An actuator controller to controllably supply DC power to a bi-directional electromechanical actuator is provided. The controller includes a first circuit to receive power and direction command signals from a remote electronic control unit through a vehicle-based bus. Control logic is operative to determine a vehicle system failure and to generate a failsafe position command signal in the event of the failure. A failsafe power circuit controllably stores electrical power and supplies the stored electrical power based on the failsafe position command signal. A power switching and supply circuit supplies DC power of a desired polarity to the electromechanical actuator in response to the power and direction command signals in the absence of the failure and supplies the stored electrical power to the electromechanical actuator in the event of the failure.

A driving mechanism includes a first gear mechanism, a motion conversion mechanism, an actuator, and a mechanical clutch. The mechanical clutch includes an input gear that includes a plurality of engaging portions engageable with a displaced portion on a first position. The mechanical clutch switches to a connected state and a non-connected state corresponding to whether or not the engaging portions each engage with the displaced portion of the actuator. The connected state is a state where the rotational power of the first gear mechanism is transmitted to the motion conversion mechanism. The non-connected state is a state where the rotational power of the first gear mechanism is not transmitted to the motion conversion mechanism. The plurality of engaging portions are formed on a plurality of positions within a range of a default center angle less than 180 degrees in a circumferential direction of the input gear.

A driving mechanism includes a first gear mechanism, a motion conversion mechanism, an actuator, and a mechanical clutch. The mechanical clutch includes an input gear that includes a plurality of engaging portions engageable with a displaced portion on a first position. The mechanical clutch switches to a connected state and a non-connected state corresponding to whether or not the engaging portions each engage with the displaced portion of the actuator. The connected state is a state where the rotational power of the first gear mechanism is transmitted to the motion conversion mechanism. The non-connected state is a state where the rotational power of the first gear mechanism is not transmitted to the motion conversion mechanism. The plurality of engaging portions are formed on a plurality of positions within a range of a default center angle less than 180 degrees in a circumferential direction of the input gear.

A method and system are disclosed which provides for power generation from oceanic wave motion which utilize: a double concave sided buoy flotation device, a recoil mechanism, an alternating-to-direct motion converter with gears having gravitational unidirectional collapsible teeth thereon and an underwater ramp to direct waves toward the buoy.

A method and system are disclosed which provides for power generation from oceanic wave motion which utilize: a double concave sided buoy flotation device, a recoil mechanism, an alternating-to-direct motion converter with gears having gravitational unidirectional collapsible teeth thereon and an underwater ramp to direct waves toward the buoy.

A directional gear is adapted to be fitted to a driving shaft and includes a driving element, an external gear and a plurality of catching elements. The driving element is fitted to the driving shaft. A plurality of receiving slots are disposed at the periphery of the driving element. The external gear is disposed radially outside the driving element and includes a ring-shaped body and a plurality of tilted inner teeth. The tilted inner teeth are connected to the inner side of the ring-shaped body. The catching elements are movably disposed in the receiving slots and each include a catching portion corresponding in shape to the corresponding tilted inner teeth. The catching elements are selectively engaged with at least one of the tilted inner teeth of the external gear through the catching portions.

A directional gear is adapted to be fitted to a driving shaft and includes a driving element, an external gear and a plurality of catching elements. The driving element is fitted to the driving shaft. A plurality of receiving slots are disposed at the periphery of the driving element. The external gear is disposed radially outside the driving element and includes a ring-shaped body and a plurality of tilted inner teeth. The tilted inner teeth are connected to the inner side of the ring-shaped body. The catching elements are movably disposed in the receiving slots and each include a catching portion corresponding in shape to the corresponding tilted inner teeth. The catching elements are selectively engaged with at least one of the tilted inner teeth of the external gear through the catching portions.

An electro-mechanical clutch apparatus includes a stationary member (22,122) having a center portion extending along an axis A and a stationary coil assembly (34,134) fixed about the center portion. A rotatable member (46,146) extends along the axis A and includes an annular projection (52,152) radially spaced from the coil assembly. A ratchet surface (29,129) presents a plurality of teeth disposed in axially aligned and radially spaced relationship with the annular projection. The rotatable member includes a magnetic pole piece (62,162) disposed in radially spaced and concentrically aligned relationship with said coil assembly. The rotatable member includes a locking member (58,158) pivotably attached to the annular projection and pivotable between an engaged position in engagement with one of the teeth in response to the coil assembly being de-energized and a released position displaced from engagement with the teeth and attracted towards the magnetic pole piece in response to the coil assembly being energized.

An electro-mechanical clutch apparatus includes a stationary member (22,122) having a center portion extending along an axis A and a stationary coil assembly (34,134) fixed about the center portion. A rotatable member (46,146) extends along the axis A and includes an annular projection (52,152) radially spaced from the coil assembly. A ratchet surface (29,129) presents a plurality of teeth disposed in axially aligned and radially spaced relationship with the annular projection. The rotatable member includes a magnetic pole piece (62,162) disposed in radially spaced and concentrically aligned relationship with said coil assembly. The rotatable member includes a locking member (58,158) pivotably attached to the annular projection and pivotable between an engaged position in engagement with one of the teeth in response to the coil assembly being de-energized and a released position displaced from engagement with the teeth and attracted towards the magnetic pole piece in response to the coil assembly being energized.

A race for a mechanical clutch assembly may be formed from multiple race layers that assembled from pluralities of stamped arcuate segments. First and second race layers may have the same shape when their arcuate segments are assembled are assembled. The arcuate segments of the first race layer may be identical to each other, and the arcuate segments of the second race layer may be identical to each other, but the first layer arcuate segments are not identical to the second layer arcuate segments. Interlocking joints between the first layer arcuate segments are not aligned with interlocking joints between the second layer arcuate segments when the race layers are joined together and aligned for use in the mechanical clutch assembly.