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US3418509A - Electrical discharge character indicator tube - Google Patents

Electrical discharge character indicator tube Download PDF

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Publication number
US3418509A
US3418509A US556128A US55612866A US3418509A US 3418509 A US3418509 A US 3418509A US 556128 A US556128 A US 556128A US 55612866 A US55612866 A US 55612866A US 3418509 A US3418509 A US 3418509A
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US
United States
Prior art keywords
electrodes
tube
matrix
counter
electrode
Prior art date
Legal status (The legal status is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the status listed.)
Expired - Lifetime
Application number
US556128A
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English (en)
Inventor
Frouws Simon Mari
Kerr George
Hendriks Adrianus Anthon Maria
Current Assignee (The listed assignees may be inaccurate. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation or warranty as to the accuracy of the list.)
US Philips Corp
North American Philips Co Inc
Original Assignee
US Philips Corp
Priority date (The priority date is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the date listed.)
Filing date
Publication date
Application filed by US Philips Corp filed Critical US Philips Corp
Application granted granted Critical
Publication of US3418509A publication Critical patent/US3418509A/en
Anticipated expiration legal-status Critical
Expired - Lifetime legal-status Critical Current

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Classifications

    • H—ELECTRICITY
    • H01—ELECTRIC ELEMENTS
    • H01J—ELECTRIC DISCHARGE TUBES OR DISCHARGE LAMPS
    • H01J17/00—Gas-filled discharge tubes with solid cathode
    • H01J17/38—Cold-cathode tubes
    • H01J17/48—Cold-cathode tubes with more than one cathode or anode, e.g. sequence-discharge tube, counting tube, dekatron
    • H01J17/49—Display panels, e.g. with crossed electrodes, e.g. making use of direct current
    • H01J17/491—Display panels, e.g. with crossed electrodes, e.g. making use of direct current with electrodes arranged side by side and substantially in the same plane, e.g. for displaying alphanumeric characters

