US20220306261A1 - Fixed mount electric actuator for a marine steering system, and a propulsion unit comprising the same - Google Patents
Fixed mount electric actuator for a marine steering system, and a propulsion unit comprising the same Download PDFInfo
- Publication number
- US20220306261A1 US20220306261A1 US17/693,544 US202217693544A US2022306261A1 US 20220306261 A1 US20220306261 A1 US 20220306261A1 US 202217693544 A US202217693544 A US 202217693544A US 2022306261 A1 US2022306261 A1 US 2022306261A1
- Authority
- US
- United States
- Prior art keywords
- electric actuator
- output shaft
- housing
- propulsion unit
- tiller
- Prior art date
- Legal status (The legal status is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the status listed.)
- Abandoned
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Classifications
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- B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
- B63—SHIPS OR OTHER WATERBORNE VESSELS; RELATED EQUIPMENT
- B63H—MARINE PROPULSION OR STEERING
- B63H25/00—Steering; Slowing-down otherwise than by use of propulsive elements; Dynamic anchoring, i.e. positioning vessels by means of main or auxiliary propulsive elements
- B63H25/06—Steering by rudders
- B63H25/08—Steering gear
- B63H25/14—Steering gear power assisted; power driven, i.e. using steering engine
- B63H25/18—Transmitting of movement of initiating means to steering engine
- B63H25/24—Transmitting of movement of initiating means to steering engine by electrical means
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- B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
- B63—SHIPS OR OTHER WATERBORNE VESSELS; RELATED EQUIPMENT
- B63H—MARINE PROPULSION OR STEERING
- B63H20/00—Outboard propulsion units, e.g. outboard motors or Z-drives; Arrangements thereof on vessels
- B63H20/08—Means enabling movement of the position of the propulsion element, e.g. for trim, tilt or steering; Control of trim or tilt
- B63H20/12—Means enabling steering
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- B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
- B63—SHIPS OR OTHER WATERBORNE VESSELS; RELATED EQUIPMENT
- B63H—MARINE PROPULSION OR STEERING
- B63H20/00—Outboard propulsion units, e.g. outboard motors or Z-drives; Arrangements thereof on vessels
- B63H20/08—Means enabling movement of the position of the propulsion element, e.g. for trim, tilt or steering; Control of trim or tilt
- B63H20/10—Means enabling trim or tilt, or lifting of the propulsion element when an obstruction is hit; Control of trim or tilt
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- B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
- B63—SHIPS OR OTHER WATERBORNE VESSELS; RELATED EQUIPMENT
- B63H—MARINE PROPULSION OR STEERING
- B63H25/00—Steering; Slowing-down otherwise than by use of propulsive elements; Dynamic anchoring, i.e. positioning vessels by means of main or auxiliary propulsive elements
- B63H25/06—Steering by rudders
- B63H25/08—Steering gear
- B63H25/10—Steering gear with mechanical transmission
Definitions
- the present invention relates to an electric actuator and, in particular, to an electric actuator for a marine steering system, as well as a propulsion unit comprising the same.
- U.S. Pat. No. 9,944,377 which was published on Apr. 17, 2018, in the name of Davidson et al., and the full disclosure of which is incorporated herein by reference, discloses a marine steering system comprising a propulsion unit including a tilt tube, a support rod received by the tilt tube, a tiller, and an electric actuator for imparting steering movement to the propulsion unit.
- the electric actuator includes a housing and an output shaft reciprocatingly received by the housing.
- the output shaft is partially threaded and has smooth surfaces.
- the motor includes a stator and a rotor. Rotation of the rotor causes the output shaft to translate axially relative to the rotor and causes the output shaft to reciprocate relative to the housing.
- a pivot plate is pivotably connected to the tiller of the propulsion unit.
- the pivot plate rotationally constrains the housing of the electric actuator to provide reaction torque for rotation of the rotor.
