Power transmission with friction launch torque transmitting mechanism in forward and reverse

A power transmission for use in a powertrain having an engine for providing rotary power to the transmission, said transmission comprising:

• an input shaft continuously drivingly connected with the engine for rotation therewith;
• an output shaft;
• a first planetary gear set having a first member, a second member, and a third member, said first member being continuously drivingly connected with said engine through said input shaft;
• a first selectively engageable torque transmitting mechanism operatively connected with said second member of said first planetary gear set and being controllably engageable to establish said second member as a reaction member in said first planetary gear set to thereby establish said third member as an output member of said first planetary gear set for delivering output torque therefrom during launch establishing ratios in both a first forward drive ratio and a reverse drive ratio;
• a second planetary gear set connected in downstream powerflow relation of said first planetary gear set and between said first planetary gear set and said output shaft for further modifying the torque output of said first planetary gear set;
• a third planetary gear set connected in downstream powerflow relation with said first planetary gear set and being interconnected with said second planetary gear set, said third planetary gear set having at least first and second members with said second member being continuously connected with said output shaft;
• a second selectively engageable stationary torque transmitting mechanism operatively connected with a first member of said second planetary gear set;
• a third selectively engageable stationary torque transmitting mechanism operatively connected with said first member of said third planetary gear set;
• and
• said second torque transmitting mechanism being selectively fully engaged prior to selective engagement of said first torque transmitting mechanism during said reverse drive ratio, said third torque transmitting mechanism being selectively fully engaged prior to selective engagement of said first torque transmitting mechanism during said first forward drive ratio, and both of said second and third planetary gear sets being active in combination with said first planetary gear set to establish said reverse drive ratio and said first forward drive ratio.