Patent ID: 6737946
Filing Date: 2004-05-18
Classification: F16K,H01F

Abstract:
A dual-latching solenoid comprising a first ferromagnetic U-core yoke, a second ferromagnetic U-core yoke, and a ferromagnetic armature positioned to travel between said first yoke and said second yoke and arranged to be latched magnetically to either said first yoke or said second yoke, said armature having a center region and a non-center region adjacent to said center region and having a boundary therebetween and further including pathways that conduct induced current selectively in response to flux redistribution between said center region and said non-center region of said armature, wherein:a. a surface of said first yoke includes one or more steps separating approximately axially facing poleface regions of said first yoke, wherein one or more of said poleface regions is configured to mate with said armature when said armature is latched to said first yoke; b. said center region of said armature is thicker than said non-center region, wherein one of said one or more steps of said first yoke is near to and substantially parallel to said boundary of said armature when said armature is latched to said first yoke; and c when said armature is latched to said first yoke, said center region of said armature is in mating communication with one or more of said poleface regions of said first yoke while a gap remains between at least a portion of said non-center region and said first yoke.