The present invention relates to imaging. More particularly it relates to an electromagnetic shutter for imaging sensors.
In optical systems, and in particular in imaging systems, such as thermal cameras, it is needed to provide a shutter that can be placed in front of the imaging sensor and block its view when desired. In an Infra-Red (IR) camera a shutter is provided for occasional calibration of the imaging sensor, or for preventing undesired irradiation from reaching the imaging sensor.
Calibration is necessary in thermal sensors in order to ensure accurate measurements and to obtain correct images. Calibration is especially important in IR cameras, which have a thermal sensor that is not cooled to supercool temperatures.
Every once in a while a uniform surface of a black body is placed in front of the sensor and the sensor matrix is calibrated to measure a surface of uniform temperature.
There are known IR cameras, which include such an optical shutter. Typically the shutter comprises a black painted plate, which is displaced between two positions in front of the sensor—a blocking position in front of the sensor view and a retracted position, where the shutter is removed from the sensor's field of view.
A known shutter mechanism includes a shutter plate turning about a motor axis to and out of the blocking position. Another shutter mechanism includes a shutter plate coupled to a motor with linear transmission so as to facilitate linear motion of the shutter between the two positions.
In some cases it is desired to have a shutter mechanism that is silent in order to prevent exposing the existence and location of the imaging system.
It is an object of the present invention to provide a shutter mechanism for imaging systems, which electromechanically activated.
Another object of the present invention is to provide a shutter mechanism for imaging systems, which is silent.
Yet another object of the present invention is to provide a shutter mechanism for imaging systems, which is reliable, holding the shutter plate in either of its positions firmly and stably.
Other advantages and objects of the present invention will become apparent after reading the present specification and reviewing the accompanying figures.
A shutter mechanism for an imaging system, which is electromagnetically operated, and which is silent and reliable.
In order to better understand the present invention, and appreciate its practical applications, the following Figures are provided and referenced hereafter. It should be noted that the Figures are given as examples only and in no way limit the scope of the invention. Like components are denoted by like reference numerals.
The present invention introduces a shutter mechanism that has a low profile (small dimensions), which is electromagnetically actuated, and is silent (or at least does not produces a noticeable noise when operated) and highly reliable. The shutter travels linearly along a straight track.
In principle a shutter mechanism according to the present invention comprises a shutter plate, which is coupled to an electromagnetic coil chip that can travel linearly between to positions across a confined track. On either ends of the track a magnet assembly is placed, in opposing magnetic polarities. When an electric (direct) current is passed through the coil the induced magnetic field of the coil aligns with one magnetic assembly and opposes the magnetic polarity of the other magnetic assembly, so that the chip is either attracted by one magnetic assembly and repelled by the other or repelled by the first magnetic assembly and attracted by the other, forcing the chip and hence forcing the shutter to move from one end of the track to the other in a predetermined manner, governed by the direction of the induced electromagnetic field of the coil, which is controlled.
Reference is made to
Extension of end wall 18 with bore 9 is provided for fastening the shutter mechanism assembly in a desired position by screws or pins.
A ferroelectric element 40 is provided on chip 26, so that when the chip resides between either of the magnet pairs it is held firmly due to the magnetic forces, which act on the ferromagnetic element. This facilitates holding the shutter on either sides of the track firmly and stably, while maintaining the electromagnetic coil idle (no current is passed through the coil).
When current is passed through the coil it is repelled by one magnet assembly and repelled by the other, forcing the shutter to move to the one end of the track whereas when the current through the coil is reversed the shutter is forced to move to the opposite end of the track.
A proposed operation scheme comprises generating electric pulse of predetermined duration in a predetermined direction (by a controller 42, see
The shutter mechanism of the present invention is made to maintain a low-profile and takes up very small space, relatively to other shutter assemblies. It is a very accurate and reliable mechanism.
It should be clear that the description of the embodiments and attached Figures set forth in this specification serves only for a better understanding of the invention, without limiting its scope.
It should also be clear that a person skilled in the art, after reading the present specification could make adjustments or amendments to the attached Figures and above described embodiments that would still be covered by the present invention.
This application is a National Phase Application of PCT International Application No. PCT/IL2008/000421, entitled “Electromagnetic Shutter for Imaging Sensors”, International Filing Date Mar. 27, 2008, published on Oct. 9, 2008 as International Publication No. WO 2008/120195, which in turn claims priority from U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 60/920,809, filed Mar. 30, 2007, both of which are incorporated herein by reference in their entirety.
Filing Document | Filing Date | Country | Kind | 371c Date |
---|---|---|---|---|
PCT/IL2008/000421 | 3/27/2008 | WO | 00 | 1/6/2010 |
Publishing Document | Publishing Date | Country | Kind |
---|---|---|---|
WO2008/120195 | 10/9/2008 | WO | A |
Number | Name | Date | Kind |
---|---|---|---|
4024552 | Kondo | May 1977 | A |
4033693 | Payrhammer et al. | Jul 1977 | A |
4051499 | Kondo | Sep 1977 | A |
4286856 | McGrath | Sep 1981 | A |
4514064 | Kurosu et al. | Apr 1985 | A |
4839679 | Cameron et al. | Jun 1989 | A |
4890129 | Mody | Dec 1989 | A |
5706120 | O'Brien et al. | Jan 1998 | A |
5802415 | Bryant et al. | Sep 1998 | A |
5828920 | Stephany et al. | Oct 1998 | A |
6394668 | Nakano | May 2002 | B1 |
6836201 | Devenyi et al. | Dec 2004 | B1 |
20050180275 | Shiraki et al. | Aug 2005 | A1 |
Number | Date | Country |
---|---|---|
53139527 | Dec 1978 | JP |
07 131967 | May 1995 | JP |
07-131967 | May 1995 | JP |
2003 059020 | Feb 2003 | JP |
2003-059020 | Feb 2003 | JP |
Number | Date | Country | |
---|---|---|---|
20100119222 A1 | May 2010 | US |
Number | Date | Country | |
---|---|---|---|
60920809 | Mar 2007 | US |