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:
Mar. 13, 2001
Filed:
Aug. 26, 1998
James M Hundertmark, Fond du Lac, WI (US);
Timothy W. Merten, Oshkosh, WI (US);
Arthur R. Templeman, late of Sarasota, FL (US);
by Patricia L. Templeman, representative, Venice, FL (US);
Other;
Abstract
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.