Patent ID: 7354372

Claim:
An electric actuator for an automatic transmission, said electric actuator comprising, in combination: an adapter for connection to the automatic transmission to transmit rotary motion between the adapter and the automatic transmission; an electric motor having an output shaft operably connected to the adapter; a gear set operably connecting the adapter and the output shaft to reduce speed and increase torque supplied by the output shaft of the electric motor and applied to the adapter; wherein the gear set includes a ring gear; and a release mechanism operably connected to the gear set and including a lock member movable between a first position wherein the lock member is in engagement with the ring gear to lock the ring gear against rotary motion in both directions and a second position wherein the lock member is out of engagement with the ring gear to permit rotary motion of the ring gear in said both directions; wherein the release mechanism includes an electric solenoid operably connected to the lock member to selectively move the lock member between the first and second positions; wherein the electric solenoid is a pull-type solenoid that retracts when energized.