The method Variation and Mode Effect Analysis (VMEA) is successfully implemented for the AGMA based gear design of the rack pinion mechanism. The rack and pinion is a feature in Ocean Harvesting Technologies (OHT) gravity accumulator device. The purpose of it is to make the electrical power output to the grid more uniform. This is a novel technology where previous experience in designing is absent. The VMEA method is there for useful for incorporating all known uncertainties to estimate the uncertainty and reliability of the technology. This allows for adequate safety factors to be set so the desired reliability can be achieved.

The uncertainty and reliability analysis is performed for different OHT designs and methods where the reliability is calculated. This calculation can be used as basis for further analysis when more design details are determined and modifications are made, thus allowing for more optimized and reliable design to be made.