Claims
- 1. A solenoid for providing linear actuation, comprising:a) first and second polepieces having first and second respective axial bores coaxially disposed along a common axis; b) an electrical conductor wound around said polepieces in a plurality of turns; c) a lubricious sleeve disposed entirely within one of said first and second axial bores; d) an armature slidably disposed in said sleeve; e) a bearing axially disposed in the polepiece other than the polepiece containing said sleeve; and f) a shaft attached coaxially to said armature and extending through a supportive bore in said bearing, said shaft being axially displaceable by electromagnetic displacement of said armature to provide said actuation.
- 2. A solenoid in accordance with claim 1 wherein said armature is separated from said polepiece other than the polepiece containing said sleeve by a generally cylindrical air gap.
- 3. A solenoid in accordance with claim 1 further comprising a housing surrounding said polepieces and said wound conductor, said housing being in intimate contact with said polepieces at interfaces characterized by substantially zero reluctance.
- 4. A solenoid in accordance with claim 3 wherein said interfaces are formed by magnetic forming.
- 5. A solenoid in accordance with claim 1 wherein said solenoid is included in an actuator attachable to a device for providing linear actuation to said device.
- 6. A solenoid in accordance with claim 1 wherein the respective diameters of said bearing bore and said shaft are closely matched.
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED-APPLICATIONS
This application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Application Ser. No. 60/184,514, filed Feb. 24, 2000.
US Referenced Citations (3)
Number |
Name |
Date |
Kind |
4278959 |
Nishimiya et al. |
Jul 1981 |
A |
4746888 |
Ichihashi et al. |
May 1988 |
A |
5899136 |
Tarr et al. |
May 1999 |
A |
Provisional Applications (1)
|
Number |
Date |
Country |
|
60/184514 |
Feb 2000 |
US |