Eye protection device for welding helmets
DCFirst Claim
1. A light transmission control device, comprisinga. band pass filter means for transmitting visible light of a prescribed wavelength and for blocking transmission of visible light of a different prescribed wavelength, andb. variable optical filter means for controllably transmitting light of a visible wavelength, andc. wherein said band pass filter and variable optical filter are cooperatively related to provide at least three different light transmitting conditions, including a maximum transmission, a minimum transmission, and a third transmission.
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Abstract
Light transmission control device includes band pass filter for transmitting light of a wavelength or group of wavelengths and partially blocking transmission of light of a different wavelength or group of wavelengths, and variable optical filter for controllably transmitting light of a wavelength or group of wavelengths, the band pass filter and variable optical filter being cooperative to provide at least three light transmitting modes, including maximum transmission, minimum transmission, and a third mode less transmissive than the maximum, the device being operative to minimum transmissive mode upon being driven by a maximum energy input, the device also being operative to maximum transmissive mode upon being driven by a lesser energy input, and such third transmission mode occurring in response to no power or a failure of power or adequate power for energizing the device to the maximum or minimum transmissive mode.
262 Citations
48 Claims
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1. A light transmission control device, comprising
a. band pass filter means for transmitting visible light of a prescribed wavelength and for blocking transmission of visible light of a different prescribed wavelength, and b. variable optical filter means for controllably transmitting light of a visible wavelength, and c. wherein said band pass filter and variable optical filter are cooperatively related to provide at least three different light transmitting conditions, including a maximum transmission, a minimum transmission, and a third transmission.
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4. A liquid crystal lens assembly for protecting the eyes, comprising
a. a band pass filter for transmitting visible light of a given wavelength and for blocking transmission of visible light of a different wavelength, and b. a liquid crystal device in optical serial relation with said band pass filter, said liquid crystal device having variable visible light transmitting conditions as a function of an application of an electric field thereto, said liquid crystal device being tuned for operation in the absence of an electric field to transmit some light and to block some light at the wavelength transmitted by said band pass filter, said liquid crystal device being responsive to application of a minimal electric field to be tuned to transmit substantially a maximum of light incident thereon, and said liquid crystal device being responsive to application of a larger electric field to block transmission of substantially all light incident thereon.
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13. Apparatus for controlling transmission of electromagnetic energy which has a plurality of visible wavelengths and is incident thereon, comprising
a. band pass filter means for transmitting at least some said electromagnetic energy incident thereon at at least one wavelength and for filtering at least some electromagnetic energy at at least another wavelength, and b. a controllable optical device in optical series with said band pass filter means, said controllable optical device being able to assume at least three different operational modes includes, i. a first said mode providing substantial transmission of said electromagnetic energy at the wavelength transmitted by said band pass filter means, ii. a second said mode providing filtering of a substantial part of said electromagnetic energy transmitted by said band pass filter means, and iii. a third said mode providing filtering of at least some of said electromagnetic energy at the wavelength transmitted by said band pass filter means.
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26. A welding helmet comprising a shield means for protecting the face of an individual, an opening in said shield means and apparatus positioned in said opening to provide variable eye protection for the individual, said apparatus being operative for controlling transmission of electromagnetic energy which has a plurality of visible wavelengths and is incident thereon and comprising
a. band pass filter means for transmitting at least some said electromagnetic energy incident thereon at least one wavelength and for filtering at least some of said electromagnetic energy at least another wavelength, and b. a controllable optical device in optical series with said band pass filter means, said controllable optical device being able to assume at least three different operational modes including, i. a first said mode providing substantial transmission of such electromagnetic energy at the wavelength transmitted by said band pass filter means, ii. a second said mode providing filtering of a substantial part of said electromagnetic energy transmitted by said band pass filter means, and iii. a third said mode providing filtering of at least some of said electromagnetic energy at the wavelength transmitted by said band pass filter means.
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27. An eye protection device for protecting the eyes of a welder or the like, comprising a support for supporting a variable protective lens in position to protect said eyes, and a variable protective lens comprising apparatus operative for controlling transmission of electromagnetic energy which has a plurality of visible wavelengths and is incident thereon, comprising
a. band pass filter means for transmitting at least some said electromagnetic energy incident thereon at least one wavelength and for filtering at least some of said electromagnetic energy at least another wavelength, and b. a controllable optical device in optical series with said band pass filter means, said controllable optical device being able to assume at least three different operational modes including, i. a first said mode providing substantial transmission of said electromagnetic energy at the wavelength transmitted by said band pass filter means, ii. a second said mode providing filtering of a substantial part of said electromagnetic energy transmitted by said band pass filter means, and iii. a third said mode providing filtering of at least some of said electromagnetic energy at the wavelength transmitted by said band pass filter means.
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28. Device for controlling transmission of visible light energy which has a plurality of wavelengths and is incident thereon, comprising
a. band pass filter means for transmitting at least some of said light energy in the green area of the spectrum and for blocking transmission of most of the light in the other visible areas, ultraviolet area, and infrared area of the spectrum, and b. electronically controlled variable optical filter means for controllably transmitting light of a wavelength, c. said electronically controlled variable optical filter means being operational in the absence of a prescribed input to filter light energy in the green area of the spectrum.
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35. Device for controlling transmission of light energy which has a plurality of wavelengths incident thereon, comprising
a. band pass filter means for transmitting at least some of least one wavelength of said light energy and for filtering at least some of at least one other wavelength of said light energy, b. electronically controlled variable optical filter means for controllably transmitting light of a wavelength in response to a prescribed input thereto, and c. said electronically controlled variable optical filter means in the absence of a prescribed input being operative to transmit at least some of at least one wavelength of said light energy incident thereon and to filter at least some of at least one wavelength of said light energy incident thereon.
Specification