US Patent 7591352 Damping valve and shock absorber using same

A damping valve (102) comprises: a first valve element (16); a first valve seat (15) in which the first valve element (16) is seated; a second valve element (26) placed in series with the first valve element (16); a second valve seat (25), placed between the first and second valve elements (16) and (26), in which the second valve element (26) is seated; an biasing mechanism (30) for biasing the second valve element (26) toward the second valve seat (25) and biasing the first valve element (16) toward the first valve seat (15) via the second valve element (26); a first liquid chamber (106); a second liquid chamber (104); and a third liquid chamber (107).