JPH02208905A - Solernoid actuator - Google Patents

Abstract

PURPOSE: To enhance reliability while reducing power consumption by arranging permanent magnets on the opposite sides of the core of an electromagnet and then exciting the electromagnet to drive a slider fixed to the permanent magnet. CONSTITUTION: A ferromagnetic rod 366 is slid into the central hole 368 of a core 318 in the coil 314 of an electromagnet 3/2. Permanent magnets 364, 340 are secured to the opposite ends of the rod 366 and the magnet 340 is secured to one end of a slider 328. When a current is fed to the coil 314 to generate a field for repelling the magnet 364 and attracting the magnet 340 under a state where a conductor 322 secured to the other end of the slider 328 is touching a contact 324, the magnet 340 approaches closely to the core 318 of an electromagnet 312 and the conductor 322 is separated from the contact 324. It is held at that position even after the coil 314 is de-energized. When electromagnet 312 is energized reversely, the conductor 322 touches the contact 324 again. Consequently, the reliability can be enhanced through a simple structure while reducing power consumption.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION Field of the Invention The present invention relates to solenoid actuators for switches and other electrical devices.

[Problems to be solved by conventional technology and invention]

Although there have been many recent advances in the technology related to all-electronic switching devices, electromagnetic actuators remain desirable in many applications where all-electronic devices are not appropriate. As a result, there is a need for reliable electromagnetic actuators, particularly in applications where the device is exposed to vibration, high shock, high acceleration, and varying temperature and humidity conditions.

In the past, electromagnetic switching devices such as relays that could withstand these harsh conditions were often complex in construction. As a result, such conventional devices were often expensive and difficult to manufacture. For example, a typical conventional relay is manufactured by Teledyne Corporation (Teled
This is a 412 series TO-5 relay manufactured by yne Corporation. This relay consists of two small push pins with insulated glass beads to push the contact leads from the first position to the second position when the electromagnetic force attracts the armature, and the electromagnet is de-energized. includes a clipper-type armature with a large return spring that pushes the armature into its first position. This relay is difficult to manufacture due to the structure of the armature and the complicated arrangement of its contact members. This construction also has relatively high moving parts and welded parts that can fail. As a result, the reliability of this relay limits its usefulness in many applications.

Another conventional construction uses a rod-shaped slider actuator that is mechanically coupled to the contact leads in place of a spring and armature device. The slider is provided with an off-axis permanent magnet. The permanent magnet is normally attracted to the yoke and core of the electromagnet. Therefore, the slider and contact lead are held in the first position.

When the electromagnet is energized, the permanent magnet is repelled and the slider and lead are moved to the second position. Although an improvement on the To-5 relay, this structure has one stable position and consumes a large amount of power to repel the permanent magnet.

In yet another construction, an armature made of ferromagnetic material is positioned beneath the electromagnet. To improve shock and vibration resistance, the permanent magnets are arranged so that the armature is held in one position by the attractive force of the permanent magnets. When the electromagnet of the actuator is excited, the attractive force of the electromagnet becomes greater than the attractive force of the permanent magnet, causing the armature to move to the second
Move it to the position. This structure also consumes a large amount of power in order to generate an attractive force greater than that of a permanent magnet.

In yet another construction, an armature connected to the movable conductor slides coaxially within the core of the electromagnet's coil. When energized, the electromagnet's magnetic field overwhelms the attractive force of the fixed permanent magnet, causing the armature and movable conductor to operate. This structure also consumes a large amount of power.

The object of the present invention is to obtain an improved solenoid actuator which overcomes the practical problems, namely the limitations mentioned above, especially in a way that requires a relatively uncomplicated mechanical construction.

Another object of the present invention is to provide a solenoid actuator that is reliable, simple in construction, relatively inexpensive, and capable of withstanding the environmental conditions typical of applications requiring the actuator of the present invention. be.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION A preferred embodiment of the actuator of the present invention includes a slider having a permanent magnet coaxially positioned below the magnetic core of the electromagnet.

The slider is coupled to an actuating element and held in a first position by the attractive force of the permanent magnet on the electromagnet.

