Optical shutter
AssigneeNokia Corporation
InventorsJarkko Viinikanoja, Tapani Levola
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
The invention relates to a shutter for an optical imaging system. An amount of opaque fluid is moved in a planar capillary space to open and close the shutter. Depending on the position of the opaque fluid with respect to an optical path passing through the capillary space, the fluid opens or blocks the optical path. In an embodiment, the opaque fluid is moved by a pressure differential caused by a diaphragm which is coupled to a piezoelectric actuator. In another embodiment, the opaque fluid is moved by electrostatic forces.
Claims16
An optical shutter, said shutter comprising:
- a capillary space between two substantially transparent surfaces,
- a fluid reservoir in connection with said capillary space,
- an amount of opaque fluid,
- an amount of substantially transparent fluid in direct contact with said amount of opaque fluid, and
- a displacement device to move said amount of opaque fluid from said fluid reservoir to said capillary space to block an optical path passing through said capillary space,
- wherein said displacement device comprises a first diaphragm coupled to a first piezoelectric actuator and a second diaphragm coupled to a second piezoelectric actuator, and
- wherein said amount of opague fluid is moved from said fluid reservoir by contracting the first piezoelectric actuator and expanding the second piezoelectric actuator.
A device, comprising:
- imaging optics,
- an image sensor, and
- a shutter,
- wherein said shutter comprises:
- a capillary space between two substantially transparent surfaces,
- a fluid reservoir in connection with said capillary space,
- an amount of opaque fluid,
- an amount of substantially transparent fluid in direct contact with said opaque fluid, and
- a displacement device to move said amount of opaque fluid from said fluid reservoir to said capillary space to block an optical path passing through said capillary space,
- wherein said displacement device comprises a first diaphragm coupled to a first piezoelectric actuator and a second diaphragm coupled to a second piezoelectric actuator, and
- wherein said amount of opaque fluid is moved from said fluid reservoir by contracting the first piezoelectric actuator and expanding the second piezoelectric actuator.
A method to block an optical path, said optical path passing through a capillary space between two substantially transparent surfaces, said method comprising:
- contracting a first piezoelectric actuator coupled to a first diaphragm,
- expanding a second piezoelectric actuator coupled to a second diaphragm, and
- moving an amount of opaque fluid from a fluid reservoir to said capillary space to block said optical path as a result of contracting said first piezoelectric actuator and expanding said second piezoelectric actuator,
- wherein said opaque fluid is in direct contact with a substantially transparent fluid in said capillary space.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.