US3186375A

US3186375A - Valve apparatus for tilting outboard motor

Info

Publication number: US3186375A
Application number: US209966A
Authority: US
Inventors: Lester E Cass
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 1962-07-16
Filing date: 1962-07-16
Publication date: 1965-06-01
Anticipated expiration: 1982-06-01

Description

June 1, 1965 1.. E. cAss 3,186,375

VALVE APPARATUS FOR TILTING OUTBOARD MOTOR Filed July 16, 1962 453 j n I INVENTOR 27 582 lzyrzzz C4525 ATTOEA/E Y5 boat.

United States Patent 3,186,375 VALVE APPARATUS FOR TILTING OUTBOARD MOTOR Lester E. Cass, 731 Cross St., Anoka, Minn. Filed July 16, 1962, Ser. No. 209,966 Claims. (Cl. 115-41) This invention relates to apparatus for tilting the upright outboard drive assembly of a power boat, and more particularly relates to control mechanism for said apparatus.

It has been a problem in the past to accurately and easily control the tilting and positioning of the outboard drive assembly of a power boat. .Of course, one of the primary advantages of employing an outboard engine or an inboard-outboard motor (wherein the engine is mounted in an inboard position, and the outboard drive assembly is mounted on the transom) is that the drive assembly may be tilted up out of the water, or to a desired angle so as to properly adjust the position and angle of the propeller in accordance with the design and loading of the boat.

' An object of my invention is to provide a new and improved valve and control apparatus of simple and inexpensive construction and operation for controlling the til-ting of the drive assembly and housing of a power Another object of my invention is to provide a novel valve apparatus for controlling the tilting of the outboard drive housing and assembly of a power boat and for locking said housing and assembly in any of a multiplicity of desired positions.

These and other objects and advantages of my invention will more fully appear from the following description made in connection with the accompanying drawings wherein like reference characters refer to similar parts throughout the several views and in which:

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a boat with the present invention applied thereto;

FIG. 2 is a top plan view, partly broken away, of a portion of the apparatus;

FIG. 3 is a detail section view taken at 33 in FIG. 2;

FIG. 4 is a detail section view taken at 44 in FIG. 3; and

- FIG. 5 is a schematic diagram showing the hydraulic system.

One form of the present invention is shown in the drawings and is described herein.

. In FIG. 1 is seen a power boat B having a conventional forward cockpit C and transom T to which is secured an outboard drive assembly and housing D which is tiltable rearwardly and upwardly to an inclined position so as toraise the propeller out of the water. It will be noted that in this particular installation, the drive assembly is formed integrally with the upper engine portion in an outboard motor, but it will be understood that the engine supplying power to the outboard assembly D could as well be installed within the boat in a so-called inboard-outboar arrangement.

In any event, the drive assembly D is tiltable rearwardly and upwardly with respect to the transom T of the boat. It will be understood that the drive assembly D in many instances is large, cumbersome and heavy and may not easily be manually tilted upwardly.

A bracket or yoke is aflixed to the tiltable drive assembly D at a position above the water line, and extendable hydraulic cylinders 11 are disposed on opposite sides of the drive assembly D and extend generally in a fore-and-aft direction. The forward ends of the hydrauli-c cylinders are pivotally attached for limited upward and downward swinging to the transom T of the boat as "ice by brackets 12. The extendable piston rod 13 of each of the hydraulic cylinders is connected to the yoke 19 so as to tilt the drive assembly upwardly when the piston rod is extended from the cylinder.

As will be seen in FIG; 5, the hydraulic cylinders 11 are of the double acting type with upper and lower fluid chambers 14 and 15 respectively disposed above and below the pistons 16 to which are attached the piston rods 13. p

A single hydraulic fluid transmission line 17 extends between the control cockpit and the transom T of the boat. The forward end of the line 17 is connected to a controllable means, indicated in general by numeral 18 for selectively applying, retaining and relieving hydraulic fluid pressure in the line 17. Such means 18 may take any suitable specific form and is shown diagrammatically in FIG. 5 as including a reservoir 19, hydraulic fluid pump 20, raising hydraulic fluid from the reservoir 19, and pumping the hydraulic fluid through a check valve 21 to the line 17. A return line 17a is provided between the transmission line 17 and the reservoir 19 but flow through the return line 17a is controlled by an on-oflt' valve 22 which may be controlled by any suitable means such a rotatable cap 23 around a portion of the pump housing. It will be seen that by reciprocating the pump handle 20a fluid pressure is applied into line 17 which is retained therein by check valve 21 and valve 22, and when pressure in the line 17 is to be relieved the valve 22 is opened so as to allow hydraulic fluid to return to the reservoir 19.

