| 摘要 |
<p>Apparatus is provided comprising first and second coaxial shafts 2 & 3, the first and second shafts extending along, and being rotatable about, a central axis 100. The first and second shafts 2 & 3 are coupled together by a splined major coupling 1 at a coupling region of the apparatus, which major coupling 1 enables the shafts to co-rotate about the central axis. A torque element 4 is connected to the first and second shafts, the torque element 4 being operable to force the first and second shafts 2 & 3 to relatively rotate about the central axis 100 in order to apply a preload to the major coupling 1. The apparatus may be comprised in a gas turbine engine, whereupon the first shaft may be a fan shaft and the second shaft may be a LP turbine shaft. The splined major coupling may have helical splines 11, and there may be a minor coupling 51 having splines 5 & 6 which are angled relative to each other. In the specific embodiment the pre-load is generated by tightening nut 7. Different arrangements of the nut are shown.</p> |
