Counter pressure valve arrangement

A hydraulic actuator control circuit for controlling supply and discharge of hydraulic fluid to and from a hydraulic actuator, the hydraulic actuator control circuit comprising:

• a hydraulic pump;
• a tank for storing low pressure hydraulic fluid,
• a hydraulic actuator,
• a control valve, and
• a counter pressure valve arrangement for controlling a pressure level of a hydraulic fluid in a return line from the control valve,
• wherein the control valve has at least a first work port (A) fluidly connected to a first flow port of hydraulic actuator, an inlet port fluidly connected to an outlet port of the hydraulic pump, and a discharge port,
• wherein the control valve is configured for controlling a direction of supply of hydraulic oil to the hydraulic actuator and a direction of discharge of hydraulic oil from the hydraulic actuator, and
• wherein the counter pressure valve arrangement comprises a counter pressure valve having:
• a moveable valve member,
• a counter pressure regulating port fluidly connected to the discharge port of the control valve via the return line,
• a tank port fluidly connected to the tank or a low pressure reservoir for storing low pressure hydraulic fluid, and
• a pump port fluidly connected to a source of pressurised hydraulic fluid,
• wherein a first position of the valve member effects fluid communication between the pump port and the counter pressure regulating port for supplying pressurised hydraulic fluid to the return line, and
• wherein a second position of the valve member effects fluid communication between the counter pressure regulating port and the tank port for discharging hydraulic fluid from the return line to the tank or the low pressure reservoir.