A valve, comprising: a housing defining an inlet passage and an outlet passage (18,22); a generally cylindrical, tubular flow control element disposed within the housing between the inlet and outlet passages (16, 18,22); an end cap (42; 76; 82) abutted against the flow control element and operative to normally block the flow of fluid from the inlet passage to the outlet passage (18,22) when a piston sleeve is in the closed position, wherein the end cap (42; 76; 82) is suspended within the outlet passage, such that the outlet passage (18,22) is at least partially defined thereby, and wherein the end cap is provided on the downstream side of the flow control element; and the piston sleeve disposed within the housing and reciprocally moveable between a closed position whereat the piston sleeve is operative to prevent the flow of fluid from the inlet passage to the flow control element, and an open position whereat fluid is able to flow from the inlet passage, through at least a portion of the flow control element, and into the outlet passage (18,22), the piston sleeve including: a tubular main body portion defining a flow passage which fluidly communicates with the inlet passage, the main body portion and the housing collectively defining a piston chamber annularly disposed about the piston sleeve and at least partially circumscribing the flow passage; and a flange portion protruding radially outwardly from the main body portion into the piston chamber, the flange portion being configured such that the selective application of fluid pressure to the flange portion is operative to facilitate the movement of the piston sleeve between the closed and open positions, wherein the flow control element defines a series of radially directed passageways extending between inner and outer radial surfaces thereof, wherein each of the passageways has a plurality of turns formed therewithin in order to reduce the velocity of fluid flowing through the flow control element. a housing defining an inlet passage and an outlet passage (18,22); a generally cylindrical, tubular flow control element disposed within the housing between the inlet and outlet passages (16, 18,22); an end cap (42; 76; 82) abutted against the flow control element and operative to normally block the flow of fluid from the inlet passage to the outlet passage (18,22) when a piston sleeve is in the closed position, wherein the end cap (42; 76; 82) is suspended within the outlet passage, such that the outlet passage (18,22) is at least partially defined thereby, and wherein the end cap is provided on the downstream side of the flow control element; and the piston sleeve disposed within the housing and reciprocally moveable between a closed position whereat the piston sleeve is operative to prevent the flow of fluid from the inlet passage to the flow control element, and an open position whereat fluid is able to flow from the inlet passage, through at least a portion of the flow control element, and into the outlet passage (18,22), the piston sleeve including: a tubular main body portion defining a flow passage which fluidly communicates with the inlet passage, the main body portion and the housing collectively defining a piston chamber annularly disposed about the piston sleeve and at least partially circumscribing the flow passage; and a flange portion protruding radially outwardly from the main body portion into the piston chamber, the flange portion being configured such that the selective application of fluid pressure to the flange portion is operative to facilitate the movement of the piston sleeve between the closed and open positions, wherein the flow control element defines a series of radially directed passageways extending between inner and outer radial surfaces thereof, wherein each of the passageways has a plurality of turns formed therewithin in order to reduce the velocity of fluid flowing through the flow control element. a tubular main body portion defining a flow passage which fluidly communicates with the inlet passage, the main body portion and the housing collectively defining a piston chamber annularly disposed about the piston sleeve and at least partially circumscribing the flow passage; and a flange portion protruding radially outwardly from the main body portion into the piston chamber, the flange portion being configured such that the selective application of fluid pressure to the flange portion is operative to facilitate the movement of the piston sleeve between the closed and open positions, wherein the flow control element defines a series of radially directed passageways extending between inner and outer radial surfaces thereof, wherein each of the passageways has a plurality of turns formed therewithin in order to reduce the velocity of fluid flowing through the flow control element.