Pressure-compensating valve with load check

A fluid system, comprising:

• a source of pressurized fluid;
• a first actuator in operable communication with the source of pressurized fluid;
• a first control valve operable to control fluid communication to and from the first actuator;
• a first pressure compensating valve in fluid communication with the first control valve and the first actuator;
• a first signal conduit in fluid communication with fluid flow being directed by the first control valve to the first pressure compensating valve and the first actuator, the first signal conduit carrying a first signal pressure;
• a second actuator in operable communication with the source of pressurized fluid;
• a second control valve operable to control fluid communication to and from the second actuator;
• a second pressure compensating valve in fluid communication with the second control valve and the second actuator;
• a second signal conduit in fluid communication with fluid flow being directed by the second control valve to the second pressure compensating valve and the second actuator, the second signal conduit carrying a second signal pressure;
• and
• a sink valve in fluid communication with a control signal conduit, the sink valve being structured and arranged to regulate flow of the control signal pressure to a fluid reservoir,
• wherein a greater of the first signal pressure and the second signal pressure is used to generate a control signal pressure, and the control signal pressure is in fluid communication with the first pressure compensating valve and the second pressure compensating valve.

A fluid system, comprising:

• a source of pressurized fluid;
• a first actuator in operable communication with the source of pressurized fluid;
• a first control valve operable to control fluid communication to and from the first actuator;
• a first pressure compensating valve in fluid communication with the first control valve and the first actuator;
• a first signal conduit in fluid communication with fluid flow being directed by the first control valve to the first pressure compensating valve and the first actuator, the first signal conduit carrying a first signal pressure;
• a second actuator in operable communication with the source of pressurized fluid;
• a second control valve operable to control fluid communication to and from the second actuator;
• a second pressure compensating valve in fluid communication with the second control valve and the second actuator;
• and
• a second signal conduit in fluid communication with fluid flow being directed by the second control valve to the second pressure compensating valve and the second actuator, the second signal conduit carrying a second signal pressure,
• wherein a greater of the first signal pressure and the second signal pressure is used to generate a control signal pressure, and the control signal pressure is in fluid communication with the first pressure compensating valve and the second pressure compensating valve, and
• wherein the first and second pressure compensating valves each include a valve bore, a piston, and a load check portion, the piston and the load check portion being slidable relative to one another in the valve bore.

A method of operating a hydraulic system having more than one actuator supplied by a single source of pressurized fluid, the method comprising:

• supplying pressurized fluid to a first actuator via a first control valve and a first pressure compensating valve;
• supplying pressurized fluid to a second actuator via a second control valve and a second pressure compensating valve;
• generating a first load signal pressure from pressurized fluid in a first meter-in passage directing fluid flow from the first control valve to the first pressure compensating valve;
• generating a second load signal pressure from pressurized fluid in a second meter-in passage directing fluid flow from the second control valve to the second pressure compensating valve;
• generating a control signal pressure from a greater of the first control signal pressure and the second control signal pressure;
• and
• directing the control signal pressure to the first and second pressure compensating valves to affect fluid flow to the first and second actuators.

A fluid system, comprising:

• a source of pressurized fluid;
• a first actuator in operable communication with the source of pressurized fluid;
• a first control valve operable to control fluid communication to and from the first actuator;
• a first pressure compensating valve in fluid communication with the first control valve and the first actuator;
• a first signal conduit in fluid communication with fluid flow being directed by the first control valve to the first pressure compensating valve and the first actuator, the first signal conduit carrying a first signal pressure;
• a second actuator in operable communication with the source of pressurized fluid;
• a second control valve operable to control fluid communication to and from the second actuator;
• a second pressure compensating valve in fluid communication with the second control valve and the second actuator;
• a second signal conduit in fluid communication with fluid flow being directed by the second control valve to the second pressure compensating valve and the second actuator, the second signal conduit carrying a second signal pressure;
• an orifice structured and arranged to generate a control signal pressure from a greater of the first signal pressure and the second signal pressure;
• a control signal conduit structured and arranged to provide the control signal pressure to the first pressure compensating valve and the second pressure compensating;
• and
• a sink valve in fluid communication with the control signal conduit, the sink valve being structured and arranged to regulate flow of the control signal pressure to a fluid reservoir.