An integral, light weight, recyclable, self-contained battery operated and insulated lighting system using an electroluminescent light source is described. This is achieved by re-locating the terminals of an electroluminescent light source away from the outer edges, securing the power supply unit onto the body of the light source, and encapsulating both the electroluminating light source and the converter into one unit. On-off control, if desired, is incorporated in the same unit using a commercial membrane switch. Only the low voltage D.C. end of the converter is therefore exposed for attachment to a regular battery which may also be encapsulated with the converter and light source into one single unit, increasing further the water and electrical resistivity and hence the safety of the system. The system is recyclable. A damaged or spent unit can be removed, replaced, followed by the re-encapsulation of the entire system.
A universal safety light includes a housing enclosing an electro-luminescent element and a transparent area for enabling viewing of the electro-luminescent element, the housing also enclosing a DC power source and all electrical circuit means required for supplying power from said DC power source to said electro-luminescent element, including an AC/DC inverter circuit and a switch for turning said electro-luminescent element on and off according to predetermined times and cycles, and an attachment device for attaching the universal safety light to a variety of objects.
A lighting system containing a connection to a dc battery, and a lamp containing a watertight, transparent housing, an inverter, a reflector, and a panel containing copper-activated zinc sulfate is useful for night fishing. The lamp produces a light having a wavelength having a narrow band peaking at 507 nm. This light permits the user to distinguish water, shoreline, and foliage without losing night adaptation and without attracting insects.
The present invention is for touch activated electroluminescent lamps and displays having a flexible translucent or transparent substrate, a transparent electrode deposited onto the flexible transparent substrate, a phosphor layer over the transparent electrode, a dielectric layer over the phosphor layer, and a second electrode, which together form a lamp. A third electrode is separated from the second electrode by an insulating spacer having an open region configured to allow contact between the second electrode and the third electrode when pressure is applied to the flexible transparent substrate. For a touch activated display, a segmented second electrode is employed to allow selectively energizing regions of the display. In a two-staged embodiment, a fourth electrode is separated from the third electrode by an insulating sheet, and a fifth electrode is separated from the fourth electrode by a second insulating spacer which has a second open region therein, which is configured to allow contact between the fourth electrode and the fifth electrode when additional pressure is applied to the flexible transparent substrate.
A method for illuminating explosive, flammable, and other hazardous environments. The method employs electroluminescent lights heaving controlled dielectric strength and capacitance, which when matched with the low current and voltage from an intrinsically safe power supply, and the controlled capacitance of each lighting circuit, produces an emergency lighting system which is both safe and effective.
A liquid crystal display (LCD) includes a first panel assembly and a second panel assembly with a liquid crystal material layer positioned therebetween, and wherein the first panel assembly has a resonant frequency substantially the same as a resonant frequency of the second panel assembly so that the LCD is resistant to damage from vibration. The first panel assembly preferably includes a first cover panel immediately adjacent the liquid crystal material layer and at least one additional panel positioned adjacent the first cover panel Similarly, the second assembly may include a second cover panel immediately adjacent the layer of liquid crystal material and at least one additional panel adjacent the second cover panel. The first panel assembly has substantially matched mechanical properties to the second panel assembly. For example, the substantially matched mechanical properties preferably include a stiffness to mass ratio. In addition, the resonant frequency is preferably a first mode resonant frequency. Accordingly, damage caused by the relative motion between the first and second assemblies is avoided by matching the first and second assemblies. For additional resistance to shocks, each of the assemblies may include a support panel, such as provided by a glass plate A front assembly, may also include at least one filter panel. The LCD may also include a frame mounted around a periphery of the first and second panel assemblies. Preferably, the first panel assembly has a coefficient of thermal expansion substantially the same as a coefficient of thermal expansion of the second panel assembly. For additional comparability, the frame also preferably has a coefficient of thermal expansion substantially the same as the coefficient of thermal expansion of the first and second panel assemblies.
