Abstract: An actuator having an armature plate urged to a stable position by a spring and which may be held in another stable position by a permanent magnet. Application of an appropriate current pulse to a coil within the actuator reduces the flux flow through and the magnetic force on the armature sufficiently to release the armature to the former stable position under the influence of the spring. Two magnetic circuits, one of which includes a non-working air gap, are employed, the non-working air gap serving to maintain a flux path, of a predetermined maximum reluctance, for the permanent magnet when the armature plate is in the former stable position.

Abstract: A dashpot solenoid is provided having a thin-walled well with a support ring around an accurately sized and shaped slightly reduced mouth portion and an adjustable air metering orifice at the bottom or opposite end. A plunger coated with a polyfluoro hydrocarbon is sized and shaped to fit within the well such that the clearance between the plunger and the mouth portion of the well provide a functionally airtight sliding fit. In operation the plunger is drawn into the well and air captured therein is permitted to escape through the adjustable metering orifice at a rate which damps the plunger motion.