electrodes such that an ionizing discharge is established in the cell to cause visible radiation to be emitted therefrom.
  • an ionizing discharge is established in the cell to cause visible radiation to be emitted therefrom.
  • application of potential to electrodes 14a and 16a uniquely establishes a potential difference across cell 13a.
  • Other cells can be ignited by energizing differentelectrode-combinations and obviously a plurality. of cells can be energized simultaneously if desired.
  • firing can be accomplished by continuously applying to all of the electrodes a sustaining signal which by itself is incapable of ionizing the gas, that is, a sustaining signal at an amplitude slightly less than the ionizing potential and typically at a frequency in the kilohertz range, 300 kilohertz being suitable for the specific device described herein.
  • an individual cell is fired by applying a writing pulse to the related electrodes in a manner such that the writing signal is decoupled from all the other electrodes but adds to the sustaining signal at the selected electrodes as the sustaining signal crosses from the negative to the positive portion of its cycle thereby raising the instantaneous excitation across the selected cell to a level above the ionizing potential. Thereafter the discharge continues until an erase pulse is provided in a similar manner as the sustaining signal crosses from the positive to the negative portion of its cycle to reduce the applied potential below the ionizing cutoff level.
  • the internal-external electrode combination provided by the invention provides several advantages such as reduced sputtering, greater efficiency (ratio of light output to power input) and brighter output as explained hereinbefore. It will now be apparent that the latter feature is realized because the gas discharge is viewed as from position 17 by looking directly through glass member 11 without obstruction by any of the electrode members. Regarding the other advantages, it is believed that these obtain from the unique electrode structure which not only enhances the electric field configuration within the individual gas cells but also substantially reduces sputter inducing conduction currents by allowing only a predominant displacement current to flow.
  • an opaque insulating member could be used in place of glass interior member 12 or the walls thereof between the respective cells can be coated with an opaque material to minimize optical coupling between the cells.
  • the fixed symbol format embodiment of the invention illustrated in FIG. 2 is arranged, constructed and assembled in essentially the same way as described with reference to the flexible format embodiment of H0. 1.
  • the illuminated symbols are viewed by looking through electrical insulator 21 directly into the discharge cells 22 extending through the middle insulator member 22.
  • the discharge cells have a rectangular shape and are configured in a conventional alphanumeric pattern whereby various letters and numbers can be displayed by igniting the appropriate cells.
  • the internal electrode 24 is preferably, but not necessarily, a single metallic member having holes therethrough overlaying and matching the shape of the discharge cell holes in member 23.
  • the external electrodes have a shape and size conforming to the respective I overlaying holes in insulator 23 and internal electrode 24 and are positioned in superposed relation thereto on member 27.
  • a numeral 7 can be presented by connecting the energizing AC potentials across the common internal electrode 24 and external electrodes 26a, 26b and 260.
  • presentation of various symbols by means of signals of sufficient amplitude to ionize the gas in selected cells without the use of a sustaining signal is preferred.
  • the excitation can be applied by means of short bursts of AC energy; for instance, 4 or 5 cycles of a 300 kilocycle signal at a repetition rate of say one kilocycle to I00 kilocycles.
  • a gas discharge display apparatus having a plurality of discrete gas cells for displaying symbols in accordance with the selective ionization of gas in the respective cells in response to ionizing potentials applied thereacross, comprismg a substantially planar rear wall insulator member and a substantially planar translucent front wall insulator member sealed together about their edges in spaced apart relation to form a hermetically sealed enclosure for an ionizable gas contained therein,
  • internal electrode means positioned between and in contacting relation with the interior surface of the front insulator member and adjacent surface of the additional insulator member, said internal electrode means having through holes spatially superposed with the gas cell forming holes in said additional insulator member to enable direct viewing of ionized gas in said cells through the front translucent insulator member, and
  • external electrode means including a plurality of electrode elements each formed on the exterior surface of the rear insulator member in spatially superposed relation with at least one of the gas cells, said electrode elements thereby being separated from the gas by said rear insulator member whereby sputter material emitted from said internal electrode means and deposited on the walls of the gas cells is precluded from establishing a shorting path between said internal and external electrodes.
  • said internal electrode means comprises a plurality of metallic members, each such member extending across a plurality of said gas cells; and the external electrode elements extend in a direction orthogonal to said internal metallic members.

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  • Gas-Filled Discharge Tubes (AREA)
US3126A 1970-01-15 1970-01-15 Plasma display device with internal-external electrode structure Expired - Lifetime US3629638A (en)

Applications Claiming Priority (1)

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US312670A 1970-01-15 1970-01-15

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US3629638A true US3629638A (en) 1971-12-21

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US (1) US3629638A (xx)
CA (1) CA933571A (xx)
DE (1) DE2101935A1 (xx)
FR (1) FR2075537A5 (xx)
GB (1) GB1331250A (xx)
NL (1) NL7100323A (xx)

