Importance

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Abstract

A valve arrangement including a release valve. The valve arrangement controls a piston of a cylinder assembly upon interruption of a source of fluid pressure supplied to the cylinder assembly, the cylinder assembly including a first port and a second port and slideably housing the piston for movement between an extended position and a retracted position. The valve arrangement includes a valve assembly in fluid communication with the source of fluid pressure and with the first port and the second port to control fluid flow between the source of fluid pressure on the first port and between the source of fluid pressure on the second port, and a release valve fluidly connected to the first port and to the second port, the release valve being operable to control flow of fluid from the first port and from the second port. The release valve includes a release valve body including a release valve bore in fluid communication with the first port and with the second port, the release valve body further including a release valve seat, and a release valve member movable between a closed position, in which the release valve member engages the release valve seat to prevent fluid flow through the release valve bore, and an open position, in which fluid flows from at least one of the first port and the second port and through the release valve bore. Preferably, the release valve includes a manually engageable portion operable to allow fluid flow from the first port and the second port.

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First Claim