Magnetically Latching Flux-Shifting Electromechanical Actuator

• Main Authors: Huseyin Mustafa, Theisen Peter John, Juds Mark Allan, Kank Amogh Vilas
• Format: Patent
• Language: English
• Published: 17.08.2017
• Subjects: BASIC ELECTRIC ELEMENTS; ELECTRICITY; INDUCTANCES; MAGNETS; SELECTION OF MATERIALS FOR THEIR MAGNETIC PROPERTIES; TRANSFORMERS

A latching electromechanical actuator (9) includes a soft iron armature (31) movable between first and second positions, a permanent magnet (5A), a solenoid (23), and a soft iron external frame (11). The permanent magnet (5A) may be stationary relative to the solenoid (23) and operative to hold the armature (31) stably in either the first position or the second position. The actuator (9) provides two distinct magnetic flux paths (24A, 24B), one or the other of which is the primary flux path for the permanent magnet (5A) depending on whether the position of armature (31). Both flux paths pass through the armature (31). One of the flux paths may pass through the external frame (11). The other does not. The actuator (9) may include two permanent magnets (5) performing complementary roles for the first and second positions. The actuator (9) can be simply constructed, compact, and highly efficient.