When the electromagnet is energized, it repels the permanent magnet to move the slider and actuated element to the second position. In a preferred embodiment, the actuator also includes a ferromagnetic tip-shaped mass disposed proximate the second location. When the electromagnet is energized, the attractive force of the slider permanent magnet on the ferromagnetic mass is combined with the repulsive force of the electromagnet to move the slider to the second position. The tip-shaped mass is made of ferromagnetic material to close the magnetic circuit.

Such a structure reduces the repulsive force required of the electromagnet and thus reduces the power consumption of the actuator.

In another embodiment, an armature may be further provided that is magnetically coupled to the permanent magnets of the slider.

The armature helps close the magnetic circuit when the permanent magnet is in a second position near the ferromagnetic mass. Similarly, when the permanent magnet is in a first position close to the electromagnet's magnetic core, the armature helps close the magnetic circuit of the electromagnet.

In another embodiment, the actuator can have a cascaded magnet aligned coaxially with the magnetic core of the electromagnet in the illustrated embodiment. The permanent magnets can be interconnected such that the electromagnets move in cascade between a first position and a second position according to the orientation of the electromagnet's magnetic field. A slider connected to one permanent magnet actuates a movable conductor according to the movement of the magnet. Such structures can be bistable and retentive, or -stable. Alternatively, one permanent magnet can be eliminated to also provide stable operation.

In yet another embodiment, two coaxially aligned
A permanent magnet can be placed between two coils and moved between the two coils. The permanent magnet and the slider connected to it can be made bistable or monostable as desired by selectively energizing the coils to generate an appropriate magnetic field.
and a second position.

(Example〕 Hereinafter, the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the drawings.

1 and 2 illustrate in cross-section a solenoid actuator 10 according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention. This actuator is symmetrical (circular) about the central axis A-A. This actuator 1o can be used to actuate any electromechanical device including RF relays, DC relays, reed switches, RF attenuators, power dividers, and the like.

Actuator 10 includes an electromagnet 12 . A coil 14 is wound around the generally cylindrical bobbin (not shown) of this electromagnet. A magnetic core 18 made of ferromagnetic material is provided at the center of the coil 14 . The magnetic circuit is completed by a yoke 20 made of ferromagnetic material. The actuator 10 is the lead conductor 2 shown in FIG.
Activate a movable member such as 2. In FIG. 1, lead conductor 22 is in a first position (released position). Lead conductor 2
2 to touch the stationary contact 24 and the second (closed)
position (Fig. 2).

The actuator 10 also has a generally cylindrical slider 28 for actuating a lead conductor 22 (or other moving element) of a relay or other electrical device. This slider is made to move within the opening 32 of the actuator body 34 along the central axis A-A. In the illustrated embodiment, the outer surface of the probe 36 of the slider 28 and the opening 32
The inner surface of is made cylindrical. The outer diameter of the probe 36 is made slightly smaller than the inner diameter of the opening 32 to allow the slider 28 to move freely axially within the opening 32. Of course, the shape of slider 28 can be different from that shown.

Probe 36 connects to a movable member that actuates slider 28. In the illustrated embodiment, the probe 36 can be constructed of a non-magnetic insulating material so that the probe 36 can be directly engaged with a conductive member, such as a lead conductor, if desired.

A permanent magnet 40 is embedded in the upper cylindrical insulating portion 39 of the slider 28 . In the illustrated embodiment, permanent magnet 40 is preferably a rare earth magnet, such as samarium-cobalt, neodysium-iron, or neodysium-iron-boron. The cross-sectional shape of the permanent magnet 40 is square,
Other shapes such as circular can also be used. Symbol rNJ and "S"
As shown, the north and south poles of the permanent magnet 40 are coaxially aligned with the central axis of the coil and magnetic core of the actuator electromagnet. When the coil 14 of the electromagnet 12 is de-energized, the permanent magnet 40 is attracted to the magnetic core 18 of the electromagnet 12, thereby causing the slider 28 to move toward the actuator 10.
to the "first" position (Figure 1). In this manner, the movable element connected to slider 28 by slider probe 36 is connected to slider 28 as shown in FIG.
is maintained in a first position corresponding to a first position of.