- There are support arms which connect respective ends of the output shaft to the support rod of the propulsion unit. The support arms provide rotational constraint to the output shaft and the support arms inhibit axial movement of the output shaft relative to the marine vessel while the housing of the electric actuator reciprocates linearly along the output shaft.
- the electric actuator for a marine steering system.
- the electric actuator includes a housing having a first end and second end.
- the output shaft includes a first end, a second end, and a coupling portion disposed between the first end and the second end.
- the roller screw assembly includes a plurality of rollers and a central screw received by the rollers.
- the rollers are rotatable about the central screw and the central screw is coupled to the output shaft.
- the motor including a stator and a rotor.
- the rotor has an axial bore which engages with the rollers of the roller screw assembly.
- Rotation of the rotor causes the roller screw assembly to translate axially relative to rotor and the output shaft to reciprocate within the housing.
- the guide bushing may reciprocatingly receiving the output shaft.
- the guide bushing may reciprocatingly receive the output shaft.
- the coupling portion of the output shaft may include a tiller extension.
- the motor may be concentric to the roller screw assembly.
- the propulsion unit for a marine steering system.
- the propulsion unit comprises an electric actuator and a tiller coupled to the electric actuator.
- the electric actuator includes a housing having a first end and second end.
- the output shaft includes a first end, a second end, and a coupling portion disposed between the first end and the second end.
- the tiller is coupled to the coupling portion of the output shaft such that such that a line of action of the actuator is in the same plane as the tiller.
- There is a roller screw assembly disposed within the housing near the first end of the housing.
- the roller screw assembly includes a plurality of rollers and a central screw received by the rollers.
- the rollers are rotatable about the central screw and the central screw is coupled to the output shaft.
- the motor includes a stator and a rotor.
- the rotor has an axial bore which engages with the rollers of the roller screw assembly. Rotation of the rotor causes the roller screw assembly to translate axially relative to the rotor and the output shaft to reciprocate within the housing.
- the guide bushing may reciprocatingly receive the output shaft.
- the guide bushing may reciprocatingly receive the output shaft.
- the coupling portion of the output shaft may include a tiller extension.
- the electric actuator may be bolted to the propulsion unit and an interior of the electric actuator may be sealed.
- the tiller may be bolted to the propulsion unit by a bolt and there may be a resilient insert about the bolt.
- the motor may be concentric to the roller screw assembly.
- FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a propulsion unit for a marine vessel and an electric actuator mounted on the propulsion unit;
- FIG. 2 is a top plan view of the propulsion unit and the electric actuator of FIG. 1 ;
- FIG. 3 is a perspective view of the electric actuator of FIG. 1 ;
- FIG. 4 is a sectional view of the electric actuator of FIG. 1 ;
- FIG. 4A is an enlarged partial sectional view of the electric actuator of FIG. 1 ;
- FIG. 5 is a sectional view similar to FIG. 4 of another embodiment of an electric actuator similar to the electric actuator of FIG. 1 ;
- FIG. 6 is a sectional view similar to FIG. 4 of yet another embodiment of an electric actuator similar to the electric actuator of FIG. 1 ;
- FIG. 7 is a sectional view similar to FIG. 4 of a further embodiment of an electric actuator similar to the electric actuator of FIG. 1 .
- the propulsion unit 10 for a marine vessel (not shown).
- the propulsion unit 10 generally comprises a mounting bracket 12 for mounting the propulsion unit 10 to the marine vessel.
- the propulsion unit includes a swivel bracket assembly 14 for steering, trimming and tilting the propulsion unit 10 relative to the marine vessel.
- the propulsion unit 10 includes an engine 16 for powering the propulsion unit 10 and a propeller 18 for imparting a thrust to the marine vessel.
- the propulsion unit shown in FIGS. 1 and 2 is an outboard engine. However, the propulsion unit 10 may be any suitable marine propulsion unit such as, for example, an inboard engine or a stern drive.
- the electric actuator 30 is shown in greater detail in FIG. 3 .
- the electric actuator 30 has a housing 32 which has a first end 34 and a second end 36 .
