Patent ID: 7677373

Claim:
A method of controlling a torque converter comprising: providing a hydraulic circuit having a first line, a second line, a lock-up clutch regulator control valve, a pressure regulator valve and a torque converter; and utilizing said lock-up clutch regulator control valve to selectively direct fluid to said torque converter to cause a hydrodynamic condition in said torque converter or to selectively direct fluid to said pressure regulator valve, also connected to said torque converter, to control a lock-up condition in said torque converter; wherein during said hydrodynamic condition said lock-up clutch regulator control valve directs fluid to said torque converter to separate a lock-up plate from an impeller cover, said lock-up clutch regulator valve directing no fluid to said pressure regulator valve; and wherein during said lock-up clutch condition said lock-up clutch regulator control valve directs fluid to said pressure regulator valve to increase pressure in said torque converter so that said lock-up plate is urged onto said impeller cover, said lock-up clutch regulator control valve directing no fluid to said torque converter to separate said lock-up plate from said impeller cover.