Clutch assembly having anti-skew engagement mechanism

A bi-directional overrunning clutch assembly comprising:

• an inner race, an outer race, and an engagement mechanism supported therebetween;
• said engagement mechanism including a plurality of teeth formed on the outer circumference of said inner race, first and second sets of pockets formed on the inner circumference of said outer race and first and second sets of pawls corresponding to said first and second sets of pockets;
• each pocket in both sets of pockets defining a leading end, a trailing end, and a ledge formed proximate said trailing end and projecting toward said leading end of said pocket, each pocket in said first set is located adjacent to a pocket from said second set and each pocket in said first set is oriented in an opposite direction relative to an adjacent pocket of said second set about the inner circumference of said outer race;
• each of said pawls including a leading edge and a trailing edge formed on opposite sides of each pawl, each of said pawls in said first and second sets of pawls being moveably supported in a corresponding set of pockets such that each pawl from said first set is adjacent to a pawl from said second set and such that each pawl is oriented in an opposite direction relative to an adjacent pawl and wherein said first set of pawls acts to translate torque between said inner and outer races in one rotational direction when said first set of pawls are disposed in their engaged position such that said leading edge of said first set of pawls engages said teeth formed on the outer circumference of said inner race and said second set of pawls acts to translate torque between said inner and outer races in the opposite rotational direction when said second set of pawls are disposed in their engaged position such that said leading edge of said second set of pawls engages said teeth formed on the outer circumference of said inner race, said leading edge of each pawl in said first and second set of pawls disposed in non-contacting relationship with said teeth so as to interrupt torque translation between said inner and outer races when said first and second set of pawls are in said disengaged positions;
• and
• an actuator associated with each set of said pawls for selectively moving the pawls in each set between said engaged and disengaged positions, said ledge of said pocket acting to support said pawls proximate said trailing edge so as to inhibit skewing as said pawls are moved between said engaged and disengaged positions.