To calculate the closing/opening time of a Gate valve using an hydraulic actuator. What are the input parameters required and what is the formula for this calculation?
On the emergency closing side you will often require very fast closing, perhaps in two steps, first one step to about 80% very fast, and rest slow to avoid water hammer. In other cases  you will have to go, or wish to go, extreemly slow .
You have to start somewhere, and normally you will start with a given oil pressure from a 'normal' aggregate, select a cylinder diameter area to give a high enough force  to be sure to have sufficient force for all situations, especially sticking force when opening the  gate valve after a long closed periode.
You know the stroke length,and hence the volume.
The smallest restrictions for your 'normal' selected components are also known.
This will enable you to calculate the closing time, or the actuator/piston supplier will be able to inform you, given the oil pressure. The reservoir have to be sufficient large to avoid significant pressure drop on input side under operation of the piston.
Too fast? (This is usually the case) : throttle down on input or output line, with hand operated throttle valves.
For large rupture protection valves in high-pressure watermains or for hydroelectric turbine inlet valves with emergency shut-down,  oil-hydraulic opening and fallweight closing with two step throtteling of the return oil is a common solution. Two reasons: not depending on electricity or other external force other than gravity, and fast and controlled closing.

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