Abstract: An improved hose assembly for a marine vessel bulkhead comprises a hose having a first end with a first hose fitting and a second end with a second hose fitting. There is a base plate having an opening which receives the hose. The base plate is positioned on the hose between the first hose fitting and the second hose fitting. There is a bend restrictor releasably coupled to the base plate. The bend restrictor has coils which wrap around the hose. The base plate clamps onto the bend restrictor and the bend restrictor clamps onto the hose, thereby restricting relative axial and rotational movement of the hose.

Abstract: An outboard motor includes a steering arm that turns around a centerline of a steering shaft together with the steering shaft, a steering actuator including a movable body that moves in a right-left direction, and a motion converter that converts a movement of the movable body in the right-left direction into a turning motion of the steering arm around the centerline of the steering shaft. The motion converter includes a bushing holder into which the steering arm is inserted in a front-rear direction and a bushing interposed between the steering arm and the bushing holder and including an outer surface provided with a pair of first sliding portions each including a convex arc-shaped vertical section that is perpendicular or substantially perpendicular to the right-left direction.

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 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 outboard motor includes a steering arm that turns around a centerline of a steering shaft together with the steering shaft, a steering actuator including a movable body that moves in a right-left direction, and a motion converter that converts a movement of the movable body in the right-left direction into a turning motion of the steering arm around the centerline of the steering shaft. The motion converter includes a bushing holder into which the steering arm is inserted in a front-rear direction and a bushing interposed between the steering arm and the bushing holder and including an outer surface provided with a pair of first sliding portions each including a convex arc-shaped vertical section that is perpendicular or substantially perpendicular to the right-left direction.

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: An improved hose assembly for a marine vessel bulkhead comprises a hose having a first end with a first hose fitting and a second end with a second hose fitting. There is a base plate having an opening which receives the hose. The base plate is positioned on the hose between the first hose fitting and the second hose fitting. There is a bend restrictor releasably coupled to the base plate. The bend restrictor has coils which wrap around the hose. The base plate clamps onto the bend restrictor and the bend restrictor clamps onto the hose, thereby restricting relative axial and rotational movement of the hose.

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: 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: 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: 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 apparatus includes a rotatable steering shaft having an exterior, an input end for connecting a steering member and an output end for connecting to at least one steerable wheel of a vehicle. An electric motor is operatively connected to the steering shaft for rotating the steering shaft. The shaft is magnetized and serves as a torque sensor transducer. At least one magnetic field sensor is adjacent to the exterior of the steering shaft. The steering shaft and the at least one magnetic field sensor form a torque sensor for sensing torque applied to the steering shaft by the manually operable steering member and provide a signal to operate the electric motor to assist steering of the steering shaft by the manually operable steering member.

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: A hydraulic fluid reservoir and hydraulic pump combination has at least one hydraulic fluid port and includes a container with a hollow body having a top and a conduit having a bottom within the container and a top above the bottom. The conduit has an opening adjacent to the bottom of the conduit. The opening is spaced apart below the top of the container. A closure member is releasably, sealingly connected to the top of the conduit. Hydraulic fluid can be added to the container via the conduit up to the level of the opening of the conduit. Addition of further hydraulic fluid fills the conduit to the top thereof and the conduit overflows if additional hydraulic fluid is added after the top of the conduit is reached by the fluid. Preferably the container has a main interior chamber and a smaller chamber which is adjacent to one of the side walls of the container. The smaller chamber is has a bottom opening near the bottom of the smaller chamber which communicates with the main interior chamber.

Abstract: A steering apparatus includes a rotatable steering shaft having an exterior, an input end for connecting a steering member and an output end for connecting to at least one steerable wheel of a vehicle. An electric motor is operatively connected to the steering shaft for rotating the steering shaft. The shaft is magnetized and serves as a torque sensor transducer. At least one magnetic field sensor is adjacent to the exterior of the steering shaft. The steering shaft and the at least one magnetic field sensor form a torque sensor for sensing torque applied to the steering shaft by the manually operable steering member and provide a signal to operate the electric motor to assist steering of the steering shaft by the manually operable steering member.

Abstract: A trim and tilt system for use with an outboard propulsion unit on a marine craft having a transom. The trim and tilt system comprises a stern bracket configured to be mounted on the transom of the marine craft and a swivel bracket for supporting the outboard propulsion unit. The swivel bracket is pivotally supported on an upper end of the stern bracket. There is also a tilt cylinder unit that has a lower end supported by the stern bracket and an upper end in pivotal engagement with the swivel bracket. The tilt cylinder unit pivotally supports a pair of trim cylinder units. Each of the trim cylinder units is on an opposite side of the tilt cylinder unit. Each said trim cylinder unit has a longitudinal axis, a lower end in pivotal arrangement with the tilt cylinder unit and a trim rod for engagement with the swivel bracket. The swivel bracket has means for aligning the trim rods therewith, whereby the force exerted by the swivel bracket on the trim cylinder unit is substantially along the longitudinal axis.

Abstract: A trim and tilt system for use with an outboard propulsion unit on a marine craft having a transom. The trim and tilt system comprises a stern bracket configured to be mounted on the transom of the marine craft and a swivel bracket for supporting the outboard propulsion unit. The swivel bracket is pivotally supported on an upper end of the stern bracket. There is also a tilt cylinder unit that has a lower end supported by the stern bracket and an upper end in pivotal engagement with the swivel bracket. The tilt cylinder unit pivotally supports a pair of trim cylinder units. Each of the trim cylinder units is on an opposite side of the tilt cylinder unit. Each said trim cylinder unit has a longitudinal axis, a lower end in pivotal arrangement with the tilt cylinder unit and a trim rod for engagement with the swivel bracket. The swivel bracket has means for aligning the trim rods therewith, whereby the force exerted by the swivel bracket on the trim cylinder unit is substantially along the longitudinal axis.

Abstract: A hydraulic steering system comprises two hydraulic actuators, each having two actuator ports. There is a helm for steering the system in a first direction and a second direction. The helm is operatively connected to a helm pump. The helm is operatively connected to a first actuator port and a second actuator port. There is a power hydraulic steering pump hydraulically connected to a third of the actuator ports and a fourth of the actuator ports. There is a sensor capable of detecting steering of the system. The sensor is operatively connected with the power steering pump such that the power steering pump pumps hydraulic fluid towards the third of the actuator ports when the helm is steered in the first direction and pumps hydraulic fluid towards the fourth of the actuator ports when the helm is steered in the second direction.

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: 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.