Patent ID: 9452830
Filing Date: 2016-09-27
CPC Classification: B64C,F16D

Claim Text:
1. A constant velocity drive comprising; a drive ring having a drive ring axis of rotation; a driven ring disposed around the drive ring and which is driven by the drive ring to rotate about a driven ring axis of rotation; a plurality of drive links extending from the drive ring to the driven ring to transfer torque applied at the drive ring to the driven ring, each of the drive links comprising an extended portion with an outer surface; and a plurality of elastomeric bearings, each elastomeric bearing disposed in contact with and between the driven ring and the outer surface of the extended portion of one of the plurality of drive links to transfer torque from one of the plurality of drive links to the driven ring, each elastomeric bearing including both spherical bearing elements and planar bearing elements to allow for tilt of the driven ring axis of rotation with respect to the drive ring axis of rotation while ensuring a constant rotational velocity of the driven ring with respect to the rotational velocity of the drive ring wherein a center to center distance between the spherical bearing elements of the elastomeric bearings varies as the driven ring and drive ring rotate about their respective axes of rotation.