Biarmature solenoid

A solenoid (100) includes first and second armatures disposed on either side of a solenoid core. The core includes first and second sets of legs disposed on opposite sides of a central member (104). A drive circuit (118) provides a first current level to cause flux to flow in a first path through the core and thereby move the first armature (108) without substantially moving the second armature (110). The drive circuit (118) can provide a second current level greater than the first current level to saturate the first path and thereby redirect flux into a second core path to move the second armature (110).