Magnetic latching actuator
First Claim
1. A magnetic latching actuator, comprising:
- a first stationary permanent magnet positioned to create a first magnetic field having a first polarity;
a second stationary permanent magnet positioned relative to the first permanent magnet to create a second magnetic field having a second polarity opposite the first polarity;
a magnet housing that receives and retains the first and second permanent magnets;
a yoke positioned to surround at least a portion of the magnetic housing and movable relative to the first and second permanent magnets between a first position and a second position, wherein the yoke is held in the first position by the first magnet and is held in the second position by the second magnet; and
an actuation coil surrounding both the first and second permanent magnets and contained within the magnetic housing, wherein the actuation coil is operable to generate an actuation magnetic field that creates a actuation force in either a first direction or an opposite, second direction to cause the yoke to move between the first and second positions.
9 Assignments
0 Petitions
Accused Products
Abstract
A magnetic latching actuator operable to control the movement of at least a first contact and second contact between a closed position in which the contacts physically engage each other and an open position in which the contacts are spaced from each other. The magnetic latching actuator includes first and second stationary permanent magnets oriented such that the first magnetic field created by the first magnet and the second magnetic field created by the second magnet are in opposite directions. An actuation coil surrounds both the first and second magnets. Current is supplied to the actuation coil in a first direction to create a first magnetic field or a second direction to create a second actuation magnetic field opposite the first actuation magnetic field. A yoke is movable relative to the first and second magnets to cause the first and second contacts to move between the open and closed positions.
30 Citations
19 Claims
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1. A magnetic latching actuator, comprising:
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a first stationary permanent magnet positioned to create a first magnetic field having a first polarity; a second stationary permanent magnet positioned relative to the first permanent magnet to create a second magnetic field having a second polarity opposite the first polarity; a magnet housing that receives and retains the first and second permanent magnets; a yoke positioned to surround at least a portion of the magnetic housing and movable relative to the first and second permanent magnets between a first position and a second position, wherein the yoke is held in the first position by the first magnet and is held in the second position by the second magnet; and an actuation coil surrounding both the first and second permanent magnets and contained within the magnetic housing, wherein the actuation coil is operable to generate an actuation magnetic field that creates a actuation force in either a first direction or an opposite, second direction to cause the yoke to move between the first and second positions. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5)
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6. A magnetic latching actuator operable to control the movement of a first contact between a closed position in which the first contact physically engages a second contact and an open position in which the first and second contacts are spaced from each other, comprising:
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a first magnet positioned to create a first magnetic field having a first polarity; a second magnet positioned relative to the first magnet to create a second magnetic field having a second polarity opposite the first polarity; a magnet housing that receives and retains the first and second permanent magnets; an actuation coil surrounding both the first and second magnets, wherein the actuation coil is operable to create an actuation magnetic field having either the first polarity or the second polarity; and a yoke positioned to surround at least a portion of the magnet housing and movable along the magnet housing relative to the first and second magnets between a first position and a second position, wherein the yoke is held in the first position by the first magnet and is held in the second position by the second magnet. - View Dependent Claims (7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13)
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14. A method of operating a magnetic latching actuator to move a first and a second contact between a closed position and an open position, comprising the steps of:
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positioning a first permanent magnet within a magnetic housing to create a first magnetic field having a first polarity; positioning a second permanent magnet within the magnetic housing adjacent to the first permanent magnet to create a second magnetic field having a second polarity opposite the first polarity; surrounding the first and second permanent magnets with an actuation coil including a plurality of windings; mounting a yoke around both of the permanent magnets and the actuation coil in the magnetic housing, wherein the yoke is movable relative to the first and second permanent magnets; supplying current to the plurality of windings in a first direction to create a first actuation magnetic field having the first polarity cause the yoke to move toward alignment with the first permanent magnet; and supplying current to the plurality of windings in a second direction to create a second actuation magnetic field having the second polarity to cause the yoke to move toward alignment with the second permanent magnet. - View Dependent Claims (15, 16, 17, 18, 19)
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Specification