Abstract: A solenoid locking mechanism connects a solenoid body to a male coupling member. The male coupling member surrounds a housing at the end of the solenoid. A pair of ball bearings is retained in the housing and extends into the coupling member. Movement of the ball bearings by the plunger control locking or releasing the coupling member. In an alternate embodiment the solenoid locking mechanism secures the coupling mechanism to a lockable rod that has a ball nose at one end. The locking mechanism has a locking chamber or socket with a ball bearing mounted in the chamber wall. The ball bearing is moveable between a position in which it extends into the locking chamber or can be moved out from the locking chamber. The movement of the ball bearing is controlled by a plunger in the solenoid body. The ball nose is selectively locked in the locking chamber or released from the locking chamber depending on the position of the plunger which controls the position and movement of the ball bearing.

Abstract: A solenoid operated locking mechanism for securing a lockable rod to the solenoid locking mechanism. Several ball bearings are inserted or removed from a passageway through which the lockable rod must pass to a locking chamber. The plunger has a configuration of locking flats and recesses to determine whether the ball bearings are disposed in the passageway, which restricts the movement of the locking rod past the ball bearings, or whether the ball bearings are out of the passageway, which allows the lockable rod to enter or be removed from the locking chamber or socket. The position of the plunger is controlled by a pair of springs and the solenoid.

Abstract: A solenoid operated locking mechanism uses a permanent magnet to secure a lockable rod to the solenoid locking mechanism. A solenoid operated plunger determines the location and movement of locking members that extend into a locking chamber, thus controlling the movement of the lockable rod past the locking members. Inserting the lockable rod into the locking mechanism forces the plunger against a spring toward a permanent magnet that holds the plunger in the locked position until an electrical pulse energizes the solenoid which reduces or cancels the permanent magnet's magnetic field and allows the lockable rod to be withdrawn from the locking chamber. The locking mechanism only requires energy to be applied to the solenoid to release the locking rod from the solenoid. The locking mechanism only requires energy to be applied to the solenoid to release the locking rod from the solenoid.

Abstract: A device for focusing a laser in which a voice coil and LVDT are mounted in parallel alignment with each other and have a common centrally disposed armature. A central bore extends through the armature. A lens is mounted at one end of the armature and a laser is located at the opposite end. The laser beam passes through the central bore and is focused by the voice coil moving the armature which in turn moves the lens. The LVDT accurately positions the armature to focus the laser beam.

Abstract: A solenoid locking mechanism connects a solenoid body to a male coupling member. The male coupling member surrounds a housing at the end of the solenoid. A pair of ball bearings is retained in the housing and extends into the coupling member. Movement of the ball bearings by the plunger control locking or releasing the coupling member. In an alternate embodiment the solenoid locking mechanism secures the coupling mechanism to a lockable rod that has a ball nose at one end. The locking mechanism has a locking chamber or socket with a ball bearing mounted in the chamber wall. The ball bearing is moveable between a position in which it extends into the locking chamber or can be moved out from the locking chamber. The movement of the ball bearing is controlled by a plunger in the solenoid body. The ball nose is selectively locked in the locking chamber or released from the locking chamber depending on the position of the plunger which controls the position and movement of the ball bearing.

Abstract: A permanent magnet latching solenoid with a central passage carrying a reciprocative armature has a magnetically permeable bushing press-fit in each end of the bobbin. The outer ends of the bushings define the outer ends of the bore. A separate preformed magnetically permeable frame surrounds the bobbin and includes end wall portions that abut the outer ends of the bushings. The bobbin assembly is inserted laterally into the frame, with the ends of the bushings against the ends of the frame. Openings in the end walls of the frame accommodate free passage of an operator rod element which is affixed to the armature.