Bistable toggling indicator
AssigneeSigma Instruments, Inc.
InventorJohn G. Gamble
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
In the disclosed device, a pair of magnets supported in the ends of a C-shaped yoke bias an armature into one of the two rotary positions. A short pulse to a coil about the center of the yoke induces a short term magnetic field that supplements the polarity at one end of the yoke so as to either maintain the armature in its biased position or swing the armature to its other biased position. A subsequent pulse, producing a field in the opposite direction, returns the armature to its first position. In each case, the magnets retain the armature in its biased position even after the pulse stops. The armature pivots between portions of the yoke magnetized by the same magnet.
Claims4
An indicator comprising:
- a yoke of soft magnetic material having a pair of ends with only a single yoke section connecting said ends,
- said yoke forming a channel at each of said ends,
- an armature of soft magnetic material pivoted between said ends,
- magnet means for biasing said armature in one of two directions toward one of two positions, and
- electrical winding means coupled to said yoke for producing a field to overcome the biasing force of said magnet means and moving said armature from one of said positions to the other of said positions,
- said magnet means including two magnets, each positioned in one of said channels, for causing said yoke to move said armature toward one or the other position.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.