Variable aperture mechanism for cryogenic environment, and method
AssigneeRaytheon Company
InventorsJeffrey P. Yanevich, Eric J. Griffin, Michael L. Brest, Kenneth L. McAllister
Life of this patent
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Abstract
A device operable in a ultra-high vacuum and in a cryogenic environment. The device has bi-stable solenoid motors configured to drive a shutter assembly defining an aperture having a first shape when the motors are each disposed in the respective first position, and wherein the aperture has a second shape when the motors are each disposed in the respective second position. Actuators responsive to the motors are thermally isolated from the cryogenic shutter assembly except when the motors position the shutter assembly to change a shape of the aperture. The device is suitable for use in FLIR and other thermally sensitive devices.
Claims25
A device, comprising:
- a bi-stable solenoid motor having a motor member, the solenoid motor configured to drive the motor member between a first position and a second position;
- an actuator responsive to movement of the motor member from the first position to the second position;
- and
- a shutter assembly responsively coupled to the actuator and defining an aperture having a first shape when the motor member is disposed in the first position, and wherein the aperture has a second shape when the motor member is disposed in the second position, wherein the shutter assembly is configured to operate in a cryogenic environment,
- wherein the actuator is thermally isolated from the shutter assembly except when the motor member moves between the first position to the second position.
A device, comprising:
- a first bi-stable solenoid motor having a first motor member and a second bi-stable solenoid motor having a second motor member, each of the first and second solenoid motors configured to drive the respective motor member between a first position and a second position;
- a first actuator responsive to movement of the first motor member from the first position to the second position, and a second actuator responsive to movement of the second motor member from the first position to the second position;
- and
- a shutter assembly responsively coupled to the first actuator and the second actuator, the shutter assembly defining an aperture having a first shape when the first motor member and the second motor member are each disposed in the respective first position, and wherein the aperture has a second shape when the first motor member and the second motor member are each disposed in the respective second position, wherein the shutter assembly is configured to operate in a cryogenic environment,
- wherein the first actuator and the second actuator are thermally isolated from the shutter assembly except when the first motor member and the second motor member each move between the respective first position to the respective second position.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.