US Patent 7261661 Parallel hybrid transmission having a single motor/generator

A reduced cost, compact parallel hybrid transmission having only a single motor/generator is provided. The transmission utilizes a reduced number of components, preferably only three interconnecting members and four torque-transmitting mechanisms, to provide a reverse speed mode and seven forward speed modes (i.e., operating states achieved by engagement of a particular torque-transmitting mechanism or torque-transmitting mechanisms, whether encompassing a continuous range of speed ratios or only a fixed speed ratio). At least five of the forward modes are fixed speed ratios.