Patent US4281793B1 successfully refreshed from Google Patents.
Patent US3915111A successfully refreshed from Google Patents.
US3915111A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Hydraulic marine propulsion and guidance system
Assignee: Individual
•
Filing: 1974-10-04
•
Granted: 1975-10-28
•
Expires: 1994-10-04
Abstract
Abstract The present invention relates to a hydraulic propulsion and guidance system for a marine vessel. There is provided within the vessel a main system for generating fluid pressure to be transmitted to the fluid motor, a helm pressure generating unit for transmitting fluid pressure to the steering mechanism, and a further fluid pump for operating the trim and lift cylinder. A stationary, manifold hinge shaft is mounted to the transom with first rigid hinge sections so as to extend in a generally horizontal postion outside the vessel. Second hinge sections are mounted for oscillation about the manifold hinge shaft. The outdrive unit consists of an upper section and a lower section, the former mounted to oscillate about the manifold hinge shaft while the latter includes a fluid motor and a steering shaft formed as an integral part thereof and mounted to oscillate with respect to the upper section for steering. A first hydraulic system is mounted within the upper section of the outdrive for turning the steering shaft of the lower section while a second hydraulic system mounted to the transom of the vessel is connected to the upper section of the outdrive so as to rotate same in a vertical plane about the manifold hinge shaft for trim and lift. First fluid conduit structure is provided operatively connecting the main fluid pressure generating system and the fluid motor, including portions thereof passing through and forming a part of the manifold hinge shaft, first hinge sections and the lower section of the outdrive including the steering shaft thereof. There is further provided second fluid conduit structure operatively connecting the helm pressure generating unit and the first hydraulic system, including portions thereof passing through and forming a part of the manifold hinge shaft and the first and second hinge sections. The first hydraulic system includes a piston provided with a rack meshing with a corresponding pinion gear formed along the periphery of the steering shaft of the lower section of the outdrive such that as the helm pressure generating unit is operated the first hydraulic system rotates the steering shaft and the lower section of the outdrive unit. The second hydraulic system consists of a twocylinder tandem arrangement operated by the fluid pump for preforming the trim and lift functions.
Inventors
- 👤 Curt Buddrus
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-05 14:49
CPC Classifications
B; B63; B63H; B63H20/00; B63H20/08; B63H20/12; B63H20/10; B63H23/00; B63H23/22; B63H23/26; B63H25/00; B63H25/06; B63H25/08; B63H25/12
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 24
Claim 1
Independent Claim
251 words
A hydraulic propulsion and guidance system for a marine vessel having a transom, comprising: a main fluid pressure generating system within the vessel; a helm pressure generating system within the vessel; first hinge sections rigidly mounted to said transom and provided with supports; a stationary manifold hinge shaft mounted to said supports of said first hinge sections and extending generally horizontally outside of the vessel along a first axis; second hinge sections mounted for oscillation about said manifold hinge shaft; an outdrive unit consisting of an upper section and a lower section, means mounting said upper section to oscillate about said manifold hinge shaft along said first axis, said lower section including a shaft, means mounting said lower section to said upper section such that said shaft and said lower section oscillate with respect to said upper section about a second axis, said lower section including a fluid motor; first hydraulic means mounted within said upper section for oscillating said shaft and said lower section of said outdrive about said second axis; first fluid conduit means operatively connecting said fluid pressure generating system and said fluid motor, including portions thereof forming a part of said first hinge sections, manifold hinge shaft, upper section and lower section of said outdrive, including said shaft of said lower section; and second fluid conduit means operatively connecting said helm pressure generating system and said first hydraulic means, including portions thereof forming a part of said first hinge sections, manifold hinge shaft and second hinge sections.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
251 words
A hydraulic propulsion and guidance system for a marine vessel having a transom, comprising: a main fluid pressure generating system within the vessel; a helm pressure generating system within the vessel; first hinge sections rigidly mounted to said transom and provided with supports; a stationary manifold hinge shaft mounted to said supports of said first hinge sections and extending generally horizontally outside of the vessel along a first axis; second hinge sections mounted for oscillation about said manifold hinge shaft; an outdrive unit consisting of an upper section and a lower section, means mounting said upper section to oscillate about said manifold hinge shaft along said first axis, said lower section including a shaft, means mounting said lower section to said upper section such that said shaft and said lower section oscillate with respect to said upper section about a second axis, said lower section including a fluid motor; first hydraulic means mounted within said upper section for oscillating said shaft and said lower section of said outdrive about said second axis; first fluid conduit means operatively connecting said fluid pressure generating system and said fluid motor, including portions thereof forming a part of said first hinge sections, manifold hinge shaft, upper section and lower section of said outdrive, including said shaft of said lower section; and second fluid conduit means operatively connecting said helm pressure generating system and said first hydraulic means, including portions thereof forming a part of said first hinge sections, manifold hinge shaft and second hinge sections.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