Definitions

  • a gas-filled character-indicator tube employing a plurality of electrodes forming at least two matrix groups in which combinations of electrodes, when energized, produce luminous effects which form legible signs.
  • the electrodes are arranged on the bottom of a box-shaped envelope in matrix groups which are arranged side-by-side and are separated by partitions.
  • a separation sign formed by a cylinder of transparent material extends hermetically through the bottom wall of the envelope beneath which a light source can be disposed.
  • the invention relates to a discharge tube with a gas filling, in which given combinations of electrodes forming matrix groups are capable of producing luminous signals in the form of digits and/ or characters.
  • the invention relates to an electric discharge tube comprising a plurality of electrodes, a number of which forms a matrix group, while given combinations of electrodes are capable of producing light eifects forming legible signs.
  • the electrodes are accommodated in an envelope consisting of a bottom plate with upright rims, on which a transparent, or translucent cover plate is fastened in a vacuum-tight manner.
  • Digital tubes in which a number of electrodes are arranged in the form of a matrix and in which legible signs can be formed by causing given combinations of the parts of the matrix to luminesce are known. 'It is also known to arrange these electrodes in a flat box-shaped envelope comprising a bottom plate with upright rims and a transparent cover plate.
  • the electrodes of each matrix group may each be sunk in a groove in the bottom plate and have a portion bent over at right angles extending in a vacuum-tight manner through the bottom plate. These latter portions form the contact pins on the outer side of the bottom plate.
  • the space in the envelope is filled with a rare gas or a mixture of gases, the pressure of which must exceed the normal pressure, i.e., 10 cms. Hg. The higher the pressure the smaller the tube.
  • the counter-electrode for the electrodes of the matrix groups may be formed by a transparent, for example, conductive tin oxide layer applied to the inner side of the cover plate.
  • this counter-electrode may also be formed by a fine metal gauze, which is secured to the inner face of the cover plate, for example, of glass, for example, by means of cement or glaze.
  • the counter electrode is preferably formed, however, by a perforated metal layer, applied to the inner side of the cover plate, the apertures of which may form a pattern corresponding with that of the matrix.
  • a member operating as a separation sign for example in the form of an electrode or, preferably in the form of a glass rod or a rod of a synthetic resin, sealed in the bottom plate beaneath which a small source of light can be disposed outside the tube.
  • FIG. 1 is a plan view of a given embodiment of a tube according to the invention without cover plate
  • FIG. 2 is a longitudinal sectional view of such a tube.
  • the ceramic bottom plate 1 with the upright rims 2 is subdivided into a number of compartments by means of partitions 3.
  • Grooves at the bottom of the part 1 accommodate rod-shaped electrodes 4, which are each provided with a portion 5, bent over at right angles and which extends through the bottom 1 in a vacuum-tight manner, for example by means of a soldering metal, a readily melting type of glass or a suitable synthetic resin.
  • the ends of the portions 5 projecting from the bottom I serve as contact pins.
  • the electrodes 4 are arranged in matrix groups, which comprise here each nine electrodes, particularly suitable for the formation of luminous signals in the form of digits 0 to 9.
  • matrix groups which comprise here each nine electrodes, particularly suitable for the formation of luminous signals in the form of digits 0 to 9.
  • the tube may also be used for the reproduction of characters.
  • the first three matrix groups reproduce the digits 3, 0 and 7.
  • the bottom part 1 is closed by a cover plate 6 consisting of glass, mica, transparent ceramic or a suitable synthetic resin, which is secured to the rims 2 in a vacuum-tight manner, for example by means of a readily melting type of glass, or a solder layer 8.
  • the inner surface of the cover plate 6 is provided here with counterelectrodes 7 consisting of fine metal gauze. Although one common counter-electrode may be employed for all matrix groups, it is advantageous from a technical point of view, to provide a separate counter-electrode 7 for each matrix group.
  • the corresponding electrodes of all matrix groups may in this case :be connected in parallel, so that only that group luminesces, the counter-electrode of which receives a voltage.
  • the counter-electrodes in the matrix groups may be caused to luminesce alternately at such a rate by repeated pulses and electrode combinations that a stationary number is visible to the eye.
  • the partitions 3 are provided with rods 10 of glass or of a synthetic resin, which extend through the bottom plate and are sealed therein in a vacuum-tight manner, beneath which small light sources, for example neon tubes can be arranged outside the tube. In the drawing the rod 11 is illuminated, and it therefore serves as a decimal sign.
  • FIG. 1 there is locally indicated a further possibility in which the decimal sign is formed by an electrode 13, accommodated in a recess of the partition.
  • the latter can be disposed on a plate using the semi-conductor technique, there being provided apertures for receiving the contact pins 5 and separate apertures for the decimal light sources, so that this plate can be arranged closely beneath the matrix tube.
  • a tube in the embodiment shown may have dimensions of 15 x 80 x 5 mm. (exclusive of the contact pins) and it can be manufactured at considerably lower costs than eight corresponding digital tubes. With these dimensions a gas pressure of 30 cms. Hg is used. Such a comparatively high gas pressure is required to avoid interaction of the matrix groups in such a small tube.
  • the counter-electrodes 7 may be connected by means of resilient contact pins 9 to their own contact pins.
  • the tube is exhausted and filled with the desired gas or gas mixture by means of an exhaust tube preferably of metal 12, which may be closed by pinching without heating.
  • the matrix electrodes are connected as cathodes and the counter-electrodes as anodes.
  • the tube may be driven by an alternating voltage, if the counter-electrodes are formed in a suitable manner.
  • the anodes or the counter-electrodes 7 may be formed by a metal layer applied, for example by vapor deposition on the cover plate 6, which layer may be perforated by a chemical agent or by spark erosion, so that the light signals of the matrix groups are visible.
  • These anodes may, as an alternative, be applied in the form of a transparent, conducting layer, for example of tin oxide, or they may consist of thin metal gauze, which may be secured to the cover plate, for example by glaze. 'If a cover plate of ceramic material of a thickness of less than 0.5 mm. is used, which is transparent, the advantage is that the separations between the illuminated matrix groups fade away due to the dispersion of the light.
  • the discharge tube according to the invention may be constructed in other ways within the scope of the invention.
  • the matrix electrodes may be coated with luminescent material, while the tube may have a high vacuum and the counter-electrodes are formed by electron-emitting cathodes. Therefore, the foregoing embodiment is to be considered as illustrative only, the invention being defined in the appended claims and covers other embodiments as well.
  • a gaseous electric discharge tube comprising at least one counter-electrode and a plurality of electrodes, a number of which form a matrix group in which given combinations of electrodes are capable of producing luminous effects which form legible signs, said electrodes being accommodated in a box-shaped envelope comprising a bottom plate with upright rims to which a light transparent cover plate is secured in a vacuum-tight manner, a number of matrix groups being arranged side by side on the bottom plate, said matrix groups being separated from one another by partitions, and a cylinder of transparent material extending perpendicularly through the bottom plate between at least two matrix groups in a vacuum tight manner beneath which a light source can be disposed thereby providing a luminous separation sign between the matrix groups.
  • each electrode of each matrix group is sunk in a groove of the bottom plate and extends through the bottom plate in a vacuum-tight manner by a portion bent over at right angles.

