Patent ID: 8256739

Claim:
A control valve for controlling flow of fluid comprising: a body having primary bore into which a first port and a second port open, and a valve seat between the first and second ports; a release passage in communication with the first port; a main poppet moveably received within the primary bore to selectively engage and disengage the valve seat and defining a primary control chamber in the primary bore on a remote side of the main poppet from the valve seat, a first passageway extending between the second port and the primary control chamber and including a variable flow restriction which becomes less restrictive as the main poppet moves away from the valve seat; and an electrohydraulic pilot valve controlling flow of fluid between the primary control chamber and the release passage, and comprising an inlet coupled to the primary control chamber, an outlet coupled to the release passage, a pilot poppet controlling flow of fluid between the inlet and the outlet in response to pressure in a pilot control chamber, and an electrically operated sub-pilot valve selectively controlling pressure in the pilot control chamber which pressure causes to operate the pilot poppet to move and thereby open and close a path between the inlet and the outlet.