Double solenoid linear motion actuator

An apparatus for controllably moving a light beam deflector supported by a translatable element for movement with respect to a light beam path comprising:

• an input terminal adapted to receive a control signal that alternates between a first electrical state associated with a first position of said light beam deflector and a second electrical state associated with a second position of said light beam deflector;
• a first solenoid coil, coupled with said translatable element and being operative, in response to a first electrical stimulus applied thereto, to move said translatable element from a first location associated with said first position of said light beam deflector to a second location associated with said second position of said light beam deflector;
• a second solenoid coil, coupled with said translatable element and being operative, in response to a second electrical stimulus applied thereto, to move said translatable element from said second location associated to said first location;
• a control circuit having a first input coupled to receive said control signal, a second input couple to receive electrical energy for operating said first and second solenoid coils, a first output for supplying said first electrical stimulus to said solenoid coil, and a second output for supplying said second electrical stimulus to said second solenoid coil;
• and
• an electrical energy storage device coupled to said input terminal and to said second input of said control circuit, and being operative to extract and store said electrical energy from said first electrical state of said control signal.

An apparatus comprising:

• a moveable shaft arranged to displace an element between first and second positions thereof;
• a dual coil actuator comprising first and second solenoid coils arranged to be magnetically coupled with said moveable shaft and to controllably move said moveable shaft between a first position and a second position:
• and
• a driver circuit coupled to said first and second solenoid coils of said dual coil actuator and having a single input port coupled to receive a single control signal that alternates between respective first and second voltage levels, one of which powers said dual solenoid actuator and is associated with a first controlled displacement of said moveable shaft to said first position, and a second of which is associated with a second controlled displacement of said moveable shaft to said second position.