59 words
A hydraulic propulsion and guidance system for a marine vessel as in claim 1, including a fluid pump within said vessel, second hydraulic means mounted to said transom and connected to said upper section of said outdrive for turning same about said first axis, and third fluid conduit means operatively connecting said fluid pump and said second hydraulic means.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
84 words
A hydraulic propulsion and guidance system as in claim 1, wherein said first hydraulic means includes a cylinder, a piston slidably mounted within said cylinder and provided with a rack, said shaft of said lower section of said outdrive unit being provided with an integral gear along the periphery thereof mating with said rack of said piston such that as said helm pressure generating system is operated said piston rotates said shaft and said lower section of said outdrive unit for steering said vessel.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
66 words
A hydraulic propulsion and guidance system as in claim 1, wherein said portions of said first fluid conduit means forming a part of said shaft include passageways extending longitudinally through said shaft generally parallel to said second axis and terminating in openings in the side walls of said shaft flared outwardly along the periphery thereof to correspond to the maximum degree of oscillation of said shaft.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
36 words
A hydraulic propulsion and guidance system for a marine vessel as in claim 1, wherein the bottom of said second axis about which said lower section oscillates is inclined forwardly towards the front of the vessel.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
90 words
A hydraulic propulsion and guidance system for a marine vessel as in claim 2, wherein said second hydraulic means comprises a trim cylinDer, a piston mounted for reciprocating movement within said trim cylinder and provided with a longitudinal passageway extending therethrough, a lift cylinder abutting and extending outwardly from said trim cylinder, a piston mounted for reciprocating movement within said lift cylinder and having one end abutting said passageway of said piston within said trim cylinder, the other end of said piston within said lift cylinder secured to said outdrive.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
51 words
A hydraulic propulsion and guidance system for a marine vessel as in claim 6, wherein said second hydraulic means further comprises a clevis mounted to the transom of the vessel, and a swivel pin mounted for movement with respect to said clevis, said trim cylinder being connected to said swivel pin.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
27 words
A hydraulic propulsion and guidance system for a marine vessel as in claim 7, wherein said third fluid conduit means passes through portions of said swivel pin.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
37 words
A hydraulic propulsion and guidance system for a marine vessel as in claim 6, including a control positioning and holding valve manifold means interposed between and operatively connected to said fluid pump and said second hydraulic means.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
184 words
A hydraulic propulsion and guidance system for a marine vessel as in claim 9, wherein said fluid pump includes a reservoir, and wherein said second hydraulic means includes a return conduit from said lift cylinder, and wherein said control positioning and holding valve manifold means interposed between and operatively connected to said fluid pump and said second hydraulic means comprises: first check valve means; second check valve means; a first relief valve provided with pilot operated means; a second relief valve provided with pilot operated means; fourth fluid conduit means operatively connecting said fluid pump to said trim cylinder through said first check valve means; fifth fluid conduit means operatively connecting said fluid pump to said return conduit from said lift cylinder; sixth fluid conduit means operatively connecting said fourth fluid conduit means to said pilot operated means of said first relief valve; seventh fluid conduit means operatively connecting said fifth fluid conduit means to said pilot operated means of said second relief valve; and eighth fluid conduit means operatively connecting said first and second relief valves to said reservoir of said fluid pump.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
49 words
A hydraulic propulsion and guidance system for a marine vessel as in claim 10, wherein said first and second check valves comprise, respectively, separate check valves, said sixth and seventh fluid conduit means, respectively, intersecting said fourth and fifth fluid conduit means at points between said separate check valves.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
184 words
