Abstract: A control device for mechanically actuating a component may include a housing surrounding a housing interior, at least one fastening sleeve integrally disposed on the housing, and at least one connection opening disposed at the at least one fastening sleeve. The at least one fastening sleeve may surround a fastening opening into which a pin-shaped fastening element may be insertable. One end of the at least one connection opening may lead to a sleeve inner side. The at least one fastening sleeve may be arranged at a housing outer side. The fastening opening may extend outside of the housing interior. Another end of the at least one connection opening may lead to a housing inner side. The at least one connection opening may be covered on the housing inner side via a membrane penetrable by gas and impenetrable by liquid.

Abstract: A solenoid assembly includes the solenoid armature assembly having a flux tube or magnetic bearing having an opposed first end and a second end. The armature assembly additionally includes an armature having an opposed third end and a fourth end and movable within the flux tube or magnetic bearing along a mutual axis. The fourth end of the armature is slidably movable beyond the second end of the flux tube or magnetic bearing. A top plate facing the fourth end of the armature, the top plate having an opening for slidably receiving the central core. A slot is included in at least one of the flux tube or magnetic bearing, the armature, and the top plate to improve or decrease release time between the movable contacts and the stationary contacts.

Abstract: A multi-function key system and method is provided that includes key identification system, a first key, and a second key. The multi-function key system is in communication with an item of power equipment, and comprises first and second sensors for detecting magnetic fields. The first key is configured to interact with the key identification system, the first key comprises a first magnet generating a first magnetic field. The second key is configured to interact with the key identification system. The second key comprises a second magnet generating a second magnetic field. Wherein the first and second sensors differentiate between the first and second key based upon the first and second magnetic fields. The key identification system initiates a first functionality of the power equipment responsive to identifying the first key, and initiates a second functionality of the power equipment responsive to identifying the second key.

Abstract: A position detection device includes a first magnetic field generation unit for generating a first magnetic field, a second magnetic field generation unit for generating a second magnetic field, and a magnetic sensor. The relative position of the second magnetic field generation unit with respect to the first magnetic field generation unit is variable. The magnetic sensor detects a composite magnetic field of the first and second magnetic fields, and generates a detection signal corresponding to the direction of the detected magnetic field. Varying the relative position of the second magnetic field generation unit with respect to the first magnetic field generation unit varies the strength of the second magnetic field at the detection position. At the detection position, a relative angle formed by the direction of the second magnetic field with the direction of the first magnetic field is greater than 90° and smaller than 180°.

Abstract: A loading ramp includes first and second ramp portions that are coupled by a hinge assembly such that the first and second ramp portions are movable relative to one another between an extended position and a folded position. The loading ramp also has one or more lights coupled to one of the ramp portions and a switch assembly coupled to the ramp portions such that in the extend position the switch assembly is activated to illuminate the one or more lights.

Abstract: The Electro-Magnetic Flux Valve (EMFV) is an electrically actuated permanent magnet field flux shunt comprised of a low reluctance ferromagnetic core, surrounding a permanent magnet, with at least two imbedded control element sections by which the permeance of the core can be reduced. When placed within an external closed magnetic circuit, the EMFV core, at quiescence, acts as a keeper to the magnetic flux of the magnet. When electrically activated, the EMFV core permeance is reduced and the permanent magnet flux is released to energize the external magnetic circuit. When the control signal is removed the EMFV core again becomes highly permeable and constrains the permanent magnet flux thus deenergizing the external magnetic circuit. The EMFV is intended to be an integral part of a Magnetic Power Converter.

Abstract: A flame ignition and control system includes at least one gas burner, which is connected to a gas source via a flame control system, and a safety valve controlled by a flame sensor consisting of a thermocouple. The safety valve has an open state, in which the source supplies gas to the burner, and a closed state, in which gas flow is obstructed, the switching from the open state to the closed state and vice versa being controlled by the electric signal generated by the thermocouple. An igniter device is provided, which consists of an ignition electrode and a power supply unit thereof. Furthermore, at least the operation of the igniter device is controlled according to the current strength of the electric signal generated by the thermocouple.

Abstract: An electromagnetic relay includes: a yoke capable of changing a magnetic pole thereof by an electromagnet; an armature that is magnetized by a permanent magnet and contacts with or separates from the yoke in accordance with the magnetic pole of the yoke; a movable contact that contacts with a fixing contact; an elastic body that biases the movable contact; and a pressing member that presses the elastic body in accordance with a movement of the armature to cause the movable contact to at least contact with or separate from the fixing contact, wherein a cover fixing the permanent magnet and the armature, and the pressing member are integrally formed.

