Auto-relieving pressure modulating valve

A method of controlling fluid flow in a valve arrangement, the valve arrangement including a valve body having a pressure port, a work port, and a tank port, a solenoid device coupled to the valve body, and a spool operably coupled to the solenoid device, the method comprising:

• (a) pressurizing the work port by energizing the solenoid device and moving the spool a first distance from a neutral position to a pressurized position;
• (b) relieving the work port by de-energizing the solenoid device and moving the spool a second distance to a relieving position, the second distance being greater than the first distance, the valve arrangement being configured to provide a first gap for fluid communication between the work port and the tank port when the spool is in the relieving position, the first gap of the valve arrangement having a first cross-sectional area;
• and
• (c) moving the spool, without energizing the solenoid device, from the relieving position to the neutral position, the valve arrangement being configured to provide a second gap for fluid communication between the work port and the tank port when the spool is in the neutral position, the second gap of the valve arrangement having a second cross-sectional area, the first cross-sectional area of the first gap being greater than the second cross-sectional area of the second gap.