Adjustable solenoid
AssigneeThe Hoffman Group, LLC
InventorLawrence Hoffman
Life of this patent
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Abstract
Embodiments of the present invention provide solenoid plungers, solenoid actuators, and solenoid-actuated mechanisms, that provide for an adjustable stroke, adjustable rated force, and adjustable plunger extension that overcome the problems and issues associated with non-adjustable solenoid actuators. In accordance with an embodiment of the present invention, an adjustable solenoid plunger is provided that comprises a stem and an armature including an axial armature bore. The stem engages the armature bore and is adapted for advancement of the armature along at least a portion of the stem.
Claims27
A solenoid actuator comprising:
- a solenoid defining a plunger bore;
- and
- a plunger comprising a stem and an armature, the armature including an axial armature bore, the stem engaged with the armature bore and adapted for advancement of the armature along at least a portion of the stem.
A solenoid plunger for use with a solenoid having a plunger bore, comprising:
- a stem;
- and
- an armature including an axial armature bore, the stem engaged with the armature bore and adapted for advancement of the armature along at least a portion of the stem.
A solenoid-actuated latching mechanism, comprising:
- a latching mechanism comprising a lever, a pivot, a lever head, a restoring spring, a locking notch device, and a cable, the lever adapted to pivot about the pivot, the restoring spring coupled to the lever in urging engagement, the leaver head adapted for engagement with the locking notch device, the cable coupled to the lever;
- and
- a solenoid actuator comprising:
- a solenoid defining a plunger bore;
- and
- a plunger comprising a stem and an armature, the armature including an axial armature bore, the stem engaged with the armature bore and adapted for advancement of the armature along at least a portion of the stem, the plunger comprising a head, the cable coupled to the head, the plunger adapted to pull the cable to disengage the lever head from the locking-notch device, the return spring adapted to urge the lever head into engagement with the locking-notch device.
A method for adjusting the stroke and force of a plunger of a solenoid actuator, comprising:
- providing a solenoid actuator comprising a solenoid defining a plunger bore, and a plunger comprising a stem and an armature, the armature including an axial armature bore, the stem engaged with the armature bore and adapted for advancement of the armature along at least a portion of the stem, at least a portion of the armature disposed within the plunger bore;
- and
- changing the position of the armature on the stem while retaining the relative position of the stem with respect to the bore.
A method for adjusting the extension of a plunger from a plunger bore of a solenoid actuator, comprising:
- providing a solenoid actuator comprising a solenoid defining a plunger bore, and a plunger comprising a stem and an armature, the armature including an axial armature bore, the stem engaged with the armature bore and adapted for advancement of the armature along at least a portion of the stem, at least a portion of the stem extending from the plunger bore, at least a portion of the armature disposed within the plunger bore;
- and
- changing the position of the armature on the stem retaining the relative position of the armature with respect to the bore.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.