LIGHT-EMITTING PANEL AND A METHOD FOR MAKING

• US 20090275254A1
• Filed: 05/13/2009
• Published: 11/05/2009
• Est. Priority Date: 10/27/2000
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Leidos, Inc. (Leidos Holdings, Inc.)
• Original Assignee: Science Applications International Corporation
• Inventors: GREEN, Albert Myron, Johnson, Roger Laverne, George, Edward Victor, Drobot, Adam Thomas, Wyeth, Newell Convers
• Granted Patent: US 8,043,137 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 445/24
• CPC Class Codes: A61L 2/10 Ultraviolet radiation
• CPC Class Codes: A61L 9/20 Ultraviolet radiation
• CPC Class Codes: G02B 6/0033 Means for improving the coupling-out of light from the light guide
• CPC Class Codes: G02B 6/0036 2-D arrangement of prisms, protrusions, indentations or roughened surfaces
• CPC Class Codes: G02B 6/0065 Manufacturing aspects; Material aspects
• CPC Class Codes: H01J 11/18 containing a plurality of independent closed structures for containing the gas, e.g. plasma tube array [PTA] display panels
• CPC Class Codes: H01J 17/16 Vessels; Containers
• CPC Class Codes: H01J 17/49 Display panels, e.g. with crossed electrodes , e.g. making use of direct current display panels making use of alternating current H01J11/00
• CPC Class Codes: H01J 2217/49285 Associated optical means
• CPC Class Codes: H01J 61/305 Flat vessels or containers
• CPC Class Codes: H01J 65/046 the field being produced by using capacitive means around the vessel
• CPC Class Codes: H01J 9/185 of flat panel display devices, e.g. by using spacers
• CPC Class Codes: H01J 9/241 the vessel being for a flat panel display H01J9/261 takes precedence; flat discharge lamps H01J9/248

Abstract

An improved light-emitting panel having a plurality of micro-components sandwiched between two substrates is disclosed. Each micro-component contains a gas or gas-mixture capable of ionization when a sufficiently large voltage is supplied across the micro-component via at least two electrodes. An improved method of manufacturing a light-emitting panel is also disclosed, which uses a web fabrication process to manufacturing light-emitting displays as part of a high-speed, continuous inline process.

Claims

1. A web fabrication process for manufacturing a plurality of light-emitting panels, comprising:

providing a first substrate comprising a plurality of channels; and

weaving a single micro-component through the plurality of channels, the micro-component having a cylindrical shape, being not more than 300 microns in diameter across its minor axis, and emitting radiation when exposed to a trigger voltage.

2. The process of claim 1, wherein the channels comprise a plurality of ends and the process further comprises heating the micro-component to allow the micro-component to bend around the end of each channel.

3. The process of claim 1, further comprising weaving a plurality of micro-components, wherein each micro-component emits a specific color of visible light when exposed to the trigger voltage.

4. The process of claim 1, further comprising coating each channel with a specific color phosphor.

5. A web fabrication process for manufacturing a plurality of light-emitting panels, comprising:

providing a first substrate comprising a plurality of channels approximately equally space one from another in parallel; and

weaving a single micro-component through the plurality of channels, the micro-component having a cylindrical shape, wherein the single micro-component is bent in a u-shape at multiple points so as to be woven through the plurality of channels in a continuous fashion; and

providing at least one electrode in contact with the single micro-component, such that the single micro-component is capable of emitting radiation when the at least one electrode is exposed to a trigger voltage.

6. A web fabrication process for manufacturing a plurality of light-emitting panels, comprising:

providing a first substrate comprising a plurality of channels approximately equally space one from another in parallel; and

weaving a first, second and third micro-component through the plurality of channels in an alternate fashion, the first, second and third micro-components each having a cylindrical shape, wherein the first, second and third micro-components are bent in a u-shape at multiple points so as to be woven through the plurality of channels in a continuous fashion; and

providing at least one electrode in contact with each of the first, second and third micro-components, such that each of the first, second and third micro-components is capable of emitting radiation of a different color when the at least one electrode is exposed to a trigger voltage.