- the mounting subassembly includes an aperture 40 which allows access to an interior 41 of the housing 32 .
- the mounting subassembly 38 also includes a plurality of threaded apertures 44 a , 44 b , 44 c , and 44 d which allow the electric actuator 30 to be bolted to the propulsion unit 10 as shown in FIGS. 1 and 2 .
- the mounting subassembly further includes dowel pins 46 a and 46 b which enable the electric actuator to be aligned with the propulsion unit prior to bolting the electric actuator 30 to the propulsion unit, as described above.
- the electric actuator 30 includes an output shaft 48 which is fully received and sealed within the housing 32 when the housing is mounted to the propulsion unit 10 . This protects the output shaft from the environment and reduces the need for advanced corrosion protection.
- the output shaft 48 includes a first end 50 , a second end 52 , and a coupling portion 54 disposed between the first end 50 of the output shaft 48 and the second end 52 of the output shaft 48 .
- the output shaft is coupled to a roller screw assembly 56 which is disposed within the housing 32 near the first end 34 of the housing 32 .
- the roller screw assembly includes a plurality of rollers arranged in an annular configuration, for example rollers 58 a and 58 b , and a central screw 60 .
- the rollers are rotatable about the central screw in a planetary fashion but do not translate axially relative to the central screw. Alignment of the rollers 58 a and 58 b and the central screw 60 is maintained through the use of respective interlocking gear teeth 62 and 64 on the rollers 58 a and 58 b and the central screw 60 .
- end plates 66 a and 66 b which hold the roller screw assembly 56 together.
- the end plates 66 a and 66 b are free to rotate relative to the central screw 60 and the end plates 66 a and 66 b are each provided with journal bearing bores (not shown) that allow the rollers 58 a and 58 b to rotate independently of the end plates 66 a and 66 b.
- the central screw 60 is provided with an axial through bore 68 .
- a bolt 70 extends through the axial through bore of the central screw, and threadedly engages the first end 50 of the output shaft 48 to couple the roller screw assembly 56 to the output shaft 48 .
- the central screw and the output shaft may be a unitary construction, such as in the form of a traditional acme screw, for example.
- the motor 72 is a DC brushless electric motor, in this example, and includes a stator 74 and a rotor 76 .
- the rotor 76 is constrained axially within the housing 32 but is able to rotate through the provision of bearings 78 a and 78 b disposed at opposite ends of the rotor 76 .
- the rotor has a threaded axially through bore 80 which threadedly engages the rollers 58 a and 58 b . Rotation of the rotor 76 relative to the roller screw assembly 56 causes the roller screw assembly to translate axially relative to the rotor and the output shaft 48 to reciprocate within the housing 32 .
- the guide bushing 82 reciprocatingly receives the output shaft 48 .
- the guide bushing 84 disposed near the second end 36 of housing 32 .
- the guide bushing 84 also reciprocatingly receives the output shaft 48 .
- a tiller 88 of the propulsion unit 10 is coupled the coupling portion 54 of the output shaft 48 .
- the tiller has a longitudinal axis 89 .
- the guide bushings 82 and 84 support the output shaft on either side of the tiller to reduce side loads.
- the tiller 88 is coupled to the output shaft 48 such that line of action 120 of the output shaft of the electric actuator 30 is in the same plane as the tiller axis 89 through the entire steering range.
- the axis 121 of the output shaft intersects the axis of the tiller through the entire steering range. This minimizes turning moment (torque couple) on the roller screw assembly 56 .
- the tiller 88 is mounted on the propulsion unit 10 by a plurality of attachment bolts, for example attachments bolts 90 a and 90 b .
- Each said bolt is surrounded by a respective resilient insert, for example resilient insert 92 a and 92 b , which provide compliance. More specifically, the resilient inserts function as a safeguard against shock loading and damage to contacting surfaces.
- the electric actuator 30 is also provided with manual override mechanisms.
