Shutter activation system

1. A method of controlling a plurality of shutter blades, comprising:

(a) providing a shutter assembly including a solenoid having a first magnetic pole, a second magnetic pole, and a gap between the first and second poles, and a permanent magnet moveable within the gap in a path coplanar with the solenoid, wherein movement of the permanent magnet transitions the plurality of shutter blades between an open position exposing a central opening of the shutter assembly and a closed position, wherein the plurality of shutter blades and the permanent magnet are slidably engaged with each other;

(b) moving the plurality of shutter blades between the open and closed positions; and

(c) reducing an electrical signal applied to the solenoid while the plurality of shutter blades is in transit between the open and closed positions, wherein moving the plurality of shutter blades between the open and closed positions includes providing relative movement between the permanent magnet and the plurality of shutter blades.

2. The method of claim 1 , wherein reducing the electrical signal comprises directing an electrical current to the solenoid to reverse a polarity of at least one of the first and second magnetic poles as the plurality of shutter blades approaches one of the open and closed positions.

3. The method of claim 1 , wherein reducing the electrical signal comprises reversing a polarity of an electrical current applied to the solenoid as the plurality of shutter blades approaches one of the open and closed positions.

4. The method of claim 1 , wherein reducing the electrical signal comprises applying an electrical current pulse to the solenoid, the pulse terminating while the plurality of shutter blades is in transit between the open and closed positions.

5. The method of claim 1 , wherein reducing the electrical signal comprises applying an electrical current to the solenoid to magnetically slow movement of the plurality of shutter blades.

6. The method of claim 1 , wherein reducing the electrical signal comprises reducing an electrical current applied to the solenoid while the plurality of shutter blades is in transit between the open and closed positions.

7. The method of claim 1 , further comprising applying a current to the solenoid to draw the permanent magnet into the gap and repel the permanent magnet from the gap.

8. A method of controlling a plurality of shutter blades, comprising:

(a) moving a permanent magnet between the first and second magnetic poles of a solenoid;

(b) moving the plurality of shutter blades between an open and a closed position in response to movement of the permanent magnet, wherein linear movement of the permanent magnet toward a central axis of the solenoid rotates the plurality of shutter blades;

(c) sensing a location of the permanent magnet while moving the plurality of shutter blades; and

(d) reducing an electrical signal applied to the solenoid, while the plurality of shutter blades is in transit between the open and closed positions, in response to the sensed location.

9. The method of claim 8 , wherein sensing the location includes sensing an electrical current passing through the solenoid.

10. The method of claim 8 , further comprising sensing the location of the permanent magnet relative to a gap defined by the solenoid.

11. The method of claim 8 , further comprising sensing the location of the permanent magnet with a Hall effect sensor.

12. The method of claim 8 , wherein reducing the electrical signal comprising reversing a polarity of an electrical current applied to the solenoid, in response to the sensed location.

13. The method of claim 1 , further comprising sensing a position of a micromagnet mounted to one of the plurality of shutter blades and reducing an electrical current applied to the solenoid, in response to the sensed micromagnet position.

14. The method of claim 1 , further comprising sensing a position of a flag mounted to the permanent magnet and reducing an electrical current applied to the solenoid, in response to the sensed flag position.

15. The method of claim 8 , wherein reducing the electrical signal comprises applying an electrical current pulse to the solenoid, the pulse terminating while the plurality of shutter blades is in transit between the open and closed position.

16. The method of claim 8 , wherein reducing the electrical signal comprises reversing a polarity of at least one of the first and second magnetic poles.

17. The method of claim 8 , wherein reducing the electrical signal comprises applying an electrical current to the solenoid to magnetically decelerate the permanent magnet as the permanent magnet approaches one of the first and second magnetic poles.

18. A method of controlling a shutter assembly, comprising:

(a) selectively energizing a solenoid to drive a permanent magnet along a path coplanar with and perpendicular to a central axis of the solenoid;

(b) moving a plurality of shutter blades between an open position and a closed position in response to movement of the magnet;

(c) sensing a location of the permanent magnet along the coplanar path; and

(d) applying a control signal to the solenoid in response to the sensing, the control signal changing a rate at which the solenoid drives the permanent magnet along the coplanar path while the plurality of shutter blades is in transit between the open and closed positions.

19. The method of claim 18 , wherein sensing the location comprises sensing an electrical current passing through the solenoid.

20. The method of claim 18 , further comprising sensing the location of the permanent magnet relative to a gap defined by the solenoid.

21. The method of claim 18 , further comprising sensing the location of the permanent magnet with a Hall effect sensor.

22. The method of claim 18 , further comprising reversing a polarity of an electrical current applied to the solenoid, in response to the sensing, while the plurality of shutter blades is in transit between the open and closed positions.

23. The method of claim 18 , further comprising applying an electrical current pulse to the solenoid, the pulse terminating while the plurality of shutter blades is in transit between the open and closed positions.

24. The method of claim 18 , further comprising reversing a polarity of a magnetic pole defined by the solenoid, in response to the sensing, while the plurality of shutter blades is in transit between the open and closed positions.

25. The method of claim 18 , further comprising applying an electrical current to the solenoid to magnetically decelerate the permanent magnet as the permanent magnet approaches a magnetic pole of the solenoid.

26. The method of claim 1 , wherein the solenoid is curved.

27. The method of claim 1 , wherein the solenoid comprises a C-shaped core and a coif of wire wound around the core.

28. The method of claim 1 , wherein the solenoid comprises a core having a first face defining the first pole, and a second face facing the first face and defining the second pole.

29. The method of claim 1 , wherein the permanent magnet comprises a portion extending through at least one shutter blade of the plurality of shutter blades.

30. The method of claim 1 , wherein linear movement of the permanent magnet toward the central opening rotates the plurality of shutter blades.

31. The method of claim 1 , wherein moving the plurality of shutter blades between the open and closed positions includes pivoting the plurality of shutter blades about the permanent magnet.