Rotary/nutating drive

Abstract

A nutating drive comprising a housing with a rotor mounted for axial rotation in the housing and an elongated nutating bar retained at one end thereof in a rotary bearing which is connected to the rotor via a drive coupling at a position offset from the rotor axis for imparting nutational movement to the bar about a geometric center of nutation with axial rotation of the rotor. The drive coupling which connects the nutating bar bearing to the rotor is comprised of a flexible sheet support having outer edges secured to the rotor which permits limited pivotal movement of the bar bearing relative to the rotor. This flexible sheet support may be provided in the form of a single flexible disk or as multiple flexible support strips. In either case, support is provided with at least one undulation extending in the radial direction to enhance pivotal flexibility.

I claim:  
     
         1 . A nutating drive comprising: 
 a housing;    an axially rotatable rotor mounted for axial rotation in said housing;    an elongated nutating bar retained at one end thereof in a rotary bearing which is connected to said rotor via a drive coupling at a position offset from the rotor axis for imparting nutational movement to said bar about a geometric center of nutation with axial rotation of said rotor;    said drive coupling comprised of a flexible sheet support having outer edges secured to said rotor and which permits limited pivotal movement of said bar bearing relative to said rotor.    
     
     
         2 . The nutating drive of  claim 1 , wherein said flexible sheet support is comprised of a flexible disk having at least one annular undulation concentric with said bearing.  
     
     
         3 . The nutating drive of  claim 1 , wherein said flexible sheet support is comprised of multiple flexible support strips extending radially from and annularly spaced uniformly about said bar bearing, said support strips having at least one undulation in the radial direction.  
     
     
         4 . The nutating drive of  claim 1 , wherein said flexible sheet support is supported in a plane perpendicular to said bar.