Patent ID: 7364482
Filing Date: 2008-04-29
Classification: B63H

Abstract:
1. A hydraulic steering system comprising: a first hydraulic actuator and a second hydraulic actuator, each said hydraulic actuator having two actuator ports, one of said actuator ports of each said hydraulic actuator receiving hydraulic fluid to steer the system in a first direction and discharging hydraulic fluid when the system is steered in a second direction which is opposite the first direction, another of said actuator ports of each said hydraulic actuator receiving hydraulic fluid to steer the system in the second direction and discharging hydraulic fluid when the system is steered in the first direction; a helm for steering the system in the first direction and the second direction, the helm having a helm pump operatively connected therewith, the helm pump having a first helm hydraulic port and a second helm hydraulic port, the first helm hydraulic port discharging hydraulic fluid when the helm is steered in the first direction and receiving hydraulic fluid when the helm is steered in the second direction, the second helm hydraulic port discharging hydraulic fluid when the helm is steered in the second direction and receiving hydraulic fluid when the helm is steered in the first direction, the helm pump being hydraulically connected with a first of said actuator ports and a second of said actuator ports; a power hydraulic steering pump hydraulically connected to a third of said actuator ports and a fourth of said actuator ports; a sensor capable of detecting steering of the system, the sensor being operatively connected with the power steering pump such that the power steering pump pumps hydraulic fluid towards the third of said actuator ports when the helm is steered in the first direction and pumps hydraulic fluid towards the fourth of said actuator ports when the helm is steered in the second direction.