US3631833A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Marine propulsion power-assist steering mechanism
Assignee: Outboard Marine Corp
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Filing: 1969-06-16
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Granted: 1972-01-04
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Expires: 1989-06-16
Abstract
Abstract Disclosed herein is a marine propulsion unit steering mechanism which includes a double-acting hydraulic piston and cylinder assembly having a piston rod supporting a piston, a cylinder mounted for movement on the piston rod and piston. One of the piston rod and the cylinder is connected to a steering arm provided on the marine propulsion unit and the other of the piston rod and cylinder is connected to the transom of a boat. Also included is a hydraulic fluid control with a spool valve connected through the piston rod to a remote actuator to control the flow of a continuous supply of hydraulic fluid to and from the assembly.
Inventors
- 👤 William J Shimanckas
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-28 14:40
CPC Classifications
B; B63; B63H; B63H25/00; B63H25/06; B63H25/08; B63H25/14; B63H25/26; B63H25/28; B63H25/30
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 18
Claim 1
Independent Claim
307 words
A marine propulsion device including a marine propulsion unit mounted for pivotal steering movement in opposite directions rearwardly of a boat, an actuator operable from a point in the boat remote from said propulsion unit to pivot the propulsion unit in opposite directions, and means operatively connected to said unit and to said actuator for hydraulically increasing the force causing propulsion unit steering movements in opposite directions and for locking said propulsion unit against steering movements originating in said propulsion unit, said means including a piston, a tubular piston rod fixedly secured to the boat and to said piston, a cylinder mounted for movement axially of said piston rod, means for closing the ends of said cylinder to form pressure chambers on each side of said piston, a valve housing fixedly secured to said cylinder and having an inlet port and an outlet port, a spool valve mounted for movement between first, second and third positions in said valve housing, means for connecting said spool valve to said actuator, means including a first passage in said spool valve providing a connection between said inlet port and said outlet port and preventing communication with said chambers when said spool valve is in the first position, means including a second passage in said spool valve providing, when said spool valve is in the second position, a connection between said inlet port and one of said chambers in said cylinder and providing, when said spool valve is in the third position, a connection between said one chamber and said outlet port, and means including a third passage providing, when said spool valve is in the second position, a connection between the other of said chambers and said outlet port, and providing, when said spool valve is in the third position, a connection between said inlet port and said other chamber.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
307 words
A marine propulsion device including a marine propulsion unit mounted for pivotal steering movement in opposite directions rearwardly of a boat, an actuator operable from a point in the boat remote from said propulsion unit to pivot the propulsion unit in opposite directions, and means operatively connected to said unit and to said actuator for hydraulically increasing the force causing propulsion unit steering movements in opposite directions and for locking said propulsion unit against steering movements originating in said propulsion unit, said means including a piston, a tubular piston rod fixedly secured to the boat and to said piston, a cylinder mounted for movement axially of said piston rod, means for closing the ends of said cylinder to form pressure chambers on each side of said piston, a valve housing fixedly secured to said cylinder and having an inlet port and an outlet port, a spool valve mounted for movement between first, second and third positions in said valve housing, means for connecting said spool valve to said actuator, means including a first passage in said spool valve providing a connection between said inlet port and said outlet port and preventing communication with said chambers when said spool valve is in the first position, means including a second passage in said spool valve providing, when said spool valve is in the second position, a connection between said inlet port and one of said chambers in said cylinder and providing, when said spool valve is in the third position, a connection between said one chamber and said outlet port, and means including a third passage providing, when said spool valve is in the second position, a connection between the other of said chambers and said outlet port, and providing, when said spool valve is in the third position, a connection between said inlet port and said other chamber.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
20 words
A marine propulsion device in accordance with claim 1, including means for biasing said spool valve to the first position.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
61 words
A marine propulsion device in accordance with 1, including means for constantly supplying pressure fluid to said inlet port, said means including a pump communicating with a sump, a supply conduit between said inlet port and said pump, a return conduit between said outlet port and said sump, and means for bypassing fluid from said return conduit to said supply conduit.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
61 words
A marine propulsion device in accordance with 1, including means for constantly supplying pressure fluid to said inlet port, said means including a pump communicating with a sump, a supply conduit between said inlet port and said pump, a return conduit between said outlet port and said sump, and means for bypassing fluid from said return conduit to said supply conduit.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
18 words
A marine propulsion device in accordance with claim 3, wherein said bypass means includes a pressure relief valve.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
