Multi-teeth engagement in an actuator piston

A system for controlling flow in a piping system, comprising:

• a valve;
• a valve stem;
• an actuator comprising:
• an actuator body;
• at least one piston configured to travel within the actuator body;
• an output shaft located at least partially within the actuator body and configured to couple to the valve stem of the valve wherein the output shaft has a plurality of teeth protruding from a pinion;
• at least one rack coupled to and configured to move with each of the at least one piston, the rack having a piston end and a terminal end and wherein the rack has a plurality of rack teeth configured to engage the plurality of teeth on the output shaft;
• and
• wherein the terminal end of the rack is configured to be maintained a minimum distance beyond an engagement point, wherein the engagement point is located between the rack teeth and the teeth in all operating positions.

The method for actuating a valve, comprising:

• motivating a piston coupled to a rack toward an output shaft with fluid pressure;
• engaging a plurality of rack teeth coupled to the rack with teeth on the output shaft;
• rotating the output shaft in order to actuate the valve;
• and
• maintaining a minimum distance between an engagement point and a terminal end of the rack in all operating positions.