Patent ID: 8585449

Claim:
A hydraulic system for a marine propulsion system comprising: an actuator adapted for moving at least a portion of the propulsion system between a first position and a second position; a first pump selectively communicating with the actuator by a first fluid line, when in operation the first pump supplying hydraulic fluid via the first fluid line to the actuator for moving at least the portion of the propulsion system towards the first position; a second pump selectively fluidly communicating with the actuator by a second fluid line, when in operation the second pump supplying hydraulic fluid via the second fluid line to the actuator for moving at least the portion of the propulsion system towards the second position; a third fluid line selectively communicating the first pump to the actuator for moving at least the portion of the propulsion system towards the second position; at least one sensor sensing at least one of hydraulic pressure and flow rate in the second fluid line; and an electronic control unit (ECU) electrically connected to the first pump and to the second pump for controlling the operation of the first pump and the second pump; wherein when the ECU receives a signal from the at least one sensor indicative of at least one of hydraulic pressure and flow rate in the second fluid line being insufficient for moving at least the portion of the propulsion system toward the second position, the ECU sends a signal to the first pump to supply hydraulic fluid via the third fluid line to the actuator for moving at least the portion of the propulsion system towards the second position.