- a tool (not shown) may be inserted through access port 94 to manually rotate the roller screw assembly 56 to manually reposition the propulsion unit 10 .
- a tool (not shown) may also be inserted through access port 96 to manually rotate the motor 72 so as to manually reposition the propulsion unit 10 at a reduced ratio.
- FIG. 5 shows another embodiment of an electric actuator 130 .
- the electric actuator 130 shown in FIG. 5 is generally identical to the electric actuator shown 30 in FIGS. 1 to 4 with the notable exception that there is a tiller extension 132 mounted on the coupling portion 54 .
- the tiller extension allows the electric actuator 130 to be mounted to any propulsion unit to provide a higher mechanical advantage.
- a spacer (not shown) may optionally be employed to provide an equal tiller extension amount.
- the spacer may be of resilient material to provide shock absorption.
- the tiller extension 132 or the spacer provide adjustment to fit a variety of propulsion units.
- the electric actuator 130 may be mounted to a propulsion unit during the manufacture of the propulsion unit, or the electric actuator may be mounted to an in-service propulsion unit as a retrofit.
- FIG. 6 shows another embodiment of an electric actuator 230 .
- the electric actuator shown in FIG. 6 is similar to the electric actuator 30 shown in FIGS. 1 to 4 with the notable exception that electric actuator 230 includes a motor 272 that is concentric to the roller screw assembly 256 .
- the electric actuator includes a controller 275 and an actuator position sensor, in this example a linear magnetoresistive absolute position sensor 277 .
- the electric actuator 230 further includes a brake 279 and a chamber 281 for an additional motor and roller screw (not shown).
- FIG. 7 shows a further embodiment of an electric actuator 330 .
- the electric actuator shown in FIG. 7 is generally identical to the electric actuator 30 shown in FIGS. 1 to 4 with the notable exception that instead of resilient inserts 92 a and 92 b , the coupling portion 354 is made of resilient material to provide similar shock absorption.
- the electric actuators disclosed herein comprise a roller screw assembly
- the electric actuator may comprises any suitable screw assembly with a drive screw. It will also be understood by a person skilled in the art that many of the details provided above are by way of example only, and are not intended to limit the scope of the invention which is to be determined with reference to the following claims.
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- Chemical & Material Sciences (AREA)
- Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
- Combustion & Propulsion (AREA)
- Mechanical Engineering (AREA)
- Ocean & Marine Engineering (AREA)
- Connection Of Motors, Electrical Generators, Mechanical Devices, And The Like (AREA)
Abstract
Description
- This application is a continuation of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 16/789,975 filed Feb. 13, 2020, now U.S. Pat. No. 11,273,894, which claims priority to U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 62/805,307 filed Feb. 13, 2019, and U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 62/805,887, filed Feb. 14, 2019, which are incorporated herein by reference.
- The present invention relates to an electric actuator and, in particular, to an electric actuator for a marine steering system, as well as a propulsion unit comprising the same.
- U.S. Pat. No. 9,944,377 which was published on Apr. 17, 2018, in the name of Davidson et al., and the full disclosure of which is incorporated herein by reference, discloses a marine steering system comprising a propulsion unit including a tilt tube, a support rod received by the tilt tube, a tiller, and an electric actuator for imparting steering movement to the propulsion unit. The electric actuator includes a housing and an output shaft reciprocatingly received by the housing. The output shaft is partially threaded and has smooth surfaces. There is a motor disposed within the housing. The motor includes a stator and a rotor. Rotation of the rotor causes the output shaft to translate axially relative to the rotor and causes the output shaft to reciprocate relative to the housing. A pivot plate is pivotably connected to the tiller of the propulsion unit. The pivot plate rotationally constrains the housing of the electric actuator to provide reaction torque for rotation of the rotor. There are support arms which connect respective ends of the output shaft to the support rod of the propulsion unit. The support arms provide rotational constraint to the output shaft and the support arms inhibit axial movement of the output shaft relative to the marine vessel while the housing of the electric actuator reciprocates linearly along the output shaft.
