Patent ID: 7163484

Claim:
A multi-speed transmission comprising: an input shaft; an output shaft; first, second, third and fourth planetary gear sets each having a first, a second and a third member, said members including a sun gear member, a ring gear member and a planet carrier assembly member; said input shaft being continuously connected with a member of said planetary gear sets and said output shaft being continuously connected with another member of said planetary gear sets; a first interconnecting member continuously interconnecting said first member of said first planetary gear set with said first member of said second planetary gear set; a second interconnecting member continuously interconnecting said second member of said first planetary gear set with said second member of said second planetary gear set; a third interconnecting member continuously interconnecting said first member of said third planetary gear set with said first member of said fourth planetary gear set; a fourth interconnecting member continuously interconnecting said second member of said third planetary gear set with said second member of said fourth planetary gear set; a fifth interconnecting member continuously interconnecting one of said second and said third members of said second planetary gear set with said third member of said fourth planetary gear set; and seven torque-transmitting mechanisms, operable for selectively interconnecting said members of said planetary gear sets with said input shaft, with a stationary member or with other members of said planetary gear sets, said seven torque-transmitting mechanisms being engaged in combinations of two to establish at least eight forward speed ratios and at least one reverse speed ratio between said input shaft and said output shaft.