Eight speed planetary kinematic arrangement with two rotating clutches

A multiple speed power transmission, comprising:

• first (20, 80, or 90), second (30), third (40), and fourth (50) epicylic gearing assemblies each comprising first, second, and third rotating elements, wherein:
• the second rotating element of the first epicyclic gearing assembly (26, 84, or 94) is connected to the first rotating element of the second epicyclic gearing assembly (32);
• the second rotating element of the second epicyclic gearing assembly (36) is connected to the third rotating element of the third epicyclic gearing assembly (44);
• and
• the third rotating element of the first epicyclic gearing assembly (24, 86, or 92), the second rotating element of the third epicyclic gearing assembly (46), and the third rotating element of the fourth epicyclic gearing assembly (54) are mutually connected;
• a gearbox input shaft (10) connected to the first rotating element of the third epicyclic gearing assembly (42);
• an output shaft (12) connected to the third rotating element of the second epicyclic gearing assembly (34) and the second rotating element of the fourth epicyclic gearing assembly (56);
• a first clutch (60) for releasably connecting gearbox input shaft (10) to the first rotating element of the first epicyclic gearing assembly (22, 82, or 96);
• a second clutch (62) for releasably connecting gearbox input shaft (10) to the third rotating element of the first epicyclic gearing assembly (24, 86, or 92), the second rotating element of the third epicyclic gearing assembly (46), and the third rotating element of the fourth epicyclic gearing assembly (54);
• a first brake (64) for selectively holding against rotation the first rotating element of the first epicyclic gearing assembly (22, 82, or 96);
• a second brake (66) for selectively holding against rotation the first rotating element of the fourth epicyclic gearing assembly (52);
• and
• a third brake (70, 72) for selectively holding against rotation the second rotating element of the second epicyclic gearing assembly (36) and the third rotating element of the third epicyclic gearing assembly (44).

A multiple speed power transmission, comprising:

• first (20), second (30), third (40), and fourth (50) planetary gear sets each comprising a sun gear, a ring gear, a planet carrier, and a set of pinion gears supported on the planet carrier and meshing with both the sun gear and ring gear, wherein:
• the carrier of the first planetary gear set (26) is connected to the sun gear of the second planetary gear set (32);
• the planet carrier of the second planetary gear set (36) is connected to the ring gear of the third planetary gear set (44);
• and
• the ring gear of the first planetary gear set (24), the planet carrier of the third planetary gear set (46), and the ring gear of the fourth planetary gear set (54) are mutually connected;
• a gearbox input shaft (10) connected to the sun gear of the third planetary gear set (42);
• and
• an output shaft (12) connected to the ring gear of the second planetary gear set (34) and the planet carrier of the fourth planetary gear set (56).

A multiple speed power transmission, comprising:

• a first planetary gear set (80 or 90) comprising a sun gear (82 or 92), a ring gear (84 or 94), a planet carrier (86 or 96), an inner set of planet gears (88 or 98) meshing with the sun gear, and an outer set of pinion gears (89 or 99) meshing with both the inner planet gears and ring gear;
• second (30), third (40), and fourth (50) planetary gear sets each comprising a sun gear, a ring gear, a planet carrier, and a set of pinion gears supported on the planet carrier and meshing with both the sun gear and ring gear, wherein:
• the ring gear of the first planetary gear set (84 or 94) is connected to the sun gear of the second planetary gear set (32);
• the planet carrier of the second planetary gear set (36) is connected to the ring gear of the third planetary gear set (44);
• and
• the planet carrier of the third planetary gear set (46), is connected to the ring gear of the fourth planetary gear set (54);
• a gearbox input shaft (10) connected to the sun gear of the third planetary gear set (42);
• an output shaft (12) connected to the ring gear of the second planetary gear set (34) and the planet carrier of the fourth planetary gear set (56);
• a first brake (66) for selectively holding against rotation the sun gear of the fourth planetary gear set (52);
• a second brake (70, 72) for selectively holding against rotation the planet carrier of the second planetary gear set (36) and the ring gear of the third planetary gear set (44);
• a third brake (68) for selectively holding against rotation the ring gear of the first planetary gear set (84 or 94) and the sun gear of the second planetary gear set (32).