Power assist hydraulic steering system with on demand pump

A power assist hydraulic steering system comprising:

• a helm pump hydraulically connected to a first hydraulic steeling actuator;
• a power assist pump hydraulically connected to a second hydraulic steering actuator, the second hydraulic steering actuator being coupled to the first hydraulic steering actuator;
• a flow sensing mechanism disposed along a hydraulic conduit which hydraulically connects the helm pump to the first hydraulic steering actuator, the flow sensing mechanism sensing a flow of fluid from the helm pump to the first hydraulic steering actuator, and the flow sensing mechanism including a poppet valve and a proximity sensor, the poppet valve having a valve body and a poppet disposed within the valve body, the valve body having an inlet port and an outlet port, the poppet having a polyhedron plug and a frustoconical tip which reciprocatingly extends through the inlet port in response to the flow of fluid from the helm pump, through the valve body, and to the first hydraulic steering actuator;
• and
• a motor for actuating the power assist pump, wherein the motor for actuating the power assist pump only runs when the flow sensing mechanism senses the flow of fluid from the helm pump to the first hydraulic steering actuator.