- There is provided an electric actuator for a marine steering system. The electric actuator includes a housing having a first end and second end. There is an output shaft fully received within the housing. The output shaft includes a first end, a second end, and a coupling portion disposed between the first end and the second end. There is a roller screw assembly disposed within the housing near the first end of the housing. The roller screw assembly includes a plurality of rollers and a central screw received by the rollers. The rollers are rotatable about the central screw and the central screw is coupled to the output shaft. There is a motor disposed within the housing near the first end of the housing. The motor including a stator and a rotor. The rotor has an axial bore which engages with the rollers of the roller screw assembly. Rotation of the rotor causes the roller screw assembly to translate axially relative to rotor and the output shaft to reciprocate within the housing. There may be a guide bushing disposed within the housing near the motor. The guide bushing may reciprocatingly receiving the output shaft. There may be a guide bushing disposed within the housing near the second end of the housing. The guide bushing may reciprocatingly receive the output shaft. The coupling portion of the output shaft may include a tiller extension. The motor may be concentric to the roller screw assembly.
- There is also provided a propulsion unit for a marine steering system. The propulsion unit comprises an electric actuator and a tiller coupled to the electric actuator. The electric actuator includes a housing having a first end and second end. There is an output shaft fully received within the housing. The output shaft includes a first end, a second end, and a coupling portion disposed between the first end and the second end. The tiller is coupled to the coupling portion of the output shaft such that such that a line of action of the actuator is in the same plane as the tiller. There is a roller screw assembly disposed within the housing near the first end of the housing. The roller screw assembly includes a plurality of rollers and a central screw received by the rollers. The rollers are rotatable about the central screw and the central screw is coupled to the output shaft. There is a motor disposed within the housing near the first end of the housing. The motor includes a stator and a rotor. The rotor has an axial bore which engages with the rollers of the roller screw assembly. Rotation of the rotor causes the roller screw assembly to translate axially relative to the rotor and the output shaft to reciprocate within the housing. There may be a guide bushing disposed within the housing near the motor. The guide bushing may reciprocatingly receive the output shaft. There may be a guide bushing disposed within the housing near the second end of the housing. The guide bushing may reciprocatingly receive the output shaft. The coupling portion of the output shaft may include a tiller extension. The electric actuator may be bolted to the propulsion unit and an interior of the electric actuator may be sealed. The tiller may be bolted to the propulsion unit by a bolt and there may be a resilient insert about the bolt. The motor may be concentric to the roller screw assembly.
- The invention will be more readily understood from the following description of the embodiments thereof given, by way of example only, with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which:
-
FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a propulsion unit for a marine vessel and an electric actuator mounted on the propulsion unit; -
FIG. 2 is a top plan view of the propulsion unit and the electric actuator ofFIG. 1 ; -
FIG. 3 is a perspective view of the electric actuator ofFIG. 1 ; -
FIG. 4 is a sectional view of the electric actuator ofFIG. 1 ; -
FIG. 4A is an enlarged partial sectional view of the electric actuator ofFIG. 1 ; -
FIG. 5 is a sectional view similar toFIG. 4 of another embodiment of an electric actuator similar to the electric actuator ofFIG. 1 ; -
