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Tir light valve

  • US 20090116099A1
  • Filed: 01/02/2009
  • Published: 05/07/2009
  • Est. Priority Date: 12/09/2005
  • Status: Active Grant
First Claim
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1. A light valve comprising:

  • an array of functionally equivalent light valves, each said light valve comprising;

    a means for bending light, said means for bending light having an index of refraction much greater than an index of refraction of a surrounding area, so that light projected onto a first surface of said means for bending light is reflected off a second surface of said means for bending light,a switching element comprising a reflecting surface, anda means for moving said reflecting surface of said switching element relative to said second surface of said means for bending light;

    whereinwhen said switching means is in a first position, light passing through said first surface of said means for bending light reflects off of said second surface of said means for bending light and passes through an output surface of said means for bending light, andwhen said switching means is in a second position, said reflecting surface is moved to a position touching or in close proximity to said second surface of said means for bending light, so that light passing through said first surface of said means for bending light is not reflected off said second surface, but rather continues on to a surface of said switching means, andsaid switching means redirects the light in a direction not substantially parallel to a direction of said light passing through said first surface of said means for bending light.

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