Patent ID: 7100753

Claim:
A torque converter clutch apply valve for use in combination with the valve body of a transmission, said apply valve regulating application of the torque converter clutch responsive to fluid pressure in a torque converter clutch signal circuit, said apply valve comprising: an apply valve piston having primary and secondary control lands formed thereon, said primary control land having at least one annular seal groove formed therein, said valve piston further including an internal fluid gallery formed in fluid communication with said seal groove and with the torque converter clutch signal circuit; an expandable seal disposed within said seal groove such that said seal is urged radially outward by fluid pressure delivered through said internal fluid gallery from the torque converter clutch signal circuit simultaneously with the application of the torque converter clutch; and centering means formed on said secondary control land for maintaining said valve piston in coaxial relation to a cylindrical bore thereby preventing side-loading.