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US 4,744,777 AGranted
Power steering system for marine propulsion device
AssigneeOutboard Marine Corporation
InventorArthur R. Ferguson
Life of this patent
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AssigneeOutboard Marine Corporation
InventorArthur R. Ferguson
Estimating the term…
Disclosed herein is a power steering system for a marine propulsion device having a propulsion unit movable around a generally vertical steering axis, the power steering system comprising a tilt tube for affording tilting movement of the propulsion unit around a tilt axis substantially transverse to the steering axis, a steering ram within the tilt tube for bi-directional movement relative to the tilt tube and having a projecting end, a power steering cylinder fixed relative to the tilt tube, a piston reciprocable within the power steering cylinder, a piston rod having an inner end connected to the piston and having an outer end extending from the steering cylinder, a spool valve assembly including a first member mounted to the outer end of the piston rod, and a second member reciprocably moveable relative to the first member, an elongate bell crank having a first end pivotally connected to the projecting end of the steering ram, having a second end pivotally connected to the second member and being pivotally connected between the first and second ends to the first member for movement relative to the first member, and linkage means coupled between the outer end of the piston rod and the propulsion unit for pivoting the propulsion unit around the steering axis in response to movement of the piston rod relative to the cylinder.
A marine propulsion device comprising a propulsion unit including a propeller adapted to be driven by a power source, mounting means adapted to be mounted on a boat for supporting said propulsion unit for pivotal steering movement around a generally vertical steering axis and including a tilt tube for affording tilting movement of said propulsion unit around a tilt axis substantially transverse to said steering axis, a steering ram within said tilt tube for bi-directional movement relative to said tilt tube and having a projecting end, a power steering cylinder fixed relative to said tilt tube, a piston reciprocable within said power steering cylinder, a piston rod having an inner end connected to said piston and having an outer end extending from said steering cylinder, a spool valve assembly including a first member mounted to said outer end of said piston rod, and a second member reciprocably moveable relative to said first member, an elongate bell crank having a first end pivotally connected to said projecting end of said steering ram, having a second end pivotally connected to said second member and being pivotally connected between said first and second ends to said first member for movement relative to said first member, and linkage means coupled between said outer end of said piston rod and said propulsion unit for pivoting said propulsion unit around said steering axis in response to movement of said piston rod relative to said cylinder.
A power steering system for a marine propulsion device including a propulsion unit and a mounting assembly for supporting the propulsion unit for pivotal steering movement around a generally vertical steering axis, said power steering system comprising a tilt tube for affording tilting movement of said propulsion unit around a tilt axis substantially transverse to said steering axis, a steering ram within said tilt tube for bi-directional movement relative to said tilt tube and having a projecting end, a power steering cylinder fixed relative to said tilt tube, a piston reciprocable within said power steering cylinder, a piston rod having an inner end connected to said piston and having an outer end extending from said steering cylinder, a spool valve assembly including a first member mounted to said outer end of said piston rod, and a second member reciprocably moveable relative to said first member, an elongate bell crank having a first end pivotally connected to said projecting end of said steering ram, having a second end pivotally connected to said second member and being pivotally connected between said first and second ends to said first member for movement relative to said first member, and linkage means adapted to be coupled between said outer end of said piston rod and the propulsion unit for pivoting the propulsion unit around the steering axis in response to movement of said piston rod relative to said cylinder.
A marine propulsion device comprising a propulsion unit including a propeller adapted to be driven by a power source, mounting means adapted to be mounted on a boat for supporting said propulsion unit for pivotal steering movement around a generally vertical steering axis and including a tilt tube for affording tilting movement of said propulsion unit around a tilt axis substantially transverse to said steering axis, a steering ram within said tilt tube for bi-directional movement relative to said tilt tube, a power steering cylinder fixed relative to said tilt tube, a piston reciprocable within said power steering cylinder, a piston rod having an inner end connected to said piston and having an outer end, a spool valve assembly including a first member mounted to said outer end of said piston rod and a second member reciprocably moveable relative to said first member, a link member having a first portion pivotally connected to said steering ram, having a second portion pivotally connected to said second member, and having a third portion pivotally connected to said first member, and linkage means coupled between said outer end of said piston rod and said propulsion unit for pivoting said propulsion unit around said steering axis in response to movement of said piston rod relative to said cylinder.
A power steering system for a marine propulsion device including a propulsion unit and a mounting assembly for supporting the propulsion unit for pivotal steering movement around a generally vertical steering axis, said power steering system comprising a tilt tube for affording tilting movement of said propulsion unit around a tilt axis substantially transverse to said steering axis, a steering ram within said tilt tube for bi-directional movement relative to said tilt tube, a power steering cylinder fixed relative to said tilt tube, a piston reciprocable within said power steering cylinder, a piston rod having an inner end connected to said piston and having an outer end, a spool valve assembly including a first member mounted to said outer end of said piston rod and a second member reciprocably moveable relative to said first member, a link member having a first portion pivotally connected to said steering ram, having a second portion pivotally connected to said second member, and having a third portion pivotally connected to said first member, and linkage means adapted to be coupled between said outer end of said piston rod and the propulsion unit for pivoting the propulsion unit around the steering axis in response to movement of said piston rod relative to said cylinder.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.