Abstract: A micro-reed switch includes a first magnetic reed and a second magnetic reed. The first magnetic reed includes a first metal electrode and a first non-wettable area. The first metal electrode includes a liquid metal. The second magnetic reed includes a second metal electrode and a second non-wettable area. The first magnetic reed and second magnetic reed is parallel to each other and a gap is defined there between. When a magnetic field is available, the liquid metal and the second metal electrode are engaged with one another by a magnetic force of the magnet.

Abstract: The electromagnetic contactor includes a contact device having a pair of fixed contacts disposed to maintain a predetermined distance and a movable contact disposed so as to be attachable to and detachable from the pair of fixed contacts; an electromagnet unit having a movable plunger that moves the movable contact of the contact device; a hermetic chamber enclosing the pair of fixed contacts, the movable contact, and the movable plunger; an external receptacle that covers the hermetic chamber and electromagnet unit; and a sound insulating resin layer injected and hardened between the hermetic chamber and external receptacle. The electromagnetic contactor reduces the height of a contact device, and thus reduces a size of the electromagnetic contactor, while suppressing electromagnetic repulsion force generated between a movable contact and fixed contacts.

Abstract: An object of the present invention is to provide a contact switching device having high dimension accuracy and an inexpensive price, and including a small sealed space. For this, there is provided a contact switching device that drives a contact mechanical portion (30) arranged inside a sealed space (43) to perform contact switching, based on excitation and degauss of an electromagnet portion (50) arranged outside the sealed space (43). Particularly, a ceramic plate (31) holding a fixed contact terminal (33) of the contact mechanical portion (30) is bonded to and integrated with an upper opening edge portion of a metal cylindrical flange (32), while a plate-like yoke (37) is bonded to and integrated with a lower opening edge portion opposed to the upper opening edge portion to form the sealed space (43).

Abstract: A relay includes: a plurality of fixed terminals arranged to have fixed contacts; and a movable contact member arranged to have a plurality of movable contacts that are correspondingly opposed to the respective fixed contacts. The relay further includes: a driving structure operated to move the movable contact member such that the respective movable contacts come into contact with the corresponding fixed contacts; a plurality of first vessels provided corresponding to the respective fixed terminals and arranged to have insulating property; a second vessel joined with the plurality of first vessels; and an air-tight space formed by the plurality of fixed terminals, the plurality of first vessels and the second vessel to allow the movable contact member and the respective fixed contacts to be placed therein.

Abstract: A magnetic system for biosensors is switchable between attraction force and repulsion force near the sensor surface. The magnetic system includes a magnetic source and a sensor. The sensor corresponds with the magnetic field in a way that the magnetic source creates inhomogeneous magnetic field lines that results in a magnetic force towards the magnetic system and which subsequently or adjacently exerts a magnetic force directed away from the magnetic system with all magnetic forces generated at the same magnetic source.

Abstract: A weatherproof switch for use with an information/instrument cluster including a button having a body located adjacent to the information/instrument cluster, the body having a first end and a second end; a magnet substantially disposed within the second end of the body; a sensor located a distance from the magnet to produce a magnetic field of a first strength; and a circuit connecting the sensor to a function of the information/instrument cluster for controlling the function when the first end of the button is operated to increase and decrease the distance between the magnet and the sensor such as to produce magnetic field of a second strength.

Abstract: An embodiment is a target magnet mounting system including a magnet housing having first and second sets of spring clip mounting hooks on opposing sides of the housing and first and second spring clips mountable to the first and second spring clip mounting hook sets, respectively. Each of the spring clips includes a flexible strip having opposing first and second ends, each of the first and second ends including serrated teeth. The target magnet mounting system may be inserted into a channel to detachably engage the sidewalls of the channel to position a target magnet.

Abstract: A rotary actuator with a magnetically produced tactile sense is provided, in particular for a motor vehicle. The rotary actuator includes two plane-parallel permanent magnets, with the first magnet being arranged in a fixed position in a housing of the rotary actuator, and in which case the second magnet can be rotated with respect to the first magnet by a handle of the rotary actuator.

Abstract: A method for sealing a housing includes providing a base plate of the housing with at least one opening; providing an electrical connection that extends through the base plate from an inner side to an outer side of the base plate; and applying a sealing compound into the opening from an outer side of the base plate in order to seal an interface between the base plate and the electrical connection.

