Abstract:
The present invention relates to a reflective liquid crystal display, more specifically, to a cholesteric liquid crystal display employing a TFT substrate with mirror pixel electrode array to achieve ultra-high reflectivity. The display provides not only with video speed motion pictures but also with excellent paper-like bistable images.
Abstract:
Reconfigurable, expandable-collapsible structures based upon negative Poisson's ratio (NPR) auxetic unit cells achieve rapidly deployable apparatus, devices and systems. A plurality of joint bodies, each joint body having a plurality of connection features, are coupled to interconnecting link members with opposing ends, each end including connection features that engage with the connection features of the joint bodies. The link members pivot about different axes relative to the joint bodies, thereby forming an expandable and collapsible structure having a height and a width. The link members form an array of geometric unit cells when the structure is expanded, and the height and the width of the structure when expanded are both greater than the height and the width of the structure when collapsed. In certain embodiments the structures have unit cells based upon triangles or bowtie shapes.
Abstract:
The current invention relates to a sunlight readable full color active matrix liquid crystal display devices. By means of a novel Directional Light Guiding (DLG) film structure, both the internal backlight and the external sunlight can be used synergistically for lighting the display so as to deliver superior readability and color quality. A seamless transition between indoor and outdoor applications makes the vivid true color display an ideal solution to portable electronics.
Abstract:
Negative Poisson's ratio (NPR) or auxetic are used to make lightweight wheels and runflat tires. The NPR tires can be tailored and functionally-designed to optimally meet the runflat requirements for both military and commercial vehicles. NPR-runflat tires may be fabricated using standard materials and simple manufacturing processes, resulting in low-cost and high-volume production. In preferred embodiments the runflat tire designs are fully compatible with Central Tire Inflation Systems (CTIS), while providing a performance equivalent to current military vehicle solutions but at half the weight. An auxetic wheel according to the invention comprises a line defining an axis of rotation; and a plurality of concentric rings of unit cells surrounding the axis, each unit cell being constructed of a plurality of members defining a Negative Poisson's Ratio (NPR) structure. The outermost ring of unit cells is arranged to facilitate rolling terrain contact, such that the stiffness of the structure in the localized region of loading due to terrain contact increases as the wheel rotates. A layer of material may be disposed between the concentric rings of unit cells which in preferred embodiments comprise a plurality of nested-V shapes. A cover may be provided over the outermost ring of unit cells forming a tire which may, or may not, be inflated.
Abstract:
Improved composite armor designs use optimally shaped ceramic pellets and a web system for patterning the pellets, improving manufacturability, and providing additional structural reinforcement. The result is lightweight, composite hybrid structures for ballistic protection particularly suited to tactical ground vehicles. The preferred embodiment is a combination of three major components: 1) an optimally designed web system that allows armor tiles to be attached to it and that can be easily integrated with existing vehicle structures; 2) an advanced composite armor unit using a patent-pending BTR (Bio-mimetic Tendon-Reinforced) material as the supporting structure; and 3) optimally placed “waiting materials” which can provide enhanced ballistic impact resistance, energy absorption capability and structural integrity. These “waiting materials” are structural members that are not active at the beginning of the ballistic impact, but become active when needed or the active members have failed.
Abstract:
Biomimetic tendon-reinforced” (BTR) composite structures feature improved properties including a very high strength-to-weight ratio. The basic structure includes plurality of parallel, spaced-apart stuffer members, each with an upper end and a lower end, and a plurality of fiber elements, each having one point connected to the upper end of a stuffer member and another point connected to the lower end of a stuffer member such that the elements form criss-crossing joints between the stuffer members. The stuffer members and fiber elements may optionally be embedded in a matrix material such as an epoxy resin. The fiber elements are preferably carbon fibers, though other materials, including natural or synthetic fibers or metal wires may be used. The stuffer members may be rods, tubes, or spheres, and may be constructed of metal, ceramic or plastic. The stuffer members are preferably spaced apart at equal distances. If the members are tubes, the fiber elements may be dressed through the tubes. Alternatively, the fiber elements may tied to the ends of the stuffer members and/or to each other at the joints. Both linear and planar structures are disclosed.
Abstract:
This invention relates to reflective cholesteric displays without using Bragg reflection. The helical pitch of the cholesteric liquid crystals may or may not be tuned in a visible wavelength, but its Bragg reflection will never be displayed. An elliptical polarizer with properly designed retardation and lamination positioned at the front of the display will be able to eliminate the Bragg reflection over a large viewing cone. The function of the display cell structure is merely a light shutter to switch the incident light ON and OFF. In the black-and-white display mode, the white state is achieved from the metal reflection in the cholesteric planar texture area; and the black state is obtained by cholesteric's depolarization effect and polarizer's filtration effect in the cholesteric focal conic texture area. In the full color mode, the full color state is created by the metal reflector and the micro-color filter in the cholesteric planar texture area; and the black state is realized in the cholesteric focal conic texture area. The reflective cholesteric display, remaining its long-term bistability but not applying the narrow-band Bragg reflection, initiates novel displays with a neutral wide-band reflection.
Abstract:
The present invention relates to cholesteric displays, more specifically, to reflective cholesteric displays employing a backside circular polarizer. In the paper white mode, the bright white state is achieved in display's focal conic texture area; and the dark color state is obtained in display's planar texture area. In the full color mode, meanwhile, the full color state is created in the focal conic texture area; and the dark color state is achieved in the cholesteric focal conic texture area. Either the absorptive circular polarizer or the reflective broadband circular polarizer can be used as the backside polarizer. A bright neutral white color with 50% front light reflection has been accomplished in the novel display.
Abstract:
An audio jack electrical connector comprises a body retaining a plurality of signal terminals and a spacer defining a plurality of receiving holes for retaining connection contacts. The signal terminals extend beyond a bottom surface of the body for engaging with the corresponding connection contacts of the spacer. A tubular receptacle is defined through the body, and a projection portion of the receptacle is formed on a front surface of the body for engaging with a plug for audio signal transmission. A pair of locking elements is formed on lateral edges of the body. Each locking element comprises a locking arm and a locking tip. A pair of locking portions is formed on lateral faces of the spacer. Each locking portion comprises a recess and a locking block. In assembly, the locking arm is received in the corresponding recess and the locking tip engages the locking block. Thus, the body is securely assembled to the spacer.
Abstract:
Methods of manufacturing a liquid crystal display ("LCD"); specifically, a multi-color LCD, e.g., a red-green-blue ("RGB") LCD. The methods include the steps of: (1) depositing a twist agent on a first substrate, the twist agent becoming an in situ twist agent, (2) bringing a second substrate into proximity with the first substrate to form at least one interstitial region between the second and first substrates, (3) introducing liquid crystal ("LC") having an initial pitch into the at least one interstitial region proximate the in situ twist agent and (4) stimulating the LC and the in situ twist agent to cause the LC and the in situ twist agent to mix in situ, the in situ twist agent changing the initial pitch of the LC.