I'm posting this here so it doesn't get buried... I saw this on
The New Inventors earlier this year; tonight Glenn Thompson just missed out on winning The New Inventors grand final. I reckon he deserved the win.
He was saying that they're concentrating on the industrial market before moving on to automotive applications; if you want em in the meantime, it might just be possible...
Apparently they're good for up to 32° so far.
Thompson Couplings Ltd
The Thompson Coupling is certainly amongst the most important inventions since the advent of the internal combustion engine. It is the world's first and only, practical, constant velocity joint to have no load bearing sliding surfaces.
The Thompson Coupling is the world's first and only Constant Velocity Joint which:
- Has all loads carried by roller bearings
- Has no sliding or skidding surfaces whatsoever
- Can tolerate axial and radial loads without degradation
- Has no torque limitation, constructed to any torque level
- Does not require special lubrication
- Does not require a dust boot
- No wearing components except replaceable bearings and trunnions
- Is suitable for automotive tail or propeller shaft applications
- Is a true Constant Velocity Coupling as distinct from a cv joint
In mass production each and every component of the Thompson Coupling can be produced by forging and/or casting with the only further requirement being to drill and machine the bearing journals, holes and circlip grooves. No dedicated machinery is required and there is no complex machining at all. Bearings for most applications are stock and assembly is very simple. For one-off project applications, manufacture is simple and within the capability of any machine shop. No specialist machinery is required as is the case with Rzeppa type joints. A Thompson Coupling can be disassembled with a pair of circlip pliers and the bearings replaced with a minimum of expertise and downtime. The Thompson Coupling is very compact and may be over-engineered to increase reliability without adding substantially to bulk and weight. It is obvious that use of the Thompson Coupling in lieu of Cardan Joints (traditional unis) will eliminate a large source of vibration in many machines and automotive applications.
AWESOME! Free power! Not to mention forgetting all about bloody CV boots... win!
More info