Valve assembly having a linear motor actuator

A linear drive motor actuator for moving a valve element between an open and a closed position, the actuator comprising:

• two rails extending substantially parallel to one another;
• an armature moveably disposed at least partially between, and electrically coupled to, each of the rails, the armature configured to couple to a valve element and moveable between at least a first position and a second position, to thereby move the valve element to at least the open and closed positions, respectively;
• a first armature lock disposed adjacent at least one of the rails and configured to selectively lock the armature in the first position;
• and
• a second armature lock disposed adjacent at least one of the rails and configured to selectively lock the armature in the second position,
• wherein a current flows through the armature in a first or a second direction upon application of an electrical potential of a first or second polarity, respectively, across the rails, to thereby generate a Lorentz force and move the armature to the first or second position, respectively, and the valve element to the open or closed position, respectively.

A linear drive motor actuator for moving a valve element between an open and a closed position, the actuator comprising:

• two rails extending substantially parallel to one another;
• an armature moveably disposed at least partially between, and electrically coupled to, each of the rails, the armature configured to couple to a valve element and moveable between at least a first position and a second position, to thereby move the valve element to at least the open and closed positions, respectively;
• a first position sensor disposed proximate at least one of the rails and configured to sense at least when the armature is in the first position and supply a position signal representative thereof;
• a second position sensor disposed proximate at least one of the rails and configured to sense at least when the armature is in the second position and supply a position signal representative thereof;
• a first armature lock disposed adjacent at least one of the rails and configured to lock the armature in the first position;
• and
• a second armature lock disposed adjacent at least one of the rails and configured to lock the armature in the second position,
• wherein a current flows through the armature in a first or a second direction upon application of an electrical potential of a first or second polarity, respectively, across the rails, to thereby generate a Lorentz force and move the armature to the first or second position, respectively, and the valve element to the open or closed position, respectively.