Hydraulic valve with helical actuator

A hydraulic manifold, comprising:

• a cylindrical housing, having a pair of first ports configured to couple between a hydraulic source and a hydraulic device;
• a cylindrical valve element, rotatably disposed within the housing, having a first position in which the first ports are closed, and a second position in which the first ports are open and fluidly connected;
• an actuator, disposed within the housing, configured to rotate the valve body to selectively open or close the ports, the actuator including
• a first piston, mechanically coupled to the valve element and helically moveable in a first direction against a first cam surface of the housing in response to hydraulic pressure;
• and
• a first spring, configured to bias the piston and the valve element toward the first position, helical translation of the piston in the first direction causing at least axial rotation of the valve element in the first direction.

A method for converting a pilot pressure and a linear motion into a rotational motion within a hydraulic helical valve assembly, comprising:

• providing hydraulic pilot pressure to a cylinder having a first moveable piston therein, the first piston being mechanically coupled to a moveable valve element;
• applying the pilot pressure to an outer surface of the first piston, causing the first piston to helically translate in a first direction within the cylinder against a first biasing member and thereby move the valve element, whereby linear pressure against the first piston is converted into at least rotational motion of the valve element in the first direction between a closed position and a first open position with respect to at least a first pair of valve ports in the cylinder;
• and
• continuing application of the pilot pressure until the valve element reaches the first open position.