Patent ID: 7347753
Filing Date: 2008-03-25
Classification: B63H

Abstract:
1. A hydraulic actuation system for a marine propulsion device, comprising: a gimbal housing which is attachable to a marine vessel; a gimbal ring which is rotatably attached to said gimbal housing for rotation about a steering axis; a bell housing which is rotatably attached to said gimbal ring for rotation about a tilt axis; a hydraulic actuator connected between said gimbal ring and said bell housing; a conduit connected in fluid communication between a source of hydraulic pressure and said hydraulic actuator, said conduit comprising a passage formed through the body of said gimbal ring, said conduit being configured to conduct hydraulic fluid between said hydraulic pump and said hydraulic actuator and through said passage formed through said gimbal ring; a fluid manifold connected in fluid communication with said conduit and with said source of hydraulic pressure, said source of hydraulic pressure being a hydraulic pump, said fluid manifold being attached for support to said gimbal housing, said hydraulic actuator comprising first and second hydraulic cylinders; first and second anchor pins extending coaxially from said gimbal ring, said first and second hydraulic cylinders being rotatably supported by said first and second anchor pins, said first and second anchor pins being threaded into a main body of said gimbal ring, said passage extending through said first and second anchor pins to connect said first and second hydraulic cylinders in fluid communication with said source of hydraulic pressure, said passage formed through the body of said gimbal ring comprising first and second channels connected in fluid communication between said source of hydraulic pressure and said first hydraulic cylinder and third and fourth channels connected in fluid communication between said source of hydraulic pressure and said second hydraulic cylinder.