Steering cylinder and steering system for outboard engines

A steering system for steering an outboard engine of a marine vessel, the steering system comprising:

• a tilt tube coupled to the outboard engine;
• a link arm defining a first end and a second end;
• a tiller arm coupled between the second end of the link arm and a rudder of the outboard engine;
• and
• a steering cylinder coupled to the first end of the link arm, the steering cylinder comprising:
• a first cylinder including a first fluid port and a second fluid port, the first fluid port positioned on a first end cap, and the first cylinder defining a first space;
• a second cylinder defining a first end and a second end opposite the first end, the second cylinder defining a second space housing a hollow piston, wherein the second cylinder is configured to move with respect to the first cylinder;
• and
• a hollow piston rod positioned at least partially within the first space and defining a first end and a second end, the first end being fluidly coupled with the first fluid port and the second end being coupled to the hollow piston,
• wherein the steering cylinder is configured to actuate between an extended position and a retracted position to steer the marine vessel, wherein in the extended position, the second cylinder is configured to move away from the first end cap, and in the retracted position, the second cylinder is configured to move towards the first end cap.

A marine vessel comprising:

• an outboard engine mounted on a hull of the marine vessel;
• and
• a steering system for steering the outboard engine, the steering system comprising:
• a tilt tube coupled to the outboard engine;
• a link arm defining a first end and a second end;
• a tiller arm coupled between the second end of the link arm and a rudder of the outboard engine;
• and
• a steering cylinder coupled to the first end of the link arm, the steering cylinder comprising:
• a first cylinder including a first fluid port and a second fluid port, the first fluid port positioned on a first end cap, and the first cylinder defining a first space;
• a second cylinder defining a first end and a second end opposite the first end, the second cylinder defining a second space housing a hollow piston, wherein the second cylinder is configured to move with respect to the first cylinder;
• and
• a hollow piston rod positioned at least partially within the first space and defining a first end and a second end, the first end being fluidly coupled with the first fluid port and the second end being coupled to the hollow piston,
• wherein the steering cylinder is configured to actuate between an extended position and a retracted position to steer the marine vessel, wherein in the extended position, the second cylinder is configured to move away from the first end cap, and in the retracted position, the second cylinder is configured to move towards the first end cap.