A hydraulic propulsion and guidance system for a marine vessel having a transom, comprising: main fluid and helm pressure generating systems within the vessel; a manifold hinge shaft rigidly mounted along a generally horizontal axis outside the vessel; hinge sections mounted for oscillation about said manifold hinge shaft; an outdrive having an upper section mounted to oscillate about said manifold hinge shaft and a lower section provided with a fluid motor and mounted to oscillate with respect to said upper section, a hydraulic cylinder mounted within said upper section, a piston slidably mounted within said cylinder and provided with a rack, a shaft formed as a part of said lower section and being provided with a gear along the periphery thereof mating with said rack of said piston; means connecting said main fluid pressure generating system to said fluid motor; and means connecting said helm pressure generating system to said hydraulic cylinder such that as said helm pressure generating system is operated said piston slides within said cylinder rotating said shaft and said lower section of said outdrive unit relative to said upper section.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
184 words
A hydraulic propulsion and guidance system for a marine vessel having a transom, comprising: main fluid and helm pressure generating systems within the vessel; a manifold hinge shaft rigidly mounted along a generally horizontal axis outside the vessel; hinge sections mounted for oscillation about said manifold hinge shaft; an outdrive having an upper section mounted to oscillate about said manifold hinge shaft and a lower section provided with a fluid motor and mounted to oscillate with respect to said upper section, a hydraulic cylinder mounted within said upper section, a piston slidably mounted within said cylinder and provided with a rack, a shaft formed as a part of said lower section and being provided with a gear along the periphery thereof mating with said rack of said piston; means connecting said main fluid pressure generating system to said fluid motor; and means connecting said helm pressure generating system to said hydraulic cylinder such that as said helm pressure generating system is operated said piston slides within said cylinder rotating said shaft and said lower section of said outdrive unit relative to said upper section.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
44 words
A hydraulic propulsion and guidance system for a marine vessel as in claim 12, wHerein said manifold hinge shaft is rigidly mounted along said horizontal axis by hinge sections mounted to said transom and provided with openings through which said manifold hinge shaft extends.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
87 words
A hydraulic propulsion and guidance system for a marine vessel as in claim 13, wherein said fluid conduit means connecting said main fluid pressure generating system and said fluid motor comprises passageways connecting said main fluid pressure generating system and said rigid hinge sections, passageways extending through said rigid hinge sections, passageways extending through said manifold hinge shaft, passageways extending through said upper section of said outdrive, passageways extending through said shaft of said lower section of said outdrive through said lower section into said fluid motor.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
25 words
A hydraulic propulsion and guidance system for a marine vessel as in claim 14, including hinge sections mounted for oscillation about said manifold hinge shaft.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
75 words
A hydraulic propulsion and guidance system for a marine vessel as in claim 15, wherein said fluid conduit means connecting said helm pressure generating system and said means oscillating said lower section comprises passageways extending from said helm pressure generating system to said rigid hinge sections, passageways extending through said rigid hinge sections, passageways extending through said manifold hinge shaft, passageways extending through said hinge sections mounted for oscillation and passageways extending to said cylinder.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
279 words
A hydraulic propulsion and guidance system for a marine vessel, comprising: an outdrive unit, means mounting said outdrive unit to said vessel permitting said outdrive unit to oscillate about an axis; a hydraulic system connected to said outdrive for turning same about said axis comprising a trim cylinder, a piston mounted for reciprocating movement within said trim cylinder and provided with a longitudinal passageway extending therethrough, a lift cylinder abutting and extending outwardly from said trim cylinder, a return conduit from said lift cylinder, a piston mounted for reciprocating movement within said lift cylinder and having one end abutting said passageway of said piston within said trim cylinder, the other end of said piston within said lift cylinder being secured to said outdrive; fluid pumping means provided with a reservoir; a control positioning and holding valve manifold assembly interposed between and operatively connected to said fluid pumping means and said hydraulic system comprising first check valve means, second check valve means, a first relief valve provided with pivot operated means, a second relief valve provided with pilot operated means, first fluid conduit means operatively connecting said fluid pumping means to said trim cylinder through said first check valve means, second fluid conduit means operatively connecting said fluid pumping means to said return conduit from said lift cylinder, third fluid conduit means operatively connecting said first conduit means to said pilot operated means of said first relief valve, fourth fluid conduit means operatively connecting said second fluid conduit means to said pilot operated means of said second relief valve, and fifth fluid conduit means operatively connecting said first and second relief valves to said reservoir of said fluid pumping means.
