Patent ID: 8100801

Claim:
A multi-speed hybrid transmission comprising: an input member; an output member; first, second and third planetary gear sets each having first, second and third members, said gear sets being positioned along first and second axes; an interconnecting member continuously connecting said third member of said second planetary gear set with said first member of said third planetary gear set; wherein no other one of said members of said second planetary gear set is continuously connected with any other one of said members of said third planetary gear set; first, second and third external gear sets positioned for transferring torque between said first and second axes, said first, second and third external gear sets each including first and second intermeshed external gears; a motor/generator operatively connected with said first external gear of said second external gear set; five torque-transmitting devices each of which selectively interconnects a respective one of said members of said planetary gear sets or a respective one of said first and second external gears of said three external gear sets with a stationary member, with said input member, with another respective one of said members of said planetary gear sets, or with another respective one of said first and second external gears of said three external gear sets, said five torque-transmitting devices being engaged in combinations of three to establish at least eight forward speed ratios and at least one reverse speed ratio between said input member and said output member; and wherein one of said five torque-transmitting devices is operable for selectively interconnecting said second member of said second planetary gear set with said third member of said third planetary gear set for rotation at the same speed.