Piezoelectric booster for an electromagnetic actuator

摘要

An electromagnetic actuator 10 includes first and second electromagnets 12 and 18, respectively. The second electromagnet 18 is in spaced relation with respect to the first electromagnet 12. An armature 24 is mounted for movement between the first and second electromagnets. An engaged position of the armature 24 is defined when the armature contacts one of the electromagnets 12 or 18 with an electrical signal to the contacted electromagnet being turned-off. Spring structure 30 is operatively associated with the armature 24 to bias the armature 24 away from the engaged position thereof. A piezoelectric device 34 is operatively associated with the armature 24 so that when the armature is in the engaged position and a force of the spring structure 30 is insufficient to move the armature from contact with the contacted electromagnet, the piezoelectric device 34 may be energized so as to move the armature 24 from contact with the contacted electromagnet.