When the electromagnet is energized, the electromagnet applies an axial electromagnetic force to the permanent magnet 40 of the slider 28, repelling the permanent magnet 40 away from the electromagnet's magnetic core 18, causing the slider 2
8 in the axial direction to the second position (FIG. 2). To further reduce the repulsion (and therefore electrical force) required by the permanent magnet, the actuator 10 of the illustrated embodiment further includes a mass or yoke 42 made of a soft magnetic ferromagnetic material, such as soft iron. This yoke is located generally near the second position of the slider 28. The permanent magnet 40 of the slider 28 is attracted to the ferromagnetic mass 42, and the attractive force is combined with the repulsive force provided by the electromagnet to move the slider 28 to the second position (FIG. 2). In this way, the movable element connected to slider 28 by probe 12 is actuated into the second (closed) position.

In the illustrated embodiment, the ferromagnetic mass 42 is generally cup-shaped and centered on the central axis A--A. The cross-sectional shape of the ferromagnetic mass is U-shaped, and the bottom 44 also includes upright walls 48 . This shape is believed to enhance the opening of the magnetic circuit of the permanent magnet 40.

Of course, it will be appreciated that the ferromagnetic mass 42 can have other shapes. In one embodiment, the attractive force of the permanent magnet on the electromagnet core 18 and yoke 20 is greater than the attractive force on the ferromagnetic mass 42 in the second position shown in FIG. Thus, when the electromagnet is de-energized, slider 28 returns to the first position (FIG. 1). In such a configuration, actuator 10 is considered "normally open" in this one stable position.

Alternatively, the ferromagnetic mass 42 may be attached to the ferromagnetic mass 42 such that the attraction force of the permanent magnet 42 to the ferromagnetic material f142 is greater than the attraction force to the magnetic core 18 and yoke 20 of the electromagnet when the slider 28 is in the second position (FIG. 2). Size can be increased.

Thus, when the electromagnet is de-energized, slider 28 remains in the second position. In order to return the slider 28 to the position shown in FIG. 1, a current is passed through the coil 14 in the opposite direction to excite the electromagnet with the opposite polarity. As a result, the permanent magnet 40 of the slider 28 is also attracted toward the electromagnet by the electromagnetic force applied by the electromagnet, and the ferromagnetic mass 42
The attractive force of the permanent magnet 40 is overwhelmed. Depending on the respective dimensions and distances of the magnetic core 18, yoke 20, and ferromagnetic mass 42, the actuator can be a normally open switch or a normally closed switch.

The permissible range of motion of the movable element coupled to slider 28 prevents permanent magnet 40 of slider 28 from coming into contact with the magnetic core of electromagnet 12 when slider 28 is in the first position (FIG. 1). be restricted so that Such a configuration also reduces the amount of power required to then move slider 28 to the second position shown in FIG.

Similarly, the second position of slider 28 (FIG. 2) is
This can be determined by constraining the range of movement of the movable element towards the second position. For example, a movable element such as a lead conductor can be brought into contact with two contact terminals that define the range of movement of the lead conductor according to a first position and a second position.

Since the slider 28 is coupled to the lead conductor by the slider probe 36, the first and second positions of the lead conductor define the first and second positions of the slider 28. This actuator 10 is therefore self-adjusting. That is, the slider 28 constantly moves the lead conductor to ensure that it makes contact with one of the two contact terminals, thereby providing a good electrical connection between the lead conductor and the associated terminal.

The actuator also provides an appropriate distance for the permissible path of the permanent magnet from the upper yoke 20 and magnetic core 18 and from the lower yoke 42 or ferromagnetic mass 42 in the first or second position. By doing so, it can be made selectively stable.

Thus, for example, actuator 110 of FIG.
is held in a second position (usually closed). This is because the distance 8 between armature 158 and ferromagnetic mass 142 is much shorter than the distance between armature 158 and upper yoke 120.

From the above description, it can be seen that the actuator 10 has only one moving part, the slider 28, apart from the actuated moving element. The reliability of the actuator 10 is increased as a result of the minimal number of moving parts. Furthermore, manufacturing costs are lower as a result of easier manufacturing. Also,
Further, it is believed that the illustrated embodiment actuator 10 is capable of operating at higher speeds than many conventional actuators.

