Multi-speed transmission having three planetary gear sets

1. A transmission comprising:

an input member;

an output member;

first, second, and third planetary gear sets each having first, second and third members, wherein the input member is continuously interconnected with the first member of the second planetary gear set;

a first interconnecting member continuously interconnecting the first member of the first planetary gear set to a stationary member;

a second interconnecting member continuously interconnecting the third member of the first planetary gear set with the third member of the second planetary gear set;

a third interconnecting member continuously interconnecting the second member of the first planetary gear set with the third member of the third planetary gear set; and

five torque transmitting mechanisms each selectively engageable to interconnect at least one of the first, second, and third members with at least one other of the first, second, third members and the stationary member, and

wherein the torque transmitting mechanisms are selectively engageable in combinations of at least two to establish at least seven forward speed ratios and at least one reverse speed ratio between the input member and the output member.

2. The transmission of claim 1 wherein a first of the five torque transmitting mechanisms is selectively engageable to interconnect at least one of the first member of the second planetary gear set and the input member with the first member of the third planetary gear set.

3. The transmission of claim 2 wherein a second of the five torque transmitting mechanisms is selectively engageable to interconnect at least one of the first member of the second planetary gear set and the input member with the second member of the third planetary gear set.

4. The transmission of claim 3 wherein a third of the five torque transmitting mechanisms is selectively engageable to interconnect at least one of the third member of the first planetary gear set and the third member of the second planetary gear set with the second member of the third planetary gear set.

5. The transmission of claim 4 wherein a fourth of the five torque transmitting mechanisms is selectively engageable to interconnect the second member of the second planetary gear set with the first member of the third planetary gear set.

6. The transmission of claim 5 wherein a fifth of the five torque transmitting mechanisms is selectively engageable to interconnect the second member of the third planetary gear set with the stationary member.

7. The transmission of claim 6 wherein the first members of the first, second and third planetary gear sets are sun gears, the second members of the first, second and third planetary gear sets are carrier members, and the third members of the first, second and third planetary gear sets are ring gears.

8. The transmission of claim 1 wherein one of the torque transmitting mechanisms is a brake for connecting at least one of the first, second, and third members to the stationary member and four of the torque transmitting mechanisms are clutches for connecting a set of the first, second, and third members to another set of the first, second, and third members.

9. The transmission of claim 1 wherein the output member is continuously interconnected with the second member of the second planetary gear set.

10. The transmission of claim 1 wherein the stationary member is a transmission housing.

11. A transmission comprising:

an input member;

an output member;

first, second, and third planetary gear sets each having first, second and third members, wherein the input member is continuously interconnected to the first member of the second planetary gear set and the output member is continuously interconnected to the second member of the second planetary gear set;

a first interconnecting member continuously interconnecting the first member of the first planetary gear set to a stationary member;

a second interconnecting member continuously interconnecting the third member of the first planetary gear set with the third member of the second planetary gear set;

a third interconnecting member continuously interconnecting the second member of the first planetary gear set with the third member of the third planetary gear set; and

a first torque transmitting mechanism selectively engageable to interconnect at least one of the first member of the second planetary gear set and the input member with the first member of the third planetary gear set;

a second torque transmitting mechanism selectively engageable to interconnect at least one of the first member of the second planetary gear set and the input member with the second member of the third planetary gear set;

a third torque transmitting mechanism selectively engageable to interconnect at least one of the third member of the first planetary gear set and the third member of the second planetary gear set with the second member of the third planetary gear set;

a fourth torque transmitting mechanism selectively engageable to interconnect the second member of the second planetary gear set with the first member of the third planetary gear set; and

a fifth torque transmitting mechanism selectively engageable to interconnect the second member of the third planetary gear set with the stationary member, and

wherein the torque transmitting mechanisms are selectively engageable in combinations of at least two to establish at least seven forward speed ratios and at least one reverse speed ratio between the input member and the output member.

12. The transmission of claim 11 wherein the first members of the first, second and third planetary gear sets are sun gears, the second members of the first, second and third planetary gear sets are carrier members, and the third members of the first, second and third planetary gear sets are ring gears.

13. The transmission of claim 11 wherein the stationary member is a transmission housing.

14. A transmission comprising:

an input member;

an output member;

first, second, and third planetary gear sets each having a sun gear, a carrier member, and a ring gear, wherein the input member is continuously interconnected to the sun gear of the second planetary gear set;

a first interconnecting member continuously interconnecting the sun gear of the first planetary gear set to a stationary member;

a second interconnecting member continuously interconnecting the ring gear of the first planetary gear set with the ring gear of the second planetary gear set;

a third interconnecting member continuously interconnecting the carrier member of the first planetary gear set with the ring gear of the third planetary gear set; and

a first torque transmitting mechanism selectively engageable to interconnect at least one of the sun gear of the second planetary gear set and the input member with the sun gear of the third planetary gear set;

a second torque transmitting mechanism selectively engageable to interconnect at least one of the sun gear of the second planetary gear set and the input member with the carrier member of the third planetary gear set;

a third torque transmitting mechanism selectively engageable to interconnect at least one of the ring gear of the first planetary gear set and the ring gear of the second planetary gear set with the carrier member of the third planetary gear set;

a fourth torque transmitting mechanism selectively engageable to interconnect the carrier member of the second planetary gear set with the sun gear of the third planetary gear set; and

a fifth torque transmitting mechanism selectively engageable to interconnect the carrier member of the third planetary gear set with the stationary member, and

wherein the torque transmitting mechanisms are selectively engageable in combinations of at least two to establish at least seven forward speed ratios and at least one reverse speed ratio between the input member and the output member.

15. The transmission of claim 14 the output member is continuously interconnected to the carrier member of the second planetary gear set.

16. The transmission of claim 15 wherein the stationary member is a transmission housing.