Abstract: A movable contact which is positioned inside a sealing case is moved by a magnetic shunt body which moves outside the sealing case. The movement of the movable contact by the movement of the magnetic shunt body is caused by a change of magnetic force of a magnet through a pair of yokes. The magnetic shunt body is assembled to a moving member, and elastically moves around the moving member resisting a first spring.

Abstract: Electrical switching device, especially a high-frequency switching device, with at least one oblong electrical switching element, which is arranged with one contact end between two fixed-contact elements spaced a transverse distance from one another and can be moved by two adjustment elements forming a transverse movement drive transversely to a longitudinal direction optionally towards the one or the other fixed-contact element. The adjustment elements are disposed laterally alongside the switching element and can be moved transversely to and from the switching element. In order to improve the transverse movement drive for the switching element, the switching element-comprises magnetic material, wherein the adjustment elements are formed by magnets.

Abstract: A circuit breaker includes a vacuum valve, an electromagnet including a first coil for driving an operating shaft of the vacuum valve toward an opening direction by electromagnetic repulsion, a movable core and a permanent magnet. Further, an operating mechanism is provided which excites the first coil to close the vacuum valve, holds the vacuum valve closed by an attractive force of the permanent magnet and excites the first coil in a direction reverse to an excitation direction in closing operation to open the vacuum valve. In the circuit breaker, together with the first coil, a second coil is disposed which is excited simultaneously with an electromagnetic repulsion coil for a quick opening operation by electromagnetic repulsion is provided in the electromagnet.

Abstract: A hermetically sealed relay is provided having two circuits therein.

Abstract: A cylinder lock monitoring assembly for monitoring position of a lock cylinder. The monitoring assembly includes a housing having an inner cavity and an exterior diameter. The exterior diameter of the housing is not significantly greater than the corresponding cylinder diameter. The assembly further includes a switch received into the inner cavity of the housing. The switch is in electrical communication with an indicator. The switch is reactive to any change in position of the lock cylinder.

Abstract: A magnetic separator with permanent magnets includes a ferromagnetic member (2) for the circuit connection between at least two magnetic poles (3C) made up of ferrite magnets (12) in the bottom portion in contact with said ferromagnetic member (2) for the circuit connection, and of rare earth magnets (13) in the top portion that represents the entrance/exit surface (14) of the magnetic flux lines (15, 16). The ratio between the effective magnetic length of the ferrite magnets (12) and of the rare earth magnets (13) is preferably 2:1, and the preferred materials are strontium ferrite for the former and iron-boron-neodymium for the latter. In this way it is possible to combine the magnetic characteristics of the two types of permanent magnets so as to make them complementary and thus enhance the attractive effectiveness of the separator both for ferromagnetic materials with high or low shape factor, and for materials with high or low and sometimes very low permeability.

Abstract: A relay assembly is provided that includes a relay sealed within a vessel.

Abstract: An apparatus for sensing relative positions of mechanically coupled devices. The apparatus includes a magnetically actuated switch connected to a set of flux conductors to form a switch assembly. A permanent magnet is affixed to a set of flux conductors to form a magnet assembly. The flux conductors are positioned adjacently to conduct flux from the permanent magnet to the magnetically actuated switch. Movement of either assembly results in the reduction of flux conduction between the magnet and the magnetically actuated switch. The apparatus can be integrated into a helmet mount for night vision goggles to sense the relative position of the helmet mount for controlling the operation of the night vision goggle.

Abstract: A method and system for monitoring the integrity of a container specifically adapted for the system and constructed with at least one door. A sensor is secured in the container for detecting proximity of the at least one door relative to another area of the container and for providing sensor data that may be communicated from the container relative to its integrity.

Abstract: An electromechanical relay includes an armature and an inner core at least partially surrounding at least a portion of the armature. The armature is slidably movable relative to the inner core. A coil at least partially surrounding at least a portion of the inner core. The relay also includes a stationary contact held in a ceramic header and a movable contact connected to the armature via a shaft. The movable contact is movable between an open position wherein the movable contact does not engage the stationary contact and a closed position wherein the movable contact engages the stationary contact. The relay also includes a housing having an open end and a chamber. The chamber contains the armature, the inner core, the coil, the movable contact, and at least a portion of the stationary contact. The housing forms a portion of a magnetic circuit of the relay. The ceramic header is circumferentially welded to the housing adjacent the open end such that the chamber of the housing is hermetically sealed.

