Patent attributes
Provided is an access control electro-permanent magnetic lock for locking and unlocking physical barriers with electromagnetism, but without a continual power source. The lock comprises permanent magnets juxtaposed with electro-permanent magnets. The polarity of the permanent magnets is fixed and aligned. The polarity of the electro-permanent magnets can be switched by introducing a pulse of electric current for a fraction of a second at low voltage to the electro-permanent magnets. A strong magnetic field generating a locking or holding force is produced when the polarity of the electro-permanent magnets aligns with or is in the same direction as the polarity of the permanent magnets. The magnetic field is canceled such that there is no locking or holding force when the polarity of the electro-permanent magnets is opposite to the polarity of the permanent magnets. The lock can further provide fail-secure or fail-safe protections in the event of power loss.
