Abstract: The invention relates to a steering apparatus for a vehicle. It includes a housing with a steering shaft having a longitudinal axis. A first bearing is interposed between the shaft and the housing, permitting rotation of the steering shaft about the axis. There is also a first wedge-shaped member that has a thin end against the first bearing and a means for biasing the first wedge-shaped member against the first bearing to take up play between the shaft and first bearing, and play within the first bearing.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for providing power assisted steering for a marine craft having a manually operable steering pump and a hydraulic steering actuator. A powered hydraulic pump is hydraulically connected between the manually operable pump and the actuator. Hydraulic fluid volume output of the steering pump and hydraulic fluid volume output of the powered pump are sensed. The fluid output of the steering pump is compared with the fluid output of the powered pump and the powered pump is operated so that the output of the powered pump is commensurate with output of the steering pump.

Abstract: A steering apparatus for a marine craft or other vehicle having a communication bus and a plurality of helm apparatuses. Each of the helm apparatuses includes a steering device. Additionally, each of the helm apparatuses is connected to the communication bus. Each of the helm apparatuses provides helm signals indicative of incremental and decremental movement, of the steering device thereof. The helm signals are transmitted over the communication bus. The steering apparatus further includes a rudder which has an actuator and a control means for receiving each of the helm signals and which provides rudder signals to the actuator to steer the rudder in accordance with movement of the steering devices of the helm apparatuses. The control means is connected to the communication bus. Each of the rudder signals are derived from each of the helm signals from one of the helm apparatuses which is steered fastest when a plurality of the helm apparatuses is simultaneously steered.

Abstract: There is provided an energy discharge apparatus for dissipating a quantity of stored magnetic energy in a generator field coil of a brushless generator. The apparatus includes an exciter regulator responsive to an output signal of the generator and which provides an exciter field signal, and an exciter field coil responsive to the exciter field signal and which provides an exciter magnetic field, and an exciter armature coil responsive to the exciter magnetic field and which provides an exciter armature signal. The apparatus further includes a control circuit responsive to the exciter armature signal, and a variable impedance in series with the generator field coil and responsive to the control circuit. The variable impedance serves to dissipate the quantity of stored magnetic energy. In another embodiment the apparatus includes a positive feedback circuit responsive to the exciter armature signal and operable to dissipate the quantity of stored magnetic energy.

Abstract: There is provided an energy discharge apparatus for dissipating a quantity of stored magnetic energy in a generator field coil of a brushless generator. The apparatus includes an exciter regulator responsive to an output signal of the generator and which provides an exciter field signal, and an exciter field coil responsive to the exciter field signal and which provides an exciter magnetic field, and an exciter armature coil responsive to the exciter magnetic field and which provides an exciter armature signal. The apparatus further includes a control circuit responsive to the exciter armature signal, and a variable impedance in series with the generator field coil and responsive to the control circuit. The variable impedance serves to dissipate the quantity of stored magnetic energy. In another embodiment the apparatus includes a positive feedback circuit responsive to the exciter armature signal and operable to dissipate the quantity of stored magnetic energy.

Abstract: There is provided a hydraulic steering assembly for applying a force to a tiller of a marine, outboard propulsion unit. The steering assembly comprises a hydraulic steering actuator including a cylinder and an elongated piston rods. A pivot member is pivotally mounted on the tiller of the propulsion unit for pivoting about a first link axis which is parallel to the steering axis. There is a pair of actuator arms, each actuator arm being connected to the cylinder and having a portion extending radially outwards with respect to the piston rod axis. Each actuator arm includes an integral cylindrical projection. The pivot member has a complementary cylindrical recess for each integral cylindrical projection and the pivot member thereby rotatably receives each cylindrical projection. Preferably, each cylindrical projection and actuator arm comprise one piece. At least one of the actuator arms is removable.

Abstract: There is provided an energy discharge apparatus for dissipating a quantity of stored magnetic energy in a generator field coil of a brushless generator. The apparatus includes an exciter regulator responsive to an output signal of the generator and which provides an exciter field signal, and an exciter field coil responsive to the exciter field signal and which provides an exciter magnetic field, and an exciter armature coil responsive to the exciter magnetic field and which provides an exciter armature signal. The apparatus further includes a control circuit responsive to the exciter armature signal, and a variable impedance in series with the generator field coil and responsive to the control circuit. The variable impedance serves to dissipate the quantity of stored magnetic energy. In another embodiment the apparatus includes a positive feedback circuit responsive to the exciter armature signal and operable to dissipate the quantity of stored magnetic energy.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for providing power assisted steering for a marine craft having a manually operable steering pump and a hydraulic steering actuator. A powered hydraulic pump is hydraulically connected between the manually operable pump and the actuator. Hydraulic fluid volume output of the steering pump and hydraulic fluid volume output of the powered pump are sensed. The fluid output of the steering pump is compared with the fluid output of the powered pump and the powered pump is operated so that the output of the powered pump is commensurate with output of the steering pump.

