Hydraulic control valve with duplicate workports and integrated actuator oscillation control features

A valve assembly comprising:

• a monoblock worksection configured to control fluid flow to and from a first actuator and a second actuator configured to be actuated in tandem, wherein the monoblock worksection comprises:
• (i) a first workport configured to be fluidly coupled to a first chamber of the first actuator, (ii) a second workport configured to be fluidly coupled to a second chamber of the first actuator, (iii) a third workport configured to be fluidly coupled to a third chamber of the second actuator, wherein the third workport is fluidly coupled to the first workport via a first fluid passage within the monoblock worksection, and (iv) a fourth workport configured to be fluidly coupled to a fourth chamber of the second actuator, wherein the fourth workport is fluidly coupled to the second workport via a second fluid passage within the monoblock worksection;
• a spool axially movable in a bore within the monoblock worksection, wherein:
• (i) when the spool is shifted axially in a first axial direction within the bore, pressurized fluid is provided from a source of pressurized fluid to the first workport and to the third workport via the first fluid passage so as to drive the first actuator and the second actuator in tandem in a first direction, and (ii) when the spool is shifted axially in a second axial direction within the bore opposite the first axial direction, pressurized fluid is provided from the source of pressurized fluid to the second workport and to the fourth workport via the second fluid passage so as to drive the first actuator and the second actuator in tandem in a second direction opposite the first direction;
• a solenoid-operated valve having a first port and a second port, wherein the first port of the solenoid-operated valve is fluidly coupled to the first workport and the third workport of the monoblock worksection via a third fluid passage within the monoblock worksection;
• and
• a pilot-operated valve having a first respective port, a second respective port, and a third port, wherein first respective port of the pilot-operated valve is fluidly coupled to the second port of the solenoid-operated valve, wherein the second respective port of the pilot-operated valve is configured to be fluidly coupled to an accumulator, and wherein the third port of the pilot-operated valve is fluidly coupled to the first workport and the third workport of the monoblock worksection,
• wherein when the solenoid-operated valve is actuated, a fluid path is formed therein to allow fluid to flow from the first port to the second port and then to the first respective port of the pilot-operated valve, thereby actuating the pilot-operated valve and allowing fluid flow between the second respective port and the third port so as to fluidly couple the accumulator to the first workport and the third workport of the monoblock worksection.

A hydraulic system comprising:

• a source of pressurized fluid;
• a tank;
• a first actuator having a first chamber and a second chamber;
• a second actuator having a third chamber and a fourth chamber, and configured to be actuated in tandem with the first actuator;
• and
• a valve assembly fluidly coupled to the source of pressurized fluid, the tank, the first actuator, and the second actuator, wherein the valve assembly comprises
• (i) a monoblock worksection comprising:
• a first workport fluidly coupled to the first chamber of the first actuator, a second workport fluidly coupled to the second chamber of the first actuator, a third workport fluidly coupled to the third chamber of the second actuator, wherein the third workport is fluidly coupled to the first workport via a first fluid passage, a fourth workport fluidly coupled to the fourth chamber of the second actuator, wherein the fourth workport is fluidly coupled to the second workport via a second fluid passage,
• (ii) a spool axially movable in a bore formed within the monoblock worksection, wherein:
• when the spool is shifted axially in a first axial direction within the bore, pressurized fluid is provided from the source of pressurized fluid to the first workport and to the third workport via the first fluid passage so as to drive the first actuator and the second actuator in tandem in a first direction, and when the spool is shifted axially in a second axial direction within the bore opposite the first axial direction, pressurized fluid is provided from the source of pressurized fluid to the second workport and to the fourth workport via the second fluid passage so as to drive the first actuator and the second actuator in tandem in a second direction opposite the first direction, and
• (iii) a solenoid-operated valve having a first port and a second port, wherein the first port of the solenoid-operated valve is fluidly coupled to the second workport and the fourth workport of the monoblock worksection, wherein the second port of the solenoid-operated valve is fluidly coupled to the tank, wherein when the solenoid-operated valve is actuated, a fluid path is formed therein to allow fluid flow between the first port and the second port so as to allow fluid from the second chamber of the first actuator and fluid from the fourth chamber of the second actuator to flow to the tank.