Oscillating valve

A valve system, comprising:

• a housing including a supply orifice and a consumption orifice;
• a piston defining a first volume and a second volume within the housing, the piston including a restricted flow path to permit fluid flow through or around the piston between the first volume and the second volume;
• a pilot channel connecting the second volume to the consumption orifice;
• a main valve connected to the piston,
• wherein the piston is configured to move between a closed position in which the main valve prevents fluid flow through the first volume and an open position in which the main valve permits fluid flow through the first volume,
• wherein, when the piston is in the closed position, first fluid pressure in the first volume forces the piston toward the open position, and
• wherein, when the piston is in the open position, second fluid pressure in the second volume forces the piston toward the closed position;
• and
• a battery-powered actuator configured to selectively prevent movement of the piston away from the closed position and prevent movement of the piston away from the open position.

A method performed by an oscillating valve that includes a housing having a supply orifice and a consumption orifice, a piston defining a first volume and a second volume within the housing, the piston permitting fluid flow through or around the piston between the first volume and the second volume, a pilot channel connecting the second volume to the consumption orifice, a main valve connected to the piston, and an actuator configured to selectively prevent movement of the piston away from a closed position and prevent movement of the piston away from an open position, the method comprising:

• positioning the piston in the closed position, which causes the main valve to prevent fluid flow through the first volume from the supply orifice to the consumption orifice;
• receiving fluid into the supply orifice while an output from the consumption orifice is open, wherein pressure of the fluid into the supply orifice is greater than pressure of the fluid exiting the consumption orifice;
• moving, in response to receiving the fluid, the piston to the open position, which causes the main valve to permit fluid flow through the first volume from the supply orifice to the consumption orifice;
• automatically arresting the piston in the open position;
• diverting, while the piston is in the open position, some of the fluid received from the supply orifice into the second volume;
• and
• releasing the piston from the open position to allow movement of the piston to the closed position in response to increased pressure in the second volume.