276 words
A steering arrangement comprising a propulsion unit mounted relative to a boat for pivotal movement about a horizontal axis to afford steering movement of said propulsion unit, a steering control actuator operable from a remote point in the boat, a piston, a tubular piston rod fixedly secured to the boat and to said piston, a cylinder fixed to said propulsion unit and mounted for movement axially of said piston rod, means for closing the ends of said cylinder to form pressure chambers on each side of said piston, a valve housing fixedly secured to said cylinder and having an inlet port and an outlet port, a spool valve mounted for movement between first, secOnd and third positions in said valve housing, means for connecting said spool valve to said actuator, means including a first passage in said spool valve providing a connection between said inlet port and said outlet port when said spool valve is in the first position, means including a second passage in said spool valve providing, when said spool valve is in the second position, a connection between said inlet port and one of said chambers in said cylinder and providing, when said spool valve is in the third position, a connection between said one chamber and said outlet port, and means including a third passage providing, when said spool valve is in the second position, a connection between the other of said chambers and said outlet port, and providing, when said spool valve is in the third position, a connection between said inlet port and said other chamber, and a continuously available source of hydraulic fluid operatively connected to said inlet port.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
276 words
A steering arrangement comprising a propulsion unit mounted relative to a boat for pivotal movement about a horizontal axis to afford steering movement of said propulsion unit, a steering control actuator operable from a remote point in the boat, a piston, a tubular piston rod fixedly secured to the boat and to said piston, a cylinder fixed to said propulsion unit and mounted for movement axially of said piston rod, means for closing the ends of said cylinder to form pressure chambers on each side of said piston, a valve housing fixedly secured to said cylinder and having an inlet port and an outlet port, a spool valve mounted for movement between first, secOnd and third positions in said valve housing, means for connecting said spool valve to said actuator, means including a first passage in said spool valve providing a connection between said inlet port and said outlet port when said spool valve is in the first position, means including a second passage in said spool valve providing, when said spool valve is in the second position, a connection between said inlet port and one of said chambers in said cylinder and providing, when said spool valve is in the third position, a connection between said one chamber and said outlet port, and means including a third passage providing, when said spool valve is in the second position, a connection between the other of said chambers and said outlet port, and providing, when said spool valve is in the third position, a connection between said inlet port and said other chamber, and a continuously available source of hydraulic fluid operatively connected to said inlet port.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
20 words
A marine propulsion device in accordance with claim 5, including means for biasing said spool valve to said first position.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
265 words
A marine propulsion device including a propulsion unit mounted relative to a boat for pivotal movement about an axis to afford steering movement of said propulsion unit, and hydraulic means for controlling pivotal movement of said propulsion unit including a cylinder connected to one of the boat and said propulsion unit, a piston movable in said cylinder and dividing said cylinder into opposing pressure chambers, a rod extending through one end of said cylinder and connecting said piston to the other of the boat and said propulsion unit, and a valve connected to said pressure chambers and including a pressure fluid supply port, a pressure fluid outlet port, and a valve member movable relative to said supply and outlet ports and between a first position communicating said supply and outlet ports independently of said chambers and preventing fluid flow relative to said chambers, whereby to allow fluid flow from said supply port to said return port and to lock said propulsion unit against pivotal movement originating in said propulsion unit, a second position communicating one of said chambers with said supply port and communicating the other of said chambers with said outlet port, whereby to pivot said propulsion unit in one direction in response to the application of pressure fluid to said pressure fluid supply port, and a third position communicating said other of said chambers with said supply port and communicating said one of said chambers with said outlet port, whereby to pivot said propulsion unit in the other direction in response to the application of pressure fluid to said pressure fluid supply port.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
265 words
A marine propulsion device including a propulsion unit mounted relative to a boat for pivotal movement about an axis to afford steering movement of said propulsion unit, and hydraulic means for controlling pivotal movement of said propulsion unit including a cylinder connected to one of the boat and said propulsion unit, a piston movable in said cylinder and dividing said cylinder into opposing pressure chambers, a rod extending through one end of said cylinder and connecting said piston to the other of the boat and said propulsion unit, and a valve connected to said pressure chambers and including a pressure fluid supply port, a pressure fluid outlet port, and a valve member movable relative to said supply and outlet ports and between a first position communicating said supply and outlet ports independently of said chambers and preventing fluid flow relative to said chambers, whereby to allow fluid flow from said supply port to said return port and to lock said propulsion unit against pivotal movement originating in said propulsion unit, a second position communicating one of said chambers with said supply port and communicating the other of said chambers with said outlet port, whereby to pivot said propulsion unit in one direction in response to the application of pressure fluid to said pressure fluid supply port, and a third position communicating said other of said chambers with said supply port and communicating said one of said chambers with said outlet port, whereby to pivot said propulsion unit in the other direction in response to the application of pressure fluid to said pressure fluid supply port.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
