Linear electric actuator

A valve for controlling the flow of a fluid, the valve comprising:

• a valve housing including a flow passage;
• a gate configured to slide within the valve housing to control the flow of the fluid through the flow passage;
• and
• a valve actuator, comprising:
• an actuator housing having a reciprocation axis;
• a primary drive gear configured to couple to a motor;
• an electromagnetic clutch configured to couple to the motor and coupled to the primary drive gear, the electromagnetic clutch having a first clutch plate and a second clutch plate, the electromagnetic clutch configured to:
• engage the first and second clutch plates responsive to the electromagnetic clutch being powered;
• and
• disengage the first and second clutch plates responsive to the electromagnetic clutch not being powered;
• a ball screw comprising a ball nut and a threaded shaft, wherein the ball nut is coupled to the primary drive gear such that rotation of the primary drive gear induces rotation of the ball nut about the reciprocation axis, wherein rotation of the ball nut about the reciprocation axis is configured to induce linear motion of the threaded shaft along the reciprocation axis, and wherein the threaded shaft is coupled to the gate;
• a fluid damper comprising a piston coupled to the threaded shaft and disposed within a chamber containing a fluid, the piston separating a first portion of the chamber from a second portion of the chamber, wherein the piston comprises a port that fluidically couples the first portion to the second portion;
• and
• a brake assembly coupled to the ball nut and configured to limit rotation of the ball nut responsive to the brake assembly being engaged.