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;

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

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

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

four torque transmitting mechanisms each selectively engageable to interconnect at least one of the first, second and third members of the first, second and third planetary gear sets with at least one other of the first, second, third members and a stationary member, and

wherein the torque transmitting mechanisms are selectively engageable in combinations of at least two to establish at least five 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 four torque transmitting mechanisms is selectively engageable to interconnect the third member of the second planetary gear set with the third member of the third planetary gear set and the input member.

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

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

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

6. The transmission of claim 1 wherein the first member of the first planetary gear set, the third member of the second planetary gear set and the third member of the third planetary gear set are sun gears, the second members of the first and third planetary gear sets and the first member of the second planetary gear set are carrier members and the third member of the first planetary gear set, the second member of the second planetary gear set and the first member of the third planetary gear set are ring gears.

7. The transmission of claim 1 wherein two of the torque transmitting mechanisms are brakes for connecting a plurality of the first, second, and third members to the stationary member and two of the torque transmitting mechanisms are clutches for connecting at least one of the first, second, and third members of the first, second and third planetary gear sets to at least one other of the first, second and third members.

8. The transmission of claim 1 wherein the input member is continuously interconnected to the third member of the third planetary gear set.

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

10. A transmission comprising:

an input member;

an output member;

first, second and third planetary gear sets each having first, second and third members;

a plurality of interconnecting members each connecting for common rotation one of the first, second and third members of the first, second and third planetary gear sets with another one of the first, second, third members and a stationary member;

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

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

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

a fourth torque transmitting mechanism selectively engageable to interconnect the first member of the first 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 five forward speed ratios and at least one reverse speed ratio between the input member and the output member.

11. The transmission of claim 10 wherein a first of the plurality of interconnecting member continuously interconnects the third member of the first planetary gear set with the second member of the second planetary gear set.

12. The transmission of claim 11 wherein a second of the plurality of interconnecting members continuously interconnects the second member of the first planetary gear set with the first member of the second planetary gear set.

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

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

15. The transmission of claim 10 wherein two of the torque transmitting mechanisms are brakes for connecting a plurality of the first, second, and third members to the stationary member and two of the torque transmitting mechanisms are clutches for connecting at least one of the first, second, and third members of the first, second and third planetary gear sets to at least one other of the first, second and third members.

16. The transmission of claim 10 wherein the input member is continuously interconnected to the third member of the third planetary gear set.

17. The transmission of claim 10 wherein the output member is continuously interconnected to the second member of the third planetary gear set.