Abstract: A trackball device of the present invention includes an operating ball, multiple rollers which rotate by contacting the ball while it is rotated, multipole permanent magnets which co-rotate with these rollers, and a reed switch disposed in a position where it turns on and off as a result of changes in magnetic flux caused by the rotation of the permanent magnets so as to provide tactile feedback when the ball is rotated. The trackball device is configured to make an attractive force generated between the reed switch and permanent magnet affect the rotation of the rollers.

Abstract: A three-position push-pull switch assembly is disclosed that includes two magnetic reed switches mounted to a circuit board located within the switch housing. A magnet is mounted to an actuator that extends into the switch housing and is axially translatable from a center position to a pushed in position and a pulled out position. When in the center position, the two magnetic reed switches are in a first closed-open operational state. When force is applied to the actuator shaft to move it into the pushed-in position, the reed switches are in a second closed-open operational state. Similarly, when force is applied to move the actuator shaft to the pulled out position, the magnetic reed switches are in a third closed-open operational state.

Abstract: The invention concerns a device for data entry into a portable object, in particular a watch, with display screen comprising a control button (1) consisting of an elastic mass (2) wherein is housed a permanent magnet (3) and a positioning analogue magnetic sensor (4) with Hall effect for example, arranged inside the object opposite to and spaced apart from said control button (1), said sensor being adapted to measure the movements of the magnet (3) in at least one direction for data entry. The control button (1) is arranged in a blind housing (7) of a non-magnetic wall (5) of the object structure, to be mechanically uncoupled from the sensor, said wall not in contact with said sensor acting as sealing protection for the sensor.

Abstract: Method for control of a proportional magnet comprising a magnet core, a magnet armature, a magnet coil for operating a control element in a shift valve or a proportional pressure-control valve, particularly a pressure-control valve for clutch operation in an automatic motor vehicle transmission, and comprising an electronic control device, whereby the magnet core may be moved back and forth between a control region and a hold region with a magnetic hold position of the magnet armature and a defined transition from the control region to the hold position may be executed and whereby mechanisms are provided for recognition of the movements of the magnet armature.

Abstract: There is provided a magnetic sensor switch in which its magnetic sensor is responsive to approach of a magnet to turn its electrical switch on or off. A cylindrical magnetic sensor having magnetic poles contrary to each other at opposite ends thereof is mounted for rotation in clockwise and counter-clockwise directions. An auxiliary magnet is movably mounted on a longitudinal extension line of the magnetic sensor when the magnetic sensor is in the horizontal position so that the auxiliary magnet provides an attracting force and a repulsive force to the magnetic sensor to rotate it in one direction. The movement of the magnetic sensor is transmitted to a movable contact piece through a driving member to rotate the movable contact piece in one direction depending upon the rotation of the magnetic sensor. The movable contact piece is provided with a pair of contact blades one of which is contacted with one of a pair of fixed contact pieces disposed in opposition to the corresponding contact blades.

Abstract: The invention is in a device for monitoring the position of a swinging door that is mounted on a stationary frame, the device essentially comprises a magnet and magnetic proximity sensor which are mounted in coaxially aligned relation on a pair of opposing leafs of a hinge. Means are provided for moving the magnet to and from the sensor to correspondingly vary the gap or spacing between them.

Abstract: An apparatus for communicating to a printer a type of installed printer cartridge, where the combination of the cartridge and the printer form a magnetic coupling that can generate a cartridge specific code to identify the toner cartridge as being of a predetermined type. In a preferred embodiment, the magnetic coupling is achieved using at least two reed switches preferably mounted on the printer, with the reed switches biased using fixed magnetic elements placed immediately adjacent the reed switches. In the absence of any further magnetic fields, the reed switches are selected to provide a known set of switch positions corresponding to a bit value of one (“1”) for an open circuit and a bit value of zero (“0”) for a closed circuit.

Abstract: A shock sensor has a shock sensing magnetic mass that rides on the inside of a glass tube that is sealed about a reed switch. The reed switch has a first stop positioned so that the shock sensing magnetic mass when resting against the first stop does not cause the reeds of the reed switch to attract. A spring extends between the shock sensing magnetic mass and a second stop. Acceleration causes the sensing mass to accelerate toward the second stop. The motion of the magnetic sensing mass causes the switch reeds to attract and close the reed switch. The entire shock sensing mechanism is hermetically sealed within the glass capsule of the reed switch. The reed switch within the glass capsule detects movement of the shock sensing mass.

