Patent ID: 7632161

Claim:
A marine transmission actuator, comprising: a clutch which is movable into forward, neutral, and reverse gear positions; a hydraulic actuator operatively connected to said clutch and configured to selectively move said clutch into said forward, neutral, and reverse gear positions; and a hydraulic valve having a stationary portion and a movable portion, said hydraulic valve being configured to direct hydraulic fluid between first and second cavities of said hydraulic actuator, a hydraulic pump, and a reservoir, said hydraulic valve being configured to cause said hydraulic actuator to move to a selected gear position and remain in said selected gear position until subsequent movement of said hydraulic valve, said clutch being a singular clutch movable to each of said forward, neutral, and reverse gear positions, said hydraulic actuator being a singular piston actuator, said piston being axially reciprocal along an axial travel stroke and having first and second axially facing distally opposite sides, said actuator having a first port communicating with said first side of said piston through said first cavity, said actuator having a second port communicating with said second side of said piston through said second cavity, said actuator having a third port axially between said first and second ports.