Landscapes

  • Gas-Filled Discharge Tubes (AREA)
  • Vessels And Coating Films For Discharge Lamps (AREA)
US556128A 1965-07-03 1966-06-08 Electrical discharge character indicator tube Expired - Lifetime US3418509A (en)

Applications Claiming Priority (1)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
NL6508596A NL6508596A (pl) 1965-07-03 1965-07-03

Publications (1)

Publication Number Publication Date
US3418509A true US3418509A (en) 1968-12-24

Family

ID=19793564

Family Applications (1)

Application Number Title Priority Date Filing Date
US556128A Expired - Lifetime US3418509A (en) 1965-07-03 1966-06-08 Electrical discharge character indicator tube

Country Status (9)

Country Link
US (1) US3418509A (pl)
AT (1) AT270822B (pl)
BE (1) BE683563A (pl)
CH (1) CH465723A (pl)
DE (1) DE1539495C3 (pl)
ES (1) ES328583A1 (pl)
GB (1) GB1135326A (pl)
NL (1) NL6508596A (pl)
SE (1) SE318655B (pl)

Cited By (28)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US3564324A (en) * 1967-12-05 1971-02-16 Philips Corp Gas discharge tube comprising a number of electrodes united to form a group and having the form of characters
FR2078854A5 (pl) * 1970-02-19 1971-11-05 Sony Corp
US3652891A (en) * 1970-07-20 1972-03-28 Ncr Co Plasma display panel having display and counter conductors on one plate
US3660710A (en) * 1967-09-30 1972-05-02 Okaya Electric Industry Co Display device having cathodes and lead wires disposed in grooved base plate for positive insulation therebetween
DE2145166A1 (de) * 1970-09-11 1972-05-04 Sony Corp Elektronenröhre und Verfahren zu ihrer Herstellung
US3675066A (en) * 1970-09-04 1972-07-04 Sperry Rand Corp Planar raised cathode alpha-numeric gas discharge indicator
US3703657A (en) * 1971-02-11 1972-11-21 Burroughs Corp Variable pattern gaseous display panel having segmented cathode electrodes
US3723789A (en) * 1969-12-13 1973-03-27 Ise Electronics Corp Flat composite fluorescent display tube
US3735181A (en) * 1970-06-29 1973-05-22 Nippon Electric Co Segment type display tube for selectively displaying one or more of a plurality of alpha-numerical characters
JPS4843540A (pl) * 1971-10-04 1973-06-23
US3743880A (en) * 1971-05-06 1973-07-03 Refac Technology Dev Corp Dual filament readout lamp
US3742598A (en) * 1971-02-02 1973-07-03 Hitachi Ltd Method for fabricating a display device and the device fabricated thereby
JPS4855761U (pl) * 1971-10-28 1973-07-17
US3775632A (en) * 1970-07-08 1973-11-27 Sanyo Electric Co Concealed auxiliary cathode for figure illuminating discharge tube
US3780326A (en) * 1971-08-25 1973-12-18 Wagner Electric Corp Symbol display tube with auxiliary electrode
US3786487A (en) * 1970-10-15 1974-01-15 Sony Corp Display device
US3806752A (en) * 1968-07-05 1974-04-23 Sperry Rand Corp Planar raised cathode alpha-numeric gas discharge indicator
US3846662A (en) * 1970-06-22 1974-11-05 Gen Electric Alpha-numberic display type electron discharge device
US3849694A (en) * 1972-01-14 1974-11-19 Burroughs Corp Multiple position display panel having spurious glow suppressor
US3868535A (en) * 1971-08-23 1975-02-25 Burroughs Corp Multi-position character display panel
US3903448A (en) * 1971-10-12 1975-09-02 Burroughs Corp Multiple character flat panel display device
US3906286A (en) * 1972-11-24 1975-09-16 Nippon Electric Co Hot-cathode indicator tube for displaying luminescent figures
US3914643A (en) * 1972-12-18 1975-10-21 Burroughs Corp Multi-segment display panel with anode groups
US3952223A (en) * 1973-08-24 1976-04-20 Burroughs Corporation Multiple character flat panel display device
US3976907A (en) * 1970-09-11 1976-08-24 Sony Corporation Gas discharge display tube with barrier means for prevention of ion scattering
US4232251A (en) * 1976-09-03 1980-11-04 Futaba Denshi Kogyo K.K. Multi-digit luminescent display tube
US4259613A (en) * 1978-01-11 1981-03-31 Wagner Electric Corporation Fluorescent indicator and method of making same
US4571523A (en) * 1982-10-23 1986-02-18 Futaba Denshi Kogyo K.K. Fluorescent display device

