Patent ID: 9334034
Filing Date: 2016-05-10
CPC Classification: B63H

Claim Text:
1. A system for combined control of steering and trim of a sterndrive unit generating a propelling force, the system comprising: a gimbal housing and bell housing permitting steering movement about a gimbal axis and trim movement about a trim pivot that is perpendicular to the gimbal axis; a drive connected to the bell housing; a drive shaft housing connected to the drive and enclosing a drive shaft; a gear case connected to the drive shaft housing, enclosing gears operatively connected to a drive shaft to rotate a propeller; a port hydraulic cylinder that extends and retracts, the port cylinder having a first end and a second end, the first end connected to the sterndrive unit at a first port joint, the second end connected to the sterndrive unit at a second port joint; a starboard hydraulic cylinder that extends and retracts, the starboard cylinder having a first end and a second end, the first end connected to the sterndrive unit at a first starboard joint, the second end connected to the sterndrive unit at a second starboard joint; wherein the first and second port and starboard joints are configured such that both of the steering and trim movements are controlled by extension and retraction of the port and starboard hydraulic cylinders.