Patent ID: 7621385

Claim:
A torque converter for an automatic transmission comprising: a torque converter housing; an electronically controlled converter clutch disposed within the torque converter housing; a release passage in fluid communication with the electronically controlled converter clutch, the release passage defined between standard functional torque converter components, the release passage configured to transfer hydraulic fluid to release the electronically controlled converter clutch; an apply passage in fluid communication with the electronically controlled converter clutch, the apply passage defined between standard functional torque converter components, the apply passage configured to transfer hydraulic fluid to engage the electronically controlled converter clutch; and a piston defining a first cavity and a second cavity and configured to selectively engage the electronically controlled converter clutch; wherein the first cavity is in fluid communication with the apply passage such that hydraulic fluid is applied from the apply passage to the piston to engage the electronically controlled converter clutch; wherein the second cavity is in fluid communication with the release passage such that hydraulic fluid is applied from the release passage to the piston to release the electronically controlled converter clutch; wherein the electronically controlled converter clutch is characterized by the absence of a dedicated hydraulic supply line to control the piston; wherein the piston includes one or more orifices configured to permit the transfer of a predetermined amount of hydraulic fluid through the piston in order to facilitate the circulation of hydraulic fluid and thereby cool the torque converter; wherein the piston includes one or more one-way valves configured to permit the transfer of hydraulic fluid in a first direction from the second cavity to the first cavity through the piston, and to restrict the transfer of hydraulic fluid in an opposite direction from the first cavity to the second cavity through the piston; wherein the transfer of hydraulic fluid from the second cavity to the first cavity in the first direction is only through the one or more orifices and the one or more one-way valves such that the piston is disengaged from the electronically controlled converter clutch; wherein the transfer of hydraulic fluid from the first cavity to the second cavity in the opposite direction is only through the one or more orifices such that the piston engages the electronically controlled converter clutch.