Patent ID: 6848473

Claim:
A valve for directing the flow of fluid both to and from a hydraulic actuator, the valve comprising: a valve body having a first cavity configured to receive a valve insert, the first cavity having a cylindrical inner surface and a bottom, the valve including a spool disposed in the valve body and configured to direct the flow of hydraulic fluid both from a source of hydraulic supply to an outlet port and from the outlet port to a hydraulic tank; and an insert disposed in the first cavity, the insert including an anti-cavitation valve, a check valve and a pressure relief valves, wherein the insert is disposed within the valve body to move axially within the cavity, and by such motion to function as the check valve and includes a shell and a valve assembly inside the shell, wherein the valve assembly is disposed to move axially with respect to the shell, and by such motion to reduce cavitation at the outlet port, wherein the valve assembly includes a poppet and a poppet seat, and further wherein the poppet is disposed to move with respect to the poppet seat to function as the pressure relief valve, and wherein the anti-cavitation valve includes a first seat disposed on an inner surface of the insert body and a second seat disposed on an annular ring of a valve assembly disposed within the insert body and configured to seal against the first seat.