A drive assembly can comprise a plurality of drive arms that are configured to receive a tangential drive force and convert the tangential drive force to a torque about a first axis. A driven rotatable element can be rotatable about a second axis that is parallel to the first axis. A coupling subassembly can couple the plurality of drive arms to the driven rotatable element so that the first axis is movable with respect to the second axis in first and second dimensions that are perpendicular to each other and the first and second axes. The coupling subassembly can be configured to bias the driven rotatable element toward a position in which the first axis is collinear with the second axis.

A fail-safe actuator for moving a part has in each case a drive (18, 118) by means of which a first or a second drive train (24, 26) can be moved. The drive trains (24, 26) in each case have their own output shaft (34, 38) and can be actuated independently of one another. An energy storage device is coupled with the second output shaft (38), wherein a holding device selectively holds the energy or releases it from the energy storage device, so that the second output shaft (38) can be moved. A rotary entrainment of the first output shaft (34) ensures that in the event of a failure of the drive (18) this is moved into a specified end position. The two output shafts (34, 38) are set in motion via gear wheels (32, 36) if the drive trains are actuated. An assembly unit consisting of actuator and moved part is also described.

A universal flywheel locking device which is configured to fit flywheels with a variety of sizes and tooth patterns. The device may feature an arched locking member and two guide members attached to the sides of the locking member. The locking member is configured to wedge the device between a fixed feature or bolt and a flywheel so as to prevent rotation of the flywheel. The first end of the locking member may be configured to fit within a gap between two of a plurality of teeth of the flywheel so as to lock the flywheel.

A universal flywheel locking device which is configured to fit flywheels with a variety of sizes and tooth patterns. The device may feature an arched locking member and two guide members attached to the sides of the locking member. The locking member is configured to wedge the device between a fixed feature or bolt and a flywheel so as to prevent rotation of the flywheel. The first end of the locking member may be configured to fit within a gap between two of a plurality of teeth of the flywheel so as to lock the flywheel.

A drive device with multiple swinging blocks drivingly connected with each other includes a driven unit connected with a driven apparatus (such as a power generation motor or a generator), a driving unit drivingly connected with the driven unit and an actuating unit connected with the driving unit. The driven unit includes a flywheel. The driving unit includes three dynamic energy modules respectively connected with the flywheel at intervals. Each dynamic energy module has a gear engaged with the flywheel and a swinging block disposed on the gear. There is a 120-degree angle difference between the corresponding angular positions of each two adjacent swinging blocks. The actuating unit includes an actuating motor, a driving member driven by the actuating motor and connected with one of the dynamic energy modules and transmission members drivingly connected with the dynamic energy modules for driving the driven unit to together rotate.

A number of variations may include a product comprising: a linkage system comprising: a first and second lever; a first interconnecting component and second interconnecting component operably connected to the first and second levers; a link bar having a first end with a first opening for receiving the first or second interconnecting component, and providing a clearance between the first opening and the first or second interconnecting component and; a second end with a second opening for receiving the first or second interconnecting component and providing a clearance between the second opening and the first or second interconnecting component; and a biasing device having a first and second end for engagement with the first and second interconnecting components and at least one section to allow for increasing or decreasing its length, wherein when the first or second end of the biasing device is engaged with one of the first or second interconnecting component and an external force is applied to one of the first or second ends of the biasing device to cause the biasing device to either increase or decrease in length to allow engagement with one of the first or second interconnecting component and to store energy, and wherein when the external force is removed from the biasing device, the stored energy of the biasing device provide a force that causes the first and second interconnecting components to move in a direction that overcomes the clearances between the first and second interconnecting components and the first and second openings of the link bar and provides contact between the first and second interconnecting components and the first and second openings of the link bar and wherein the contact is maintained by the force provided by the stored energy.

An actuator assembly having an actuator, a worm gear, a first gear unit, a second gear unit, and a biasing member. The actuator may rotate the worm gear, first gear unit, and second gear unit in first rotational directions while the biasing member may rotate the worm gear, first gear unit, and second gear unit in second rotational directions.

A portion of ankle movement can be harnessed into stored energy that can be released for various purposes, such as to assist in movement or to charge a battery. This harnessing can be achieved in various manners. In one example manner, an offset pulley component can transfer ankle movement to a generator in a shoe insole. In another example manner, a slider can cause a brace arch to match an ankle arch such that the movement is appropriately harnessed.

A mechanical energy divider includes an input shaft operably connected to a rotational energy source, an output shaft, and a regulator therebetween. The regulator includes a housing comprising an input gear coupled to the input shaft, an output gear coupled to the output shaft, and a regulator gear rotatably coupled to a first end of an axle that is affixed to the housing. A braking mechanism operably connected to the output shaft for preventing the output shaft from rotating above a set limit. Activation of the braking mechanism causes the regulator shaft to rotate, which causes a mechanical energy storage device comprising a cable and attached weight to raise upward, storing the excess energy as potential energy. The regulator rotates in the opposing direction when the input shaft rotates slower than the set limit, which releases the weight, thereby increasing the speed of the output to the set limit.

The present invention relates to a rotary drive (100) comprising: an output shaft (330); a motor (20), acting on the output shaft (330) via a downstream gear mechanism (30); an energy-store module with a linear line of action and with transmission elements (32, 326) to apply pressure circumferentially to an eccentric cam disk (331) arranged on the output shaft (330) for conjoint rotation therewith; and an intermediate shaft (320), being offset in relation said line of action and being provided between the motor (20) and the output shaft (330). The transmission elements (32, 326) comprise a roller lever (32), having a cam-follower roller (326) spaced apart from the intermediate shaft (320), wherein the cam-follower roller (326), pressed circumferentially against the eccentric cam disk (331), interacts with the output shaft (330). The energy-store module is arranged on the motor side in relation to the intermediate shaft (320).