Patent ID: 6048234
Filing Date: 2000-04-11
Classification: B63H,F02B

Abstract:
A tilt and trim adjustment systern for an outboard drive to raise and lower the outboard drive through a tilt and trim range of movement, the adjustment systern comprising at least one cylinder connected to the outboard drive, the cylinder including first and second chambers, a pump connected to each of the first and second cylinder chambers by a first pressure line and a second pressure line respective, to supply pressurized working fluid to the cylinder chambers, a first valve disposed within the first pressure line and a second valve disposed within the second pressure line to regulate flow through the respective pressure line, a bypass line interconnecting the first and second cylinder chambers independent of the pump and of the first and second valves, and a bypass valve operating between the cylinder chambers and communicating with the bypass line to selectively permit fluid communication between the cylinder chambers through the bypass line, the bypass valve operating between at least a first operational state, in which the bypass valve permits fluid flow through the bypass line, and a second operational state, in which the bypass valve arrests fluid flow through the bypass line, and an actuator mechanism which automatically moves the bypass valve into one of the two operational states depending upon a tilt/trim angle of the outboard drive.