Patent ID: 8083632

Claim:
A multi-speed transmission comprising: an input member; an output member; a first planetary gear set having a first member, a second member, and a third member; a second and a third planetary gear set; wherein said second planetary gear set has a first sun gear member, a first carrier member and a first set of elongated pinion gears; wherein said third planetary gear set has a second sun gear member, a second carrier member, a second set of pinion gears and a ring gear member; wherein said first carrier member is integral with said second carrier member such that both of said carrier members rotatably support said first set of elongated pinion gears and said second set of pinion gears; wherein said first set of elongated pinion gears intermeshes with said first sun gear member, with said ring gear member and with said second set of pinion gears; wherein said second set of pinion gears intermeshes with said second sun gear member; wherein said input member is continuously connected for rotation with said first member and said output member is continuously connected for rotation with said ring gear member of said third planetary gear set; a first torque-transmitting mechanism selectively engagable to ground said first sun gear member of said second planetary gear set to a stationary member; a second torque-transmitting mechanism selectively engagable to connect said second member for common rotation with said first sun gear member of said second planetary gear set; a third torque-transmitting mechanism selectively engagable to connect said first member for common rotation with said first and second carrier members; a fourth torque-transmitting mechanism selectively engagable to connect said third member with said stationary member; a fifth torque-transmitting mechanism selectively engagable to connect said second member for common rotation with said second sun gear member of said third planetary gear set; a sixth torque-transmitting mechanism selectively engagable to connect said first and second carrier members with said stationary member; a seventh torque-transmitting mechanism selectively engagable to connect said third member for common rotation with said first sun gear member of said second planetary gear set; and wherein said torque-transmitting mechanisms are engaged in combinations of at least three to establish eight forward speed ratios and a reverse speed ratio between said input member and said output member.