Pressure regulator valve assembly for improved fluid flow in automatic transmission

An automatic transmission comprising:

• a hydraulic pump;
• a torque converter;
• and
• a pressure regulator valve assembly disposed between the hydraulic pump and the torque converter and configured to control fluid flow between the hydraulic pump and the torque converter, the pressure regulator valve assembly comprising:
• a valve body;
• a valve chamber within the valve body;
• a valve piston disposed within the valve chamber, the valve piston having a valve channel;
• and
• a check valve disposed within the valve channel,
• wherein the check valve is operable to permit fluid flow in the valve channel in a first direction from the hydraulic pump to the torque converter and substantially prevent fluid flow in the valve channel in a second direction from the torque converter to the hydraulic pump.