Abstract:
A display panel includes a plurality of cells containing a phosphor material sensitive to ultraviolet light and an ionizable gas which has a characteristic color of cathode glow and, also, generates ultraviolet light when discharged. The gas filling also includes mercury vapor. The method of the invention comprises operating cells at different levels of intensity, determined by input signals so that, at a low level of intensity of cell ionization and current flow, the phosphor is energized and produces its characteristic color of glow which is the dominant light output from the cell. In addition, by operating the panel at a higher level of ionization intensity and current flow, the characteristic color of cathode glow of the gas dominates the phosphor glow and provides the primary glow visible to a viewer. Similarly, if input data signals have widely varying intensities, then the current flow through the display cells varies similarly and the color of light output from the cells varies over a wide range, depending on the relative contribution of each of the components in the cell, the phosphor, the gas, and the mercury.
Abstract:
A welding apparatus which permits accurate spacing of workpieces, and eliminates arcing of the welding current and contamination of the workpieces.
Abstract:
The display panel is a dot matrix panel and comprises relatively large gas-filled cells which are arrayed in rows and columns and are adapted to be energized in different combinations to display characters. The cells are formed by strip-like column cathode electrodes having localized active areas formed therein to comprise the active cathodes, the localized areas of all of the cathodes being arrayed in rows and columns. The cathode electrodes and their localized areas are shaped and spaced apart so that, in the final panel, a suitable seal area is provided and panels can be butted together. An insulated plate having horizontal apertures, each aligned with a row of cells, overlays the cathodes, and a face plate is seated on the insulating plate carrying horizontal anodes formed with localized active areas arrayed in rows and columns, each aligned with one of the cathode areas and each carrying a quantity of a phosphor material. Electrical energization of selected anaodes and cathodes causes selected cells to glow and display a character.