Fluid pump

An inlet valve assembly of a fluid pump of an internal combustion engine, the inlet valve assembly comprising:

• an inlet valve member that is movable between a closed position and an open position, wherein in the closed position the inlet valve member is arranged to block a pump chamber inlet to prevent fluid from entering or exiting a pump chamber of the fluid pump through the pump chamber inlet, and wherein in the open position the inlet valve member is arranged to allow fluid to enter or exit the pump chamber through the pump chamber inlet;
• an armature that is attached to the inlet valve member such that movement of the armature causes movement of the inlet valve member;
• a first biasing means configured to bias the inlet valve member in a first direction, d1, towards the open position, when the inlet valve member is in the closed position;
• and
• a second biasing means configured to reduce the speed of the inlet valve member when the inlet valve member is moving in the first direction, d1, towards the open position, wherein the second biasing means is configured to exert a force on the inlet valve member that acts in a second direction, d2, opposed to the first direction, d1, during at least a portion of travel of the inlet valve member from the closed position to the open position.