Families Citing this family (2)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
JPS493301B1 (pl) * 1970-09-11 1974-01-25
JPS5234904B1 (pl) * 1971-03-20 1977-09-06

Citations (9)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US2500929A (en) * 1946-07-12 1950-03-21 Chilowsky Constantin Means for reproducing television images
GB712174A (en) * 1949-11-29 1954-07-21 Ericsson Telephones Ltd Improvements in or relating to electron discharge devices for use in counting and/or selecting arrangements
US2933648A (en) * 1956-08-14 1960-04-19 Gen Electric Information display apparatus
US3231776A (en) * 1962-09-28 1966-01-25 Sylvania Electric Prod Display device
US3260880A (en) * 1961-06-06 1966-07-12 Burroughs Corp Electro-optical indicator devices with multiple anodes for each cell
US3312852A (en) * 1964-03-12 1967-04-04 James F Motson Base element for electroluminescent lamp
US3327154A (en) * 1965-03-24 1967-06-20 Gen Telephone & Elect Ionizable gas display device with segmented electrode pattern
US3327153A (en) * 1964-03-30 1967-06-20 Sylvania Electric Prod Compact glow discharge device having improved connection means for supplying electrical energy
US3334269A (en) * 1964-07-28 1967-08-01 Itt Character display panel having a plurality of glow discharge cavities including resistive ballast means exposed to the glow discharge therein

Patent Citations (9)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US2500929A (en) * 1946-07-12 1950-03-21 Chilowsky Constantin Means for reproducing television images
GB712174A (en) * 1949-11-29 1954-07-21 Ericsson Telephones Ltd Improvements in or relating to electron discharge devices for use in counting and/or selecting arrangements
US2933648A (en) * 1956-08-14 1960-04-19 Gen Electric Information display apparatus
US3260880A (en) * 1961-06-06 1966-07-12 Burroughs Corp Electro-optical indicator devices with multiple anodes for each cell
US3231776A (en) * 1962-09-28 1966-01-25 Sylvania Electric Prod Display device
US3312852A (en) * 1964-03-12 1967-04-04 James F Motson Base element for electroluminescent lamp
US3327153A (en) * 1964-03-30 1967-06-20 Sylvania Electric Prod Compact glow discharge device having improved connection means for supplying electrical energy
US3334269A (en) * 1964-07-28 1967-08-01 Itt Character display panel having a plurality of glow discharge cavities including resistive ballast means exposed to the glow discharge therein
US3327154A (en) * 1965-03-24 1967-06-20 Gen Telephone & Elect Ionizable gas display device with segmented electrode pattern

