Speed controlled spring return actuator

An actuator, comprising:

• a drive mechanism;
• an energy storage mechanism;
• an energy dissipation apparatus;
• and
• a gear train configured to operably couple the drive mechanism, the energy storage mechanism, and the energy dissipation apparatus to each other such that, in a first state, the drive mechanism is operably coupled to the energy storage mechanism and the energy dissipation apparatus and, in a second state, the energy dissipation apparatus is operably coupled to the energy dissipation apparatus, and wherein the drive mechanism drives the energy dissipation apparatus through the gear train at a first rate in the first state and the energy storage mechanism drives the energy dissipation apparatus through the gear train at a second rate in the second state, the second rate being greater than the first rate.

An actuator, comprising:

• a motor configured to drive a control valve;
• a clutch operably coupled to the motor, the clutch configured to prevent the motor from transferring more than a predetermined amount of torque;
• a gear train operably coupled to the clutch, the gear train configured to receive the predetermined amount of torque from the motor;
• a solenoid operably coupled to the gear train, the solenoid configured to disengage one of the gears in the gear train from adjacent gears;
• a clock spring operably coupled to another of the gears in the gear train, the clock spring configured to store mechanical energy supplied by the motor, the clock spring configured to drive the control valve;
• and
• an air brake operably coupled to the gear train, the air brake configured to dissipate a portion of the mechanical energy released by the clock spring.