The patent badge is an abbreviated version of the USPTO patent document. The patent badge does contain a link to the full patent document.
The patent badge is an abbreviated version of the USPTO patent document. The patent badge covers the following: Patent number, Date patent was issued, Date patent was filed, Title of the patent, Applicant, Inventor, Assignee, Attorney firm, Primary examiner, Assistant examiner, CPCs, and Abstract. The patent badge does contain a link to the full patent document (in Adobe Acrobat format, aka pdf). To download or print any patent click here.
Patent No.:
Date of Patent:
Feb. 18, 1997
Filed:
Apr. 17, 1995
James M Hundertmark, Fond du Lac County, WI (US);
Timothy W Merten, Winnebago County, WI (US);
Performance 1 Marine, Inc., Overland Park, KS (US);
Abstract
A power steering assist system, especially adaptable for a marine vehicle having a propulsion unit pivotal about a steering axis and including a steering member to effect steering movement thereof about the steering axis and an operator actuable steering helm, comprising a hydraulic cylinder, a rotary valve body disposed adjacent the hydraulic cylinder and having a valve control adapted to establish fluid communication between the hydraulic cylinder and a fluid source for supplying hydraulic fluid to the cylinder. A ball screw, operably connected with the valve body, and a ball nut, having a recirculating ball connection with the ball screw, is operably connected to the piston so as to move axially on reciprocal movement of the piston. Pressurized hydraulic fluid is supplied to the cylinder and to either side of the piston to effect reciprocal movement of the piston, whereby axial movement of the ball nut is translated into rotary movement of the ball screw so as to rotate the valve body. An output member is operably connected to the piston and to the steering member.