DISPLAY ASSEMBLIES AND METHODS OF DISPLAY
Applications of embodiments include the use of transmissive or transflective display technologies in extreme temperature environments. Specifically, display assemblies and methods using heating and/or active cooling are described. For example, such applications may include the use of display panels, such as LCD panels, having a diagonal dimension of 17 inches or more.
3 . A display assembly comprising:
a thermal barrier;
a light source located on a first side of said thermal barrier;
a liquid crystal display panel (A) located on a second side of said thermal barrier opposite the first side and (B) arranged to transmit light produced by said light source; and
a heater located on the second side of said thermal barrier.
4 . A display assembly comprising:
a thermal barrier;
a light source located on a first side of said thermal barrier;
a liquid crystal display panel (A) located on a second side of said thermal barrier opposite the first side and (B) arranged to transmit light produced by said light source; and
a heater arranged to increase the temperature of said liquid crystal display panel with respect to a temperature of the ambient environment of said assembly.
5 . (canceled)
6 . The display assembly according to claim 3 , wherein said thermal barrier includes a substantially planar layer disposed to be substantially parallel to said liquid crystal display panel.
7 . The display assembly according to claim 3 , said assembly comprising at least one fan arranged to circulate a heat transfer medium on a side of said thermal barrier facing away from said heat sink.
8 . The display assembly according to claim 3 , said assembly comprising a substantially planar thermal conductor disposed between said liquid crystal display panel and said thermal barrier and arranged to be substantially parallel to said liquid crystal display panel, wherein said thermal conductor has a thermal conductivity at least equal to eighty watts per (meters times degrees Kelvin).
9 . The display assembly according to claim 3 , wherein said thermal barrier is configured to thermally insulate said liquid crystal display panel from an ambient environment of the display assembly.
10 . The display assembly according to claim 3 , wherein said thermal barrier extends across at least the front and back surfaces of said liquid crystal display panel.
11 . The display assembly according to claim 3 , said assembly comprising an active cooling device arranged to actively transfer heat from the second side of said thermal barrier to the first side of said thermal barrier.
12 . The display assembly according to claim 4 , said assembly comprising an active cooling device arranged to actively transfer heat from the second side of said thermal barrier to the first side of said thermal barrier.
13 - 14 . (canceled)
15 . The display assembly according to claim 3 , wherein said heater is disposed between said liquid crystal display panel and said thermal barrier.
16 . The display assembly according to claim 3 , said assembly comprising a substantially planar thermal conductor disposed between said liquid crystal display panel and said thermal barrier and arranged to be substantially parallel to said liquid crystal display panel, wherein said thermal conductor has a thermal conductivity at least equal to eighty watts per (meters times degrees Kelvin),
wherein said heater is disposed on said thermal conductor.
17 . The display assembly according to claim 3 , wherein said heater comprises a layer in an optical stack that includes said liquid crystal display panel.
18 . The display assembly according to claim 4 , wherein said thermal barrier includes a substantially planar layer disposed to be substantially parallel to said liquid crystal display panel.
19 . The display assembly according to claim 4 , said assembly comprising at least one fan arranged to circulate a heat transfer medium on a side of said thermal barrier facing away from said heat sink.
20 . The display assembly according to claim 4 , said assembly comprising a substantially planar thermal conductor disposed between said liquid crystal display panel and said thermal barrier and arranged to be substantially parallel to said liquid crystal display panel, wherein said thermal conductor has a thermal conductivity at least equal to eighty watts per (meters times degrees Kelvin).
21 . The display assembly according to claim 4 , wherein said thermal barrier is configured to thermally insulate said liquid crystal display panel from an ambient environment of the display assembly.
22 . The display assembly according to claim 4 , wherein said thermal barrier extends across at least the front and back surfaces of said liquid crystal display panel.
23 . The display assembly according to claim 4 , said assembly comprising a rigid light guide arranged to illuminate a back surface of said liquid crystal display panel with light received from said light source.
24 . The display assembly according to claim 4 , said assembly comprising a light guide arranged to transport light from said light source to said liquid crystal display panel, wherein at least a portion of said light guide is a hollow structure having a reflective interior wall.
25 - 44 . (canceled)
45 . A display having a display panel, a chamber arranged to thermally isolate the panel from an ambient environment, a light source disposed outside the chamber, and a light guide configured to conduct light from the light source into the chamber and to distribute the light across a back surface of the panel,
wherein said display includes a heating element configured to introduce heat into the chamber.
46 - 47 . (canceled)