Variable aperture mechanism for creating different aperture sizes in cameras and other imaging devices

An apparatus comprising:

• a first blade configured to be coupled to a first magnet and a second blade configured to be coupled to a second magnet, at least one of the blades having at least one cutout;
• and
• electromagnetic motors configured to generate different electromagnetic fields to (i) cause the magnets to move the blades into a first configuration and (ii) cause the magnets to move the blades into a second configuration;
• wherein the blades are configured to be separated to form a larger aperture in the first configuration;
• wherein the at least one cutout in the at least one of the blades forms a smaller aperture in the second configuration;
• wherein the electromagnetic motors are coupled to a motor mount, the motor mount configured to be coupled to a housing;
• wherein the blades form a portion of an aperture mechanism, the aperture mechanism configured to be coupled to a cooling system such that the aperture mechanism is thermally isolated from the motor mount, the electromagnetic motors, and the housing;
• and
• wherein each electromagnetic motor comprises a curved core, a first portion of each core configured to be located proximate to the first magnet, a second portion of each core configured to be located proximate to the second magnet.

An apparatus comprising:

• a first blade configured to be coupled to a first magnet and a second blade configured to be coupled to a second magnet, at least one of the blades having at least one cutout;
• electromagnetic motors configured to generate different electromagnetic fields to (i) cause the magnets to move the blades into a first configuration and (ii) cause the magnets to move the blades into a second configuration;
• and
• a cover plate and a base plate, the cover plate and the base plate configured to be coupled together to form a space within which the blades are located;
• wherein the blades are configured to be separated to form a larger aperture in the first configuration;
• wherein the at least one cutout in the at least one of the blades forms a smaller aperture in the second configuration;
• wherein the base plate comprises:
• an opening that defines the larger aperture;
• blade stops configured to stop movement of the blades when the blades are moving outward;
• and
• stop pins configured to stop movement of the blades when the blades are moving inward;
• and
• wherein the blade stops and the stop pins are configured to thermally contact the blades in order to exchange heat with the blades.

A system comprising:

• a variable aperture system comprising:
• a first blade configured to be coupled to a first magnet and a second blade configured to be coupled to a second magnet, at least one of the blades having at least one cutout;
• and
• electromagnetic motors configured to generate different electromagnetic fields to (i) cause the magnets to move the blades into a first configuration and (ii) cause the magnets to move the blades into a second configuration;
• wherein the blades are configured to be separated to form a larger aperture in the first configuration;
• and
• wherein the at least one cutout in the at least one of the blades forms a smaller aperture in the second configuration;
• a cooling system configured to cool at least the blades of the variable aperture system;
• and
• a housing, wherein the electromagnetic motors are coupled to a motor mount, the motor mount configured to be coupled to the housing;
• wherein the blades form a portion of an aperture mechanism, the aperture mechanism configured to be coupled to the cooling system.

A system comprising:

• a variable aperture system comprising:
• a first blade configured to be coupled to a first magnet and a second blade configured to be coupled to a second magnet, at least one of the blades having at least one cutout;
• and
• electromagnetic motors configured to generate different electromagnetic fields to (i) cause the magnets to move the blades into a first configuration and (ii) cause the magnets to move the blades into a second configuration;
• wherein the blades are configured to be separated to form a larger aperture in the first configuration;
• and
• wherein the at least one cutout in the at least one of the blades forms a smaller aperture in the second configuration;
• and
• a cooling system configured to cool at least the blades of the variable aperture system;
• wherein each electromagnetic motor comprises a curved core;
• wherein a first portion of each core is configured to be located proximate to the first magnet;
• and
• wherein a second portion of each core is configured to be located proximate to the second magnet.

A system comprising:

• a variable aperture system comprising:
• a first blade configured to be coupled to a first magnet and a second blade configured to be coupled to a second magnet, at least one of the blades having at least one cutout;
• electromagnetic motors configured to generate different electromagnetic fields to (i) cause the magnets to move the blades into a first configuration and (ii) cause the magnets to move the blades into a second configuration;
• and
• a cover plate and a base plate, the cover plate and the base plate configured to be coupled together to form a space within which the blades are located;
• wherein the blades are configured to be separated to form a larger aperture in the first configuration;
• and
• wherein the at least one cutout in the at least one of the blades forms a smaller aperture in the second configuration;
• and
• a cooling system configured to cool at least the blades of the variable aperture system;
• wherein the base plate comprises:
• an opening that defines the larger aperture;
• blade stops configured to stop movement of the blades when the blades are moving outward;
• and
• stop pins configured to stop movement of the blades when the blades are moving inward;
• and
• wherein the blade stops and the stop pins are configured to thermally contact the blades in order to exchange heat with the blades.

A method comprising:

• generating first electromagnetic fields that cause magnets to move first and second blades of an aperture mechanism into a first configuration, wherein the blades are separated to form a larger aperture in the first configuration;
• and
• generating second electromagnetic fields that cause the magnets to move the blades of the aperture mechanism into a second configuration, wherein at least one cutout in at least one of the blades forms a smaller aperture in the second configuration;
• wherein the aperture mechanism further comprises a cover plate and a base plate, the cover plate and the base plate coupled together to form a space within which the blades are located;
• wherein the base plate includes blade stops and stop pins, the blade stops configured to stop movement of the blades when the blades are moving outward, the stop pins configured to stop movement of the blades when the blades are moving inward;
• wherein the blades are in thermal contact with the blade stops in the first configuration;
• and
• wherein the blades are in thermal contact with the stop pins in the second configuration.