Electromechanical polarization switch

摘要

A solenoid switching method includes energizing a first coil winding to cause a plunger to move in a first direction, and energizing a second coil winding to cause the plunger to move in the opposite direction. Furthermore, the plunger has a first standoff connected to a first end, and a second standoff connected to a second end. The first standoff extends through the first coil winding and the second standoff extends through the second coil winding. The bi-directional solenoid device is configured to physically move a slidable switch between a first position and a second position. Additionally, the plunger stays in position without either of the first coil winding or the second coil winding being energized if the plunger is latched.

主权项

1. A device comprising:
a housing; a slidable switch disposed within the housing; a bi-directional solenoid to physically move the slidable switch between a first position and a second position, wherein the first position is at a first end of travel of the slidable switch, and wherein the second position is at a second end of travel of the slidable switch, opposite the first end, wherein the slidable switch comprises waveguide channels that, when the slidable switch is moved from the first position to the second position, reroute RF signals to change a polarization state of the device, the bi-directional solenoid comprising:
a first coil winding, wherein the first coil winding is open-ended;a second coil winding, wherein the second coil winding is open-ended, wherein the first coil winding and the second coil winding are positioned along a common axis;a plunger supported inside the first coil winding and the second coil winding for movement along the common axis of the first coil winding and the second coil winding;a first standoff connected to a first end of the plunger; anda second standoff connected to a second end of the plunger; a latching mechanism to latch the slidable switch at the first position and the second position when the first coil winding and the second coil winding are not energized, the latching mechanism comprising a permanent magnet within at least one of the slidable switch and the housing.