Steering and tilting systems for marine vessels

Claim 2

In a marine vessel, propulsion and guidance system means, together with means mounting said system means to said vessel permitting same to rotate about a first axis and tilt about a second axis; self-contained hydraulic pressure generating means; self-contained hydraulic actuator means operatively connected to said propulsion and guidance system means for rotating and tilting same, as desired, about said first and second axes, respectively; and means affording communication between said pressure generating and actuator means and regulating the direction and volume of fluid transmitted to said actuator means by said pressure generating means.

Claim 3

In a marine vessel as in claim 1, said means regulating the direction and volume of fluid transmitted to said actuator means by said pressure generating means comprising a double lock valve system including: a casing; first inlet and outlet port means within said casing connected by passageway means including first valve seat means and a first movable valve member, together with means biasing said first movable valve member in closed position against said first seat means; second inlet and outlet port means within said casing connected by passageway means including second valve seat means and a second movable valve member, together with means biasing said second movable member in closed position against said Second seat means; and a piston, means mounting said piston within said casing for movement between said movable valve members, said piston including first and second opposed faces exposed to said first and second inlet and outlet port means and said passageway means connecting same, said piston terminating at each end in first and second members for contact with said first and second movable valve members such that when fluid is pumped through said first inlet port means, it forces said first movable valve member open transmitting fluid through said first outlet port means to said actuator means while simultaneously contacting said first member of said piston forcing same to move whereby said second member of said piston contacts said second movable valve member opening same permitting fluid to pass in opposite direction through said second outlet port means to said pressure generating means.

Claim 4

In a marine vessel as in claim 1, second hydraulic pressure generating means operatively connected to said propulsion system means for powering same separate from said self-contained hydraulic pressure generating and actuator means for rotating and tilting said propulsion and guidance system means.

Claim 5

In a marine vessel as in claim 3, said self-contained hydraulic pressure generating means comprising first and second fluid pumping means and said self-contained hydraulic actuator means comprising first and second rotary actuator means; said first and second rotary actuators including first and second shafts coinciding with said first and second axes.

Claim 6

In a marine vessel as in claim 4, said means mounting said propulsion and guidance system means to said vessel including a hanger clevis mounted to and pivotable with said shaft of said second rotary actuator means, means supporting said second rotary actuator means from said vessel, means mounting said first rotary actuator means to said hanger clevis such that its shaft is movably supported between portions of said hanger clevis between which a portion of said guidance system means is mounted for movement and means locking said shaft of said first rotary actuator means to that portion of said guidance system means located between said portions of said hanger clevis.

Claim 7

In a marine vessel, a guidance system, means mounting said guidance system to said vessel permitting said guidance system to move in respect thereto, as desired; hydraulic pressure generating means; hydraulic actuator means operatively connected to said guidance system; and means connecting said hydraulic pressure generating means and said hydraulic actuator means regulating the direction and volume of fluid transmitted to said actuator means from said pressure generating means.

Claim 8

In a marine vessel, a guidance system, means mounting said guidance system to said vessel permitting said guidance system to move in respect thereto, as desired; hydraulic pressure generating means; hydraulic actuator means operatively connected to said guidance system; and means connecting said hydraulic pressure generating means and said hydraulic actuator means regulating the direction and volume of fluid transmitted to said actuator means from said pressure generating means.

Claim 9

In a marine vessel as in claim 6, said means regulating the direction and volume of fluid transmitted to said actuator means including a double-lock valve system, comprising: first inlet and outlet port means within said casing connected by passageway means including first valve seat means and a first movable valve member, together with means biasing said first movable valve member in closed position against said first seat means; second inlet and outlet port means within said casing connected by passageway means including second valve seat means and a second movable valve member, together with means biasing said second movable member in closed position against said second seat means; and a piston, means mounting said piston within said casing for movement between said movable valve members, said piston including first and second opposed faces exposed to said first and second inlet and outlet port means and said passageway means connecting same, said piston terminating at each end in first and second members for contact with said first and second movable valve members such that when fluid is pumped through said first inlet port means, it forces said first movable valve member open transmitting fluid through said first outlet port means To said actuator means while simultaneously contacting said first member of said piston forcing same to move whereby said second member of said piston contacts said second movable valve member opening same permitting fluid to pass in opposite direction through said second outlet port means to said pressure generating means.