Patent ID: 6898344

Claim:
An actuator for interacting with an optical pathway, said actuator comprising: a body having a longitudinal axis and a first end; a first electromagnet in said body; said first electromagnet including a first coil operatively associated with a first core; a second electromagnet in said body; said second electromagnet including a second coil operatively associated with a second core; a plunger positioned inside said body between said first electromagnet and said second electromagnet, said plunger constrained to move along said longitudinal axis between said first electromagnet and said second electromagnet; a shuttle attached to said plunger, said shuttle having a first surface, said shuttle movable between an extended position and a retracted position; a sleeve in fixed relation to said first end of said body, said sleeve having an inside surface, said shuttle in slideable communication with said inside surface; a stopper in fixed relation to said sleeve, said stopper positioned to contact said first surface of said shuttle with said shuttle in said extended position whereby said shuttle is constrained from moving along said longitudinal axis and from rotating within said sleeve; and an optical element attached to said shuttle.