Abstract: A shaft system includes an outer shaft including an outer surface and an inner surface defining a conduit and an inner shaft extending along at least a portion of the conduit. The inner shaft includes a radially extending passage. The inner shaft has a first end and a second end that is opposite the first end. An input member is arranged at the first end of the inner shaft. A thrust damper is arranged between the input member and the inner shaft. The thrust damper constrains relative rotation between the inner shaft and the outer shaft.

Abstract: A device (1) for use in conjunction with an engine (25) is adapted to contain a predetermined level (A) of a liquid such as oil therein. A fill passage (4) is provided for adding liquid to the device and a drain passage (7) is provided for draining liquid from the device when the liquid is above the predetermined level. A movable valve (12) is provided for opening and closing the fill passage and the drain passage. The valve is automatically positioned so as to close both passages in response to start up of the engine whereby liquid will not be lost through the passage during operation of the engine. When the engine is not operating, the fill passage and drain passage are automatically opened in response to the application of pressure filling pressure to the fill passage as a result of an axial vent hole (31) which communicates the filling pressure to an end (32) the movable valve.

Abstract: In order to accommodate post-manufacturing, or secondary operations in precision assemblies using composite materials, where the secondary operations consist of drilling, machining, grinding, lapping, or other material-removing processing, without the need to resort to expensive diamond tooling and while maintaining needed structural integrity, a composite formed of a base material, a matrix, and a machineable material is provided. The matrix is bonded to the base material and the machineable material is rendered integral with the matrix and sufficiently thick to accommodate subsequent material-removing processing to a precision dimension.