Shutter with power-free magnetic detent
US8956059B1 · kind B1 · utility
Assignee
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | Jun 26, 2014 |
| Grant date | Feb 17, 2015 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Jun 26, 2034 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC G)Physics
- CPC primaryG03B9/10
- WIPO fieldOptics
- WIPO sectorInstruments
Abstract
An optical shutter apparatus has a shutter blade pivotable between first and second positions. The shutter blade in the first position blocks at least a portion of a light path. A stepper motor pivots the shutter blade to first or second positions. A magnetic shutter blade retention apparatus has a first movable member with a first surface, coupled to the shutter blade. A first stationary member is spaced apart from the shutter blade and is magnetically attracted to the first stationary member when the stepper motor is de-energized. When the shutter blade is pivoted to the first position, a point on the first surface is spaced apart from the first stationary member by a first distance; when the shutter blade is pivoted to the second position, the point on the first surface is spaced apart from the first stationary member by a second distance that is less than the first.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.