Patent ID: 7898139

Claim:
A magnetic actuator, comprising: an inner ring; an outer ring disposed around the inner ring; a magnetic ring comprising a permanent magnetic material, disposed between the inner ring and the outer ring; an excitation coil capable of generating magnetic flux through the inner and outer rings when current is applied thereto; a plurality of inner teeth disposed on the inner ring arranged in a plurality of pairs, each pair being circumferentially spaced apart from other pairs along the inner ring; a notched inner tooth disposed on the inner ring that includes a first notch partially defined by the notched tooth; a plurality of outer teeth disposed on the outer ring arranged in a plurality of pairs, each pair being circumferentially spaced apart from other pairs along the outer ring; a notched outer tooth disposed on the outer ring that includes a second notch partially defined by the notched outer tooth, wherein the inner ring, the first pair of inner teeth and third tooth on the inner ring, the outer ring, and the first pair of outer of outer teeth and fourth tooth on the outer ring conduct the magnetic flux generated by the excitation coil upon application of an electric current.