Valve system for pneumatic cylinders

A valve system for use with a cylinder having an extensible rod, the valve system comprising:

• a first valve assembly including
• a first inlet/outlet port,
• a check valve biased toward a closed state, the check valve 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 first inlet/outlet port and the check valve, and
• a first pilot port selectively communicable with a source of pressurized gas for opening the check valve;
• and
• a second valve assembly including
• a second inlet/outlet port,
• a second pilot port through which the pressurized gas must flow before being introduced to the first pilot port,
• a valve body at least partially receivable within a second port of the cylinder, wherein the second inlet/outlet port and the second pilot port are integrally formed as a single piece as a portion of the valve body, and
• an annular cavity defined within the valve body that provides a fluid path between the second pilot port and the second inlet/outlet port.