Abstract: A material and method for adhering at least two materials that includes the step of interposing at least one intermediate layer between the two materials and associated adhesion material. The materials to be adhered exhibit at least one characteristic dissimilarity and the intermediate material interposed contains at least one shape memory alloy, the shape memory alloy capable of exhibiting superelasticity.

Abstract: A material and method for adhering at least two materials that includes the step of interposing at least one intermediate layer between the two materials and associated adhesion material. The materials to be adhered exhibit at least one characteristic dissimilarity and the intermediate material interposed contains at least one shape memory alloy, the shape memory alloy capable of exhibiting -superelasticity.

Abstract: A planetary gearset includes a sun gear member having a sun gear body made of a steel material and an outer periphery with a plurality of teeth formed thereon. Each of the sun gear teeth has at least one mating surface for engaging mating surfaces on complementary teeth on at least one planet gear. A fatigue-resistant coating is applied to the mating surfaces of the sun gear teeth. The coating is harder and more abrasive than the mating surfaces of the planet gear teeth.

Abstract: A material and method for adhering at least two materials that includes the step of interposing at least one intermediate layer between the two materials and associated adhesion material. The materials to be adhered exhibit at least one characteristic dissimilarity and the intermediate material interposed contains at least one shape memory alloy, the shape memory alloy capable of exhibiting superelasticity.

Abstract: A transmission device that includes a driving member and a driven member in frictional engagement with the driving member. A traction fluid is included at a contact between the driving and driven members. The traction fluid is a field responsive fluid that is capable of changing its rheological properties in response to an external field.

Abstract: A planetary gearset includes a sun gear member having a sun gear body made of a steel material and an outer periphery with a plurality of teeth formed thereon. Each of the sun gear teeth has at least one mating surface for engaging mating surfaces on complementary teeth on at least one planet gear. A fatigue-resistant coating is applied to the mating surfaces of the sun gear teeth. The coating is harder and more abrasive than the mating surfaces of the planet gear teeth.

Abstract: A transmission device that includes a driving member and a driven member in frictional engagement with the driving member. A traction fluid is included at a contact between the driving and driven members. The traction fluid is a field responsive fluid that is capable of changing its rheological properties in response to an external field.

Abstract: The fatigue life of gears, for example, the gears in a sun gear-planetary gear set, is markedly improved by forming the respective gears by ordinary manufacturing practices and then running each new gear against a durable, but expendable, dummy of its counter-gear. The teeth of a dummy sun gear may be suitably hardened and used under suitable loads to minimally reshape the teeth of a plurality of newly-made pinions so that they are smoothed and better fit an intended sun gear. Similarly, the roughened teeth of a hardened or hard coated sun gear can be smoothed by running it for a few rotations against an expendable pinion.