Patent ID: 8132588

Claim:
A valve for use in a hydraulic circuit having a first fluid side and a second fluid side, the valve comprising: a first valve plug located proximate to the first fluid side and comprising a first main body having a first end and a second end and a first extension formed at the first end thereof, wherein the first extension has a diameter that is less than the diameter of the first main body; a first poppet slidingly retained on the first extension and slidable between an open position and a closed position, the first poppet comprising a first poppet body having a first internal volume formed therein and open to the first fluid side, and a first extended tip formed on the first poppet body; a first retainer formed on the first extension and having a first retainer diameter that is greater than the diameter of the first extension but less than the diameter of the first internal volume; a second valve plug located proximate to the second fluid side and comprising a second main body having a first end and a second end and a second extension formed at the first end thereof, wherein the second extension has a diameter that is less than the diameter of the second main body; a second poppet slidingly retained on the second extension and slidable between an open position and a closed position, the second poppet comprising a second poppet body having a second internal volume formed therein and open to the second fluid side, and a second extended tip formed on the second poppet body; a second retainer formed on the second extension and having a second retainer diameter that is greater than the diameter of the second extension but less than the diameter of the second internal volume; wherein hydraulic pressure causes the first poppet to slide to its closed position, and causes the first extended tip to engage the second extended tip, sliding the second poppet to its open position, when the hydraulic pressure on the first fluid side is greater than the hydraulic pressure on the second fluid side; and wherein hydraulic pressure causes the second poppet to slide to its closed position, and causes the second extended tip to engage the first extended tip, sliding the first poppet to its open position, when hydraulic pressure on the second fluid side is greater than the hydraulic pressure on the first fluid side.