Magnetic actuator
AssigneeThomas & Betts International, Inc.
InventorsRobert Fong, Geoffrey Reed
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
A magnetic actuator includes a coil bobbin that has electrical wire wound around a core. The magnetic actuator also includes a plunger located in a central portion of the magnetic actuator and configured to move within a bore located in the central portion, and at least one spring located adjacent the central portion. When electrical current is provided to the electrical wire, an electromagnetic field causes the plunger to move from a first position to a second position, and stored energy associated with the spring aids in moving the plunger to the second position. The magnetic actuator further includes a linking portion coupled to the plunger, wherein the linking portion is configured to initiate an action based on movement of the plunger.
Claims20
A magnetic actuator, comprising:
- a coil bobbin including electrical wire wound around a core;
- a plunger located in a central portion of the magnetic actuator and configured to move within a bore located in the central portion;
- at least one spring located adjacent the central portion, wherein when electrical current is provided to the electrical wire, an electromagnetic field causes the plunger to move from a first position to a second position and wherein stored energy associated with the at least one spring aids in moving the plunger to the second position;
- a linking portion coupled to an upper portion of the plunger and connected to a pull rod assembly, wherein the linking portion is configured to initiate an action via the pull rod assembly based on movement of the plunger;
- and
- at least one booster magnet located adjacent the upper portion of the plunger, wherein the at least one booster magnet aids in holding the plunger in the first position when electrical current is not provided to the coil bobbin.
A system, comprising:
- a circuit breaker;
- a moveable assembly coupled to the circuit breaker and configured to open or close the circuit breaker;
- and
- a magnetic actuator comprising:
- a coil bobbin including electrical wire wound around a core,
- a plunger located in a central portion of the magnetic actuator and configured to move within an opening located in the central portion,
- at least one spring located adjacent the central portion, wherein when electrical current is provided to the electrical wire, an electromagnetic field causes the plunger to move from a first position to a second position, wherein stored energy associated with the at least one spring is used to aid in moving the plunger to the second position,
- a linking portion coupled to an upper portion of the plunger and connected to the moveable assembly, wherein the linking portion is configured to initiate the opening or closing of the circuit breaker via the moveable assembly, and
- at least one booster magnet located adjacent the upper portion of the plunger, wherein the at least at least one booster magnet operates to hold the plunger in the first position when electrical current is not provided to the electrical wire.
A magnetic actuator, comprising:
- a coil bobbin including electrical wire wound around a core;
- a plunger located in a central portion of the magnetic actuator and configured to move within a bore located in the central portion;
- a booster magnet located adjacent an upper portion of the plunger;
- at least one spring located adjacent the central portion, wherein when electrical current is provided to the electrical wire, an electromagnetic field causes the plunger to move from a first position to a second position;
- and
- a linking portion coupled to the plunger and a pull rod assembly, wherein the linking portion is configured to initiate an action via the pull rod assembly based on movement of the plunger from the first position to the second position.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.