Since the actuator 10 has a simple structure, it can withstand impacts,
Highly resistant to degradation caused by extreme environmental conditions of acceleration, vibration, temperature and humidity.

Similar advantages can be obtained with other embodiments shown in FIGS. 3-6. FIG. 3 shows an actuator 110 similar to actuator 10 shown in FIGS. 1 and 2. FIG. However, actuator 110 also includes an armature 150 coupled to permanent magnet 140 of slider 128. This armature 150 is generally disk-shaped, and has a hole 152 in its center that is sized to allow an extension 154 of the electromagnet's core 118 to pass through. As shown in FIG.
0 has a generally cylindrical portion 156 and a generally flat portion 158. The cylindrical portion 156 is connected to the coaxially aligned permanent magnet 140 and the flat portion 158 is connected to the yoke 142 of the slider 128 and the electromagnet 112.
The distance between the yokes 120 is extended. Armature 150 in the illustrated embodiment completes a magnetic circuit through permanent magnet 140 and yoke 142 of slider 128 when slider 128 (and movable member 122) is in the second position (FIG. 2). help. Conversely, when slider 128 is in a first position proximate magnetic core 118, armature 150 helps complete the electrical circuit of electromagnet 112. This configuration has also been found to reduce power consumption and increase reliability. Yoke 150 can also have other shapes.

In the illustrated embodiment, the movable member 122 and the body 13
4 is narrower than the gap 162 between armature 150 and the magnetic core and yoke of electromagnet 112. By doing this, the movable member 122 has the armature 158 connected to the electromagnet 1.
12, the body 134 will be contacted. By doing this, the armature 158 is connected to the yoke 120.
Actual contact with the person is prevented. Such a configuration causes permanent magnet 1 to move as slider 128 is moved from the first position to the second position shown in FIG.
The force required to magnetically disconnect 40 from the electromagnet's yoke and magnetic core is reduced. Similarly, contacts 124 are positioned to provide a gap 163 between armature 158 and lower yoke 142.

FIG. 4 shows another embodiment having a pair of cascaded permanent magnets 340 and 364. A permanent magnet 340 is secured to one end of a slider 328 similar to slider 28 of FIG. Permanent magnets 340 and 364 are separated by a predetermined distance by a rod 366 of non-ferromagnetic material. The rod 366 is the electromagnet 312
is slid through the center 368 of the magnetic core 318 of the coil 314 .

As shown in FIG. 4, the magnetic poles of permanent magnets 340 and 364, hole 368 in magnetic core 318, and rod 366 are coaxially aligned.

FIG. 4 shows the actuator 10 in the second position.

In this second position, the movable member 322 contacts the stationary contact 324 (closed position). Movable member 322
in order to move the permanent magnet 3 to the first position (released position).
Coil 314 is energized to generate a magnetic field that repels permanent magnet 340 and attracts permanent magnet 340. Assuming that the movable member 322 allows the permanent magnet 340 to approach the magnetic core 318 of the electromagnet 312 sufficiently close, the actuator 310 will be "held" in the first position even after the coil 314 is de-energized. To return movable member 322 to the second position shown in FIG. The repelled permanent magnet 340 drives the slider 328 and the movable contact 322 into contact with the stationary contact 324 .

In the illustrated embodiment, a gap is provided between the non-magnetic material 369 containing the permanent magnet 364 and the electromagnet 312, so that the second
It is preferable to allow the movable member 322 and the stationary contact 324 to come into good contact at the position.

Center rod 366 need not be physically attached to permanent magnets 340 or 364. In the illustrated embodiment, center rod 366
is constrained to reciprocate coaxially within the magnetic core 318 of the permanent magnet 318, so by attaching the permanent magnet to the center rod 366, the permanent magnet and the slider are coaxially guided.

