System for thermally controlling displays

• US 8,711,321 B2
• Filed: 09/19/2008
• Issued: 04/29/2014
• Est. Priority Date: 11/16/2007
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Manufacturing Resources International, Inc.
• Original Assignee: Manufacturing Resources International, Inc.
• Inventors: Dunn, William, Bedell, Ware, LeCave, Michael
• Primary Examiner(s): Nguyen, Dung
• Assistant Examiner(s): DUONG, TAI V
• Application Number:
  US12/234,182
• Publication Number:
  US 20090213304A1
• Time in Patent Office: 2,048 Days
• Field of Search: 349/139, 349/158, 349/161, 349/137, 219/209, 361/705, 361/712, 361/694, 361/695
• US Class Current: 349/161
• CPC Class Codes: G02F 1/133382 Heating or cooling of liquid crystal cells other than for activation, e.g. circuits or arrangements for temperature control, stabilisation or uniform distribution over the cell
• CPC Class Codes: H05K 7/20972 Forced ventilation, e.g. on heat dissipaters coupled to components

Abstract

Exemplary embodiments provide a system for thermally controlling an electronic display. A glass substrate containing a pyrolytic electrically conductive layer is utilized. The electrically conductive layer may be used as a passive thermal insulator or may be electrically energized to further heat the glass substrate. The glass may be used with a closed loop plenum which may further heat/cool the display. Additional glass layers may be added in order to polarize light or provide anti-reflective properties.

Claims

1. A system for thermally controlling an electronic display having an intended observer comprising:

a glass substrate placed between the electronic display and the intended observer;

an air gap defined between the electronic display and the glass substrate;

a plenum in gaseous communication with the air gap;

a first fan positioned to force isolated gas through the plenum and air gap;

a second fan positioned to force ambient gas over the plenum; and

a pyrolytic electrically conductive coating disposed on a surface of the glass substrate.

2. The system of claim 1 further comprising:

a power source electrically connected to said pyrolytic electrically conductive coating.

3. The system of claim 1 wherein:

said glass substrate having a pyrolytic electrically conductive coating has a sheet resistance between 10 and 20 Ohms/sq.

4. The system of claim 1 wherein:

said glass substrate having a pyrolytic electrically conductive coating has a sheet resistance between 55 and 75 Ohms/sq.

5. The system of claim 1 wherein said electronic display is a liquid crystal display (LCD).

6. The system of claim 1 wherein said electronic display is any one of the following:

light emitting diode (LED), organic light emitting diode (OLED), field emitting display (FED), cathode ray tube (CRT), and plasma display.

7. A system for thermally controlling a liquid crystal display (LCD), said system comprising:

an LCD which faces an intended observer and contains a backlight;

a glass substrate placed between the LCD and the intended observer;

an air gap defined between the LCD and the glass substrate;

a plenum in gaseous communication with the air gap;

a first fan positioned to force isolated gas through the plenum and air gap;

a second fan positioned to force ambient gas over the plenum and behind the backlight; and

a pyrolytic electrically conductive coating disposed on a surface of the glass substrate.

8. The system of claim 7 wherein:

said glass substrate having a pyrolytic electrically conductive coating has a sheet resistance between 10 and 20 Ohms/sq.

9. The system of claim 7 wherein:

said glass substrate having a pyrolytic electrically conductive coating has a sheet resistance between 55 and 75 Ohms/sq.

10. The system of claim 7 further comprising:

a polarizer placed between the intended observer and the glass substrate.

11. The system of claim 10 further comprising:

an anti-reflective layer placed between the intended observer and the polarizer.

12. The system of claim 11 wherein said anti-reflective glass has a reflectance percentage of 1.0 - 3.0 percent.