Selectable torque path torque converter

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

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

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

• an input member configured to be connected to the output member of the prime mover;
• an output member configured to be connected to the input member of the device to be driven;
• a torque converter having an impeller and a turbine defining a fluid coupling for transferring torque therethrough, the torque converter having an output member connected to the output member of the architecture;
• a direct drive connection member connected to the output member of the architecture and defining a mechanical coupling for transferring torque to the output member of the architecture;
• and
• a dynamically controllable clutch connected to the 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 an 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 the 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 input member and the output member of the architecture is rotatably driven by an output of the torque converter, when the dynamically controllable clutch is coupled to the direct drive connection member the direct drive connection member is driven by the input member, the output member is rotatably driven by the direct drive connection and the torque converter is rotatably disconnected from the input member and undriven.