Flow control valve with internal rate of flow feedback

A valve system comprising first and second control conduits, a first stage responsive to an input signal for generating fluid control pressures in said conduits, a second stage comprising a cylinder and piston valve and including a fluid inlet connection, first and second fluid inlet connections, a fluid return connection, and first and second fluid return paths each interconnecting said cylinder and piston valve with said return connection, said cylinder and piston valve being responsive to said control pressures in said conduits for controlling the flow of fluid from said inlet connection to one of said load connections and from the other of said load connections through one of said fluid return paths to said fluid return connection, characterized in that said system includes first and second variable flow sensors interposed in said first and second return paths respectively, said sensors comprising first and second poppet valves each resiliently biased toward a closed position against the urging of the pressure in its associated return path, and first and second feedback passageways providing fluid communication between said first stage and said first and second return paths respectively at locations upstream of said sensors, said passageways transmitting fluid pressures from said return path so as to oppose the response of said first stage to said input signal.