Patent ID: 8432242

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 a pulse of power to the coil assembly, the plunger assembly comprising a plunger permanent magnet; at least one flux conductor positioned radially exteriorly to the plunger assembly to form a flux circuit, the flux circuit comprising the solenoid frame, the plunger assembly, and the at least one flux conductor; wherein the flux circuit is arranged and configured to hold the plunger assembly in a plunger detent position with the plunger permanent magnet aligned with the at least one flux conductor when no power is applied to the coil assembly wherein the only solenoid ferromagnetic material along the plunger axis comprises the plunger.