Patent ID: 7604563

Claim:
A multi-speed transmission comprising: an input member and an output member; multiple planetary gear sets including a first planetary gear set having a first, a second and a third member, and interconnected second, third, and forth planetary gear sets having member, and interconnected second, third, and fourth planetary gear sets having a fourth, a fifth, a sixth, a seventh, and an eighth member; seven torque-transmitting mechanisms including three rotating clutches selectively connecting selected ones of the members of the first planetary gear set to selected ones of the members of the interconnected second, third, and fourth planetary gear sets, one rotating clutch selectively connecting the input member with one of the members of the interconnected second, third, and fourth planetary gear sets, said seven torque-transmitting mechanisms also including three brakes grounding selected ones of the members of the interconnected second, third, and fourth planetary gear sets to a stationary member; wherein one of the members of the first planetary gear set is continuously grounded to the stationary member; wherein the input member is connected with one of the members of the first planetary gear set; wherein the output member is connected with one of the members of the interconnected second, third, and fourth planetary gear sets; and wherein the torque-transmitting mechanisms are engagable in different combinations to provide at least eight forward speed ratios and a reverse speed ratio between the input member and the output member.