Abstract: A shutter assembly includes a drive ring having a permanent magnet disposed thereon. The shutter assembly also includes a solenoid defining a gap between first and second magnetic poles thereof, the drive ring being disposed coplanar with the solenoid and being rotatable in response to a magnetic field created between the first and second magnetic poles. The shutter assembly also includes a plurality of shutter blades configured to transition between an open position and a closed position in response to rotation of the drive ring. The shutter assembly further includes a base plate separating the plurality of shutter blades from at least one of the drive ring and the solenoid.

Abstract: A damping system for an electromagnetically operable rotary shutter includes a damper for arresting the motion of a pivotally supported shutter actuating drive arm. The damper has a first portion composed of an ultrahigh density polyethylene and a second portion composed of a damped polyurethane that are arranged to strike one against the other during operation of the shutter. Moreover the first portion of the damper has a straight edge and the second portion has a surface that is curved so as to maintain substantially a point contact between the two portions throughout the duration of the impact between the two. The combination of materials and configuration of the surfaces of the two portions provides energy absorption while avoiding the adherence of the two portions upon impact.

Abstract: A shutter assembly for an optical system includes a shutter housing that maintains optical alignments with adjoining parts of the optical system and a shutter mechanism that can be removed and replaced within the shutter housing without disturbing the optical alignments between the shutter housing and the adjoining parts of the optical system. The shutter mechanism can also include alignment features with the shutter housing for restoring the original optical alignment of the shutter mechanism with the adjoining parts of the optical system.

Abstract: A shutter operating system is provided that depends on electromagnetic energy to operate shutter blades. A permanent magnet and solenoid system operate the shutter blades. Movement of the magnet causes the shutter blades to move between an open and a closed position over a lens. The permanent magnet can be moved between a pair of spaced coils by selectively energizing first one coil then the other. The magnet can be attached directly to a shutter blade or in the case of a rotary shutter, the magnet can be attached to a drive ring that in turn is mechanically coupled to the shutter blades.

Abstract: A shutter assembly for an optical system includes a shutter housing that maintains optical alignments with adjoining parts of the optical system and a shutter mechanism that can be removed and replaced within the shutter housing without disturbing the optical alignments between the shutter housing and the adjoining parts of the optical system. The shutter mechanism can also include alignment features with the shutter housing for restoring the original optical alignment of the shutter mechanism with the adjoining parts of the optical system.

Abstract: An electromagnetically operable rotary shutter is rendered bi-stable by the use of two linear electric motors, one to open the shutter and a second to close the shutter together with a latch that holds the shutter in either an open or a closed position in the absence of power to purposefully open or close the shutter.

Abstract: A damping system for an electromagnetically operable rotary shutter includes a damper for arresting the motion of a pivotally supported shutter actuating drive arm. The damper has a first portion composed of an ultrahigh density polyethylene and a second portion composed of a damped polyurethane that are arranged to strike one against the other during operation of the shutter. Moreover the first portion of the damper has a straight edge and the second portion has a surface that is curved so as to maintain substantially a point contact between the two portions throughout the duration of the impact between the two. The combination of materials and configuration of the surfaces of the two portions provides energy absorption while avoiding the adherence of the two portions upon impact.

Abstract: A damping system for an electromagnetically operable shutter includes a detent for arresting the motion of a pivotally supported shutter actuating drive arm. The detent has damper portions that are fixed to the pivotally supported drive arm and bumper portions that are fixed t positions to receive the impact of the dampers as the arm is pivoted in one direction or another to operate the shutter. The damper portions each has a straight edge and the surface of each bumper portion is curved so as to maintain substantially a point contact between the two throughout the duration of the impact. In addition the damper portions are formed of a damped polyurethane and each bumper portion is formed of an ultra high molecular weight polyethylene, the combination of materials providing energy absorption while avoiding the adherence of damper and bumper portions upon impact.