The operation of actuator 310 was previously described as a bistable, holding actuator. However, by adjusting the spacing between the permanent magnets and the electromagnets so as to unbalance the attractive forces of each of the permanent magnets, the operation of the actuator is such that it is held in only one of the first and second positions. The operation can be changed to achieve stable operation. for example,
When the coil 314 is de-energized, the attractive force of the permanent magnet to the magnetic core 318 in the first position is applied to the magnetic core 318.
Actuator 310 can be configured as a normally closed actuator by limiting the movement of permanent magnet 340 toward electromagnet 312 so as to exceed the attractive force of permanent magnet 340 against electromagnet 312 . Therefore, after the coil is de-energized, the actuator 310 automatically returns from the first position to the second position (normally closed position) shown in FIG.

FIG. 5 shows an embodiment similar to that of FIG. 4 in which one of the cascaded permanent magnets is eliminated. Accordingly, the actuator 410 of FIG. 5 has a permanent magnet 470 on one side of the magnetic core 418 of the coil 414 of the electromagnet 412;
has a slider 428 on the other side. As shown in FIG. 5, the slider 428 does not have a permanent magnet and the magnetic core 418
is connected to a permanent magnet 470 on the other side by a rod 466 similar to rod 366 in FIG. Actuator 410 of FIG. 5 is -stable in the second position (closed position) shown in FIG. Excitation of coil 414 creates a magnetic field. The magnetic field repels permanent magnet 470 and pulls rod 466 and slider 428 to which permanent magnet 470 is connected.

This pulls the movable member 422 away from the stationary contact 424. When the coil 414 is de-energized, the permanent magnet 4
70 is a rod 466, a slider 428, and a movable contact 42
2 and returned to their respective positions shown in FIG.

FIG. 6 shows yet another embodiment. This embodiment actually combines two actuators similar to actuator 410 of FIG. 5 to obtain a bistable holding actuator 510. Therefore, the actuator 510 has two coaxial electromagnets 512 and 572 connected by a bushing 574 made of non-magnetic material.

A pair of permanent magnets 57 between the two electromagnets 512 and 572
0 and 576 are placed. Those permanent magnets 570°5
76 magnetic poles are coaxially aligned with respective coils 518 and 578 of electromagnets 512 and 572, respectively.

Although a single magnet may be used, it has been found that this embodiment is somewhat easier to fabricate using two magnets as shown.

In the illustrated embodiment, permanent magnets 570 and 576 are guided between first and second positions by a pair of guide rods 566,580. The guide rods 566.580 are slid back and forth in coaxial holes in the respective magnetic cores 518.582 of the electromagnets 512.572. FIG. 6 shows actuator 510 in a first position. In this first position, movable contact 522 is separated from stationary contact 524. To move movable contact 522 to the second (closed) position, upper coil 578 is energized to generate a magnetic field. The magnetic field connects the permanent magnets 570 and 5 until the movable contact 522 contacts the stationary contact 524 in the second (closed) position.
76 toward the lower coil 514. When upper coil 578 is de-energized, assuming that the attractive force of permanent magnets 570 and 576 on core 518 of lower electromagnet 512 is greater than the attractive force of those permanent magnets on core 582 of upper electromagnet 572. Actuator 51
0 remains (retained) in the second position.

Once held in the second position, the actuator 510 can be actuated back to the first position by energizing the lower electromagnet 512. Energizing electromagnet 512 generates a magnetic field that repels permanent magnets 570 and 576 toward magnetic core 582 of electromagnet 572, as shown in FIG. Here, the attractive force of the permanent magnets 570 and 576 to the magnetic core 582 of the upper electromagnet 572 is
If the attraction force of those permanent magnets to the two magnetic cores 518 is greater, the actuator 510 remains held. Although the bistable and holding operation of the actuator 510 has been described, it is understood that the bistable operation can be performed by making the magnetic attraction forces unbalanced. Also, the coils can be energized one at a time, or together, depending on the needs of a particular application.

[Brief explanation of the drawing]

FIG. 1 is a sectional view of one embodiment of the solenoid actuator of the present invention, showing the position of the slider when the electromagnet is in a non-energized state, and FIG. 3 is a sectional view of another embodiment of the actuator of the invention showing the position of the slider when the electromagnet is in the de-energized state; FIG. 4 is a sectional view of the actuator of the invention with cascaded permanent magnets. FIG. 5 shows the position of the slider when the electromagnet is in the de-energized state;
FIG. 6 is a cross-sectional view of yet another embodiment of the actuator of the present invention having one permanent magnet; FIG. 10.110,310,410.510...actuator, 12,112,312,412°512.57
2...Electromagnet, 14,114,314°414.51
4.578...Coil, 18,118°318.41
8,518,582...Magnetic core, 20°120.320
,420,520...Yoke, 28°128.328
,428,528...slider, 40.140,34
0,364,470,570°576...Permanent magnet,
42,142,369...Nonmagnetic material mass.

