High speed electromechanical shutter

1. A device comprising an electromechanical shutter device comprising a base member and a shutter assembly associated with the base member, the shutter assembly comprising:

an electrical current source member associated with the base member;

a shutter member spaced apart from and movable with respect to the electrical current source member between a light beam blocked position and a light beam passed position;

a light beam blocking member associated with the shutter member for blocking a light beam when the shutter member is moved to the light beam blocked position and for not blocking the light beam when the shutter member is moved to the light beam passed position;

a shutter coil associated with the shutter member which generates an electromagnetic force when energized;

at least one magnet positioned proximate to the shutter coil and which generates a magnetic flux directed towards and intersecting the shutter coil;

electrically conductive means connecting the electrical current source member to the shutter member for passing electrical current from the electrical current source member to the shutter member to energize the shutter coil and to control movement of the shutter member between the light beam blocked position and the light beam passed position;

wherein when the shutter coil is energized, an electromagnetic force is generated by the shutter coil which interacts with the magnetic flux to thereby cause movement of the shutter member between the light beam blocked position and the light beam passed position;

wherein the electrical current source member comprises a stationary printed circuit board and wherein the shutter member comprises a printed circuit board movable vertically between the light beam blocked position and the light beam passed position,

wherein the shutter coil is formed into the shutter member,

wherein the shutter member has a pair of opposite sides, and wherein the shutter coil comprises a first shutter coil formed in one side, and a second shutter coil formed in the other side, wherein the first and second shutter coils are connected in series.

2. The device of claim 1 , wherein the shutter coil is generally oval-shaped.

3. A device comprising an electromechanical shutter device comprising a base member and a shutter assembly associated with the base member, the shutter assembly comprising:

an electrical current source member associated with the base member;

a shutter member spaced apart from and movable with respect to the electrical current source member between a light beam blocked position and a light beam passed position;

a light beam blocking member associated with the shutter member for blocking a light beam when the shutter member is moved to the light beam blocked position and for not blocking the light beam when the shutter member is moved to the light beam passed position;

a shutter coil associated with the shutter member which generates an electromagnetic force when energized;

at least one magnet positioned proximate to the shutter coil and which generates a magnetic flux directed towards and intersecting the shutter coil;

electrically conductive means connecting the electrical current source member to the shutter member for passing electrical current from the electrical current source member to the shutter member to energize the shutter coil and to control movement of the shutter member between the light beam blocked position and the light beam passed position;

wherein when the shutter coil is energized, an electromagnetic force is generated by the shutter coil which interacts with the magnetic flux to thereby cause movement of the shutter member between the light beam blocked position and the light beam passed position;

wherein the electrical current source member comprises a stationary printed circuit board and wherein the shutter member comprises a printed circuit board movable vertically between the light beam blocked position and the light beam passed position,

wherein the light beam blocking member comprises a generally rectangular-shaped shutter

wherein the shutter comprises a copper pad.

4. The device of claim 3 , wherein the shutter member has an upper portion and wherein the shutter is positioned in the upper portion.

5. A device comprising an electromechanical shutter device comprising a base member and a shutter assembly associated with the base member, the shutter assembly comprising:

an electrical current source member associated with the base member;

a shutter member spaced apart from and movable with respect to the electrical current source member between a light beam blocked position and a light beam passed position;

a light beam blocking member associated with the shutter member for blocking a light beam when the shutter member is moved to the light beam blocked position and for not blocking the light beam when the shutter member is moved to the light beam passed position;

a shutter coil associated with the shutter member which generates an electromagnetic force when energized;

at least one magnet positioned proximate to the shutter coil and which generates a magnetic flux directed towards and intersecting the shutter coil;

electrically conductive means connecting the electrical current source member to the shutter member for passing electrical current from the electrical current source member to the shutter member to energize the shutter coil and to control movement of the shutter member between the light beam blocked position and the light beam passed position;

wherein when the shutter coil is energized, an electromagnetic force is generated by the shutter coil which interacts with the magnetic flux to thereby cause movement of the shutter member between the light beam blocked position and the light beam passed position;

wherein the electrical current source member comprises a stationary printed circuit board and wherein the shutter member comprises a printed circuit board movable vertically between the light beam blocked position and the light beam passed position,

wherein the light beam blocking member comprises a generally rectangular-shaped shutter,

wherein the shutter member has an upper portion and wherein the shutter is positioned in the upper portion,

wherein the upper portion is generally triangular-shaped and has an upper corner, and wherein the shutter is positioned proximate to the upper corner.

