Abstract:
An integral indicator or display for a welding lens, which has a twisted nematic liquid crystal cell light shutter, includes plural independently operable twisted nematic liquid crystal cell indicator portions integral with the light shutter twisted nematic liquid crystal cell, indicia associated with respective indicator portions to indicate an operating characteristic of the welding lens, circuitry for operating the lens and the indicator portions, and one or more switches for stepping the circuit through respective settings of operating characteristics, such as shade darkness, sensitivity and delay time. The indicator is dark when the light shutter is dark, and the light shutter may include in optical series with the twisted nematic liquid crystal cell, a birefringent liquid crystal cell light shutter which is faster acting than the twisted nematic liquid crystal cell and can be driven to various shades at respective speeds depending on applied electric field. A method of protecting the eyes of a welder includes selecting an operating characteristic of a welding lens and using a display portion of the welding lens to display an operating characteristics of the welding lens.
Abstract:
A power supply circuit for a liquid crystal welding lens or shutter provides a consistent and stable regulated power signal for driving or powering the liquid crystal shutter for maintaining stable performance over the life of the power supply and a battery level indicator feature to provide advance warning of degraded device performance.
Abstract:
A switch activating system for an automatically darkening lens system and an automatically darkening lens system including such a switch activating system, includes a cover plate through at least part of which a scene may be viewed, a support, a pair of switch electrodes, one switch electrode positioned in relatively fixed relation with said support, the other switch electrode being positioned for movement with respect to said one switch electrode selectively to make electrical connection therewith in response to deflecting of said cover plate. The automatically darkening lens assembly also includes a controllable light shutter for controlling transmission of light for viewing therethrough, and a circuit for operating said light shutter and affecting operating characteristics thereof. A method for operating an auto-darkening welding lens including an operating circuit includes selecting an operational characteristic of the welding lens by setting a characteristic of the circuit, said setting comprising deflecting a mechanical member of the welding lens to operate a switch.