Kinetic actuator for vacuum interrupter

An actuator for a circuit interrupter, comprising:

• a stationary magnetic boss;
• a movable magnetic armature;
• and
• a drive rod aligned on an axis of the circuit interrupter, the drive rod having two stable positions, circuit interrupter closed and circuit interrupter open, and a surface, located on the drive rod between the movable magnetic armature and the stationary magnetic boss, so that the armature contacts the surface to move the drive rod from the circuit interrupter closed position to the circuit interrupter open position;
• wherein, in the circuit interrupter closed position, the armature and the surface are separated by a pre-travel distance,
• such that the armature is to move towards the stationary magnetic boss and contact the surface, to initiate a circuit interrupter disconnecting motion of the drive rod with a transfer of momentum to the drive rod.