A valve system for use with a cylinder having an extensible rod, includes first and second valve assemblies, each including an inlet/outlet port configured to selectively be coupled with a source of pressurized gas, a check valve biased toward a closed state and having a check valve body at least partially receivable within a first port of the cylinder, a flow control valve positioned in series between the inlet/outlet port and the check valve, and an inlet pilot port connected with the check valve for opening the check valve when supplied with pressurized gas. First and second pilot lines extend to the respective inlet pilot ports from respective outlet pilot ports of the opposite ones of the first and second valve assemblies. When pressurized gas is supplied to the inlet/outlet port of a valve assembly, pressurized gas is also supplied to the opposite inlet pilot port.

A valve system for use with a cylinder having an extensible rod, includes first and second valve assemblies, each including an inlet/outlet port configured to selectively be coupled with a source of pressurized gas, a check valve biased toward a closed state and having a check valve body at least partially receivable within a first port of the cylinder, a flow control valve positioned in series between the inlet/outlet port and the check valve, and an inlet pilot port connected with the check valve for opening the check valve when supplied with pressurized gas. First and second pilot lines extend to the respective inlet pilot ports from respective outlet pilot ports of the opposite ones of the first and second valve assemblies. When pressurized gas is supplied to the inlet/outlet port of a valve assembly, pressurized gas is also supplied to the opposite inlet pilot port.

An actuator comprising: a piezo actuator; a drive having a drive chamber and a drive piston element driven by the piezo actuator; a first output having an output chamber and a piston element; and a second output having an output chamber and a piston element. At least part of the hydraulic fluid is conveyed out of the drive chamber by movement of the drive piston element and into the first output chamber. At least part of the hydraulic fluid is conveyed out of the drive chamber and into the second output chamber. The second output piston element has a hydraulically active second output face which is different in size from the first output face. There may be a coupling device mechanically coupling the first output piston element to the second output piston element.

A composite valve includes a valve body, a first valve module, and a second valve module. The valve body includes a first body portion to which the first valve module is attached, a second body portion to which the second valve module is attached, a third body portion that has an input port, and a fourth body portion that has an output port and an attachment portion. The first body portion and the second body portion respectively extend along a first axis and a second axis that are parallel to each other. The third body portion extends along a third axis that is at 90 degrees with respect to the first axis and with respect to the second axis. The fourth body portion extends along a fourth axis L4 that is at 90 degrees with respect to all the first axis, the second axis, and the third axis.

A composite valve includes a valve body, a first valve module, and a second valve module. The valve body includes a first body portion to which the first valve module is attached, a second body portion to which the second valve module is attached, a third body portion that has an input port, and a fourth body portion that has an output port and an attachment portion. The first body portion and the second body portion respectively extend along a first axis and a second axis that are parallel to each other. The third body portion extends along a third axis that is at 90 degrees with respect to the first axis and with respect to the second axis. The fourth body portion extends along a fourth axis L4 that is at 90 degrees with respect to all the first axis, the second axis, and the third axis.

A valve system for use with a cylinder having an extensible rod, includes first and second valve assemblies, each including an inlet/outlet port configured to selectively be coupled with a source of pressurized gas, a check valve biased toward a closed state and having a check valve body at least partially receivable within a first port of the cylinder, a flow control valve positioned in series between the inlet/outlet port and the check valve, and an inlet pilot port connected with the check valve for opening the check valve when supplied with pressurized gas. First and second pilot lines extend to the respective inlet pilot ports from respective outlet pilot ports of the opposite ones of the first and second valve assemblies. When pressurized gas is supplied to the inlet/outlet port of a valve assembly, pressurized gas is also supplied to the opposite inlet pilot port.

In one aspect, a system for controlling an operation of an actuator mounted on a seed planting implement may include an actuator configured to adjust a position of a row unit of the seed planting implement relative to a toolbar of the seed planting implement. The system may also include a flow restrictor fluidly coupled to a fluid chamber of the actuator, with the flow restrictor being configured to reduce a rate at which fluid is permitted to exit the fluid chamber in a manner that provides damping to the row unit. Furthermore, the system may include a valve fluidly coupled to the flow restrictor in a parallel relationship such that the valve is configured to permit the fluid exiting the fluid chamber to flow through the flow restrictor and the fluid entering the fluid chamber to bypass the flow restrictor.

A safe hydraulic drive system and process, comprising at least one first cylinder chamber and a second, separate cylinder chamber which are connected to one another via a connecting line to form a fluid-filled hydraulic circuit, and a hydraulic drive for conveying the fluid from one cylinder chamber, via the connecting line, into the other cylinder chamber in which the connecting line is arranged. The connecting line has at least one parallel system, between the hydraulic drive and one of the two cylinder chambers, including at least one first sub-connection with at least one first stop valve and a second sub-connection with a baffle arranged therein. The connecting line, excluding the second sub-connection, has a first flow resistance and the second sub-connection has a second flow resistance due to the baffle arranged therein, which is greater than the first flow resistance for the fluid, wherein the drive system is provided with at least one open first stop valve in normal mode and with a closed first stop valve in safe mode for conveying the fluid, and a suitably high second flow resistance has been selected so that a maximum permissible speed for a piston rod is not exceeded in safe mode, even when an external force acts on the drive system in the direction of movement of the piston rod.

A regulator valve has a check valve manifold for use in subsea control circuits. For example, the regulator valve having the check valve manifold can be used in a circuit between a directional control valve and an actuator for a gate valve. The check valve manifold can be a flange that attaches to the regulator valve to communicate with the supply and outlet of the regulator valve. Internal communication inside the manifold includes a check valve. If the pressure in the circuit downstream of the regulator valve needs to be vented, the check valve can open to allow the pressure to bleed from the outlet back to the supply without needing to pass through the internal pressure control valve of the regulator.

A flow rate controller and a drive device are provided with a first flow passage connected between an operation switching valve and an air cylinder, and that supplies air to and discharges air from a cylinder chamber of the air cylinder; a first flow rate adjustment part provided in the first flow passage; a second flow passage adjacent to the first flow passage; a pilot check valve provided at a point along the second flow passage; a second flow rate adjustment part connected in series to the pilot check valve at a point along the second flow passage; a pilot air flow passage, one end of which communicates with the operation switching valve and the other end of which is connected to a pilot port of the pilot check valve; and a third flow rate adjustment part provided in the pilot air flow passage.