Force coupling assemblies and related systems and methods

A torque coupling assembly, comprising:

• an inner assembly including an inner support ring positioned about an inner ring axis;
• an outer assembly including an outer support ring positioned about an outer ring axis;
• superhard contact elements coupled to the inner support ring and the outer support ring, superhard contact surfaces of the superhard contact elements configured to transfer a torque via at least some of the superhard contact elements between the inner assembly and the outer assembly when a rotational force is applied to the torque coupling assembly;
• and
• one or more thrust bearing elements comprising additional superhard contact elements, the additional superhard contact elements positioned and configured to support the torque coupling assembly when an axial loading is applied between the inner assembly and the outer assembly in a direction at least partially along at least one of the inner ring axis or the outer ring axis.

A method of transferring one or more torque between components of a rotating system, the method comprising:

• applying a torque to a shaft in order to rotate the shaft about an axis of rotation;
• transferring the torque to another component coupled to the shaft with a torque coupling assembly, the transferring the torque comprising:
• applying the torque through a first ring coupled to the shaft, the first ring having one or more superhard coupling elements coupled to the first ring;
• and
• transferring the torque from the first ring through the one or more superhard coupling elements coupled to the first ring to one or more superhard coupling elements coupled to a second ring that is coupled to the another component;
• rotating the another component with the torque;
• and
• supporting a thrust force applied between the first ring and the second ring with one or more additional superhard coupling elements.