Patent ID: 8579094

Claim:
A system comprising: a hydraulic fluid delivery subsystem for providing a hydraulic fluid having at least a first and a second pressure level; a solenoid in downstream fluid communication with the hydraulic fluid delivery subsystem, wherein the solenoid has a first operating mode and a second operating mode; a valve assembly in downstream fluid communication with the hydraulic fluid delivery subsystem and the solenoid, the valve assembly having a valve spool movable between a first position and a second position, wherein the valve assembly provides a hydraulic fluid at a third pressure level when the spool valve is in the first position; and a torque converter having a fluid coupling mode and a direct drive mode and having a torque converter inlet in downstream fluid communication with the valve assembly, a torque converter outlet in upstream fluid communication with the valve assembly, a torque converter lock-up clutch, and a clutch actuator in direct downstream fluid communication with the solenoid and operable to engage the torque converter lock-up clutch, wherein when the valve spool is in the first position and the solenoid is in the first operating mode the torque converter receives the hydraulic fluid at the third pressure level to enable the fluid coupling mode, and wherein when the valve spool is in the second position and the solenoid is in the second operating mode the torque converter receives the hydraulic fluid at the first pressure level to prepare for the fluid coupling mode and the clutch actuator receives the hydraulic fluid at the first pressure level to engage the direct drive mode.