Other

By Patricia L Templeman, Representative

James M Hundertmark

Arthur R Templeman

Timothy W Merten

In a marine hydraulic steering assembly for a propulsion unit there is included a hydraulic steering cylinder operatively connected to the propulsion unit and is provided with first and second chambers. A hydraulic output system is actuated by a steering wheel at the helm of the marine vehicle and is operatively connected to the propulsion unit for effecting common movement of the hydraulic steering cylinder in response to actuation by the steering wheel. The hydraulic output system including a second hydraulic cylinder having first and second chambers, and a reservoir, and fluid communication extends between the first chamber and the reservoir and the second chamber and the reservoir. A first hydraulic conduit extends between the first chamber of the hydraulic steering cylinder and the first chamber of the second hydraulic cylinder, and a second hydraulic conduit extends between the second chamber of the hydraulic steering cylinder and the second chamber of the second hydraulic cylinder, the first and second hydraulic conduits having expandable wall portions. Fluctuations in torque on the propulsion unit delivers or exhaust hydraulic fluid between the chambers via the hydraulic conduits to cause the conduits in the direction of the torque to expand to maintain the hydraulic steering cylinder at about zero pressure thereby effectually preventing external forces from pivoting the propulsion unit about the vertical steering axis and substantially reducing instability of the vehicle.

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Venice, FL, United States of America

By Patricia L Templeman, Representative