6. A device comprising an electromechanical shutter device comprising a base member and a shutter assembly associated with the base member, the shutter assembly comprising:

an electrical current source member associated with the base member;

a shutter member spaced apart from and movable with respect to the electrical current source member between a light beam blocked position and a light beam passed position;

a light beam blocking member associated with the shutter member for blocking a light beam when the shutter member is moved to the light beam blocked position and for not blocking the light beam when the shutter member is moved to the light beam passed position;

a shutter coil associated with the shutter member which generates an electromagnetic force when energized;

at least one magnet positioned proximate to the shutter coil and which generates a magnetic flux directed towards and intersecting the shutter coil;

electrically conductive means connecting the electrical current source member to the shutter member for passing electrical current from the electrical current source member to the shutter member to energize the shutter coil and to control movement of the shutter member between the light beam blocked position and the light beam passed position;

wherein when the shutter coil is energized, an electromagnetic force is generated by the shutter coil which interacts with the magnetic flux to thereby cause movement of the shutter member between the light beam blocked position and the light beam passed position;

wherein the electrical current source member comprises a stationary printed circuit board and wherein the shutter member comprises a printed circuit board movable vertically between the light beam blocked position and the light beam passed position,

wherein the light beam blocking member comprises a generally rectangular-shaped shutter,

wherein the shutter member has an upper portion and wherein the shutter is positioned in the upper portion,

wherein the electrical current source member has an upper recess to permit the light beam to travel unblocked towards the upper portion.

7. The device of claim 6 , wherein the shutter member moves upwardly to the light beam blocked position so that the shutter blocks the light beam, and wherein the shutter member moves downwardly to the light beam passed position so that the shutter does not block the light beam.

8. A device comprising an electromechanical shutter device comprising a base member and a shutter assembly associated with the base member, the shutter assembly comprising:

an electrical current source member associated with the base member;

a shutter member spaced apart from and movable with respect to the electrical current source member between a light beam blocked position and a light beam passed position;

a light beam blocking member associated with the shutter member for blocking a light beam when the shutter member is moved to the light beam blocked position and for not blocking the light beam when the shutter member is moved to the light beam passed position;

a shutter coil associated with the shutter member which generates an electromagnetic force when energized;

at least one magnet positioned proximate to the shutter coil and which generates a magnetic flux directed towards and intersecting the shutter coil;

electrically conductive means connecting the electrical current source member to the shutter member for passing electrical current from the electrical current source member to the shutter member to energize the shutter coil and to control movement of the shutter member between the light beam blocked position and the light beam passed position;

wherein when the shutter coil is energized, an electromagnetic force is generated by the shutter coil which interacts with the magnetic flux to thereby cause movement of the shutter member between the light beam blocked position and the light beam passed position;

wherein the electrical current source member comprises a stationary printed circuit board and wherein the shutter member comprises a printed circuit board movable vertically between the light beam blocked position and the light beam passed position,

wherein the electrically conductive means comprises electrically conductive suspension wires connected from the electrical current source member to the shutter member and positioned on opposite sides of the at least one magnet.

9. A device comprising an electromechanical shutter device comprising a base member and a shutter assembly associated with the base member, the shutter assembly comprising:

an electrical current source member associated with the base member;

a shutter member spaced apart from and movable with respect to the electrical current source member between a light beam blocked position and a light beam passed position;

a light beam blocking member associated with the shutter member for blocking a light beam when the shutter member is moved to the light beam blocked position and for not blocking the light beam when the shutter member is moved to the light beam passed position;

a shutter coil associated with the shutter member which generates an electromagnetic force when energized;

at least one magnet positioned proximate to the shutter coil and which generates a magnetic flux directed towards and intersecting the shutter coil;

electrically conductive means connecting the electrical current source member to the shutter member for passing electrical current from the electrical current source member to the shutter member to energize the shutter coil and to control movement of the shutter member between the light beam blocked position and the light beam passed position;

wherein when the shutter coil is energized, an electromagnetic force is generated by the shutter coil which interacts with the magnetic flux to thereby cause movement of the shutter member between the light beam blocked position and the light beam passed position;

wherein the electrical current source member comprises a stationary printed circuit board and wherein the shutter member comprises a printed circuit board movable vertically between the light beam blocked position and the light beam passed position,

wherein the electrically conductive means comprises electrically conductive suspension wires connected from the electrical current source member to the shutter member and positioned on opposite sides of the at least one magnet,

wherein the suspension wires comprise a first pair of vertically spaced apart suspension wires and a second pair of vertically spaced apart suspension wires, the first and second pairs of suspension wires being positioned on opposite sides of the at least one magnet.

10. A device comprising an electromechanical shutter device comprising a base member and a shutter assembly associated with the base member, the shutter assembly comprising:

an electrical current source member associated with the base member;

a shutter member spaced apart from and movable with respect to the electrical current source member between a light beam blocked position and a light beam passed position;

a light beam blocking member associated with the shutter member for blocking a light beam when the shutter member is moved to the light beam blocked position and for not blocking the light beam when the shutter member is moved to the light beam passed position;

a shutter coil associated with the shutter member which generates an electromagnetic force when energized;

at least one magnet positioned proximate to the shutter coil and which generates a magnetic flux directed towards and intersecting the shutter coil;

electrically conductive means connecting the electrical current source member to the shutter member for passing electrical current from the electrical current source member to the shutter member to energize the shutter coil and to control movement of the shutter member between the light beam blocked position and the light beam passed position;

wherein when the shutter coil is energized, an electromagnetic force is generated by the shutter coil which interacts with the magnetic flux to thereby cause movement of the shutter member between the light beam blocked position and the light beam passed position;

wherein the electrical current source member comprises a stationary printed circuit board and wherein the shutter member comprises a printed circuit board movable vertically between the light beam blocked position and the light beam passed position,

wherein the shutter coil comprises a lower section and an upper section, wherein the at least one magnet comprises a pair of magnet stacks positioned on opposite sides of the shutter member, and wherein the magnetic flux generated by the magnet stacks passes through the upper and lower sections of the shutter coil.

