Valve system for pneumatic cylinders

Abstract

A valve system for use with a cylinder having an extensible rod. includes a first valve assembly including a first inlet/outlet port, a check valve biased toward a closed suite, the cheek valve having a check valve body at least partially receivable within a first port of the cylinder, a flow control valve positioned in series between the first inlet/outlet port and the check valve, and a first pilot port selectively communicable with a pressurized gas for opening the check valve. The valve system further include a second valve assembly including a second inlet/outlet port, a second pilot port through which the pressurized gas must flow before being introduced to the first pilot port, and a valve body at least partially receivable within a second port of the cylinder, wherein the second inlet/outlet port and the second pilot port are integrally formed as a portion of the valve body.

1 - 23 . (canceled) 
     
     
         24 . A valve system for use with a cylinder having an extensible rod, the valve system comprising:
 a valve body at least partially receivable within an inlet/outlet port of the cylinder; an inlet/outlet port extending from the valve body and in fluid communication with an interior chamber of the valve body; and   a reference indicium located on an exterior surface of the inlet/outlet port for indicating a cut length for a hose attached to the inlet/outlet port.   
     
     
         25 . The valve system of  claim 24 , wherein the reference indicium includes a line at least partially extending around a circumference of the inlet/outlet port. 
     
     
         26 . The valve system of  claim 25 , wherein the reference indicium further includes a textual indicator adjacent the line. 
     
     
         27 . The valve system of  claim 24 , wherein the reference indicium is a first reference indicium, and wherein the valve system further comprises:
 a pilot port extending from the valve body and in fluid communication with the interior chamber of the valve body; and   a second reference indicium located on an exterior surface of the pilot port for indicating a cut length for a hose attached to the pilot port.   
     
     
         28 . The valve system of  claim 27 , wherein the inlet/outlet port and the pilot port are integrally formed as a portion of the valve body. 
     
     
         29 . The valve system of  claim 27 , wherein the hose attached to the pilot port extends into the pilot port. 
     
     
         30 . The valve system of  claim 24 , wherein the hose attached to the inlet/outlet port extends into the inlet/outlet port. 
     
     
         31 . The valve system of  claim 27 , wherein the valve body includes a first valve body portion and a second valve body portion, wherein the first valve body portion is at least partially receivable within the inlet/outlet port of the cylinder and the second valve body portion is rotatable relative to the first body portion. 
     
     
         32 . The valve system of  claim 31 , wherein the pilot port extending from the valve body extends from the second valve body portion. 
     
     
         33 . The valve system of  claim 24 , wherein the reference indicium includes a line, and wherein the cut length corresponds to a stable depth of the inlet/outlet port at which the interface between the hose and the inlet/outlet port minimizes leakage. 
     
     
         34 . The valve system of  claim 33 , further comprising a fitting received in the inlet/outlet port, wherein the fitting includes an O-ring, and wherein the cut length corresponds to a depth in the inlet/outlet port that extends past the O-ring. 
     
     
         35 . The valve system of  claim 34 , wherein the depth is between 0.1 inches and 0.3 inches. 
     
     
         36 . The valve system of  claim 34 , wherein the depth is at least fifty percent of the outside diameter of the hose. 
     
     
         37 . The valve system of  claim 27 , further comprising a fitting received in the pilot port, wherein the fitting includes an O-ring, wherein the second reference indicium includes a line, and wherein the cut length corresponds to a depth in the pilot port that extends past the O-ring. 
     
     
         38 . The valve system of  claim 24 , wherein the reference indicia is etched, engraved, embossed, stamped, or applied via an adhesive or fastener onto an outer surface of the inlet/outlet port. 
     
     
         39 . The valve system of  claim 24 , wherein the valve body includes an opening extending transverse to the inlet/outlet port, the valve system further comprising a flow control valve located within the opening of the valve body. 
     
     
         40 . The valve system of  claim 39 , wherein the flow control valve includes a needle, wherein the needle is configured to transition between an open position and a closed position, wherein, in the open position the flow control valve provides a fluid path between the inlet/outlet port of the cylinder and the inlet/outlet port extending from the valve body. 
     
     
         41 . The valve system of  claim 24 , wherein the valve body is cylindrical and extends from the inlet/outlet port of the cylinder in a first direction, and wherein the inlet/outlet port of the valve body extends in a second direction transverse to the first direction. 
     
     
         42 . The valve system of  claim 24 , wherein the reference indicium at least partially extends in a circumferential direction along an exterior surface of the inlet/outlet port. 
     
     
         43 . The valve system of  claim 24 , wherein the reference indicia is a first reference indicia, and further comprising a pilot port extending from the valve body, having a second reference indicia, and integrally formed with the inlet/outlet port of the valve body, wherein the second reference indicia indicates a cut length dissimilar from the cut length of the first reference indicia.