Patent ID: 7474183
Filing Date: 2009-01-06
Classification: H01H

Abstract:
1. A latching electromagnetically actuable device comprising: an electromagnet comprising an armature and a core, at least one of the armature and the core being of a magnetically hard material; an electrical coil; a housing supporting the electromagnet and the coil, wherein energizing the coil in a first direction magnetizes the magnetically hard material to draw the armature and core together and latch the electromagnet, and energizing the coil in a second direction releases the electromagnet; and a control circuit having a first input and a second input and a current limit device connected to the second input, whereby the electromagnet is latched responsive to the first input being energized and released responsive to the second input being energized, the current limit device limiting release current relative to latch current so the electromagnet is not remagnetized when it is released.