The invention relates to a valve unit (26). The valve unit (26) comprises a valve body (48) presenting an inlet (58) adapted for
coupling with a source of pressurized gas (24) and an outlet (60) adapted for
coupling with a gas
receiver (30), and a shiftable valve member (56). The shiftable valve member (56) includes a
piston seal holder (136) and an inner body section (140), and the shiftable valve member is located within said body (48) between said inlet (58) and said outlet (60) and is shiftable between a closed, gas flow-blocking position and a valve open position permitting flow of gas from said source (24) to said
receiver (30). Said member (56) is normally maintained in said closed position against a
valve opening force exerted there against by said source of pressurized gas (24). The valve unit (26) further comprises a spring (186) located within a spring chamber (64) operable to bias said inner body section (140) toward the valve open position, a first operating surface (S1) forming a part of said
piston seal holder (136) that is exposed to said pressurized gas from said source (24), a modulation chamber (182) formed between at least a part of a second operating surface (S2) and adjacent portions of said valve body (48), a passageway (168) communicating said source (24) with said modulation chamber, pressurized gas from said source (24) exerting a valve closing force on said second operating surface (S2), and an
actuator (50) operable upon actuation thereof to cause said shiftable valve member (56) to shift to the valve open position, gas from said source (24) to be delivered to said
receiver, and gas from said modulation chamber to be drained therefrom.