FIG. 6 is a sectional view similar toFIG. 4 of yet another embodiment of an electric actuator similar to the electric actuator ofFIG. 1 ; and -
FIG. 7 is a sectional view similar toFIG. 4 of a further embodiment of an electric actuator similar to the electric actuator ofFIG. 1 . - Referring to the drawings and first to
FIG. 1 , there is shown apropulsion unit 10 for a marine vessel (not shown). Thepropulsion unit 10 generally comprises a mountingbracket 12 for mounting thepropulsion unit 10 to the marine vessel. The propulsion unit includes aswivel bracket assembly 14 for steering, trimming and tilting thepropulsion unit 10 relative to the marine vessel. Thepropulsion unit 10 includes anengine 16 for powering thepropulsion unit 10 and apropeller 18 for imparting a thrust to the marine vessel. There is also anelectric actuator 30 which is mounted on the propulsion unit. In this example, and as best shown inFIG. 2 , theelectric actuator 30 is mounted asymmetrically on thepropulsion unit 10. The propulsion unit shown inFIGS. 1 and 2 is an outboard engine. However, thepropulsion unit 10 may be any suitable marine propulsion unit such as, for example, an inboard engine or a stern drive. - The
electric actuator 30 is shown in greater detail inFIG. 3 . Theelectric actuator 30 has ahousing 32 which has afirst end 34 and asecond end 36. There is a mountingsubassembly 38 extending radially relative to alongitudinal axis 110 of theelectric actuator 30. The mounting subassembly includes anaperture 40 which allows access to an interior 41 of thehousing 32. There is aseal 42 disposed about theaperture 40 so that the interior of the housing is sealed when theelectric actuator 30 is mounted to thepropulsion unit 10. The mountingsubassembly 38 also includes a plurality of threadedapertures electric actuator 30 to be bolted to thepropulsion unit 10 as shown inFIGS. 1 and 2 . Referring back toFIG. 3 , the mounting subassembly further includes dowel pins 46 a and 46 b which enable the electric actuator to be aligned with the propulsion unit prior to bolting theelectric actuator 30 to the propulsion unit, as described above. - Referring now to
FIGS. 4 and 4A , theelectric actuator 30 includes anoutput shaft 48 which is fully received and sealed within thehousing 32 when the housing is mounted to thepropulsion unit 10. This protects the output shaft from the environment and reduces the need for advanced corrosion protection. Theoutput shaft 48 includes afirst end 50, asecond end 52, and acoupling portion 54 disposed between thefirst end 50 of theoutput shaft 48 and thesecond end 52 of theoutput shaft 48. - As seen in
FIG. 4A , the output shaft is coupled to aroller screw assembly 56 which is disposed within thehousing 32 near thefirst end 34 of thehousing 32. The roller screw assembly includes a plurality of rollers arranged in an annular configuration, forexample rollers central screw 60. The rollers are rotatable about the central screw in a planetary fashion but do not translate axially relative to the central screw. Alignment of therollers central screw 60 is maintained through the use of respectiveinterlocking gear teeth rollers central screw 60. There areannular end plates roller screw assembly 56 together. Theend plates central screw 60 and theend plates rollers end plates - The
central screw 60 is provided with an axial throughbore 68. Abolt 70 extends through the axial through bore of the central screw, and threadedly engages thefirst end 50 of theoutput shaft 48 to couple theroller screw assembly 56 to theoutput shaft 48. However, in other examples, the central screw and the output shaft may be a unitary construction, such as in the form of a traditional acme screw, for example. - Still referring to
FIG. 4A , there is amotor 72 disposed within thehousing 32 near thefirst end 34 of thehousing 32. Themotor 72 is a DC brushless electric motor, in this example, and includes astator 74 and arotor 76. Therotor 76 is constrained axially within thehousing 32 but is able to rotate through the provision ofbearings rotor 76. The rotor has a threaded axially throughbore 80 which threadedly engages therollers rotor 76 relative to theroller screw assembly 56 causes the roller screw assembly to translate axially relative to the rotor and theoutput shaft 48 to reciprocate within thehousing 32. - There is a
