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 to the third member of the first planetary gear set and the output member is continuously interconnected to the third member of the third planetary gear set;

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

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

six torque transmitting mechanisms each selectively engageable to interconnect one of the first, second, and third members of the planetary gear sets with another one of the first, second, and third members of the planetary gear sets, and a stationary member;

a first of the six torque transmitting mechanisms is selectively engageable to interconnect the third member of the second planetary gear set and the first member of the third planetary gear set with the first member of the second planetary gear set; and

wherein the torque transmitting mechanisms are selectively engageable in combinations of at least three to establish a plurality of 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 second of the six torque transmitting mechanisms is selectively engageable to interconnect the third member of the first planetary gear set with the second member of the third planetary gear set.

3. The transmission of claim 2 wherein a third of the six torque transmitting mechanisms is selectively engageable to interconnect the second member of the first planetary gear set with the third member of the second planetary gear set and the first member of the fourth planetary gear set.

4. The transmission of claim 3 wherein a fourth of the six torque transmitting mechanisms is selectively engageable to interconnect the second member of the first planetary gear set with the second member of the third planetary gear set.

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

6. The transmission of claim 5 wherein a sixth of the six 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 1 wherein the third member of the first planetary gear set and the first members of the 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 second and third planetary gear sets and the first member of the first planetary gear set are ring gears.

8. A transmission comprising:

an input member;

an output member;

first, second, and third planetary gear sets each having a first, a second, and a third member;

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

a sixth 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 three to establish a plurality of forward speed ratios and at least one reverse speed ratio between the input member and the output member.

9. The transmission of claim 8 wherein the input member is continuously interconnected to the third member of the first planetary gear set and the output member is continuously interconnected to the third member of the third planetary gear set.

10. The transmission of claim 9 wherein the third member of the first planetary gear set and the first members of the 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 second and third planetary gear sets and the first member of the first planetary gear set are ring gears.

11. A transmission comprising:

an input member;

an output member;

first, second, and third planetary gear sets each having a first, a second, and a third member;

a plurality of interconnecting members each drivingly connecting one of the first, second, and third members of the planetary gear sets with another one of the first, second, and third members of the planetary gears sets;

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

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

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

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

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

a sixth 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 three to establish a plurality of 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 a first of a plurality of interconnecting member continuously interconnects the first member of the first planetary gear set with the second member of the second planetary gear set.

13. The transmission of claim 12 wherein a second of the plurality of interconnecting members continuously interconnects the third member of the second planetary gear set with the first member of the third planetary gear set.

14. The transmission of claim 13 wherein the input member is continuously interconnected to the third member of the first planetary gear set and the output member is continuously interconnected to the third member of the third planetary gear set.

15. The transmission of claim 14 wherein the third member of the first planetary gear set and the first members of the 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 second and third planetary gear sets and the first member of the first planetary gear set are ring gears.