Abstract: A hydraulic steering system comprising a primary propulsion unit having a tiller, an auxiliary propulsion unit having a tiller, and a hydraulic steering actuator operatively coupled to the tiller of the primary propulsion unit. A tie bar couples a tie bar mount of the hydraulic steering actuator to the tiller of the auxiliary propulsion unit. A first connecting member which connects the tie bar to the tie bar mount of the hydraulic steering actuator and a second connecting member which connects the tie bar to the auxiliary propulsion unit are oriented substantially perpendicular to one another.

Abstract: An electric actuator for a marine steering system comprises a housing and an output shaft reciprocatingly received by the housing. There is a rotor disposed within the housing. The rotor is coupled to the output shaft of the electric actuator. Rotation of the rotor causing the output shaft of the electric actuator to reciprocate relative to the housing. There is a motor disposed within the housing. The motor has an output shaft coupled to the rotor. A longitudinal axis of the output shaft of the motor is parallel with a longitudinal axis of the output shaft of the electric actuator. There is also a drive mechanism disposed within the housing. The drive mechanism couples the output shaft of electric actuator to the rotor. The drive mechanism is on a plane radial to a longitudinal axis of the output shaft of the motor.

Abstract: An electric actuator for imparting steering movement to a propulsion unit of a marine vessel includes a housing and an output shaft reciprocatingly received by the housing. There is a motor disposed within the housing. The motor has a rotor assembly and a stator. Rotation of the rotor assembly causes the output shaft to translate axially relative to the rotor assembly and causes the output shaft to reciprocate relative to the housing. There is a coupling assembly mounted to the housing. The coupling assembly coupling the electric actuator to the propulsion unit of the marine vessel. There is a steering control unit mounted to the housing. The steering control unit drives the motor to cause the rotor assembly to rotate and the output shaft to reciprocate relative to the housing.

Abstract: An electric actuator comprises a housing and an output shaft reciprocatingly received by the housing. There is a screw assembly disposed within the housing and coupled to the output shaft. The screw assembly includes a plurality of annular rollers and a central screw received by the annular rollers. The annular rollers are rotatable about the central screw. There is a motor which includes a stator and a rotor. The rotor has an inner bore which engages the annular rollers. Rotation of the rotor causes the central screw to translate axially relative to the rotor and the output shaft to reciprocate relative to the housing.

Abstract: A combination trim tab and interceptor comprises a housing and a trim tab pivotably coupled to the housing. An interceptor blade is reciprocatingly received by the housing. A cam is coupled to the trim tab and the interceptor blade. The cam is coupled to the trim tab by a link which applies a rotary force when the trim tab pivots relative to the housing. The cam is coupled to the interceptor blade such that the interceptor blade functions as a cam follower. An actuator actuates the trim tab to pivot relative to the housing. Pivoting of the trim tab results in the cam applying a force to the interceptor blade, causing the interceptor blade to reciprocate relative to the housing. The cam may be configured so a stroke of the interceptor blade and a stroke of the actuator are non-linear. The actuator may be an electromechanical linear actuator.

Abstract: A steering system for a marine vessel comprises a first propulsion unit, a second propulsion unit, and a third propulsion unit. There is a hydraulic actuator for imparting steering motion to the first propulsion unit and a hydraulic actuator for imparting steering motion to the second propulsion unit. A tie bar couples a tiller of the third propulsion unit to the hydraulic actuator of the first propulsion unit. A joystick is used to input user steering commands to the steering system. Movement of the joystick actuates the said hydraulic actuators to impart steering motion to the first propulsion unit and the second propulsion unit. The third propulsion unit is put in neutral when the joystick is used to input user steering commands.

Abstract: A steering system for a marine vessel comprises a helm, a control head, and a joystick. The helm and control head may respectively provide user inputted steering commands and user inputted shift and throttle commands on a first CAN network. The joystick and the control head may respectively provide user inputted steering commands and user inputted shift and throttle commands on a second CAN network. The helm may provide user inputted steering commands on the first CAN network. The control head may provide user inputted shift and throttle commands on the second CAN network. The joystick may provide user inputted steering commands and user inputted shift and throttle commands on either the first CAN network or the second CAN network.

Abstract: There is provided a mounting assembly for a marine vessel having a pair of stern-mounted propulsion units. The assembly includes a pair of angle-setting members which forwardly angle the propulsion units towards a bow of the marine vessel when each propulsion unit is at the center of its total steering range. Each propulsion unit has a line of action of its propulsion force. The lines of action of the propulsion units intersect each other between a center of rotation of the marine vessel and a stern of the marine vessel when the propulsion units are steered forwardly towards each other.

Abstract: A steering apparatus comprises a rotatable steering shaft and a sensor which senses angular movement of the steering shaft. An electromagnetic actuator actuates a stop mechanism to releasable engage the steering shaft. There is a microcontroller which causes the electromagnetic actuator to actuate the stop mechanism to fully engage the steering shaft and prevent rotation of the steering shaft in a first rotational direction, which corresponds to movement towards the hardstop position, while allowing rotational play between the steering shaft and the stop mechanism in a second direction, which corresponds to rotational movement away from the hardstop position, when the sensor senses that the steering shaft has reached a hardstop position. A driver applies a reverse polarity pulse to the electromagnetic actuator when the stop mechanism is fully engaged and the steering shaft is rotated, as permitted by the rotational play, in the second rotational direction.

