Patent ID: 8854165

Claim:
A solenoid comprising: a solenoid frame; a coil assembly fixedly situated with respect to the solenoid frame; a plunger assembly configured to linearly translate in a first direction along a plunger axis upon application of power to the coil assembly, with respect to the plunger axis the plunger assembly comprising a ferromagnetic latching plunger end; at least one magnet; wherein at least one magnet is positioned radially exteriorly to the plunger assembly, the at least one magnet being so located and configured whereby: during application of power to the coil assembly translation occurs between the at least one magnet and the plunger assembly; and upon cessation of the power the at least one magnet and the plunger assembly acquire a positional relationship in a plunger holding position wherein the latching end of the plunger assembly is held in axial alignment along the plunger axis with the at least one magnet and the latching end of the plunger assembly is positioned radically interiorily of the at least one magnet.