Abstract: An internal latching mechanism for a solenoid comprises a cylindrical ball race on the main solenoid plunger with a plurality of balls disposed in aligned apertures in the ball race. First and second axially displaced fixed retainers, interconnected by a shoulder, define the limits of ball movement in one radial direction for the unactuated and actuated positions of the main plunger, and third and fourth axially displaced retainers perform the same function for the opposite radial direction; the fourth retainer is a movable retainer connected to a latch release plunger. When the main solenoid coil is energized to drive the main plunger to its actuated position, the balls displace the fourth retainer enough to allow the balls to move into engagement with the second and fourth retainers; when the main coil is de-energized the balls engage the shoulder between the first and second retainers to latch the main plunger in actuated position.

Abstract: An internal latching mechanism for a solenoid comprises a cylindrical ball race on the main solenoid plunger with a plurality of balls disposed in aligned apertures in the ball race. First and second axially displaced fixed retainers, interconnected by a shoulder, define the limits of ball movement in one radial direction for the unactuated and actuated positions of the main plunger, and third and fourth axially displaced retainers perform the same function for the opposite radial direction; the fourth retainer is a movable retainer connected to a latch release plunger. When the main solenoid coil is energized to drive the main plunger to its actuated position, the balls displace the fourth retainer enough to allow the balls to move into engagement with the second and fourth retainers; when the main coil is de-energized the balls engage the shoulder between the first and second retainers to latch the main plunger in actuated position.