Methods of robust electrohydraulic pressure control with distributed damping

A hydraulic valve comprising:

• a valve body including:
• a first port for receiving fluid from a high-pressure source;
• a second port to drain the fluid to a low-pressure reservoir;
• and
• a common pressure rail in fluid communication with the first port;
• a pilot assembly at least partially disposed within the valve body and defining a first volume in fluid communication with the common pressure rail, the pilot assembly including:
• an electromechanical actuator that converts an electrical signal into mechanical force and motion;
• a first fluid metering element;
• and
• an energizing spring, wherein said spring is arranged so as to transfer the mechanical force produced by said electromechanical actuator to said first fluid metering element via an energizing spring force;
• and
• a second fluid metering element, substantially larger than said first fluid metering element, received into said valve body and moveably disposed, the second fluid metering element at least partially defining a control volume and a second volume, the control volume disposed between the first fluid metering element and the second fluid metering element, the second volume disposed opposite the control volume, the second volume in fluid communication with the common pressure rail,
• wherein, said first fluid metering element defines a variable fluid path from the control volume to the second port,
• wherein, a first end of the energizing spring is operatively coupled to the electromechanical actuator, and an opposing end of said spring is operatively coupled to said first fluid metering element;
• wherein a first surface of the first fluid metering element receives a first pressure force opposing said energizing spring force from fluid within the control volume,
• wherein, a second surface, operatively coupled to said first fluid metering element, receives a second pressure force assisting said energizing spring force from fluid within the first volume,
• wherein, a third surface of the second fluid metering element receives a third pressure force from fluid within the control volume, and
• wherein, a fourth surface of the second fluid metering element receives a fourth pressure force opposing the third pressure force from fluid within the second volume.