Abstract: A torque-transfer component has splines configured for engaging a corresponding feature of another component, at least a portion of each spline being hardened before a friction-reducing surface coating is applied to the splines. The splines are preferably hardened by nitriding, carburizing, induction hardening, or laser hardening, and the friction-reducing coating preferably comprises diamond-like carbon or tungsten carbide. The coating can be applied using, for example, physical vapor deposition, chemical vapor deposition, chemically assisted physical vapor deposition, autocatalytic electroless deposition, electroplating, or an oxygen fuel gun.

Abstract: A method of optimizing a planetary gear system for continued operation after failure of a planet gear includes providing a planetary gear system and reducing a backup ratio of a planet gear of the planetary gear system by reducing a rim thickness of the planet gear.

Abstract: A system for monitoring lubrication of a drive train, including a lubricant pressure sensor to detect a pressure of the lubricant in the drive train and to provide a lubricant pressure signal; lubricant volume sensor to detect a volume of the lubricant in the drive train and to provide a lubricant volume signal; non-contact temperature sensor to detect a temperature of the drive train and to provide a non-contact temperature signal; and logic management system in communication with the lubricant pressure sensor, the lubricant volume sensor, and the non-contact temperature sensor; the logic management system configured to receive and process the lubricant pressure signal, the lubricant volume signal, and the non-contact temperature signal; wherein when the lubricant pressure signal reaches a predetermined minimum pressure level and the lubricant volume signal reaches a predetermined minimum volume level, the logic management system displays non-contact temperature measurement data to a display device.

Abstract: A method of avoiding gear tooth interference in a planetary gear system includes designing and building a planetary gear system having a selected base pitch and tooth length for planet gears, breaking a rim of one of the planet gears, and verifying whether tooth tip interference occurs during operation of the planetary gear system.

Abstract: A system for monitoring lubrication of a drive train, including a lubricant pressure sensor operable to detect a pressure of the lubricant in the drive train and configured to provide a lubricant pressure signal; lubricant volume sensor operable to detect a volume of the lubricant in the drive train and configured to provide a lubricant volume signal; non-contact temperature sensor operable to detect a temperature of the drive train and configured to provide a non-contact temperature signal; and logic management system in communication with the lubricant pressure sensor, the lubricant volume sensor, and the non-contact temperature sensor; the logic management system being configured to receive and process the lubricant pressure signal, the lubricant volume signal, and the non-contact temperature signal; wherein when the lubricant pressure signal reaches a predetermined minimum pressure level and the lubricant volume signal reaches a predetermined minimum volume level, the logic management system displays non-

Abstract: A method of optimizing a planetary gear system for continued operation after failure of a planet gear includes providing a planetary gear system and reducing a backup ratio of a planet gear of the planetary gear system by reducing a rim thickness of the planet gear.

Abstract: A method of avoiding gear tooth interference in a planetary gear system includes designing and building a planetary gear system comprising a selected base pitch and tooth length for planet gears, breaking a rim of one of the planet gears, and verifying whether tooth tip interference occurs during operation of the planetary gear system.

Abstract: A variable state planetary shifting transmission can include an input shaft, an output shaft; and a planetary system having a sun gear associated with the input shaft, a planetary carrier, and a ring gear associated with a ring housing. The transmission can include an overrunning clutch operably coupled to the planetary carrier. The transmission can include a clutch assembly coupled to the planetary carrier. The transmission is capable of changing the speed ratio between the input shaft and the output shaft by selective engagement of the clutch assembly against the ring gear which can cause either the freeing or locking of the planetary carrier by the overrunning clutch.

Abstract: A method of modifying a workpiece includes providing a workpiece, determining a load stress profile associated with a load condition, the load stress profile comprising a load stress greater than a material stress limit of the workpiece, determining a residual stress profile, the residual stress profile comprising a residual stress less than the material stress limit of the workpiece, and providing the workpiece with the residual stress profile, wherein a sum of the load stress and the residual stress is less than the material stress limit of the workpiece.

Abstract: A variable state planetary shifting transmission can include an input shaft, an output shaft; and a planetary system having a sun gear associated with the input shaft, a planetary carrier, and a ring gear associated with a ring housing. The transmission can include an overrunning clutch operably coupled to the planetary carrier. The transmission can include a clutch assembly coupled to the planetary carrier. The transmission is capable of changing the speed ratio between the input shaft and the output shaft by selective engagement of the clutch assembly against the ring gear which can cause either the freeing or locking of the planetary carrier by the overrunning clutch.

Abstract: A method of modifying a workpiece includes providing a workpiece, determining a load stress profile associated with a load condition, the load stress profile comprising a load stress greater than a material stress limit of the workpiece, determining a residual stress profile, the residual stress profile comprising a residual stress less than the material stress limit of the workpiece, and providing the workpiece with the residual stress profile, wherein a sum of the load stress and the residual stress is less than the material stress limit of the workpiece.

Abstract: A method of modifying a workpiece includes providing a workpiece, determining a load stress profile associated with a load condition, the load stress profile comprising a load stress greater than a material stress limit of the workpiece, determining a residual stress profile, the residual stress profile comprising a residual stress less than the material stress limit of the workpiece, and providing the workpiece with the residual stress profile, wherein a sum of the load stress and the residual stress is less than the material stress limit of the workpiece.

Abstract: A control system is disclosed for monitoring and controlling an industrial water system comprising (a) obtaining a priori knowledge about the correlation between water and treatment chemistry and equipment health; (b) pre-defining a set of operating regions of more than one feed-water or system water variable and at least one chemical treatment variable, where, based on (a) above, corrosion, scaling and fouling are inhibited; (c) adjusting the at least one chemical treatment variable according to the more than one feed water or system water variable, such that based on (a), corrosion, scaling and fouling are inhibited.