Patent ID: 6066999
Filing Date: 2000-05-23
Classification: F01L,H01F

Abstract:
An electromagnetic actuator comprising(a) an electromagnet having(1) a yoke;(2) an operating coil supported by said yoke and connectable to a controllable current supply for effecting a current flow through said operating coil; and(3) a pole face;(b) an armature movable from a first position remote from said pole face to a second, pole face-engaging position in response to a first electromagnetic force generated by a current flow through said operating coil;(c) a resetting spring coupled to said armature and opposing said first electromagnetic force;(d) a braking coil supported by said yoke;(e) a switching element having open and closed states;(f) a circuit formed of said braking coil and said switching element; said circuit being closed in said closed state of said switching element and being open in said open state of said switching element; and(g) switch control means responsive at least indirectly to a distance of said armature from said pole face during motion of said armature toward said pole face for placing said switching element into said closed state when said armature is at a given distance from said pole face to close said circuit for producing a second electromagnetic force opposing said first electromagnetic force.