Shutter Assembly Magnetic Actuation Heat Reduction
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing shutter assemblies for high-speed applications require mechanical linkages that generate heat and are not suitable for vacuum environments or space-constrained systems, and they often necessitate additional components like heat sinks, which are not feasible in all applications.
Innovation Solution
A rotary shutter system utilizing a permanent magnet and solenoid arrangement that eliminates the need for mechanical linkages, allowing the shutter blades to open and close using electromagnetic forces, with self-damping capabilities to reduce rebound and impact.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Speed
If a linear electric motor is used to activate the shutter, then the shutter can open and close rapidly, but heat is generated that can adversely affect the alignment of the optics and cause image distortion
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the linear electric motor with a magnetic field-based actuation system using permanent magnets and solenoids. This substitution eliminates the mechanical friction and resistive heating of electric motors while maintaining rapid shutter operation through electromagnetic forces.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent uses periodic energization of solenoids to create oscillating magnetic fields that drive the shutter blades back and forth. By applying electrical energy in periodic pulses rather than continuous power, heat generation is minimized while maintaining the required shutter speed.
2Duration of action of moving object
If the motor is kept activated for an extended period to hold the shutter open, then the exposure time can be prolonged, but excessive heat is generated
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs periodic puling of solenoids rather than continuous activation. The shutter remains held open by the mechanical position of the drive ring and shutter blades after being actuated, allowing extended exposure times without continuous electrical power application, thus preventing excessive heat generation.
Solution Approach 2:
The shutter system uses its own mechanical momentum and the positional state of the drive ring to maintain the open position during extended exposures. The system serves itself by maintaining position without continuous external energy input, eliminating the need for prolonged motor activation.
3Ease of operation
If mechanical linkages are used to connect the motor to the shutter blades, then the shutter can be actuated, but the mechanical linkages generate heat and are not suitable for vacuum environments
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces mechanical linkages with a direct magnetic coupling system. Permanent magnets mounted on the drive ring interact directly with solenoid coils without requiring physical connection between the actuator and shutter blades. This eliminates mechanical friction, heat generation from mechanical components, and compatibility issues with vacuum environments.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces magnetic fields as an intermediary between the solenoids and the drive ring. Instead of direct mechanical contact, the magnetic field serves as the medium to transmit force across the air gap, enabling actuation without mechanical linkages that would generate heat or fail in vacuum.
4Temperature
If additional components like heat sinks or heat dissipating fins are added, then heat management can be improved, but weight and space requirements increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent eliminates the need for heat sinks and heat dissipating fins by replacing the heat-generating linear electric motor with a magnetic field-based system. Since electromagnetic forces do not generate significant heat compared to mechanical motors, no additional heat management components are required, thereby avoiding increased weight.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent extracts and removes the heat generation problem from the system by eliminating the linear electric motor. By taking out the source of heat generation, the need for heat management components like heat sinks is eliminated, reducing overall system weight.
5Temperature
If additional components like heat sinks or heat dissipating fins are added, then heat management can be improved, but the space requirements increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the voluminous heat management components with a compact magnetic field-based actuation system. The solenoids and permanent magnets occupy minimal space compared to heat sinks and dissipating fins, thereby reducing the overall volume of the shutter system.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent extracts and removes the heat management components from the system design. By eliminating the need for heat sinks and dissipating fins through the use of a low-heat-generation electromagnetic system, the overall volume of the shutter assembly is reduced.
6Stability of the object's composition
If mechanical damping components are added to reduce impact and rebound, then the shutter operation can be smoothed, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces mechanical damping components with magnetic field-based actuation that inherently provides smooth, controlled motion. The electromagnetic forces can be precisely controlled to accelerate and decelerate the shutter blades without mechanical impact, eliminating the need for separate damping components.
Solution Approach 2:
The magnetic field system provides self-damping through controlled electromagnetic forces. The solenoids can be de-energized at precise moments to allow the shutter blades to coast to a stop, and can be re-energized to provide gentle braking, creating inherent damping without additional mechanical components.
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 system effectively operates without mechanical damping, reduces heat generation, and maintains stability in both open and closed positions, making it suitable for applications where weight, space, and heat management are critical, such as in vacuum environments and space exploration.
Implementation Method 1
a first solenoid selectively energizable to alternately attract and repel the first permanent magnet along an arcuate path beneath the first solenoid
Implementation Method 2
a first solenoid selectively energizable to alternately attract and repel the first permanent magnet
Implementation Method 3
which is, in one embodiment, self-damping to reduce impact and rebound when the shutter is opened or closed
Data Source
AI summary
A shutter assembly includes a plurality of shutter blades movable between an open position and a closed position, a drive ring having first and second oppositely-facing sides, at least one of the shutter blades being movably coupled to the first side, and a first permanent magnet coupled to the second side of the drive ring. The shutter assembly also includes a first solenoid selectively energizable to alternately attract and repel the first permanent magnet along an arcuate path beneath the first solenoid, thereby transitioning the plurality of shutter blades between the open and closed positions. The shutter assembly also includes a sensor assembly configured to detect a location of the first permanent magnet along the path.