Methods and systems for improving the operation of transmissions for motor vehicles

In a torque converter check valve for an automotive transmission, said torque converter check valve including a valve element, a housing having at least one planar side for said valve element, a resilient element acting on said valve element to move said valve element in said housing in a first direction, said valve element being movable in said housing in a second direction upon the application of hydraulic pressure to said valve element, said valve element being movable in said housing between a fully opened position and a fully closed position, said fully opened position and said fully closed position being separated by a predetermined distance, said resilient element being expanded when said valve element moves in said first direction, and said resilient element being compressed when said valve element moves in said second direction, the improvement comprising a separate spacer element directly mounted on said valve element and conjointly movable with said valve element for limiting movement of said valve element to prevent said valve element from moving into said fully opened position;

• said valve element and said spacer element being arranged such that when said valve element is moved from said fully closed position in a direction towards said fully opened position, said spacer element abuts against said at least one planar side of said housing before said valve element moves said predetermined distance into said fully opened position so that said valve element is not in said fully opened position when said valve element is moved a maximum distance in a direction towards said fully opened position;
• said resilient element arranged to be in direct contact with said at least one planar side of said housing.

In a torque converter check valve for an automotive transmission, said torque converter check valve including a valve element, a housing having at least one planar side for said valve element, a resilient element acting on said valve element for moving said valve element between a fully opened position and a fully closed position, said fully opened position and said fully closed position being separated by a predetermined distance, said valve element being movable in said housing by hydraulic pressure applied to said valve element, said hydraulic pressure applied to said valve element exceeding said resilient force applied to said valve element when said valve element is moved in a direction from said fully closed position towards said fully opened position wherein said resilient element is compressed when said valve element is moved in a direction from said fully closed position towards said fully opened position, the improvement comprising a separate spacer element directly mounted on said valve element and conjointly movable with said valve element for limiting the distance travelled by said valve element towards said fully opened position for preventing said valve element from moving into said fully opened position when said valve element is moved in a direction from said fully closed position towards said fully opened position, said valve element and said spacer element being arranged such that when said valve element moves from said fully closed position in a direction towards said fully opened position, said spacer element abuts against said at least one planar side of said housing before said valve element moves said predetermined distance so that said valve element is not in said fully opened position when said valve element moves a maximum distance in a direction towards said fully opened position, said resilient element arranged to be in direct contact with said at least one planar side of said housing, wherein said spacer element reduces the degree to which said resilient element is compressed when said valve element is moved in said direction towards said fully opened position.