Pressure compensation valve with load-sense fluid signal generation and a reverse free flow configuration integrated therewith

A hydraulic system comprising:

• a variable displacement load-sensing pump;
• a fluid reservoir;
• a hydraulic cylinder actuator having a first chamber and a second chamber;
• a valve comprising:
• (i) a first port, (ii) a second port that is fluidly-coupled to the first chamber of the hydraulic cylinder actuator, (iii) a load-sense port that is fluidly-coupled to the variable displacement load-sensing pump, (iv) a valve piston, (v) a reverse flow spring applying a first biasing force on the valve piston in a proximal direction, and (vi) a pressure compensation spring disposed in a spring chamber and applying a second biasing force on the valve piston in a distal direction, wherein when the pressure level of fluid at the second port is higher than the pressure level of fluid at the load-sense port, fluid flows from the second port to the spring chamber and the load-sense port, and wherein when the pressure level of fluid at the load-sense port is higher than the pressure level of fluid at the second port, fluid of the load-sense port is provided to the spring chamber, wherein fluid from the first port applies a first fluid force on the valve piston in the proximal direction, and fluid in the spring chamber applies a second fluid force on the valve piston in the distal direction;
• and
• a directional control valve interposed between the variable displacement load-sensing pump and the valve, wherein the variable displacement load-sensing pump is configured to provide fluid having a pressure level equal to the pressure level of fluid of the load-sense port plus a margin pressure to the directional control valve, wherein:
• in a first mode of operation, fluid from the variable displacement load-sensing pump flows through the directional control valve, wherein fluid is subjected to a pressure drop across the directional control valve, then to the first port of the valve, wherein the first fluid force of fluid from the first port overcomes the second biasing force of the pressure compensation spring and the second fluid force of fluid in the spring chamber, thereby moving the valve piston in the proximal direction and allowing fluid flow from the first port to the second port, wherein the pressure level at the first port varies as the pressure level at the load-sense port varies, such that the pressure drop across the directional control valve is maintained substantially constant regardless of the pressure level at the second port or the load-sense port, wherein the directional control valve directs fluid flow from the second chamber to the fluid reservoir, and
• in a second mode of operation, fluid force of fluid received from the first chamber at the second port overcomes the second biasing force of the reverse flow spring, causing the valve piston to move in the distal direction and allow fluid flow from the second port to the first port, then through the directional control valve to the fluid reservoir.