Claims (32)

[Claims] (1) a coil having a magnetic core; a first permanent magnet disposed on one side of the magnetic core and movable between a first position and a second position; and a first permanent magnet disposed on the other side of the magnetic core; a second permanent magnet movable between a first position and a second position; and a conductor coupled to one of the magnets and movable between the first position and the second position. a solenoid, characterized in that energization of the coil generates an electromagnetic field that moves the first permanent magnet and the second permanent magnet to their respective second positions and moves the conductor to its second position. actuator. (2) The solenoid actuator according to claim (1), wherein the first permanent magnet is separated from the second permanent magnet by a predetermined distance. (3) The solenoid actuator according to claim (2), further comprising a bar separating the first permanent magnet from the second permanent magnet. (4) The solenoid actuator according to claim (3), wherein the rod is connected to the first permanent magnet and the second permanent magnet. (5) The solenoid actuator according to claim (1), wherein the first permanent magnet and the second permanent magnet are restrained to only reciprocate between the first position and the second position. . (6) The solenoid actuator according to claim (2), wherein the magnetic core has a cylindrical shape, and the magnetic core is reciprocated within the opening between the first position and the second position. (7) further comprising a passageway and a slider capable of reciprocating sliding movement between a first position and a second position within the passageway;
Claim (1) wherein the slider supports one of the permanent magnets at one end and insulatively supports a conductor at the other end.
1) The solenoid actuator described above. (8) The solenoid actuator according to claim (3), wherein the rod, the magnetic core, and the magnetic poles of the permanent magnet are coaxially aligned. (9) a coil having a magnetic core forming a central coaxial passage; a rod slidable in reciprocating motion within the central coaxial passage between a first position and a second position; and a rod coaxially aligned with the magnetic core of the coil. a first permanent magnet having magnetic poles disposed on one side of the magnetic core and attached to the rod and movable between a first position and a second position; a second permanent magnet coaxially aligned with the magnetic poles of the permanent magnet is mounted at one end, the slider being connected to the other end of the rod; A solenoid actuator comprising a conductive lead movable between a first position and a second position according to movement of the slider. (10) a permanent magnet movable between a first position and a second position; and a magnetic core disposed near the first position of the permanent magnet and coaxially aligned with the movement of the permanent magnet. a cup-shaped yoke of magnetically permeable material disposed proximate the second location of the permanent magnet and coaxially aligned with the magnetic core; a conductor movable between a position and a second position, and energization of the coil generates an electromagnetic field that moves the permanent magnet to the second position and moves the conductor to its second position. A solenoid actuator characterized by: (11) a slider including a permanent magnet, disposed in a first position and coupled to a movable element, movable between the first position and a second position; an electromagnet having a magnetic core positioned to attract the permanent magnet to a second position and repel the permanent magnet of the slider when energized; and an electromagnet positioned near a second position and coaxially aligned with the permanent magnet and the magnetic core. and a cup-shaped mass made of a ferromagnetic material adapted to receive a permanent magnet and attract the permanent magnet, and when the electromagnet is energized, the electromagnet repels the permanent magnet of the slider, and the ferromagnetic material A solenoid actuator, wherein the slider is moved to the second position by suction of the amount. 12. The solenoid actuator of claim 11, wherein the ferromagnetic mass has sufficient dimensions to maintain the permanent magnet in the second position after the electromagnet is de-energized. (13) The solenoid actuator according to claim (11), wherein the movable element is a lead conductor. (14) The solenoid actuator according to claim (11), wherein the ferromagnetic mass is centered on the path of the permanent magnet of the slider. 15. The solenoid actuator of claim 14, wherein the ferromagnetic mass defines a central opening through which the slider is slid. (16) further comprising an armature supported by the slider and magnetically coupled to the permanent magnet, the armature having the permanent magnet in the first