Abstract: A helm apparatus for a marine craft or other vehicle having a steered member such as a rudder includes a mechanically rotatable steering device and a sensor which senses angular movement of the steering device when the craft is steered. A communication link to the rudder enables the helm to monitor the rudder position. A bi-directional stop mechanism is actuated when the helm determines that the rudder position is beyond starboard or port hard-over thresholds, indicating that the rudder has reached a limit of travel. The helm can cause the stop mechanism to fully engage the steering device to stop further rotation of the steering device in a first rotational direction, corresponding to rotational movement towards the limit of travel.

Abstract: A steering apparatus for a marine craft has a first bracket connectable to the stern of the marine craft. There is a second bracket connectable to the propulsion unit of the marine craft. The second bracket is rotatably connected to the first bracket for relative rotation about an axis of rotation. The propulsion unit can be rotated about the axis of rotation relative to the stern of the craft. The second bracket has a cylindrical bore extending therethrough. A piston is reciprocatingly received within the bore. The piston slidingly engages the bore and has a piston rod connected thereto. The piston rod is operatively connected to the propulsion unit. In an alternative embodiment a cable replaces the piston and is slidably received by a cable tube extending through end fittings in the bore.

Abstract: There is provided a hydraulic steering assembly for applying a force to two or more marine propulsion units. Each propulsion unit has a steering axis and a tilt axis. The tilt axis is generally perpendicular to the steering axis thereof. Each propulsion unit is rotatable about the steering axis and is supported for arcuate movement about the tilt axis thereof. The steering assembly comprises a hydraulic steering actuator including a cylinder and an elongated piston rod. The cylinder has a first end and a second end. The elongated piston rod is reciprocatingly mounted within the cylinder and extends through the cylinder for movement along a piston rod axis. A pair of support arms are pivotable about the tilt axis of a first propulsion unit. The support arms are connected to the piston rod axis allowing arcuate movement of the piston rod about the tilt axis, while maintaining the piston rod axis parallel to the tilt axis.

Abstract: A control apparatus simultaneously controls flow rates of a first fluid and a second fluid. The apparatus comprises a control valve for controlling the flow rate of the first fluid and a bleed device for bleeding the second fluid. The control valve is operatively connected to the bleed device, whereby, as the control valve is opened progressively greater amounts to increase flow of the first fluid, the bleed device is progressively closed to decrease bleeding of the second fluid, and, as the control valve is closed progressively greater amounts to decrease flow of the first fluid, the bleed device is progressively opened to increase bleeding of the second fluid. The control apparatus may be installed in a burner unit of the type having a compressor supplying pressurized air to the burner and a fuel pump supplying fuel to the burner. The control valve controls the fuel and the bleed device increases bleeding of the air as the control valve closes.

Abstract: A control apparatus simultaneously controls flow rates of a first fluid and a second fluid. The apparatus comprises a control valve for controlling the flow rate of the first fluid and a bleed device for bleeding the second fluid. The control valve is operatively connected to the bleed device, whereby, as the control valve is opened progressively greater amounts to increase flow of the first fluid, the bleed device is progressively closed to decrease bleeding of the second fluid, and, as the control valve is closed progressively greater amounts to decrease flow of the first fluid, the bleed device is progressively opened to increase bleeding of the second fluid. The control apparatus may be installed in a burner unit of the type having a compressor supplying pressurized air to the burner and a fuel pump supplying fuel to the burner. The control valve controls the fuel and the bleed device increases bleeding of the air as the control valve closes.

Abstract: An internal combustion engine has a liquid-cooled electrical machine mounted thereon. The liquid-cooled electrical machine includes a centrally disposed stator having stator windings. A rotor is mounted on a rotatable member for rotation therewith. The rotor extends about the stator. A cooling chamber is disposed within the stator and has an inlet for a coolant and an outlet for the coolant connected thereto.

Abstract: A control apparatus simultaneously controls flow rates of a first fluid and a second fluid. The apparatus comprises a control valve for controlling the flow rate of the first fluid and a bleed device for bleeding the second fluid. The control valve is operatively connected to the bleed device, whereby, as the control valve is opened progressively greater amounts to increase flow of the first fluid, the bleed device is progressively closed to decrease bleeding of the second fluid, and, as the control valve is closed progressively greater amounts to decrease flow of the first fluid, the bleed device is progressively opened to increase bleeding of the second fluid. The control apparatus may be installed in a burner unit of the type having a compressor supplying pressurized air to the burner and a fuel pump supplying fuel to the burner. The control valve controls the fuel and the bleed device increases bleeding of the air as the control valve closes.