US 5,990,854 AGranted

AC plasma panel with system for preventing high voltage buildup

AssigneePlasmaco, Inc.

InventorLarry F. Weber

Life of this patent

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Abstract

An AC plasma panel display includes front and back panels that respectively support a first parallel electrode pattern and a second orthogonally oriented, parallel electrode pattern. The electrode patterns define a display area and both patterns are covered by dielectric layers. A dischargeable gas is positioned between the dielectric layers in the known manner. Driver circuitry is coupled to both electrode patterns for creating a spatially continuous gas discharge along at least one continuous electrode of one electrode pattern and across the entire display area. The driver circuitry scans the spatially continuous gas discharge across remaining parallel electrodes of the one electrode pattern so as to scan the entire display area. A further electrode is in DC conductive communication with the gas and is positioned outside of the display area but in contact with the spatially continuous gas discharge during its scanning action. The electrode provides a capacitive structure which prevents a build-up of an excessive static charge on the dielectric layers and thereby prevents dielectric breakdown.

Claims12

Dependent claims

An AC plasma display comprising:

front and back substrates forming an enclosed volume;
a first parallel electrode pattern and a second, parallel electrode pattern within said volume, said first electrode pattern and second electrode pattern positioned within a display area;
dielectric layers covering both electrode patterns;
a dischargeable gas in said volume;
driver means coupled to said first and second electrode patterns for creating a spatially continuous gas discharge that extends along at least one electrode of one said electrode pattern and across said display area, said driver means energizing additional electrodes within said one electrode pattern to cause a scanning of said spatially continuous gas discharge region across said additional electrodes;
and
DC electrode means in direct electrical contact with said dischargeable gas and positioned outside of said display area, but in contact with said spatially continuous gas discharge region during said scanning, said DC electrode means acting as a capacitive reservoir for surface charge on said dielectric layers within said display area, said surface charge transferred to said DC electrode means by scanning of and conduction through said spatially continuous gas discharge region.

4 more elements

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.

Facts

Application: 08/383,705Filed 1 Feb 1995 · continuation
Priority: 3 Aug 1993
Granted: 23 Nov 1999
Term ends: Not estimatedThe source records don’t support an estimate.

Classification7 codes

H01J 11/28
Electrodes, e.g. special shape, material or configuration: auxiliary electrodes, e.g. priming electrodes or trigger electrodes
G09G 3/2813
Using luminous gas-discharge panels, e.g. plasma panels: using alternating current [AC] - direct current [DC] hybrid-type panels
G09G 3/288
Using luminous gas-discharge panels, e.g. plasma panels: using AC panels
H01J 11/12
AC-PDPs with at least one main electrode being out of contact with the plasma: with main electrodes provided on both sides of the discharge space