Selectable torque path torque converter

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

• an architecture input member configured to be connected to the prime mover output member;
• an architecture output member configured to be connected to the driven device input member;
• a torque transfer device defining an indirect coupling transferring torque therethrough, the torque transfer device having a torque transfer device output member connected to the architecture output member;
• a direct drive connection member providing a direct coupling transferring torque therethrough, the direct drive connection member being connected to the architecture output member of the architecture;
• and
• a dynamically controllable clutch connected to the architecture input member and being selectively and alternately coupled to rotationally drive one of the torque transfer device and the direct drive connection member;
• whereby when the dynamically controllable clutch is coupled to the torque transfer device, the torque transfer device is rotatably driven by the architecture input member and the architecture output member is rotatably driven by the torque transfer device, when the dynamically controllable clutch is coupled to the direct drive connection member the direct drive connection member is driven by the architecture input member, the architecture output member is rotatably driven by the direct drive connection member and the torque transfer device is rotatably disconnected from the architecture input member and undriven;
• and
• an electric friction clutch coupled between the dynamically controllable clutch and a torque transfer input of the torque transfer device.

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

• an architecture input member configured to be connected to the prime mover output member;
• an architecture output member configured to be connected to the driven device input member;
• a torque converter having a rotatable cover enclosing an impeller and a turbine, the impeller and turbine defining a fluid coupling for transferring torque therethrough, the torque converter having a torque converter output member connected to the architecture output member;
• a direct drive connection member connected to the architecture output member and defining a mechanical coupling for transferring torque to the architecture output member;
• and
• a dynamically controllable clutch located exteriorly of the rotatable cover of the torque converter, the dynamically controllable clutch including an actuator, the dynamically controllable clutch being connected to the architecture input member and being selectively and alternately coupled to rotationally drive the torque converter in a first position of the actuator and the direct drive connection member in a second position of the actuator;
• whereby when the dynamically controllable clutch is coupled to the torque converter, the torque converter is rotatably driven by the architecture input member and the architecture output member is rotatably driven by the torque converter output member, when the dynamically controllable clutch is coupled to the direct drive connection member the direct drive connection member is driven by the architecture input member, the architecture output member is rotatably driven by the direct drive connection member and the torque converter is rotatably disconnected from the architecture input member and undriven.

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

• an architecture input member configured to be connected to the prime mover output member;
• an architecture output member configured to be connected to the driven device input member;
• a torque converter having an impeller and a turbine defining a fluid coupling for transferring torque therethrough, the torque converter having a torque converter output member connected to the architecture output member;
• a direct drive connection member connected to the architecture output member and defining a mechanical coupling for transferring torque to the architecture output member;
• and
• a dynamically controllable clutch connected to the architecture input member and being selectively and alternately mechanically coupled to rotationally drive one of the torque converter and the direct drive connection member;
• an electric friction clutch coupled between the dynamically controllable clutch and a torque converter input of the torque converter, the electric friction clutch including a first set of friction plates and a second set of friction plates, a translator configured to compress the first and second sets of friction plates against one another, one of the first and second sets of friction plates being supported by the dynamically controllable clutch and rotatable therewith, the other of the first and second sets of friction plates being supported by an indirect drive connection member and rotatable therewith;
• and
• whereby when the dynamically controllable clutch is coupled to the torque converter, the torque converter is rotatably driven by the architecture input member and the architecture output member is rotatably driven by the torque converter output member, when the dynamically controllable clutch is coupled to the direct drive connection member the direct drive connection member is driven by the architecture input member, the architecture output member is rotatably driven by the direct drive connection member and the torque converter is rotatably disconnected from the architecture input member and undriven.