Abstract:
A thermal compensation system is provided for a liquid-filled inflexible chamber of a device. The chamber has at least one exposed, at least partially transparent surface allowing an outside observer to observe at least one liquid and comprises a mechanism accommodating thermal expansion and/or contraction of the liquids. The mechanism is disposed so as to be substantially invisible to the observer.

Description:
CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION(S) 
       [0001]    This application is a PCT application claiming priority to U.S. application No. 61/974,448, filed 3 Apr. 2014, entitled SYSTEMS AND METHODS FOR ABSORBTION/EXPANSION OF to A LIQUID IN A TRANSPARENT CAVITY, U.S. application No. 61/985,492, filed 29 Apr. 2014, entitled STEERING AND VELOCITY CONTROL OF A MENISCUS SYSTEM AND METHOD, AND TIME PIECE SYSTEM INCORPORATING SAME and U.S. application No. 62/033,686, filed on 6 Aug. 2014, entitled TIME KEEPING DEVICES INCLUDING INDICATIONS BY MAGNETIC PARTICLES IN SUSPENSION IN LIQUID FILLED CHAMBERS, the contents of the entirety of which are explicitly incorporated herein by reference and relied upon to define features for which protection may be sought hereby as it is believed that the entirety thereof contributes to solving the technical problem underlying the invention, some features that may be mentioned hereunder being of particular importance. 
     
    
     COPYRIGHT &amp; LEGAL NOTICE 
       [0002]    A portion of the disclosure of this patent document contains material which is subject to copyright protection. The Applicant has no objection to the facsimile reproduction by anyone of the patent document or the patent disclosure as it appears in the Patent and Trademark Office patent file or records, but otherwise reserves all copyright rights whatsoever. Further, no references to third party patents or articles made herein are to be construed as an admission that the present invention is not entitled to antedate such material by virtue of prior invention. 
       BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
       [0003]    This invention relates to systems and methods for timepieces that include absorption/expansion/movement of a liquid in a transparent cavity, particularly in wristwatches. 
       SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
       [0004]    A thermal compensation system is provided for a liquid-filled inflexible chamber of a device. The chamber has at least one exposed, at least partially transparent surface allowing an outside observer to observe at least one liquid and comprises a mechanism accommodating thermal expansion and/or contraction of the liquid(s). The mechanism is disposed so as to be substantially invisible to the observer. 
         [0005]    The system prevents the thermal expansion and/or contraction of the liquid(s) from compromising (i.e., breaking) the closed inflexible chamber in which they are contained. 
         [0006]    At least one of such liquid is colored or has a suspension of particulate therein or has the same refractive index as the substrate (glass or polymer) 
         [0007]    In one variant, the invention provides a thermal expansion system that includes a chamber, and a liquid, the chamber includes a visible system and a non-visible system, the non-visible system is disposed underneath the visible system. The non-visible system is filled with a gas, and the visible system is filled with the liquid. 
         [0008]    In yet a further variant of the invention, a thermal expansion system is provided that includes an inner chamber. The inner chamber is filled with a liquid, and the inner chamber further includes at least one inner chamber wall in which a soft, compressive/expansive material is disposed in a non-visible portion of the system. 
         [0009]    In another embodiment, at least one inner chamber wall has, on at least a portion of a surface thereof, a soft, compressive/expansive material disposed thereon. 
         [0010]    In yet a further aspect of the invention, a thermal expansion system is provided that includes a chamber. The chamber is formed from at least two glass or polymer wafers, and the chamber includes at least two cavities. The at least two cavities are separated by one or more transparent members forming two separate cavities. In one variant, a transparent membrane is disposed between and attached to the two glass or polymer wafers to form fluid tight/gas tight cavities. One of the cavities is filled with a liquid, while the second cavity provides an access hole for access to ambient pressure. 
         [0011]    It is appreciated that these and other aspects of the invention are further described in the detailed description, drawings and claims of the instant application. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         [0012]      FIG. 1  is a schematic of a system compensating for the thermal expansion and/or contraction of a liquid of the invention. 
           [0013]      FIG. 2  is a schematic of a variant of a system for compensating for the thermal expansion and/or contraction of a liquid of the invention. 
           [0014]      FIG. 3  is a schematic of another variant of a system for compensating for the thermal expansion and/or contraction of a liquid of the invention. 
       
    
    
       [0015]    Those skilled in the art will appreciate that elements in the Figures are illustrated for simplicity and clarity and have not necessarily been drawn to scale. For example, dimensions may be exaggerated relative to other elements to help improve understanding of the invention and its embodiments. Furthermore, when the terms ‘first’, ‘second’, and the like are used herein, their use is intended for distinguishing between similar elements and not necessarily for describing a sequential or chronological order. Moreover, relative terms like ‘front’, ‘back’, ‘top’ and ‘bottom’, and the like in the Description and/or in the claims are not necessarily used for describing exclusive relative position. Those skilled in the art will therefore understand that such terms may be interchangeable with other terms, and that the embodiments described herein are capable of operating in other orientations than those explicitly illustrated or otherwise described. 
       DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT 
       [0016]    The following description is not intended to limit the scope of the invention in any way as it is exemplary in nature, serving to describe the best mode of the invention known to the inventors as of the filing date hereof. Consequently, changes may be made in the arrangement and/or function of any of the elements described in the exemplary embodiments disclosed herein without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention. 
         [0017]    Referring to  FIG. 1 , a system  100  compensates for thermal expansion and/or contraction of an encapsulated liquid  102  contained in a fluidic chamber  104  typically formed by the bonding of two or more glass or polymer wafers  106 ,  108 ,  110  together. A suitable bonding process is fusion bonding, although other methods may be used. The glass or polymer wafers  106 ,  108 ,  110  are transparent, translucent, or colored, or a combination thereof, as desired. It is appreciated that the system  100  provides a desired aesthetic appearance suitable for wristwatches or other luxury jewelry apparel. The liquid  102  is preferably a colored or particulated liquid or has the same refractive index as the substrate (glass or polymer) liquid in a variant of the invention, and displacement of the liquid  102  is dependent on the liquid&#39;s thickness or viscosity. Liquid  102  is homogeneous of one variant of the invention, however, liquid  102  may be heterogeneous in another variant of the invention (e.g., having a suspension of a particulate such as gold leaf), for aesthetic effect. The fluidic chamber  104  is formed by the bonding of, for example, three glass or polymer wafers,  106 ,  108 ,  110  at bonding junctures  165 ,  195 . Where the wafer is not integral with wafer  108  and appropriately machined or processed, a fourth wafer  111  is also provided, and bonded to wafers  106 ,  110  at bonded junctures  140 ,  141 . Glass or polymer wafer  111  has a specific geometry and three dimensional profile that optionally includes recess  168  forming a larger cavity  114 . Larger cavity  114  then is in fluid communication with passage way  145  which optionally has a bend  149  which joins passage way  119  forming a suitable “U” shaped cavity within the system  100 . The liquid  102  is injected into the fluidic chamber  104  through access hole  112  which is closed with plug  148 , optionally a glass or polymer plug, after filling. At the end of the process, the fluidic chamber  104  obtained is composed of a main visible system  115  filled with the liquid  102 , and a gas filled chamber extension  116 . Chamber extension  116  is disposed below the main fluidic chamber  104  in relation to a field of view of an observer/user  117 , and the chamber extension  116  is filled with a gas  118 . It is appreciated that the invention provides for both a visible and invisible portions of the mechanism simultaneously to a user&#39;s field of view in one variant. During a liquid thermal expansion, the gas  118  is compressed by the fluid  102  leading to additional space for the liquid  102  under the main fluidic chamber  104 . The opposite occurs as the liquid contracts upon cooling. It may be added that the system must be dimensioned such that the gas  119  does not reach the limit of the extension chamber  116  to the minimum operational temperature of the system (e.g. −20° C.), preventing the gas going out of the chamber  116 . 
         [0018]    Referring to  FIG. 2 , a variant of the invention includes a cut away view of system  200 . Fluidic chamber  202  is formed by the bonding of two or more glass or polymer wafers,  204 ,  206 . The bonding creates at least two bonded junctures  265 ,  295 . A soft, compressible/expandable material  208  is inserted or injected through the chamber access hole  210  placed on at least one side  215  of the wafer  204 , the hole  210  traversing the entire width of the wafer  204 . The fluidic chamber  202  is entirely filled with the preferably colored or particulated liquid  212  or is a liquid having the same refractive index as the substrate (glass or polymer) through the access hole  210  which is closed and sealed with a plug  265 , preferably made of glass or polymer, after filling. Optionally, a second access hole (not shown) to fluidic chamber  202  is also provided to facilitate the evacuation of the gas remaining inside the cavity. The optional second access hole is also closed with a plug, e.g. a glass or polymer plug, after the filling process. Of course, it is appreciated that a plurality of access holes may be provided through wafers  204  and/ 206  and then closed and sealed as necessary, in another variant of the invention. In operation and during fluid thermal expansion, the pressure generated by the liquid  212  compresses the soft material  208  creating additional space for the liquid  212 . The opposite occurs during thermal contraction of the liquid  212 . The soft material  208  is preferably a closed cell sponge, but other materials exist that do not contain gas that are nonetheless compressible in water. In a sponge variant, the closed cell structure is necessary to avoid the sponge  208  absorbing the liquid and therefore becoming essentially incompressible. Further, in order to permit bonding by fusion bonding, the compressibility of the soft material must be greater than its resistance to fusion bonding. 
