Steering apparatus with integrated steering actuator

A steering apparatus for a marine craft having a stern and a propulsion unit, the apparatus comprising:

• a stern bracket connectable to the stern of the marine craft;
• a swivel case connected to the stern bracket, the swivel case having a top end and a bottom end spaced apart from the top end, and the swivel case defining a steering axis,
• an electric motor coaxially disposed within the swivel case for swivelling the propulsion wait about the steering axis, the electric motor having a lower shaft extending towards the bottom end, and an upper shaft opposite the lower shaft, the upper shaft extending towards the top end;
• a plurality of lower planetary gears having an input end connected to the lower shaft of the electric motor and an output end;
• a plurality of upper planetary gears having an input end connected to the upper shaft of the electric motor and an output end;
• a first member connected to and extending from the output end of the lower planetary gears, the first member being connectable to the propulsion unit;
• and
• a second member connected to and extending from the output end of the upper planetary gears, the second member being connectable to the propulsion unit,
• whereby, when the electric motor is actuated, the motor rotates the first member via the lower planetary gears, rotates the second member via the upper planetary gears, and swivels the propulsion unit about the steering axis thereby.

In combination, a propulsion unit and a steering apparatus for mounting on a stern of a marine craft, the steering apparatus comprising:

• a stern bracket connectable to the stern of the marine craft;
• a swivel case connected to the stern bracket, the swivel case defining a steering axis;
• an electric motor coaxially disposed within the swivel case for swivelling the propulsion unit about the steering axis;
• a gear reducing unit having an input end connected to the electric motor and an output end;
• and
• a first member connected to and extending from the output end of the gear reducing unit, the first member being connectable to the propulsion unit,
• whereby, when the electric motor is actuated, the motor rotates the first member via the gear reducing unit and swivels the propulsion unit about the steering axis.

A steering apparatus for a marine craft having a stern and a propulsion unit, the apparatus comprising:

• a stern bracket connectable to the stern of the marine craft;
• a swivel case connected to the stern bracket, the swivel case defining a steering axis;
• an electric motor substantially coaxial with the steering axis for swivelling the propulsion unit about the steering axis;
• a gear reducing unit having an input end connected to the electric motor and an output end, the gear reducing unit comprising planetary gears;
• and
• a first member connected to and extending from the output end of the gear reducing unit, the first member being connectable to the propulsion unit,
• whereby, when the electric motor is actuated the motor rotates the first member via the gear reducing unit and swivels the propulsion unit about the steering axis.

A steering apparatus for a marine craft having a stern and a propulsion unit, the apparatus comprising:

• a stern bracket connectable to the stern of the marine craft;
• a swivel case connected to the stern bracket, the swivel case having a swivel axis;
• a gear reducing unit operatively connected to the swivel case and substantially coaxial with the swivel axis, the gear reducing unit comprising planetary gears, the gear reducing unit having an input end and an output end;
• an electric motor connected to the input end of the gear reducing unit;
• a first member connected to and extending from the output end of the gear reducing unit, the first member being connectable to the propulsion unit;
• and
• a control means for controlling the electric motor, whereby when the electric motor is actuated, the motor rotates the first member via the gear reducing unit and swivels the propulsion unit about the swivel axis.

A steering apparatus for a marine craft having a stern, a propulsion unit, and an electric motor for steering the propulsion unit, the apparatus comprising:

• a stern bracket connectable to the stern of the marine craft;
• a swivel case connected to the stern bracket, the swivel case defining a steering axis, the electric motor being operatively connectable to the swivel case for swivelling the propulsion unit about the steering axis
• a gear reducing unit operatively connected to the swivel case, the gear reducing unit comprising planetary gears, the gear reducing unit having an input end and an output end both substantially coaxial with the steering axis, the input end of the gear reducing unit connecting to the electric motor;
• and
• a first member connecting to and extending from the output end of the gear reducing unit, the first member being connectable to the propulsion unit,
• whereby, when the electric motor is actuated, the motor rotates the first member via the gear reducing unit and swivels the propulsion unit about the steering axis.