Lock-up type torque converter

A lock-up type torque converter, comprising:

• a pump impeller associated with an input shaft;
• a turbine runner associated with an output shaft;
• a lock-up clutch capable of directly connecting said input and output shafts, said lock-up clutch further having an orifice formed therein in the vicinity of a facing thereof, said orifice communicating with a fluid chamber of said lock-up clutch and a converter fluid chamber;
• and
• flow restriction means for adjusting a flow rate through said orifice in a temperature dependent manner and mounted on a surface of said lock-up clutch proximate said orifice, said flow restriction means comprising a temperature sensitive arm portion mounted on said surface and having, at an end opposite a mounted end, a shutter portion arranged such that said flow restriction means is operable in at least three modes wherein, at substantially low fluid temperatures said arm portion is caused to bend in a first direction such that said shutter portion completely covers said orifice and, at medium fluid temperatures said arm assumes a relatively straight, neutral configuration whereat said shutter partially covers said orifice to allow partially restricted fluid flow therethrough and, at substantially high fluid temperatures said arm portion is caused to bend in a second direction opposite said first direction such that said shutter portion is moved completely away from said orifice so as to allow unrestricted flow of fluid through said orifice.