Laser Shutter Magnetic Closure and Position Sensing

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing shutter designs for high-power lasers face issues with mechanical wear due to repeated impact and inaccurate position sensing, which limit their effectiveness and lifetime.

Innovation Solution

A shutter apparatus using a rotary actuator with a ferromagnetic collar and stationary magnet for magnetic closure, eliminating mechanical impact and incorporating electronic braking to improve stability and performance, along with redundant position sensing for enhanced reliability.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Measurement precision

If mechanical stops are used to limit shutter movement, then shutter position control is achieved, but mechanical wear due to repeated impact occurs

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveshutter position controlVSAvoidmechanical wear

Core Design Contradiction:

Measurement precisionVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The patent replaces the mechanical stop system with a magnetic field-based position sensing and control system. Hall effect sensors detect the position of a magnet attached to the shutter blade, eliminating the need for mechanical contacts or stops to define shutter positions. This substitution of mechanical detection with magnetic field sensing resolves the contradiction by maintaining precise position control without mechanical impact wear.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

2Measurement precision

If conventional position sensing is used, then shutter position detection is achieved, but accuracy is insufficient for fail-safe operation

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveposition sensing accuracyVSAvoidfail-safe operation

Core Design Contradiction:

Measurement precisionVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The patent implements a feedback-based position sensing system using Hall effect sensors that continuously monitor the shutter blade position and provide signals to the control circuitry. This feedback mechanism enables accurate detection of shutter position states and allows the system to verify proper positioning, thereby achieving the measurement precision and reliability required for fail-safe operation.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #23Feedback

Solution Approach 2:

The patent utilizes changes in magnetic field parameters (strength, direction, position) as the shutter blade moves to detect position states. By monitoring these magnetic field parameter changes through Hall effect sensors, the system achieves accurate position sensing without mechanical contacts, resolving the contradiction between measurement precision and reliability for fail-safe operation.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

3Speed

If fast shutter closure is implemented, then response speed is improved, but mechanical impact damage increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveshutter closure speedVSAvoidimpact damage

Core Design Contradiction:

SpeedVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The patent replaces mechanical impact-based closure with a magnetic field-driven closure system. The shutter blade is actuated by magnetic forces from magnets positioned in the housing, allowing fast closure without mechanical impact against stops or guides. This substitution eliminates the harmful impact damage while maintaining fast response speed.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

Applied Scientific Principles

This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.

Function Achieved in This Case

The solution enables reliable operation for tens of millions of cycles, reduces mechanical wear, and provides accurate position sensing, enhancing the shutter's utility and fail-safe operation.

Implementation Method 1

a stationary magnet disposed to attract the protruding portion of the collar and urge the shaft toward the closed-shutter angular position

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectMagnetic attraction: Magnetism

Implementation Method 2

a surface of the shutter blade is reflective

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectReflection: Reflection

Implementation Method 3

the tab redirects laser energy to a beam trap, which absorbs and dissipates the light energy into the base of the shutter frame

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectAbsorption of electromagnetic radiation: Absorption (EM radiation)

Data Source

PatentUS10866405B2Shutter for laser modulation

Publication Date: 2020.12.15 IDEX HEALTH & SCIENCE LLC

AI summary

An optical shutter apparatus for controllably blocking an aperture, the shutter apparatus having a rotary actuator configured to rotate a shaft about an axis from a closed-shutter angular position toward an open-shutter angular position and a shutter blade coupled to the shaft and extending along a plane that is in parallel with the axis of rotation, wherein a surface of the shutter blade is reflective. There is a ferromagnetic collar coupled to the shaft and having a protruding portion extending orthogonally from the shaft with respect to the axis. A stationary magnet is disposed to attract the protruding portion of the collar and urge the shaft toward the closed-shutter angular position.