Selectable torque path torque converter architecture

An architecture for coupling an output of a prime mover to a device to be driven thereby, the architecture comprising:

• a selectable switching device configured to be coupled to the output of the prime mover, the selectable switching device also being selectively and alternately coupled in one of a first state and a second state;
• a torque transfer device, the torque transfer device having an input and an intermediate output member;
• a terminal output member, the intermediate output member being coupled to the terminal output member;
• a synchronizing device coupled between the torque transfer device and the output of the prime mover;
• and
• in the first state the selectable switching device coupling the output of the prime mover with the torque transfer device, whereby the torque transfer device is rotatably driven by the prime mover and the terminal output member is rotatably driven by the torque transfer device;
• in the second state the selectable switching device coupling the output of the prime mover with the terminal output member, whereby the terminal output member is rotatably driven by the prime mover and the torque transfer device rotatably disconnected from the prime mover and is not rotatably driven.

An architecture for coupling an output member of a prime mover to device to be driven thereby, the architecture comprising:

• an input member configured to be coupled to the output member of the prime mover;
• a torque transfer device;
• a terminal output member, the terminal output member configured to be coupled to the device to be driven;
• a selectable switching device coupled between the input member and the torque transfer device and between the input member and the terminal output member;
• the selectable switching device being engageable in a first state wherein the input member is rotatably connected to the torque transfer device and the torque transfer device rotatably drives the terminal output member in rotation;
• and
• the selectable switching device being engageable in a second state wherein the input member is rotatably connected to the terminal output member and the input member drives the terminal output member in rotation, in the second state the input member being rotatably disconnected from the torque transfer device whereby the torque transfer device is not rotatably driven by the input member.