Patent ID: 7824298

Claim:
A multi-speed transmission comprising: an input member; an output member; first, second and third planetary gear sets each having first, second and third members; a first interconnecting member continuously connecting said second member of said first planetary gear set with said third member of said second planetary gear set; wherein said first, second, and third members of said first, second, and third planetary gear sets include a sun gear member, a planet carrier assembly member, and a ring gear member; wherein said second member of said first planetary gear set is said planet carrier assembly member of said first planetary gear set and said third member of said second planetary gear set is said ring gear member of said second planetary gear set; a second interconnecting member continuously connecting said second member of said second planetary gear set with said second member of said third planetary gear set; wherein said second member of said second planetary gear set is said planet carrier assembly member of said second planetary gear set and said second member of said third planetary gear set is said planet carrier assembly member of said third planetary gear set; six torque-transmitting devices each of which selectively interconnects a respective one of said members of said planetary gear sets with one of another respective one of said members of said planetary gear sets and with a stationary member, said six 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; wherein said input member is continuously interconnected with said first member of said first planetary gear set, and said output member is continuously interconnected with said third member of said third planetary gear set; wherein said first member of said first planetary gear set is said sun gear member of said first planetary gear set; and wherein said third member of said third planetary gear set is said ring gear member of said third planetary gear set.