Patent ID: 7740228

Claim:
A valve assembly for controlling a flow of fluid through a fluid passage, the valve assembly comprising: a valve comprising: a valve member disposed in the fluid passageway; a stop member, wherein a position of the valve member with respect to the stop member affects the rate of fluid flow through the passageway; and a valve shaft mechanically coupled to the valve member, wherein the valve shaft and valve member are in a 90° position when the valve member is in a closed position which does not allow the flow of fluid past the valve member, the closed position comprising the valve member and stop member coming into contact with each other; an electrical actuator having an electrical stop and comprising an actuator output shaft configured to rotate; and a flat torsion spring having a first end and a second end, the first end being coupled to the actuator output shaft and the second end being coupled to the valve shaft, the actuator output shaft driven by the electrical actuator and mechanically coupled to the second end of the torsion spring, wherein the torsion spring forms a sole drive link between the actuator output shaft and the valve shaft to translate torque from the actuator output shaft to the valve shaft in order to adjust the position of the valve member.