HYDRAULIC DAMPING VALVE

A damping valve (2) for a hydraulic damper (D) comprises a valve housing (4) comprising an inlet chamber (20) and an outlet chamber (22). A valve seat (28) is arranged between the inlet chamber (20) and the outlet chamber (22). A valve element (6) having a cylindrical first portion (8) is slidably received in a cylindrical bore (10) of the valve housing (10). A second portion (30) of the valve element (6) has a valve surface (32) for selectively engaging and disengaging the valve seat (28) to allow passage of hydraulic fluid between the inlet chamber (20) and the outlet chamber (22). A spring element is mounted within the valve housing (4) for biasing the valve element (6) into engagement with the valve seat (28). The bore (10) of the valve housing (4) has a closed end (12) defining a bore chamber (76) between an end (56) of the first portion (8) of the valve element (6) and the closed end (12) of the bore (10). The first portion (8) of the valve element (6) has at least one axially extending passage (50) formed therein and extending from a first aperture (52) at the end (56) of the first portion to at least one second aperture (58) at an opposite end of the first portion (8) and opening into the inlet chamber (20). At least one axially extending channel (70) is formed in a radially inwardly facing surface (66) of the bore (10), a first end (72) of the channel (70) opening into the inlet chamber (20) and a second, opposed end (74) being selectively exposed or closed by the first portion (8) of the valve element (6) as it slides in the bore (10) to selectively communicate the channel (70) with the damping chamber (66).