Claim 20
Dependent Claim
279 words
A hydraulic propulsion and guidance system for a marine vessel, comprising: an outdrive unit, means mounting said outdrive unit to said vessel permitting said outdrive unit to oscillate about an axis; a hydraulic system connected to said outdrive for turning same about said axis comprising a trim cylinder, a piston mounted for reciprocating movement within said trim cylinder and provided with a longitudinal passageway extending therethrough, a lift cylinder abutting and extending outwardly from said trim cylinder, a return conduit from said lift cylinder, a piston mounted for reciprocating movement within said lift cylinder and having one end abutting said passageway of said piston within said trim cylinder, the other end of said piston within said lift cylinder being secured to said outdrive; fluid pumping means provided with a reservoir; a control positioning and holding valve manifold assembly interposed between and operatively connected to said fluid pumping means and said hydraulic system comprising first check valve means, second check valve means, a first relief valve provided with pivot operated means, a second relief valve provided with pilot operated means, first fluid conduit means operatively connecting said fluid pumping means to said trim cylinder through said first check valve means, second fluid conduit means operatively connecting said fluid pumping means to said return conduit from said lift cylinder, third fluid conduit means operatively connecting said first conduit means to said pilot operated means of said first relief valve, fourth fluid conduit means operatively connecting said second fluid conduit means to said pilot operated means of said second relief valve, and fifth fluid conduit means operatively connecting said first and second relief valves to said reservoir of said fluid pumping means.
Claim 21
Dependent Claim
177 words
In a hydraulic propulsion and guidance system for a marine vessel having a transom and provided with main and helm pressure generating systems within the vessel, the improvement comprising first hinge sections rigidly mounted to said transom and provided with supports, a stationary manifold hinge shaft mounted to said supports of said first hinge sections and extending outside of the vessel along a first axis, second hinge sections mounted for oscillation about said manifold hinge shaft, an outdrive unit having an upper section mounted to oscillate about said manifold hinge shaft along said first axis and a lower section mouNted to oscillate with respect to said upper section about a second axis, and first fluid conduit means operatively connecting said fluid pressure generating system and said outdrive unit including portions thereof forming a part of said first hinge sections and said manifold hinge shaft and second fluid conduit means operatively connecting said helm pressure generating system and said outdrive including portions thereof forming a part of said first hinge sections, manifold hinge shaft and second hinge sections.
Claim 22
Dependent Claim
177 words
In a hydraulic propulsion and guidance system for a marine vessel having a transom and provided with main and helm pressure generating systems within the vessel, the improvement comprising first hinge sections rigidly mounted to said transom and provided with supports, a stationary manifold hinge shaft mounted to said supports of said first hinge sections and extending outside of the vessel along a first axis, second hinge sections mounted for oscillation about said manifold hinge shaft, an outdrive unit having an upper section mounted to oscillate about said manifold hinge shaft along said first axis and a lower section mouNted to oscillate with respect to said upper section about a second axis, and first fluid conduit means operatively connecting said fluid pressure generating system and said outdrive unit including portions thereof forming a part of said first hinge sections and said manifold hinge shaft and second fluid conduit means operatively connecting said helm pressure generating system and said outdrive including portions thereof forming a part of said first hinge sections, manifold hinge shaft and second hinge sections.
Claim 23
Dependent Claim
157 words
In a hydraulic propulsion and guidance system for a marine vessel having main fluid and helm pressure generating systems, an outdrive and conduit means operatively connecting same in fluid relationship, the improvement comprising said outdrive comprising an upper section, means mounting said upper section to oscillate about an axis extending generally horizontally outside of the vessel, a hydraulic cylinder mounted within said upper section of said outdrive and provided with a piston mounted for sliding movement therein and containing a rack of teeth, a lower section provided with a fluid motor and including a shaft provided with a rack of teeth along the periphery thereof mating with said teeth of said piston, said shaft of said lower section being mounted to oscillate with respect to said upper section, and wherein a portion of said conduit means operatively connects said main fluid pressure generating system and said fluid motor and passes through said shaft of said lower section.
Claim 24
Dependent Claim
157 words
In a hydraulic propulsion and guidance system for a marine vessel having main fluid and helm pressure generating systems, an outdrive and conduit means operatively connecting same in fluid relationship, the improvement comprising said outdrive comprising an upper section, means mounting said upper section to oscillate about an axis extending generally horizontally outside of the vessel, a hydraulic cylinder mounted within said upper section of said outdrive and provided with a piston mounted for sliding movement therein and containing a rack of teeth, a lower section provided with a fluid motor and including a shaft provided with a rack of teeth along the periphery thereof mating with said teeth of said piston, said shaft of said lower section being mounted to oscillate with respect to said upper section, and wherein a portion of said conduit means operatively connects said main fluid pressure generating system and said fluid motor and passes through said shaft of said lower section.
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) | 1978-10-27 | 1979-04-28 | 1979-10-28 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1982-10-27 | 1983-04-28 | 1983-10-28 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1986-10-27 | 1987-04-28 | 1987-10-28 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |