Patent ID: 8388489

Claim:
A multi-ratio automatic transmission for a vehicle, the transmission having a single planetary gear set, a plurality of friction elements for coupling components of the planetary gear set between an input and an output of the transmission in different configurations so as to achieve a plurality of forward drive ratios, and a control system for selectively engaging/disengaging the friction elements in different combinations to effect selection of the ratios, wherein the friction elements include first and second clutches mounted between the input and the planetary gear set, and wherein power flow in each of the forward drive ratios is transmitted from the input to the planetary gear set via at least one of the first and second clutches, wherein, when in a first gear state of a first ratio, the second clutch is engaged, a first brake clutch is engaged, and the other friction elements are disengaged, wherein when in an alternative gear state of the first ratio, a second clutch is engaged, and the other friction elements are disengaged.