Patent ID: 7883073

Claim:
An actuator for use with a valve, the actuator comprising: a housing; a plate defining an aperture therethrough and coupled at an end of the housing; a plunger positioned at least partially within the housing, the plunger to be operatively coupled to a stem of the valve; one or more springs disposed in the housing and at least partially surrounding the plunger, the one or more springs to apply a force to the plunger; a spring load adjuster having a collar at least partially surrounding the plunger and extending through the aperture to operatively engage the one or more springs, the collar movable relative to the plate to enable an adjustment of the position of the collar relative to the plate to change a load provided by the one or more springs to the stem or a seat of the valve; and at least one locking device extending through the collar to fix the position of the collar relative to the plate.