61 words
A marine propulsion device in accordance with claim 7, including a steering control actuator operable at a location remote from said propulsion unit and wherein said valve means includes a valve housing fixed relative to one of said cylinder and said piston rod and said valve member comprises a spool valve movably mounted in said housing and connected to said actuator.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
47 words
A marine propulsion device in accordance with claim 7, and further including a continuously available source of pressure fluid including a pump communicating with a sump, a supply conduit between said inlet port and said pump, and a return conduit between said outlet port and said sump.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
256 words
A marine propulsion device including a propulsion unit mounted relative to a boat for pivotal movement about an axis to afford steering movement of said propulsion unit, a steering control actuator operable at a location remote from said propulsion unit, hydraulic means for controlling pivotal movement of said propulsion unit including a cylinder closed at both ends and connected to one of the boat and said propulsion unit, a piston movable in said cylinder and dividing cylinder into opposing pressure chambers, a piston rod extending through one end of said cylinder and connecting said piston to the otheR of the boat and said propulsion unit, said piston rod including a hollow interior, and valve and conduit means connected to said pressure chambers and including a valve housing connected to the other end of said cylinder and a spool valve movably mounted in said housing, said valve and conduit means being selectively operable for preventing fluid flow relative to said chambers, whereby to lock said propulsion unit against pivotal movement originating in said propulsion unit, for permitting pressurization of one of said chambers and venting of the other of said chambers, whereby to pivot said propulsion unit in one direction, and for pressurizing said other of said chambers and venting said one of said chambers, whereby to pivot said propulsion unit in the other direction, and a member extending through said hollow interior of said piston rod and through said piston and connected between said actuator and said spool valve for operating said valve and conduit means.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
256 words
A marine propulsion device including a propulsion unit mounted relative to a boat for pivotal movement about an axis to afford steering movement of said propulsion unit, a steering control actuator operable at a location remote from said propulsion unit, hydraulic means for controlling pivotal movement of said propulsion unit including a cylinder closed at both ends and connected to one of the boat and said propulsion unit, a piston movable in said cylinder and dividing cylinder into opposing pressure chambers, a piston rod extending through one end of said cylinder and connecting said piston to the otheR of the boat and said propulsion unit, said piston rod including a hollow interior, and valve and conduit means connected to said pressure chambers and including a valve housing connected to the other end of said cylinder and a spool valve movably mounted in said housing, said valve and conduit means being selectively operable for preventing fluid flow relative to said chambers, whereby to lock said propulsion unit against pivotal movement originating in said propulsion unit, for permitting pressurization of one of said chambers and venting of the other of said chambers, whereby to pivot said propulsion unit in one direction, and for pressurizing said other of said chambers and venting said one of said chambers, whereby to pivot said propulsion unit in the other direction, and a member extending through said hollow interior of said piston rod and through said piston and connected between said actuator and said spool valve for operating said valve and conduit means.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
63 words
A marine propulsion device in accordance with claim 10 wherein said valve housing includes a pressure fluid inlet port and a pressure fluid outlet port and further including a continuously available source of pressure fluid including a pump communicating with a sump, a supply conduit between said inlet port and said pump, and a return conduit between said outlet port and said sump.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
79 words
A marine propulsion device in accordance with claim 10 wherein said valve housing includes a pressure fluid inlet port, wherein said spool valve includes an axial bore communicating with said hollow interior of said piston rod, and wherein said piston rod includes a port communicating between said hollow interior thereof and said chamber adjacent said one cylinder end, and wherein said spool valve is selectively operable to connect and disconnect said spool valve bore with said pressure fluid inlet.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
41 words
A marine propulsion device in accordance with claim 12 wherein said spool valve has a radial bore communicating with said axial bore and communicable with said pressure fluid inlet port depending upon the location of said spool valve in said housing.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1975-01-03 | 1975-07-05 | 1976-01-04 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1979-01-03 | 1979-07-05 | 1980-01-04 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1983-01-03 | 1983-07-05 | 1984-01-04 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |