Electrically operated control mechanism for a hydraulic shifting mechanism

Claim 2

A marine propulsion unit comprising a lower unit including a propeller shaft, means rotatably mounting said propeller shaft, a dog mounted on said propeller shaft for movement axially thereof relative to a drive position, means in said lower unit yieldably biasing said dog to said drive position, hydraulic means for shifting said dog from said drive position against the action of said biasing means, a sump, an oil pump communicating with said sump and duct means communicating between said pump and said hydraulic means and said sump and including valve means affording direct communication with said sump when said dog is in said drive position and preventing direct communication with said sump and affording communication through said hydraulic means to said sump after said dog is shifted from said drive position by said hydraulic means.

Claim 3

A marine propulsion unit comprising a lower unit including a propeller shaft, means rotatably mounting said propeller shaft, a dog mounted on said propeller shaft for movement axially thereof relative to a drive position, means in said lower unit yieldably biasing said dog to said drive position, hydraulic means for shifting said dog from said drive position against the action of said biasing means, said hydraulic means including a cylinder, a piston having a rod operably connected to said dog, said piston being movable in said cylinder between first, second, and third positions, a sump, an oil pump communicating with said sump, and duct means communicating between said pump and said cylinder and said sump and including valve means movable between a first position affording direct communication between said pump and said sump independently of said cylinder, a second position affording communication between said pump and said sump in response to movement of said piston from said first position to said second position, and a third position affording communication between said pump and said sump in response to movement of said piston from said second position to said third position.

Claim 4

A marine propulsion unit comprising a lower unit including a propeller shaft, means rotatably mounting said propeller shaft, a dog mounted on said propeller shaft for movement axially thereof relative to a drive position, means in said lower unit yieldably biasing said dog to said drive position, hydraulic means for shifting said dog from said drive position against the action of said biasing means, said hydraulic means including a cylinder, a piston having a rod operably connected to said dog, said piston being movable in said cylinder between first, second, and third positions, a sump, an oil pump communicating with said sump, and duct means communicating between said pump and said cylinder and said sump and including valve means movable between a first position affording direct communication between said pump and said sump independently of said cylinder, a second position affording communication between said pump and said sump in response to movement of said piston from said first position to said second position, and a third position affording communication between said pump and said sump in response to movement of said piston from said second position to said third position.

Claim 5

A unit in accordance with claim 2 including a pressure relief valve affording said communication between said pump and said sump when said valve means is in said third position.

Claim 6

A unit in accordance with claim 2 including means yieldably biasing said valve means to said first position.

Claim 7

A unit in accordance with claim 2 wherein said biasing means yieldably biases said piston to said first position.

Claim 8

A unit in accordance with claim 2 including electrically operated means for shifting said valve means between said first, second, and third positions.

Claim 9

A unit in accordance with claim 6 wherein said electrically operated means includes means for yieldably biasing said valve means to said first position in the event said electrically operated means is otherwise rendered inoperative.

Claim 10

A unit in accordance with claim 6 wherein said electrically operated means includes axially aligned neutral and reverse solenoids, an element connected to said valve means and having an armature part and extending through said solenoids for movement axially relative thereto between a first element position wherein said armature part is located in a first relation with respect to said reverse solenoid, a second element position wherein said armature part is located remotely from said reverse solenoid as compared to when said element is in said first element position, and a third element position wherein said armature part is located more remotely from said reverse solenoid than when said element is in said second element position, a floating armature movable on said element axially of said solenoids between a first armature position with respect to said neutral solenoid and a second armature posiTion more remote from said neutral solenoid as compared to said first armature position, stops on said element and floating armature for limiting relative movement therebetween and biasing means for yieldably locating said element in its said first element position with said floating armature located in its said second armature position, whereby when said neutral solenoid is energized said floating armature is moved to its said first armature position and said element is displaced to its said second element position and whereby when said reverse solenoid is energized said armature part moves to its said first relation to said reverse solenoid, thereby displacing said element to its said third element position.

Claim 11

A unit in accordance with claim 8 including a device electrically connected to said solenoids and including cooperating relatively movable electrical contact means movable serially between a first contact position wherein said solenoids are deenergized, a second contact position wherein said neutral solenoid is energized to displace said floating armature from said second armature position to said first armature position with respect to said neutral solenoid thereby displacing said element from said first element position to said second element position, and a third contact position wherein said reverse solenoid is energized to displace said armature part to said first relation with respect to said reverse solenoid thereby displacing said element from said second element position to said third element position.

Claim 12

In a marine propulsion unit the combination of a cylinder, a piston movable in said cylinder between first, second, and third piston positions, a sump, an oil pump communicating with said sump, and duct means communicating between said pump and said cylinder and said sump and including valve means movable between a first position affording direct communication between said pump and said sump independently of said cylinder, a second position affording communication between said pump and said sump through said cylinder in response to movement of said piston from said first piston position to said second piston position, and a third position affording communication between said pump and said sump in response to movement of said piston from said second piston position to said third piston position.

Claim 13

In a marine propulsion unit the combination of a cylinder, a piston movable in said cylinder between first, second, and third piston positions, a sump, an oil pump communicating with said sump, and duct means communicating between said pump and said cylinder and said sump and including valve means movable between a first position affording direct communication between said pump and said sump independently of said cylinder, a second position affording communication between said pump and said sump through said cylinder in response to movement of said piston from said first piston position to said second piston position, and a third position affording communication between said pump and said sump in response to movement of said piston from said second piston position to said third piston position.

Claim 14

A unit in accordance with claim 10 including a pressure relief valve affording said communication between said pump and said sump when said valve means is in said third position.

Claim 15

A unit in accordance with claim 10 including means yieldably biasing said valve means to said first position.

Claim 16

A unit in accordance with claim 10 including means yieldably biasing said piston toward said first piston position.

Claim 17

A unit in accordance with claim 10 including electrically operated means for shifting said valve means between said first, second, and third positions.

Claim 18

A unit in accordance with claim 14 wherein said electrically operated means includes means for yieldably biasing said valve means to said first position in the event said electrically operated means is otherwise rendered inoperative.

Claim 19

A unit in accordance with claim 14 wherein said electrically operated means includes axially aligned neutral and reverse solenoids, an element connected to said valve means and having an armature part and extending through said solenoids for movement axially relative thereto between a first element position wherein said armature part is located in a first relation with respect to said reverse solenoid, a second element position wherein said armature part is located remotely from said reverse solenoid as compared to when said element is in said first element position, and a third element position wherein said armature part is located more remotely from said reverse solenoid than when said element is in said second element position, a floating armature movable on said element axially of said solenoids between a first armature position with respEct to said neutral solenoid and a second armature position more remote from said neutral solenoid as compared to said first armature position, stops on said element and floating armature for limiting relative movement therebetween, and biasing means for yieldably locating said element in its said first element position with said floating armature located in its said second armature position, whereby when said neutral solenoid is energized said floating armature is moved to its said first armature position and said element is displaced to its said second element position and whereby when said reverse solenoid is energized said armature part moves to its said first relation to said reverse solenoid, thereby displacing said element to its said third element position.

Claim 20

A unit in accordance with claim 16 including a device electrically connected to said solenoids and including cooperating relatively movable electrical contact means movable serially between a first contact position wherein said solenoids are deenergized, a second contact position wherein said neutral solenoid is energized to displace said floating armature from said second armature position to said first armature position with respect to said neutral solenoid thereby displacing said element from said first element position to said second element position, and a third contact position wherein said reverse solenoid is energized to displace said armature part to said first relation with respect to said reverse solenoid thereby displacing said element from second element position to said third element position.

Claim 21

A device in accordance with claim 17 wherein said electrical contact means includes means for at least temporarily simultaneously energizing said neutral and reverse solenoids during movement between said second and third contact positions.

Claim 22

In a marine propulsion device the combination of a cylinder, a piston movable in said cylinder between first, second, and third piston positions, a sump, an oil pump communicating with said sump, a duct means communicating between said pump and said cylinder and said sump and including valve means movable between a first position affording direct communication between said pump and said sump independently of said cylinder, a second position preventing direct communication between said pump and said sump and affording communication between said pump and said cylinder so as to effect displacement of said piston from said first piston position to said second piston position and so as to consequently afford communication between said cylinder and said sump, and a third position preventing communication between said duct means and said sump so as to effect displacement of said piston from said second piston position to said third piston position, and a pressure relief valve communicating with said duct means and said sump and affording communication between said duct means and said sump when said piston is in said third piston position.

Claim 23

In a marine propulsion device the combination of a cylinder, a piston movable in said cylinder between first, second, and third piston positions, a sump, an oil pump communicating with said sump, a duct means communicating between said pump and said cylinder and said sump and including valve means movable between a first position affording direct communication between said pump and said sump independently of said cylinder, a second position preventing direct communication between said pump and said sump and affording communication between said pump and said cylinder so as to effect displacement of said piston from said first piston position to said second piston position and so as to consequently afford communication between said cylinder and said sump, and a third position preventing communication between said duct means and said sump so as to effect displacement of said piston from said second piston position to said third piston position, and a pressure relief valve communicating with said duct means and said sump and affording communication between said duct means and said sump when said piston is in said third piston position.

Claim 24

In a marine propulsion device the combination of an actuating cylinder having a head and, a piston in said cylinder, means biasing said piston toward a first position adjacent to said cylinder head and, means limiting piston movement away from said first position to a second position spaced from said first position, a sump, an oil pump communicating with said sump, a duct system including a duct communicating between said oil pump and said cylinder head end, a conduit having a first portion communicating with said duct at a point intermediate said pump and said cylinder and having a second portion communicating with said first portion and with said sump, and a fluid passageway communicating between said conduit first portion and said cylinder at a point spaced intermediate said first and second piston positions, a pressure relief valve communicating with said duct system and with said sump, a spool valve movable in said conduit between forward, neutral and reverse positions, said spool valve having means for blocking communicaTion between said duct and said first conduit portion when said spool valve is in said neutral position and for blocking communication between said first conduit portion and said second conduit portion when said spool valve is in said reverse position, and means for shifting said spool valve between said forward, neutral, and reverse positions.

Claim 25

In a marine propulsion device the combination of an actuating cylinder having a head and, a piston in said cylinder, means biasing said piston toward a first position adjacent to said cylinder head and, means limiting piston movement away from said first position to a second position spaced from said first position, a sump, an oil pump communicating with said sump, a duct system including a duct communicating between said oil pump and said cylinder head end, a conduit having a first portion communicating with said duct at a point intermediate said pump and said cylinder and having a second portion communicating with said first portion and with said sump, and a fluid passageway communicating between said conduit first portion and said cylinder at a point spaced intermediate said first and second piston positions, a pressure relief valve communicating with said duct system and with said sump, a spool valve movable in said conduit between forward, neutral and reverse positions, said spool valve having means for blocking communicaTion between said duct and said first conduit portion when said spool valve is in said neutral position and for blocking communication between said first conduit portion and said second conduit portion when said spool valve is in said reverse position, and means for shifting said spool valve between said forward, neutral, and reverse positions.

Claim 26

The combination of axially aligned first and second solenoids, an element extending through said solenoids for movement axially relative thereto and including an armature part, biasing means yieldably moving said element in one direction relative to said solenoids, means for limiting movement of said element in said one direction so as to locate said armature part in a first position with respect to said first solenoid, means for limiting travel of said element in the opposite direction to said one direction so as to locate said armature part in a second position with respect to said first solenoid in response to actuation of said first solenoid, a floating armature movable on said element axially of said solenoids, means for limiting travel of said floating armature relative to said solenoids and to said element in said opposite direction so that, in response to actuation of said second solenoid, said armature part is located in an intermediate position between said first and second positions and so that said floating armature is located in a first armature position with respect to said second solenoid, and means for limiting travel of said floating armature relative to said solenoids in said one direction so as to permit location of said floating armature in a second armature position with respect to said second solenoid in response to movement of said armature part to said first position.

