Patent ID: 7479082

Claim:
An electrically variable transmission comprising: an input member to receive power from an engine; an output member; first, second and third motor/generators; first, second and third differential gear sets each having first, second and third members; said input member being continuously connected with a member of said first, second or third gear set, and said output member being continuously connected with another member of said first, second or third gear set; a first interconnecting member continuously connecting said first member of said first gear set with said first member of said second gear set; a second interconnecting member continuously connecting said second member of said first gear set with said second member of said second gear set; a third interconnecting member continuously connecting said third member of said second gear set with said first member of said third gear set; a first brake selectively connecting at least one member of said first, second or third gear set with a stationary member; said first motor/generator being continuously connected with a member of said first or second gear set; said second motor/generator being continuously connected with a member of said second or third gear set; said third motor/generator being continuously connected with another member of said first or third gear set; wherein said brake and first, second and third motor/generators are operable in a coordinated fashion to provide an electrically variable transmission with a continuously variable range of speed ratios between said input member and said output member.