Patent ID: 7764154

Claim:
An electromagnetic actuator comprising: a frame that is defined by a U-shaped circumferentially extending channel; a coil assembly received in the U-shaped circumferentially extending channel, the coil assembly having a coil, which is energizable to generate a magnetic field, and a shell that is formed of a ferrous material, the shell defining a cavity into which the coil is received; an armature that is formed of a ferrous material and which is movable relative to the coil assembly along a translation axis due to a magnetic field produced by the coil when the coil is energized; and a plunger that moves with the armature when the coil is energized, the plunger being formed of a material having a low magnetic susceptibility, the plunger having an annular flange member and a rim member that is coupled to an outer periphery of the flange member, the flange member being oriented generally perpendicular to the translation axis, the rim member being disposed concentrically about the translation axis and being engaged to a radial outer surface of the shell, wherein the armature includes a tubular body that is received into the rim member, and wherein the rim member terminates on a side opposite the flange member at an axial end face that abuts a rib formed on the armature.