Abstract: An electric actuator comprises a housing and an output shaft reciprocatingly received by the housing. There is a screw assembly disposed within the housing and coupled to the output shaft. The screw assembly includes a plurality of annular rollers and a central screw received by the annular rollers. The annular rollers are rotatable about the central screw. There is a motor which includes a stator and a rotor. The rotor has an inner bore which engages the annular rollers. Rotation of the rotor causes the central screw to translate axially relative to the rotor and the output shaft to reciprocate relative to the housing.

Abstract: An apparatus for adjusting positions of an outboard propulsion unit of a marine vessel comprises a jack plate having a jack plate actuator capable of moving the propulsion unit between raised and lowered positions and a swivel bracket having a swivel bracket actuator capable of pivoting the propulsion unit between raised and lowered trim positions. There is a control system operatively connected to the jack plate actuator and the swivel bracket actuator. The control system includes a first manual control which incrementally moves the jack plate an incremental amount each time the first manual control is actuated and a second manual control which incrementally pivots the swivel bracket an incremental amount each time the second manual control is actuated. Movement of the propulsion unit within a tilt range may be detected and the jack plate may be moved to a preset position.

Abstract: A steering system for a marine vessel comprises a first propulsion unit, a second propulsion unit, and a third propulsion unit. There is a hydraulic actuator for imparting steering motion to the first propulsion unit and a hydraulic actuator for imparting steering motion to the second propulsion unit. A tie bar couples a tiller of the third propulsion unit to the hydraulic actuator of the first propulsion unit. A joystick is used to input user steering commands to the steering system. Movement of the joystick actuates the said hydraulic actuators to impart steering motion to the first propulsion unit and the second propulsion unit. The third propulsion unit is put in neutral when the joystick is used to input user steering commands.

Abstract: A hydraulic hose fitting comprises a hydraulic hose engaging portion and a hydraulic port engaging portion. The hydraulic hose engaging portion includes a body having an axial bore extending therethrough and a stem press-fit into the axial bore. The hydraulic port engaging portion is coupled to the hydraulic hose engaging portion. The hydraulic port engaging portion may be a swivel nut.

Abstract: A power assist hydraulic steering system comprises a helm pump hydraulically connected to a first hydraulic actuator. A power assist pump is hydraulically connected to a second hydraulic actuator. The first and second hydraulic actuators are coupled. A flow sensing mechanism is disposed along a hydraulic conduit which hydraulically connects the helm pump to the first hydraulic actuator. The flow sensing mechanism senses when fluid flows from the helm pump to the first hydraulic actuator. A motor actuates the power assist pump when the flow sensing mechanism senses that fluid is flowing from the helm pump to the first hydraulic actuator. In one embodiment the first hydraulic actuator is a servo cylinder and the second hydraulic actuator is a drive cylinder.

Abstract: A steering system for a marine vessel comprises a helm, a control head, and a joystick. The helm and control head may respectively provide user inputted steering commands and user inputted shift and throttle commands on a first CAN network. The joystick and the control head may respectively provide user inputted steering commands and user inputted shift and throttle commands on a second CAN network. The helm may provide user inputted steering commands on the first CAN network. The control head may provide user inputted shift and throttle commands on the second CAN network. The joystick may provide user inputted steering commands and user inputted shift and throttle commands on either the first CAN network or the second CAN network.

Abstract: A steering apparatus comprises a rotatable steering shaft and a sensor which senses angular movement of the steering shaft. An electromagnetic actuator actuates a stop mechanism to releasable engage the steering shaft. There is a microcontroller which causes the electromagnetic actuator to actuate the stop mechanism to fully engage the steering shaft and prevent rotation of the steering shaft in a first rotational direction, which corresponds to movement towards the hardstop position, while allowing rotational play between the steering shaft and the stop mechanism in a second direction, which corresponds to rotational movement away from the hardstop position, when the sensor senses that the steering shaft has reached a hardstop position. A driver applies a reserve polarity pulse to the electromagnetic actuator when the stop mechanism is fully engaged and the steering shaft is rotated, as permitted by the rotational play, in the second rotational direction.

Abstract: A steering apparatus comprises a rotatable steering shaft and a sensor which senses angular movement of the steering shaft. An electromagnetic actuator actuates a stop mechanism to releasable engage the steering shaft. There is a microcontroller which causes the electromagnetic actuator to actuate the stop mechanism to fully engage the steering shaft and prevent rotation of the steering shaft in a first rotational direction, which corresponds to movement towards the hardstop position, while allowing rotational play between the steering shaft and the stop mechanism in a second direction, which corresponds to rotational movement away from the hardstop position, when the sensor senses that the steering shaft has reached a hardstop position. A driver applies a reserve polarity pulse to the electromagnetic actuator when the stop mechanism is fully engaged and the steering shaft is rotated, as permitted by the rotational play, in the second rotational direction.