Abstract: A method of manufacturing a relay wherein the relay has a coil body that is formed by plastic injection molding. The method further includes the step of embedding into the coil body injection mold a contact spring terminal pin and a number of fixed contact carriers and coil terminal pins. The method also includes the step of embedding a core into the coil body injection mold.

Abstract: In a thermal switch device having a reed switch, a temperature-sensitive magnetic cylinder (1) and cylindrical permanent magnets (2a, 2b) disposed around the reed switch (3), and an insulator case (7), the case is provided with an inner cylinder (5) formed in an inner space of the case. The reed switch is supported in the inner cylinder, and the temperature-sensitive magnetic cylinder and the cylindrical permanent magnets are fitted on the inner cylinder. A heat conductor member (6) is attached to the case to be partially exposed outside the case while partially be in contact with the temperature-sensitive magnetic cylinder and the cylindrical permanent magnets.

Abstract: A switching device (10) for an electrical load, particularly for an electrical toy compraising a normally open reed switch (14) and a fixed biasing magnet (15) located at a distance from the glass tube (17) of the reed switch such that the magnetic strength of the biasing magnet in the area of the reed switch has value less than required for switching on of the reed switch and greater than required for switching off of the same switch.The switch can be actuated--closed by applying to this switch an additional magnetic field the same orientation as the biasing magnetic field; the reed switch is closed and remains closed after removing the magnetic field.This switch can be deactuated--opened by applying to the switch a magnetic field with orientation opposite to the orientation of the biasing magnetic field; the reed switch is opened and remains opened after removing the magnetic field.

Abstract: An alternating current relay including a wire coil having the wire wrapped in the same direction to form a wire coil having substantially parallel windings with the wire coil also being connectable to an alternating current source. The wire coil includes a central passage extending in a direction substantially perpendicular to the direction of the wire windings, wherein a cylindrical core extends through the central passage of the wire coil and further extends through the top surface of the coil in the longitudinal direction of the central passage. A non-magnetic, annular armature is positioned a predetermined distance from the top surface of the wire coil, with the armature being positioned substantially parallel to the windings of the wire coil. The cylindrical core further extends through the center of the armature, and the armature is movable in response to a magnetic force generated by the wire coil, wherein the armature may reciprocate along the longitudinal axis of the cylindrical core. The A.C.

Abstract: A deactivatable EAS tag in which a circuit comprising a non-linear element causes the generation of a detectable signal in response to an interrogating signal and in which a first magnetic element is arranged to be brought from a first position where the magnetic element does not short the non-linear element to a second position where the magnetic element shorts the non-linear element.

Abstract: A reed switch assembly and method of assembling it are disclosed. A preferred embodiment of the reed switch assembly includes an elongate hollow housing having an opening at one end thereof for access to a cavity therein. A reed switch is positioned completely inside the cavity. The first and second connecting leads of the reed switch are bent so that they are each substantially parallel to their respective first and second reeds and so that they lie in planes that are not coplanar with the flat portions of the first and second reeds. The first connecting lead has a length that is long enough so that it extends at least half-way over the reed switch body towards the second connecting lead. A first wire is attached to the first connecting lead at a connection point that is spaced apart from the free end of the first connecting lead a distance equal to at least one-half the total length of the first connecting lead.

Abstract: A transformed current sensing relay with reduced AC impedance of the operating coil is accomplished by adding a shorted secondary winding to an otherwise conventional current sensing reed relay. The shorted secondary winding is preferably implemented with a copper tube over the existing coil and inside the magnetic circuit. This transformed current sensing relay is particularly advantageous for the line current sensing function in switched network communications equipment such as high speed modems, where the transformed relay exhibits substantially lower impedance at high frequencies than the conventional current sensing relay. This transformed current sensing relay allows for the elimination of bypass capacitors and results in significant cost and space savings. Moreover, the transformer nature of the transformed current sensing relay allows for the elimination of suppression resistors from the interface resulting in additional cost and space savings.

Abstract: A new type of reed switch is described. The switch is comprised of a fixed lead and a flexible reed made of a magnetic substance which are contacting in a glass enclosure. Two magnet rods are coaxially arranged in the same direction with a superconducting film therebetween. When the surrounding temperature is descended below Tc of the superconducting film, a dipole moment is formed across the superconducting film and moves the reed away from the lead by the magnetic force thereof.

