Patent ID: 7252612

Claim:
An electrically variable transmission comprising: an input member to receive power from an engine; an output member; first and second motor/generators; first and second differential gear sets each having first, second and third members; said input member not being continuously connected with any member of said gear sets, and said output member being continuously connected with a member of said gear sets; an interconnecting member continuously connecting said first member of said first gear set with said first member of said second gear set; said second member of said second gear set being continuously connected with ground; 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 first or second gear set which is different from said member connected with said first motor/generator; a first torque transfer device selectively connecting said input member with a member of said first or second planetary gear set; a second torque transfer device selectively connecting said input member with a member of said first or second planetary gear set, this member being different from the one connected by the first torque transmitting device; a third torque transfer device connected in parallel with one of said motor/generators for braking rotation thereof; and wherein said first, second and third torque transfer devices are engageable singly or in pairs to provide an electrically variable transmission with a continuously variable range of speed ratios and at least three fixed forward speed ratios.