Abstract: A steering assist system for a marine vessel includes a steering vane extending into water in the vicinity of a steering device for the vessel and that is pivotable about an at least generally vertical axis by an electromechanical drive unit. The drive unit is energized by an actuator assembly in response to the imposition of external forces on the steering system. The actuator assembly includes an actuator that is movable in response to the imposition of external forces in the steering system and a switch that is selectively engageable by the actuator arm to energize the drive unit to drive the steering vane to pivot. The actuator assembly may comprise a biasing assembly that resists movement of the actuator creating a force threshold that must be overcome to engage the switch. The biasing assembly may take the form of one or more springs, preferably having a settable preset.

Abstract: A steering assist system for a marine vessel includes a steering vane that extends into the water in the vicinity of a steering device for the vessel and that is pivotable about an at least generally vertical axis by an electromechanical drive unit. The drive unit is energized by an actuator assembly in response to the imposition of external forces on the steering system. The actuator assembly includes an actuator that is movable in response to the imposition of external forces in the steering system and a switch that is selectively engageable by the actuator arm to energize the drive unit to drive the steering vane to pivot. The actuator assembly may additionally comprise a biasing assembly that resists movement of the actuator to create a force threshold that must be overcome to engage the switch. The biasing assembly may take the form of one or more springs, preferably having a settable preset.

Abstract: A hydraulic lock of a tiller-based watercraft steering system is responsive to tiller release to lock a watercraft's steered element in the last commanded position upon tiller release. The hydraulic lock can be controlled through an actuator assembly that is provided between a tiller arm and the watercraft's steered element. One or more cables connect the actuator assembly to other components of the hydraulic lock. A thermal compensator regulates pressure within the hydraulic lock by accommodating changes in temperature related characteristics of the fluid within the hydraulic lock Increases in fluid pressure due to thermal expansion can be mitigated within the thermal compensator by automatically or manually directing a volume of fluid from the hydraulic lock, through a compensating valve assembly, and into a reservoir. Decreases in fluid pressure can be mitigated by directing fluid from the reservoir back into the hydraulic lock.

Abstract: A tiller-based watercraft steering system is responsive to tiller release to lock a watercraft's steered element in the last commanded position upon tiller release. The system is locked by closing a valve assembly to prevent flow to opposed chamber of a hydraulic lock coupled to the steered element. The tiller preferably comprises an actuator portion which is movable relative to the remainder of the tiller. The actuator portion may, for example, be a grip on an articulating outer end portion of a tiller arm. The valve assembly may be connected to the hydraulic lock to form a combined module. It may be actuated by a mechanical link such as one or more cables leading from the actuator portion of the tiller to the valve assembly. The system may be used as either a manual or a power-assisted steering system.

Abstract: A tiller is preferably coupled to the outboard motor or other steered element of a watercraft such that movement of the tiller in a first manner imposes manually-generated steering forces on the steered element and that operation of the tiller in a second manner imposes power assist steering forces on the steered element. The first manner preferably involves movement of the tiller as a whole, in which case tiller movement drives the steered element mechanically. The second manner preferably involves movement of an actuator portion of the tiller relative to the remainder of the tiller, in which case movement of the tiller actuator portion causes a steering cylinder assembly, an electric stepper motor, or other drive mechanism to impose power assist steering forces on the steered element. The actuator portion of the tiller may, for example, comprise an articulating end of the tiller's arm or a throttle grip supported on the tiller.

Abstract: A tiller is preferably coupled to the outboard motor or other steered element of a watercraft such that movement of the tiller in a first manner imposes manually-generated steering forces on the steered element and that operation of the tiller in a second manner imposes power assist steering forces on the steered element. The first manner preferably involves movement of the tiller as a whole, in which case tiller movement drives the steered element mechanically. The second manner preferably involves movement of an actuator portion of the tiller relative to the remainder of the tiller, in which case movement of the tiller actuator portion causes a steering cylinder assembly, an electric stepper motor, or other drive mechanism to impose power assist steering forces on the steered element. The actuator portion of the tiller may, for example, comprise an articulating end of the tiller's arm or a throttle grip supported on the tiller.

Abstract: A power steering system for a watercraft comprises a hydraulically actuated, unbalanced steering cylinder assembly, a pressure source, and helm that is spaced from the steering cylinder assembly. The helm includes a helm cylinder having a slave chamber fluidically coupled to a second chamber in the steering cylinder, a high pressure port fluidically coupled to the outlet of the pressure source and to a first chamber in the steering cylinder, and a return port fluidically coupled to vent. A helm piston is slidably mounted in the helm cylinder, and a control valve assembly is movable between at least first and second positions to alternatively couple a control chamber in the helm cylinder to the high pressure and return ports. In order to facilitate mounting of the helm to the dash of the watercraft, the helm has only three ports, and all three ports are all located on a rear axial end of the helm cylinder. The helm cylinder also is very compact, having a diameter of no more than about +3″.

Abstract: A power steering assist system for a watercraft includes a hydraulically actuated steering cylinder assembly and a helm. The helm has a high pressure port being coupled to a fluid pressure source, a return port coupled to a reservoir, and a metering port coupled to a second chamber of the steering cylinder. A control valve assembly in the helm is switchable between at least first and second states to alternatively couple a metering element in the helm to the high pressure and return ports of the helm, respectively, hence alternatively permitting pressurized fluid to flow into the metering port from the metering element to steer the watercraft in a first direction and from the metering port into the metering element to steer the watercraft in a second direction. The system is simple, compact, reliable, and still usable in watercraft having multiple engines and/or multiple helms.

Abstract: A power steering assist system for a watercraft includes a hydraulically actuated steering cylinder assembly and a helm. The helm has a high pressure port being coupled to a fluid pressure source, a return port coupled to a reservoir, and a metering port coupled to a second chamber of the steering cylinder. A control valve assembly in the helm is switchable between at least first and second states to alternatively couple a metering element in the helm to the high pressure and return ports of the helm, respectively, hence alternatively permitting pressurized fluid to flow into the metering port from the metering element to steer the watercraft in a first direction and from the metering port into the metering element to steer the watercraft in a second direction. The system is simple, compact, reliable, and still usable in watercraft having multiple engines and/or multiple helms.

Abstract: A power steering system for a watercraft comprises a hydraulically actuated, unbalanced steering cylinder assembly, a pressure source, and helm that is spaced from the steering cylinder assembly. The helm includes a helm cylinder having a slave chamber fluidically coupled to a second chamber in the steering cylinder, a high pressure port fluidically coupled to the outlet of the pressure source and to a first chamber in the steering cylinder, and a return port fluidically coupled to vent. A control valve assembly is movable between at least first and second positions to alternatively couple a control chamber in the helm cylinder to the high pressure and return ports. In order to facilitate mounting of the helm to the dash of the watercraft, the helm has only three ports, and all three ports are all located on a rear axial end of the helm cylinder.