Abstract: A magnetically actuated reed switch assembly in which a small permanent helper magnet is attached to a magnetic lead of the reed switch at an end of the reed switch envelope. The lead then may be bent around parallel with a magnetic reed of an encapsulated reed switch. The permanent helper magnet provides an axis of magnetic polarity parallel with the axis of the reed switch, and is magnetized to a level of magnetism which supplies slightly less than enough magnetic flux density to hold the reed switch in a magnetically actuated condition, so that only a small amount of additional flux density needs to be provided. By selecting reed switches within close tolerances and using helper magnets of selected size and strength within close tolerances, satisfactory assemblies may be produced without adjustment of helper magnet position to actuate the switch.

Abstract: A reed switch device comprises a pair of magnets such as bar magnets or ring-shaped magnets which are arranged in inverted polar orientations such that they produce magnetic fields acting in opposite directions, and a reed switch which is movable relative to the pair of magnets such that the longitudinal axis of the reed switch is maintained substantially in parallel with the axes of magnetization of the magnets. The relative position between the reed switch and the magnets is detected through activation of the reed switch between on and off states caused in response to a change in the relative position between the pair of magnets and the reed switch.

Abstract: A stepping motor includes a primary side magnetic flux generator unit having a plurality of magnetic poles and a secondary side magnetic member provided rotatably in the primary side magnetic flux generator, characterized in the primary side magnetic flux generator unit generating a magnetic flux passing through a magnetic flux path formed by at least two of the magnetic poles and the secondary side magnetic member to produce an attraction force between the magnetic poles and the secondary side magnetic members for thereby moving one of the primary side magnetic flux generator unit and the secondary side magnetic member, the magnetic poles having coils respectively provided therebetween and having a semihard magnetic member provided over tip ends thereof forming a magnetic flux path among a plurality of the magnetic poles, the semihard magnetic member being magnetized by a magnetic flux produced in the magnetic flux path every time the magnetic flux is produced, the semihard magnetic member producing a magnet

Abstract: In a method for producing a reed relay, and a reed relay produced in accordance therewith, for switching r.f. currents at high voltages, it is proposed to arrange the coil, which is wound upon a normal bobbin with flanges on both sides, within a low-ohmic coil shielding by mounting the bobbin with the coil in an outer tube of brass, fitting an inner tube, likewise of brass, in the bobbin and connecting the two tubes by annular end disks placed on the two ends and joined with the tubes by pressing. The whole assembly comprising the bobbin, the coil and the shielding is then mounted on a two-piece bobbin carrier, and the vacuum glass tube of the r.f. reed switch is inserted into the bearing tube of the bobbin carrier and preferable fixed therein by means of a silicone hose.

Abstract: A brush wear detector and indicator for the brush elements contacting the rotating commutator or slip rings of a dynamoelectric machine includes, in addition to a self winding bias spring located on the brush holder for applying force to the brush assembly, a permanent magnet, located either on a brush element or the bias spring, and a reed switch located on the brush holder adjacent the assembly. The magnet moves inwardly as the brush element wears and actuates the read switch at a point indicative of a worn condition. Activation of the reed switch causes an indicator such as a lamp to become energized, signalling a need for brush element replacement.

Abstract: An impulse mercury relay with magnetic interlock switch is provided comprising a first electrode member containing a body of a liquid conductor therein, a second electrode member received and secured inthe first electrode member, and a displacement plunger movable in the first electrode member to cause contact between the liquid conductor and second electrode member. A magnet device is movable with the displacement plunger, and a magnetically-actuable switch externally disposed of the first electrode member is actuated by the magnet when moved with the displacement plunger. A holding device is also provided to magnetically hold the displacement plunger at the desired position when the coil device is deenergized.

Abstract: An apparatus for communicating to a printer a type of installed printer cartridge, where the combination of the cartridge and the printer form a magnetic coupling that can generate a cartridge specific code to identify the toner cartridge as being of a predetermined type. In a preferred embodiment, the magnetic coupling is achieved using at least two reed switches preferably mounted on the printer, with the reed switches biased using fixed magnetic elements placed immediately adjacent the reed switches. In the absence of any further magnetic fields, the reed switches are selected to provide a known set of switch positions corresponding to a bit value of one (“1”) for an open circuit and a bit value of zero (“0”) for a closed circuit.