Cited By (9)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US3866084A (en) * 1971-06-22 1975-02-11 Mitsubishi Electric Corp Plasma display panel device
JPS5068773A (xx) * 1973-10-22 1975-06-09
US4147959A (en) * 1977-05-25 1979-04-03 Beckman Instruments, Inc. Display section for multilayer gas-discharge display panel
US4887003A (en) * 1988-05-10 1989-12-12 Parker William P Screen printable luminous panel display device
US4956577A (en) * 1988-05-10 1990-09-11 Parker William P Interactive luminous panel display device
US5019750A (en) * 1990-01-16 1991-05-28 Gte Products Corporation Radio-frequency driven display
US5126632A (en) * 1988-05-10 1992-06-30 Parker William P Luminous panel display device
US5198723A (en) * 1988-05-10 1993-03-30 Parker William P Luminous panel display device
WO2003041035A2 (en) * 2001-11-02 2003-05-15 Electro Plasma, Inc. Low voltage high efficiency illuminated display having capacitive coupled electrodes

Citations (5)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US2004577A (en) * 1931-10-15 1935-06-11 Iris Licht G M B H Process and apparatus for the production of luminous signs in electric gas dischargetubes
US2848638A (en) * 1953-06-09 1958-08-19 Edwin W Smith Multi-display tube
US3264074A (en) * 1962-04-04 1966-08-02 Lear Siegler Inc Thin film electron emissive electrode
US3497751A (en) * 1967-09-25 1970-02-24 Burroughs Corp Transparent electrode and device using the same
US3509407A (en) * 1967-09-15 1970-04-28 Burroughs Corp Display panel

Patent Citations (5)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US2004577A (en) * 1931-10-15 1935-06-11 Iris Licht G M B H Process and apparatus for the production of luminous signs in electric gas dischargetubes
US2848638A (en) * 1953-06-09 1958-08-19 Edwin W Smith Multi-display tube
US3264074A (en) * 1962-04-04 1966-08-02 Lear Siegler Inc Thin film electron emissive electrode
US3509407A (en) * 1967-09-15 1970-04-28 Burroughs Corp Display panel
US3497751A (en) * 1967-09-25 1970-02-24 Burroughs Corp Transparent electrode and device using the same

Cited By (13)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US3866084A (en) * 1971-06-22 1975-02-11 Mitsubishi Electric Corp Plasma display panel device
JPS5068773A (xx) * 1973-10-22 1975-06-09
JPS564008B2 (xx) * 1973-10-22 1981-01-28
US4147959A (en) * 1977-05-25 1979-04-03 Beckman Instruments, Inc. Display section for multilayer gas-discharge display panel
US5198723A (en) * 1988-05-10 1993-03-30 Parker William P Luminous panel display device
US4887003A (en) * 1988-05-10 1989-12-12 Parker William P Screen printable luminous panel display device
US4956577A (en) * 1988-05-10 1990-09-11 Parker William P Interactive luminous panel display device
US5126632A (en) * 1988-05-10 1992-06-30 Parker William P Luminous panel display device
US5019750A (en) * 1990-01-16 1991-05-28 Gte Products Corporation Radio-frequency driven display
WO2003041035A2 (en) * 2001-11-02 2003-05-15 Electro Plasma, Inc. Low voltage high efficiency illuminated display having capacitive coupled electrodes
WO2003041035A3 (en) * 2001-11-02 2003-12-24 Electro Plasma Inc Low voltage high efficiency illuminated display having capacitive coupled electrodes
US20040100180A1 (en) * 2001-11-02 2004-05-27 Byrum Bernard W. Low voltage high efficiency illuminated display having capacitive coupled electrodes
US6836072B2 (en) 2001-11-02 2004-12-28 Electro Plasma, Inc. Low voltage high efficiency illuminated display having capacitive coupled electrodes

Also Published As

Publication number Publication date
NL7100323A (xx) 1971-07-19
CA933571A (en) 1973-09-11
DE2101935A1 (de) 1971-07-22
FR2075537A5 (xx) 1971-10-08
GB1331250A (en) 1973-09-26

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AS Assignment

Owner name: EMERSON ELECTRIC CO., A MO CORP.

Free format text: ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNORS INTEREST.;ASSIGNOR:BECKMAN INSTRUMENTS, INC.;REEL/FRAME:004319/0695

Effective date: 19840301

Owner name: BECKMAN INDUSTRIAL CORPORATION A CORP OF DE

Free format text: ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNORS INTEREST.;ASSIGNOR:EMERSON ELECTRIC CO., A CORP OF MO;REEL/FRAME:004328/0659

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Owner name: WALTER E HELLER WESTERN INCORPORATED

Free format text: ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNORS INTEREST.;ASSIGNOR:DIXON DEVELOPMENT, INC. A CORP. OF CA.;REEL/FRAME:004337/0572

Effective date: 19840928

Owner name: DIXON DEVELOPMENT, INC., A CA CORP.

Free format text: ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNORS INTEREST.;ASSIGNOR:BECKMAN INDUSTRIAL CORPORATION;REEL/FRAME:004337/0564

Effective date: 19840928

AS Assignment

Owner name: BABCOCK DISPLAY PRODUCTS,INC.

Free format text: CHANGE OF NAME;ASSIGNOR:DIXION DEVELOPMENT,INC.;REEL/FRAME:004372/0199

Effective date: 19841002