11. The device of claim 10 , wherein each magnet stack comprises a lower magnet and an upper magnet, and wherein the north and south poles of the lower and upper magnets are oriented to have opposite polarizations such that the magnetic flux passing from the lower magnet of one magnet stack to the lower magnet of the other magnet stack passes through the lower section of the shutter coil, and such that the magnetic flux passing from the upper magnet of the other magnet stack to the upper magnet of the one magnet stack passes through the upper section of the shutter coil.

12. The device of claim 11 , wherein electrical current passes through the shutter coil in one direction to energize the shutter coil to thereby cause the shutter member to move towards the light beam blocked position, and wherein the electrical current passes through the shutter coil in the opposite direction to energize the shutter coil to thereby cause the shutter member to move towards the light beam passed position.

13. The device of claim 12 , wherein when the electrical current passes through the shutter coil in one direction to energize the shutter coil, the shutter member moves vertically upwardly towards the light beam blocked position, and wherein when the electrical current passes through the shutter in the opposite direction to energize the shutter coil, the shutter member moves vertically downwardly towards the light beam passed position.

14. The device of claim 10 , wherein the at least one magnet comprises at least one permanent magnet.

15. The device of claim 14 , wherein the least one permanent magnet comprises an NdFe magnet.

16. A device comprising an electromechanical shutter device comprising a base member and a shutter assembly associated with the base member, the shutter assembly comprising:

a stationary printed circuit board electrical current source anchor member associated with the base member;

a printed circuit board shutter member spaced apart from and movable with respect to the anchor member between a light beam blocked position and a light beam passed position;

a shutter associated with the shutter member for blocking a light beam when the shutter member is moved to the light beam blocked position and for not blocking the light beam when the shutter member is moved to the light beam passed position;

a shutter coil formed in the shutter member which generates an electromagnetic force when energized;

at least one magnet positioned proximate to the shutter coil and which generates a magnetic flux directed towards and intersecting the shutter coil;

a suspension spring assembly comprising electrically conductive suspension wires connecting the anchor member to the shutter member for passing electrical current from the anchor member to the shutter member to energize the shutter coil and to control movement of the shutter member between the light beam blocked position and the light beam passed position;

wherein when the shutter coil is energized, an electromagnetic force is generated by the shutter coil which interacts with the magnetic flux to thereby cause movement of the shutter member between the light beam blocked position and the light beam passed position.

17. The device of claim 16 , wherein the shutter coil is generally oval-shaped.

18. The device of claim 16 , wherein the light beam blocking member comprises a generally rectangular-shaped shutter.

19. The device of claim 18 , wherein the shutter member has an upper portion and wherein the shutter is positioned in the upper portion.

20. The device of claim 19 , wherein the upper portion is generally triangular-shaped and has an upper corner, and wherein the shutter is positioned proximate to the upper corner.

21. The device of claim 20 , wherein the shutter member moves upwardly towards the light beam blocked position so that the shutter blocks the light beam, and wherein the shutter member moves downwardly towards the light beam passed position so that the shutter does not block the light beam.

22. The device of claim 16 , wherein the shutter comprises a copper pad.

23. The device of claim 16 , wherein the suspension wires comprise a first pair of vertically spaced apart suspension wires and a second pair of vertically spaced apart suspension wires, the first and second pairs of suspension wires being positioned on opposite sides of the at least one magnet.

24. The device of claim 16 , wherein the shutter coil comprises a lower section and an upper section, wherein the at least one magnet comprises a pair of magnet stacks positioned on opposite sides of the shutter member, and wherein the magnetic flux generated by the magnet stacks passes through the upper and lower sections of the shutter coil.

25. The device of claim 24 , wherein each magnet stack comprises a lower magnet and an upper magnet, and wherein the north and south poles of lower and upper magnets are oriented to have opposite polarizations such that the magnetic flux passing from the lower magnet of one magnet stack to the lower magnet of the other magnet stack passes through the lower section of the shutter coil, and such that the magnetic flux passing from the upper magnet of the other magnet stack to the upper magnet of the one magnet stack passes through the upper section of the shutter coil.

26. The device of claim 25 , wherein electrical current passes through the shutter coil in one direction to energize the shutter coil to thereby cause the shutter member to move vertically upwardly towards the light beam blocked position, and wherein the electrical current passes through the shutter coil in the opposite direction to energize the shutter coil to thereby cause the shutter member to move vertically downwardly towards the light beam opening position.