12. The solenoid actuator according to claim 11, wherein the solenoid actuator completes a magnetic circuit together with the electromagnet when the permanent magnet is in the second position, and completes the magnetic circuit together with the electromagnet when the permanent magnet is in the second position. (17) The solenoid actuator according to claim (16), wherein the armature is generally disk-shaped and extends above the cup-shaped mass. (18) a slider including a permanent magnet, disposed in a first position and coupled to a movable element so as to be movable with the movable element between the first position and a second position; Coaxially aligned with the magnetic poles of the magnet,
an electromagnet having a magnetic core that attracts the permanent magnet of the slider to a first position and moves the permanent magnet of the slider to a second position by repelling the permanent magnet of the slider with a magnetic field when the electromagnet is energized; and a ferromagnetic cup-shaped yoke proximate the second position. (19) a coil having a magnetic core; a first permanent magnet disposed on one side of the magnetic core and movable between a first position and a second position; and a first permanent magnet disposed on the other side of the magnetic core; a conductor movable between a first position and a second position; energization of the coil produces an electromagnetic field that moves the permanent magnet to the second position and moves the conductor to its second position; A solenoid actuator characterized by: (20) The solenoid actuator according to claim 19, wherein the permanent magnet is separated from the movable contact by a predetermined distance. (21) The solenoid actuator according to claim (20), further comprising a rod disposed within the magnetic core of the coil to connect the permanent magnet to the movable contact. (22) The solenoid actuator according to claim 19, wherein the permanent magnet is constrained to only reciprocate between the first position and the second position. (23) The solenoid actuator according to claim 21, wherein the magnetic core has a cylindrical shape, and the magnetic core is reciprocated within the opening between the first position and the second position. (24) further comprising a passage in the magnetic core and a slider that is slidable in the passage between a first position and a second position, the slider supporting one of the permanent magnets at one end; 20. The solenoid actuator according to claim 19, wherein a conductor is insulatively supported at the other end of the solenoid actuator. (25) The solenoid actuator according to claim 23, wherein the rod, the magnetic core, and the magnetic poles of the permanent magnet are coaxially aligned. (26) a coil having a magnetic core forming a central coaxial passage; a rod slidable in reciprocating motion within the central coaxial passage between a first position and a second position; and a rod coaxially aligned with the magnetic core of the coil. a permanent magnet having magnetic poles arranged on one side of the magnetic core and attached to the rod and movable between a first position and a second position; and insulatively connected to the other end of the rod. and the first one according to the movement of the magnet.
and a second position. (27) a first coil having a magnetic core; a second coil having a magnetic core; and a first permanent magnet disposed between the magnetic cores and movable between a first position and a second position. , a conductor coupled to the permanent magnet and movable between a first position and a second position, the permanent magnet being moved to its second position by selectively energizing the coil; A solenoid actuator characterized in that an electromagnetic field is generated that moves a conductor to its second position. (28) The solenoid actuator according to claim (27), wherein the permanent magnet is constrained to only reciprocate between the first position and the second position. (29) further comprising a pair of guide rods coupled to the permanent magnets, each magnetic core forming a cylindrical opening through which the rod is moved between the first position and the second position; 29. The solenoid actuator according to claim 28, wherein the solenoid actuator is capable of reciprocating motion. (30) A claim further comprising a passage and a slider that can be slid back and forth in the passage, the slider supporting a permanent magnet at one end and insulatively supporting a conductor at the other end. (27) The solenoid actuator described in (27). (31) The solenoid actuator according to claim (29), wherein the rod, the magnetic core, and the magnetic poles of the permanent magnet are coaxially aligned. (32) a pair of coils each forming a central coaxial passage; a pair of rods each sliding reciprocally between a first position and a second position within the associated central passage; a magnetic core of the coil; a permanent magnet having coaxially aligned magnetic poles and disposed between the magnetic cores and coupled to the rod so as to be movable between a first position and a second position; and a permanent magnet insulatively coupled to the rod. , a conductive lead movable between a first position and a second position according to movement of the rod.