Clip for Limiting Motion of a Torque Converter Clutch Regulator Valve
OwnerSteven W. Youngerinventor
Life of this patent
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Abstract
An apparatus and method for repairing an automatic transmission. Access is obtained to the valve body and a special shaped Torque Converter Clutch (TCC) regulator apply valve clip is inserted against a TCC regulator apply valve to hold a TCC regulator apply valve in a fully open position. The clip is dished to avoid wear when engaging the TCC regulator apply valve and has an asymmetric top portion which cooperates with the shape of the valve body chamber the TCC regulator apply valve clip is inserted into, to ensure proper placement.
Claims19
A method for repairing an automatic transmission, the method comprising:
- removing an automatic transmission oil sump pan from the automatic transmission;
- removing a valve body exposed by removing the oil sump pan from the automatic transmission and separating the valve body from a separator plate;
- positioning a Torque Converter Clutch (TCC) regulator apply valve in an open position to align a spool area of the TCC regulator apply valve with an open chamber of the valve body;
- inserting a TCC regulator apply valve clip into the open chamber of the valve body to engage the spool area of the TCC regulator apply valve thereby holding the TCC regulator apply valve in the open position;
- reinstalling the valve body and separator plate;
- and
- reinstalling the automatic transmission oil sump pan.
A TCC regulator apply valve clip for repairing an automatic transmission, the TCC regulator apply valve clip comprising:
- a height H between 0.945 inches and 1.155 inches;
- an asymmetric top portion having a width W1 of between 0.625 inches and 0.69 inches;
- a left side;
- a right side;
- a center portion having an interior width of approximately 0.14 inches;
- a vertical centerline of the center portion;
- and
- a bottom portion having legs extending down from the center portion.
A repaired automatic transmission comprising:
- a valve body including:
- a TCC regulator apply valve held in an open position;
- and
- a chamber intersecting a spool area of the TCC regulator apply valve;
- a TCC regulator apply valve clip residing in the chamber and straddling the spool area of the TCC regulator apply valve, the TCC regulator apply valve clip comprising:
- a left side;
- a right side;
- a narrow center portion having an inside width W2 for engaging the spool area of the TCC regulator apply valve;
- a bottom portion extending down from the center portion and having a width W3, W3 wider than W2;
- and
- a height H,
- wherein a width W3 of the bottom portion and the height H are sufficient to resist the TCC regulator apply valve clip from slipping off the spool area of the TCC regulator apply valve.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.