**4.3.3 Quill shafts based on spring elements**

Some authors propose the use of metallic elements to achieve the same effect as the quill shaft. One such system (Gmirya & Vinayak, 2004) (Fig. 15) is based on achieving this effect by using *"at least one spring element (30) placed between and structurally connecting the gear shaft (32) and the outer ring of gear teeth (34). The gear shaft (32) has flange elements (36) that project radially outboard of the shaft. The ring of gear teeth (34), similarly, has a flange element (38) that projects radially inward towards the gear shaft".* In this case, a pair of spring elements (30) is arranged on each side of the gear teeth flange element (38)".

This assembly is designed in such a way that the spring elements absorb torsional deflection between the gears, thereby ensuring proportional torque split between paths.
