Solenoid with Variable Reluctance Plunger
AssigneeRemy Technologies, L.L.C.
InventorsStephen P. Santichen, Michael D. Bradfield
Life of this patent
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Abstract
A solenoid for a vehicle starter includes at least one coil with a passage extending through the coil in an axial direction. The solenoid further includes a plunger configured to move in the axial direction within the passage. The plunger includes a cylindrical outer surface with a substantially uniform diameter and a circumferential notch. The cylindrical outer surface includes a first portion with a first diameter on one side of the circumferential notch, and a second portion with the first diameter on an opposite side of the circumferential notch. The circumferential notch includes a portion with a second diameter that is less than the first diameter.
Claims20
A solenoid for a vehicle starter, the solenoid comprising:
- at least one coil with a passage extending through the coil in an axial direction;
- and
- a plunger configured to move in the axial direction within the passage, the plunger including a cylindrical outer surface with a substantially uniform diameter and a circumferential notch, the cylindrical outer surface including a first portion with a first diameter on one side of the circumferential notch, and a second portion with the first diameter on an opposite side of the circumferential notch, the circumferential notch including a portion with a second diameter that is less than the first diameter, wherein the plunger does not include a magnet.
A solenoid for a vehicle starter, the solenoid comprising:
- at least one coil with a passage extending through the coil;
- a plunger positioned within the passage and configured to slide within the passage in an axial direction between a first position and a second position, the plunger including a unitary component with a cylindrical outer surface and a circumferential notch formed in the cylindrical outer surface between a first end and a second end of the unitary component;
- and
- a radial wall separated from the unitary component of the plunger by a radial distance, wherein the radial distance varies when the plunger moves from the first position to the second position.
A solenoid for a vehicle starter, the solenoid comprising:
- at least one coil with a passage extending through the coil in an axial direction;
- and
- a plunger configured to move in the axial direction within the passage, the plunger including a unitary component having a cylindrical outer surface with a substantially uniform diameter and a circumferential notch, the cylindrical outer surface including a first portion with a first diameter on one side of the circumferential notch and a second portion with the first diameter on an opposite side of the circumferential notch, the circumferential notch including a portion with a second diameter that is different from the first diameter.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.