Claim 27

The combination of axially aligned first and second solenoids, an element extending through said solenoids for movement axially relative thereto and including an armature part, biasing means yieldably moving said element in one direction relative to said solenoids, means for limiting movement of said element in said one direction so as to locate said armature part in a first position with respect to said first solenoid, means for limiting travel of said element in the opposite direction to said one direction so as to locate said armature part in a second position with respect to said first solenoid in response to actuation of said first solenoid, a floating armature movable on said element axially of said solenoids, means for limiting travel of said floating armature relative to said solenoids and to said element in said opposite direction so that, in response to actuation of said second solenoid, said armature part is located in an intermediate position between said first and second positions and so that said floating armature is located in a first armature position with respect to said second solenoid, and means for limiting travel of said floating armature relative to said solenoids in said one direction so as to permit location of said floating armature in a second armature position with respect to said second solenoid in response to movement of said armature part to said first position.

Claim 28

A marine propulsion unit comprising a lower unit including a rotatably mounted drive shaft having fixed thereon a first bevel gear, a propeller shaft rotatably mounted at a substantial angle to said drive shaft, spaced bevel gears rotatably mounted coaxially with said propeller shaft and in mesh with and on opposite sides of said first bevel gear, a dog mounted on said propeller shaft intermediate said spaced bevel gears for movement axially of said propeller shaft relative to a first position in operative connection with one of said spaced bevel gears and a second position spaced from and between said bevel gears, and a third position in operative connection with the other of said bevel gears, means biasing said dog to said first position, a hydraulic pressure chamber, an actuator movable axially of said propeller shaft in said chamber between first, second, and third positions and having one portion subject to the pressure in said chamber and another portion engageable with said dog to locate said dog in said first, second, and third positions when said actuator is respectively in said first, second, and third positions, a sump, a pump, duct means communicating with said pump and said chamber and said sump, and a valve part movable with said actuator between said pump and said sump independently of said chamber when said actuator is in said first position, a second valve position affording communication between said pump and said sump through said chamber when said actuator is moved from said first position to said second position, and a third valve position affording communication between said pump and said sump through said chamber when said actuator is moved from said first position to said third position.

Claim 29

A marine propulsion unit comprising a lower unit including a rotatably mounted drive shaft having fixed thereon a first bevel gear, a propeller shaft rotatably mounted at a substantial angle to said drive shaft, spaced bevel gears rotatably mounted coaxially with said propeller shaft and in mesh with and on opposite sides of said first bevel gear, a dog mounted on said propeller shaft intermediate said spaced bevel gears for movement axially of said propeller shaft relative to a first position in operative connection with one of said spaced bevel gears and a second position spaced from and between said bevel gears, and a third position in operative connection with the other of said bevel gears, means biasing said dog to said first position, a hydraulic pressure chamber, an actuator movable axially of said propeller shaft in said chamber between first, second, and third positions and having one portion subject to the pressure in said chamber and another portion engageable with said dog to locate said dog in said first, second, and third positions when said actuator is respectively in said first, second, and third positions, a sump, a pump, duct means communicating with said pump and said chamber and said sump, and a valve part movable with said actuator between said pump and said sump independently of said chamber when said actuator is in said first position, a second valve position affording communication between said pump and said sump through said chamber when said actuator is moved from said first position to said second position, and a third valve position affording communication between said pump and said sump through said chamber when said actuator is moved from said first position to said third position.

Claim 30

A marine propulsion unit according to claim 22 wherein said propeller shaft includes an axially extending bore and said biasing means is positioned within said bore.

Claim 31

A marine propulsion unit according to claim 23 wherein said other portion of said actuator is positioned in said bore.

Claim 32

A unit according to claim 22 wherein said dog is disengaged from both of said bevel gears in said second position of said actuator.

Claim 33

A marine propulsion unit according to claim 22 wherein said pump is operatively Connected to one of said bevel gears.

Claim 34

A marine propulsion unit according to claim 22 wherein said chamber is located forwardly of said bevel gears.