Selectable torque path torque converter architecture

An architecture for coupling the 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;
• 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;
• and
• 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.