Subsurface safety valve and method of operating a subsurface safety valve

A subsurface safety valve, comprising:

• an elongate member disposed for linear motion in a first linear direction and in a second linear direction opposite the first linear direction;
• an elastic member in communication with the elongate member;
• a valve having a flapper;
• a gear assembly having a worm drive that includes a worm screw, a worm gear, and a spur gear, wherein the worm screw is in meshed engagement with the worm gear, and the worm gear and the spur gear are in communication with one another, and the spur gear is in communication with the elongate member;
• an electrically controlled drive configured to rotationally drive the worm screw;
• a retention mechanism engaged with the elongate member, wherein the retention mechanism is configured to retain the elongate mechanism member in a latched position upon receipt of a signal, and configured to release the elongate member in the absence of the signal;
• wherein the electrically controlled drive is configured to drive the gear assembly and thereby drive the elongate member in the first linear direction upon receipt of a valve signal, and driving the elongate member in the first linear direction causes the elastic member to compress and causes the elongate member to engage with the flapper of the valve to open the valve;
• and
• wherein upon release of the elongate member, the elastic member biases the elongate member in the second linear direction.