guide bushing 82 disposed within thehousing 32 near themotor 72. Theguide bushing 82 reciprocatingly receives theoutput shaft 48. As seen inFIG. 4 , there is also aguide bushing 84 disposed near thesecond end 36 ofhousing 32. Theguide bushing 84 also reciprocatingly receives theoutput shaft 48. There areapertures housing 32 and asecond end 36 of thehousing 32 as well as through a center of the housing. - Still referring to
FIG. 4 , atiller 88 of thepropulsion unit 10 is coupled thecoupling portion 54 of theoutput shaft 48. The tiller has alongitudinal axis 89. The guide bushings 82 and 84 support the output shaft on either side of the tiller to reduce side loads. Thetiller 88 is coupled to theoutput shaft 48 such that line of action 120 of the output shaft of theelectric actuator 30 is in the same plane as thetiller axis 89 through the entire steering range. The axis 121 of the output shaft intersects the axis of the tiller through the entire steering range. This minimizes turning moment (torque couple) on theroller screw assembly 56. This is advantageous because any torque couple causing an overturning moment to the roller screw assembly decreases efficiency and derates load carrying capacity. Thetiller 88 is mounted on thepropulsion unit 10 by a plurality of attachment bolts, forexample attachments bolts resilient insert - The
electric actuator 30 is also provided with manual override mechanisms. A tool (not shown) may be inserted throughaccess port 94 to manually rotate theroller screw assembly 56 to manually reposition thepropulsion unit 10. A tool (not shown) may also be inserted throughaccess port 96 to manually rotate themotor 72 so as to manually reposition thepropulsion unit 10 at a reduced ratio. -
FIG. 5 shows another embodiment of anelectric actuator 130. Theelectric actuator 130 shown inFIG. 5 is generally identical to the electric actuator shown 30 inFIGS. 1 to 4 with the notable exception that there is atiller extension 132 mounted on thecoupling portion 54. The tiller extension allows theelectric actuator 130 to be mounted to any propulsion unit to provide a higher mechanical advantage. A spacer (not shown) may optionally be employed to provide an equal tiller extension amount. The spacer may be of resilient material to provide shock absorption. Thetiller extension 132 or the spacer provide adjustment to fit a variety of propulsion units. For example, theelectric actuator 130 may be mounted to a propulsion unit during the manufacture of the propulsion unit, or the electric actuator may be mounted to an in-service propulsion unit as a retrofit. -
FIG. 6 shows another embodiment of anelectric actuator 230. The electric actuator shown inFIG. 6 is similar to theelectric actuator 30 shown inFIGS. 1 to 4 with the notable exception thatelectric actuator 230 includes amotor 272 that is concentric to theroller screw assembly 256. The electric actuator includes acontroller 275 and an actuator position sensor, in this example a linear magnetoresistiveabsolute position sensor 277. Theelectric actuator 230 further includes abrake 279 and achamber 281 for an additional motor and roller screw (not shown). -
FIG. 7 shows a further embodiment of anelectric actuator 330. The electric actuator shown inFIG. 7 is generally identical to theelectric actuator 30 shown inFIGS. 1 to 4 with the notable exception that instead ofresilient inserts coupling portion 354 is made of resilient material to provide similar shock absorption. - It will be understood by a person skilled in the art that while the electric actuators disclosed herein comprise a roller screw assembly, in other examples, the electric actuator may comprises any suitable screw assembly with a drive screw. It will also be understood by a person skilled in the art that many of the details provided above are by way of example only, and are not intended to limit the scope of the invention which is to be determined with reference to the following claims.
