Patent ID: 9496079
Filing Date: 2016-11-15
CPC Classification: F02D,F02N,H01F,H01H

Claim Text:
1. A solenoid assembly comprising: a switching regulator having an input power connection, an input switching connection, and an output signal connection; a solenoid including a solenoid coil, the solenoid coil including fewer than 500 turns and being electrically connected to the output signal connection of the switching regulator, the solenoid electrically actuable between an extended position and a pull-in position, wherein a distance between the extended position and a pull-in position is at least about ¼ inches and a pull-in force of the solenoid exceeds about 14 pounds; an output level switch electrically connected to the input switching connection and the output signal connection of the switching regulator; a timer electrically connected to an output of the switching regulator and an input of the output level switch, the timer configured to, a predetermined time after sensing a signal on the output of the switching regulator, generate a signal at the output of the output level switch, thereby causing the output level switch to generate a hold signal at the input switching connection of the switching regulator; wherein, upon receiving the hold signal at the input switching connection, the switching regulator causes an output signal on the output signal connection to switch from a switching level to a hold level, wherein the switching level is at a first signal value having a first voltage value of at least 18 volts and a first current value and the hold level is at a second signal value having a second voltage value and a second current value, and wherein the first voltage value is higher than the second voltage value and the first current value is higher than the second current value; wherein the second signal value has a magnitude sufficient to maintain the solenoid in the pull-in position but lower than is required to actuate the solenoid from the extended position to the pull-in position.