Cited By (29)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US3660710A (en) * 1967-09-30 1972-05-02 Okaya Electric Industry Co Display device having cathodes and lead wires disposed in grooved base plate for positive insulation therebetween
US3564324A (en) * 1967-12-05 1971-02-16 Philips Corp Gas discharge tube comprising a number of electrodes united to form a group and having the form of characters
US3806752A (en) * 1968-07-05 1974-04-23 Sperry Rand Corp Planar raised cathode alpha-numeric gas discharge indicator
US3723789A (en) * 1969-12-13 1973-03-27 Ise Electronics Corp Flat composite fluorescent display tube
FR2078854A5 (pl) * 1970-02-19 1971-11-05 Sony Corp
US3846662A (en) * 1970-06-22 1974-11-05 Gen Electric Alpha-numberic display type electron discharge device
US3735181A (en) * 1970-06-29 1973-05-22 Nippon Electric Co Segment type display tube for selectively displaying one or more of a plurality of alpha-numerical characters
US3775632A (en) * 1970-07-08 1973-11-27 Sanyo Electric Co Concealed auxiliary cathode for figure illuminating discharge tube
US3652891A (en) * 1970-07-20 1972-03-28 Ncr Co Plasma display panel having display and counter conductors on one plate
US3675066A (en) * 1970-09-04 1972-07-04 Sperry Rand Corp Planar raised cathode alpha-numeric gas discharge indicator
DE2145166A1 (de) * 1970-09-11 1972-05-04 Sony Corp Elektronenröhre und Verfahren zu ihrer Herstellung
US3976907A (en) * 1970-09-11 1976-08-24 Sony Corporation Gas discharge display tube with barrier means for prevention of ion scattering
US3786487A (en) * 1970-10-15 1974-01-15 Sony Corp Display device
US3742598A (en) * 1971-02-02 1973-07-03 Hitachi Ltd Method for fabricating a display device and the device fabricated thereby
US3703657A (en) * 1971-02-11 1972-11-21 Burroughs Corp Variable pattern gaseous display panel having segmented cathode electrodes
US3743880A (en) * 1971-05-06 1973-07-03 Refac Technology Dev Corp Dual filament readout lamp
US3868535A (en) * 1971-08-23 1975-02-25 Burroughs Corp Multi-position character display panel
US3780326A (en) * 1971-08-25 1973-12-18 Wagner Electric Corp Symbol display tube with auxiliary electrode
JPS4843540A (pl) * 1971-10-04 1973-06-23
JPS571831B2 (pl) * 1971-10-04 1982-01-13
US3903448A (en) * 1971-10-12 1975-09-02 Burroughs Corp Multiple character flat panel display device
JPS4855761U (pl) * 1971-10-28 1973-07-17
US3849694A (en) * 1972-01-14 1974-11-19 Burroughs Corp Multiple position display panel having spurious glow suppressor
US3906286A (en) * 1972-11-24 1975-09-16 Nippon Electric Co Hot-cathode indicator tube for displaying luminescent figures
US3914643A (en) * 1972-12-18 1975-10-21 Burroughs Corp Multi-segment display panel with anode groups
US3952223A (en) * 1973-08-24 1976-04-20 Burroughs Corporation Multiple character flat panel display device
US4232251A (en) * 1976-09-03 1980-11-04 Futaba Denshi Kogyo K.K. Multi-digit luminescent display tube
US4259613A (en) * 1978-01-11 1981-03-31 Wagner Electric Corporation Fluorescent indicator and method of making same
US4571523A (en) * 1982-10-23 1986-02-18 Futaba Denshi Kogyo K.K. Fluorescent display device

Also Published As

Publication number Publication date
CH465723A (de) 1968-11-30
DE1539495C3 (de) 1975-09-04
GB1135326A (en) 1968-12-04
NL6508596A (pl) 1967-01-04
BE683563A (pl) 1967-01-03
ES328583A1 (es) 1967-04-01
AT270822B (de) 1969-05-12
DE1539495A1 (de) 1969-09-11
SE318655B (pl) 1969-12-15
DE1539495B2 (de) 1975-01-30

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