Claims (21)
Priority Applications (2)
Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
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US17/693,544 US20220306261A1 (en) | 2019-02-13 | 2022-03-14 | Fixed mount electric actuator for a marine steering system, and a propulsion unit comprising the same |
US18/131,003 US20230257096A1 (en) | 2019-02-13 | 2023-04-05 | Fixed mount electric actuator for marine steering system, and propulsion unit comprising the same |
Applications Claiming Priority (4)
Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
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US201962805307P | 2019-02-13 | 2019-02-13 | |
US201962805887P | 2019-02-14 | 2019-02-14 | |
US16/789,975 US11273894B2 (en) | 2019-02-13 | 2020-02-13 | Fixed mount electric actuator for marine steering system, and propulsion unit comprising the same |
US17/693,544 US20220306261A1 (en) | 2019-02-13 | 2022-03-14 | Fixed mount electric actuator for a marine steering system, and a propulsion unit comprising the same |
Related Parent Applications (1)
Application Number | Title | Priority Date | Filing Date |
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US16/789,975 Continuation US11273894B2 (en) | 2019-02-13 | 2020-02-13 | Fixed mount electric actuator for marine steering system, and propulsion unit comprising the same |
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Application Number | Title | Priority Date | Filing Date |
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US18/131,003 Continuation-In-Part US20230257096A1 (en) | 2019-02-13 | 2023-04-05 | Fixed mount electric actuator for marine steering system, and propulsion unit comprising the same |
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US20220306261A1 true US20220306261A1 (en) | 2022-09-29 |
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US16/789,975 Active 2040-02-28 US11273894B2 (en) | 2019-02-13 | 2020-02-13 | Fixed mount electric actuator for marine steering system, and propulsion unit comprising the same |
US17/693,544 Abandoned US20220306261A1 (en) | 2019-02-13 | 2022-03-14 | Fixed mount electric actuator for a marine steering system, and a propulsion unit comprising the same |
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US16/789,975 Active 2040-02-28 US11273894B2 (en) | 2019-02-13 | 2020-02-13 | Fixed mount electric actuator for marine steering system, and propulsion unit comprising the same |
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JP2024504762A (en) * | 2021-01-27 | 2024-02-01 | コードウェル・マリン・リミテッド | Improvements in or related to outboard propulsion systems |
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US9944377B2 (en) * | 2014-07-08 | 2018-04-17 | Marine Canada Acquisition Inc. | Electric actuator for a marine steering system |
US10696368B2 (en) * | 2018-05-14 | 2020-06-30 | Yamaha Hatsudoki Kabushiki Kaisha | Outboard motor |
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DE4019482A1 (en) * | 1990-06-19 | 1992-01-09 | Diehl Gmbh & Co | RUDDER CONTROL |
US5499547A (en) * | 1991-09-04 | 1996-03-19 | Smc Kabushiki Kaisha | Actuator |
US5557154A (en) * | 1991-10-11 | 1996-09-17 | Exlar Corporation | Linear actuator with feedback position sensor device |
US6402577B1 (en) | 2001-03-23 | 2002-06-11 | Brunswick Corporation | Integrated hydraulic steering system for a marine propulsion unit |
US8419488B2 (en) * | 2010-08-13 | 2013-04-16 | Nhk Mec Corporation | Steering apparatus for outboard motor |
US8281728B2 (en) | 2010-08-19 | 2012-10-09 | Nhk Mec Corporation | Steering apparatus for outboard motor |
KR101724575B1 (en) * | 2015-09-15 | 2017-04-10 | 엘지이노텍 주식회사 | Steping Motor |
US10518858B1 (en) * | 2017-07-12 | 2019-12-31 | Brunswick Corporation | Systems and steering actuators for steering outboard marine engines |
EP3672868A4 (en) | 2017-08-25 | 2020-08-26 | Marine Canada Acquisition Inc. | Electric actuator for a marine steering system |
US10647399B2 (en) | 2018-05-14 | 2020-05-12 | Marine Canada Acquisition Inc. | Electric actuator for a marine vessel |
US10940927B2 (en) | 2018-05-14 | 2021-03-09 | Marine Canada Acquistion Inc. | Electric actuator for a marine vessel |
-
2020
- 2020-02-13 US US16/789,975 patent/US11273894B2/en active Active
-
2022
- 2022-03-14 US US17/693,544 patent/US20220306261A1/en not_active Abandoned
Patent Citations (2)
Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
---|---|---|---|---|
US9944377B2 (en) * | 2014-07-08 | 2018-04-17 | Marine Canada Acquisition Inc. | Electric actuator for a marine steering system |
US10696368B2 (en) * | 2018-05-14 | 2020-06-30 | Yamaha Hatsudoki Kabushiki Kaisha | Outboard motor |
Also Published As
Publication number | Publication date |
---|---|
US11273894B2 (en) | 2022-03-15 |
US20200255114A1 (en) | 2020-08-13 |
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