US 12,230,440 B2
Magnetic latching actuator
Nicholas Seng, Chicago, IL (US); Alejandro Montenegro, Chicago, IL (US); John French, Chicago, IL (US); Thomas S. Kelley, Highland Park, IL (US); Keith W. Benson, Chicago, IL (US); Robert E. Sroka, Arlington Heights, IL (US); Michael Quinlan, Chicago, IL (US); and Gabrielle Madden, Chicago, IL (US)
Assigned to S&C Electric Company, Chicago, IL (US)
Filed by S&C Electric Company, Chicago, IL (US)
Filed on Jun. 30, 2022, as Appl. No. 17/853,969.
Claims priority of provisional application 63/220,289, filed on Jul. 9, 2021.
Prior Publication US 2023/0011724 A1, Jan. 12, 2023
Int. Cl. H01F 7/16 (2006.01)
CPC H01F 7/1646 (2013.01) [H01F 2007/1669 (2013.01); H01F 2007/1692 (2013.01)] 14 Claims
OG exemplary drawing
 
1. An actuator assembly comprising:
a first actuator including a first annular latching plate, a first annular stator, a first winding wound on the first stator, a first plunger slidably positioned in a central opening within the first stator and an opening spring positioned between the first plunger and the stator, wherein current flow in one direction through the first winding causes the first plunger to seat against the first latching plate; and
a second actuator coupled to and axially aligned with the first actuator, the second actuator including a second annular latching plate, a second annular stator, a second winding wound on the second stator, a second plunger slidably positioned in an opening within the second stator, a first sleeve positioned within a first channel in the second plunger and extending from a back portion of the second plunger through an opening in the first latching plate and being rigidly secured to the first plunger, and a tolerance spring wrapped around the first sleeve and being positioned in the first channel between the back portion of the second plunger and a first flange feature of the first sleeve positioned at an opposite end of the first sleeve from the back portion of the second plunger, wherein current flow in one direction through the second winding causes the second plunger to seat against the second latching plate and cause the tolerance spring to compress between the back portion of the second plunger and the first flange to provide additional latching force of the first plunger against the first latching plate.