A joint structure includes a clutch unit interposed between a shaft joint and a shaft body which is one of an output shaft of a speed increaser and an input shaft of a power generator. The clutch unit includes: a shaft coupling portion rotating integrally with the shaft body; a joint coupling portion rotating integrally with the shaft joint; and a one-way clutch provided between the shaft coupling portion and the joint coupling portion. The one-way clutch makes a connection integrally rotatably between the shaft coupling portion and the joint coupling portion in a state in which a rotation speed of the output shaft is higher than that of the input shaft, and releases the connection between the shaft coupling portion and the joint coupling portion in a state in which the rotation speed of the output shaft is lower than that of the input shaft.

A method of assembling a clutch includes assembling a wedge chain by connecting a plurality of wedges together with links such that the wedges are movable relative to each other, and wrapping the wedge chain around an inner race. The method further includes connecting an end one of the links to an end one of the wedges to secure the chain to the inner race. The may also include installing the inner race into an outer race such that the wedge chain is radially disposed between the inner and outer races.

A method of assembling a clutch includes assembling a wedge chain by connecting a plurality of wedges together with links such that the wedges are movable relative to each other, and wrapping the wedge chain around an inner race. The method further includes connecting an end one of the links to an end one of the wedges to secure the chain to the inner race. The may also include installing the inner race into an outer race such that the wedge chain is radially disposed between the inner and outer races.

To provide a simple-structured cam clutch that does not require precise control and is operable with a smaller drive force and less prone to damage on cam surfaces or inner and outer raceways. The cam clutch includes a plurality of cams circumferentially arranged between an inner race and an outer race and supported by a cage member, and a selector capable of changing an orientation of the cams. The selector includes a driven part allowing a rotation angle thereof to be controlled relative to the inner race or outer race to which the cage member is fixedly attached, and a selector body circumferentially displaceable relative to the driven part in a resilient manner by a spring-loaded mechanism. The selector body includes a cam orientation control protrusion capable of changing the orientation of the cams by making contact with the cams.

A joint structure includes a clutch unit interposed between a shaft joint and a shaft body which is one of an output shaft of a speed increaser and an input shaft of a power generator. The clutch unit includes: a shaft coupling portion rotating integrally with the shaft body; a joint coupling portion rotating integrally with the shaft joint; and a one-way clutch provided between the shaft coupling portion and the joint coupling portion. The one-way clutch makes a connection integrally rotatably between the shaft coupling portion and the joint coupling portion in a state in which a rotation speed of the output shaft is higher than that of the input shaft, and releases the connection between the shaft coupling portion and the joint coupling portion in a state in which the rotation speed of the output shaft is lower than that of the input shaft.

A power generation device includes a main shaft rotated by an external force, a speed-up gear, a high-speed shaft, a rolling bearing, a power generator, and a one-way clutch disposed between the output gear and the high-speed shaft. In a state where the main shaft is rotating in a positive direction, the one-way clutch integrally rotatably connects the output gear and the high-speed shaft to each other if a rotational speed of the output gear exceeds a rotational speed of the high-speed shaft, and breaks connection between the output gear and the high-speed shaft if the rotational speed of the output gear becomes lower than the rotational speed of the high-speed shaft.

Two sprag one-way clutch retainers each include sprag-receiving pockets for receiving sprags which are arranged along a circumferential direction and are equal in number to the sprags, and dummy pockets in the form of holes having both radially outer and inner ends open and arranged between the respective circumferentially adjacent pairs of the sprag-receiving pockets. One of the two retainers is an outer retainer positioned in a radially outer portion of the annular space of the sprag one-way clutch, and the other of the two retainers is an inner retainer positioned in a radially inner portion of the annular space. Each retainer has a junction formed by joining together two circumferential ends of a strip member to form the retainer.

An engine starter that includes a starter motor, a ring gear, a pinion driven by the starter motor and meshingly engaged with the ring gear, a disk that is configured to be coupled to an engine crankshaft for common rotation, and a dry clutch that is configured to selectively couple the ring gear to the disk.

For driving a power plant with linear motion, an arc clutch engages and drives a power plant shaft in response to the arc clutch being rotated in a first angular direction and disengages from the power plant shaft in response to the arc clutch being rotated in a second angular direction that is opposite the first angular direction. The power plant is driven by the rotating power plant shaft. A motivator is physically connected to the arc clutch and transfers a linear motion to the arc clutch.

A joint structure includes a clutch unit interposed between a shaft joint and a shaft body which is one of an output shaft of a speed increaser and an input shaft of a power generator. The clutch unit includes: a shaft coupling portion rotating integrally with the shaft body; a joint coupling portion rotating integrally with the shaft joint; and a one-way clutch provided between the shaft coupling portion and the joint coupling portion. The one-way clutch makes a connection integrally rotatably between the shaft coupling portion and the joint coupling portion in a state in which a rotation speed of the output shaft is higher than that of the input shaft, and releases the connection between the shaft coupling portion and the joint coupling portion in a state in which the rotation speed of the output shaft is lower than that of the input shaft.