A method for relieving kinematic binding and oscillatory drive forces in a rotor head of a rotary-wing aircraft

A torque coupling (13) for a rotor head (11) of a rotary-wing aircraft has upper and lower plates (29, 31) configured for rotation with a rotor mast (19). Drive links (33) pivotally connected to the upper and lower plates (29, 31) pivot about a pivot axis generally parallel to and radially offset from an axis of rotation of the plates. Each link (33) is engaged with adjacent drive links (33) to form a continuous ring of links, such that motion of one link (33) about its pivot axis causes motion in an opposite direction of each adjacent link (33) about its pivot axis. Drive elements (25) connect the drive links (33) to an assembly configured to receive rotor blades. The drive elements (25) may be components of a universal joint, a multiple trailing-link configuration, a pad-bearing configuration, or another type of articulating assembly.