Patent ID: 7666039
Filing Date: 2010-02-23
Classification: B63H

Abstract:
1. An electrically operated outboard motor steering assembly comprising: an outboard motor comprising an engine, a rudder fixed to the engine, and a propeller driven by the engine, the outboard motor being pivotable about a horizontal axis from a use position in which its rudder and propeller are submerged to a storage position in which its rudder and propeller are out of the water, and pivotable about a steering axis substantially perpendicular to a plane in which the horizontal axis lies; a steering control comprising an actuator linked to the outboard motor, and having an elongated actuator element movable linearly, within a range of movement, along an actuator axis substantially aligned with said horizontal axis; a rudder reference sensor providing a unique electrical signal for each rotational position of the outboard motor about the steering axis; and a guidance system connected to receive the electrical signal provided by the rudder reference sensor, and connected to operate the actuator to rotate the outboard motor about the steering axis so that the outboard motor maintains a position corresponding to a predetermined heading; wherein the rudder reference sensor is connected to the actuator both when the outboard motor is in its use position and when the outboard motor is in its storage position; wherein said rudder reference sensor comprises a potentiometer having a fixed part and a movable part, and in which a resistance setting of the potentiometer varies depending on relative positions of said fixed and movable parts; and wherein the steering assembly also includes a cam mechanism comprising a first cam element connected to and movable linearly with said actuator element as said actuator element moves linearly along said actuator axis, and a second cam element continuously engaged with the first cam element, and connected to move said movable part of the potentiometer, whereby the potentiometer has a unique resistance setting for each actuator position within said range.