         [0019]    Another variant of the invention, system  300 , is illustrated iwatern  FIG. 3 , The fluidic chamber  302  is formed by boding, preferably fusion bonding, of two or more glass or polymer wafers  304 ,  306 , and one transparent membrane  307  placed between the two or more glass or polymer wafers  304 ,  306 . In this configuration, the fluidic chamber  302  is separated in two or more sections  308 ,  310  that are airtight/liquid-tight in one variant. The two sections  308 ,  310  are accessible by holes  395 ,  319  in the wafer  304 , and wafer  306 . Section  308  is entirely filled with a preferably colored or particulated liquid  316  or a liquid which has the same refractive index as the substrate (glass or polymer), while section  310  is filled with air or other suitable gas. After the filling process, the access hole  395  used to inject the liquid  316  is closed and sealed with a plug  365 , e.g. a glass or polymer plug, with the other access hole  319  remaining opened. As described above in  FIG. 2 , on the side  318  of the wafer  304  for liquid injection, a second optional access hole  321  is provided to facilitate the evacuation of the gas remaining inside the cavity of section  308 . The optional second access hole  321  is also closed and sealed with a glass plug  322  after the filling process. In operation and during fluid thermal expansion of the liquid  316 , the pressure generated by the liquid  316  deforms the membrane  307  creating additional space for the fluid  316 . Both open and closed systems are provided in different variants of the invention described herein. 
         [0020]    In the accompanying description, it is appreciated that the system  100 ,  200 ,  300  for a device includes a mechanism and/or subsystem to provide for a thermal expansion and contraction of a preferably colored or particulated liquid, or a liquid which has the same refractive index as the substrate (glass or polymer) in a chamber as described herein in a manner that is non-visible to a user. 
         [0021]    The invention and variants thereof are further described in the accompanying claims and drawings. 
         [0022]    In an advantage of the invention, the system  100 ,  200 ,  300  provide a way to display a vivid fluid filled cavity without concern that thermal expansion or contraction of the fluid will cause damage to the chamber in which it is contained, thus avoiding leaks and cracks. 
         [0023]    In a further advantage, the system  100 ,  200 ,  300  may be filled with a liquid having a particulate suspended therein, such as gold leaf, which provides a highly attractive decorative effect. 
         [0024]    In a further advantage, the system  100 ,  200 ,  300  provides an efficient means of fabrication through the bonding together of flat wafers. 
         [0025]    In a still further advantage, the system  100 ,  200 ,  300  requires little space or volume and so may be integrated into small devices such as watches. Further, effects can be created that bring to mind the association with luxurious and innovative products. 
         [0026]    The liquid  102  may be static and so purely decorative or moved in a system that might have a technical function, such as the indication of time. The system may even be a closed system, driven by a pump. Ferromagnetics may be used to move the liquid. A simple electric pump inside the closed system may also be used, where power is supplied through electrodes that traverse the closed system boundaries. The phenomena of electrowetting may also be used to move the fluid. 
         [0027]    As used herein, the terms “comprises”, “comprising”, or variations thereof, are intended to refer to a non-exclusive listing of elements, such that any apparatus, process, method, article, or composition of the invention that comprises a list of elements, that does not include only those elements recited, but may also include other elements described in the instant specification. Unless otherwise explicitly stated, the use of the term “consisting” or “consisting of” or “consisting essentially of” is not intended to limit the scope of the invention to the enumerated elements named thereafter, unless otherwise indicated. Other combinations and/or modifications of the above-described elements, materials or structures used in the practice of the present invention may be varied or adapted by the skilled artisan to other designs without departing from the general principles of the invention. The patents and articles mentioned above are hereby incorporated by reference herein, unless otherwise noted, to the extent that the same are not inconsistent with this disclosure. 
         [0028]    Other characteristics and modes of execution of the invention are described in the appended claims. Further, the invention should be considered as comprising all possible combinations of every feature described in the instant specification, appended claims, and/or drawing figures which may be considered new, inventive and industrially applicable. 
         [0029]    Copyright may be owned by the Applicant(s) or their assignee and, with respect to express Licensees to third parties of the rights defined in one or more claims herein, no implied license is granted herein to use the invention as defined in the remaining claims. Further, vis-à-vis the public or third parties, no express or implied license is granted to prepare derivative works based on this patent specification, inclusive of the appendix hereto. 
         [0030]    Additional features and functionality of the invention are described in the claims appended hereto. Such claims are hereby incorporated in their entirety by reference thereto in this specification and should be considered as part of the application as filed. 
         [0031]    Multiple variations and modifications are possible in the embodiments of the invention described here. Although certain illustrative embodiments of the invention have been shown and described here, a wide range of changes, modifications, and substitutions is contemplated in the foregoing disclosure. While the above description contains many specific details, these should not be construed as limitations on the scope of the invention, but rather exemplify one or another preferred embodiment thereof. In some instances, some features of the present invention may be employed without a corresponding use of the other features. Accordingly, it is appropriate that the foregoing description be construed broadly and understood as being illustrative only, the spirit and scope of the invention being limited only by the claims which ultimately issue in this application.