The rear end of fluid transmission line 17 is connected to a valve apparatus indicated in general by numeral 24 at the supply port 25 thereof. The valve apparatus includes an integral housing 26 having the supply port 25 therein and having a first pair of discharge ports 27 respectively connected by conduits 28 to the lower cylinder chamber 15. It will be seen that the discharge ports 27 are in endwise alignment with each other and are interconnected by an unobstructed passage 27a which is also in communicating relation with an unobstructed passage 25a extending obliquely from the supply port 25. Of course suitable fittings are provided for connecting the several ports through the respective conduits 28 and line 17.

The housing 26 is also provided with ports 29 in which are provided suitable fittings for connecting the ports to 7 conduits 30 which are also connected in communicating relation to the upper fluid chambers 14 of the hydraulic cylinders. The

ports

29, 25 and 27 are all disposed in substantially vertical alignment with each other at the flow side of the housing 26. The ports 29 are disposed in endwise alignment with each other and are interconnected by a bore 31 which is unobstructed to fluid flow.

The housing 26 also defines a reservoir 32 having

access ports

33, 34 and 35, each being closed with a suitable threaded plug. The uppermost plug 36 has a vent hole 37 therein.

Adjacent the front portion of the housing 26 is provided an upright bore 38, the upper and lower ends 38a and 38b of which are threaded and are disposed in communicating relation with bore 31 and passage 27a and are closed by

plugs

39 and 40 respectively. Bore 38 has a shoulder 41 formed therein and defining a valve seat for a ball check valve element 42 which is normally urged downwardly by a spring 43 retained in a socket 39a of the plug 39. The portion 380 of the bore, below the valve seat communicates with an elongate and downwardly inclined passage 44 formed in a central web portion 45 extending into the reservoir 32 and the lower end of passage 44 communicates with the bottom of the reservoir.

A reduced intermediate portion 33d of the bore 38 provides a bearing aperture allowing sliding movement of a stem 46 which extends upwardly into proximity with the ball element 42 and is aflixed at its lower end to a piston 47 which is disposed in a piston chamber 38e and is normally urged downwardly by a coil spring 48. The piston 47 also has a reduced stem 49 formed integrally thereof and extending downwardly through the passage 27a for engagement against the plug 40. It will be seen that the piston 47 is sealed'against the peripheral wall of the piston chamber 38:: bya resilient rubber sealing ring 50.

It will be seen that the passages 25a and 27a taken together with their respective ports and conduits 28 provide an unobstructed fluid transmitting passage between the rear end of transmission line 17 and the lower chambers of the cylinder.

It will further be seen that passages 31, 44 and the upper portion of bore 38 when considered together with the conduits 3t define a flow channel between the reservoir 32 and the upper chambers 14 of the cylinder; and a check valve normally preventing flow from the chambers 14 to the reservoir is provided by a ball valve element 42. The ball valve element is unseated by upward movement of stem 46 which is produced in response to application by the pressure in the passage 27a from the pump so as to allow flow from the upper chambers 14 to the reservoir 32.

In operation, let it be first assumed that the outboard assembly D is disposed in substantially upright position for normally driving the boat B and assume that it is desired to tilt the drive assembly rearwardly and upwardly. By operating the pump 20 with the valve 22 in closed condition hydraulic fluid pressure is applied through line 17 into the passage 27a and into the lower fluid chambers 15. Fluid pressure in the passage 27a is transmitted against the piston 47, thereby causing up- Ward movement of the piston and stem 46- to unseat the valve element 42. Hydraulic fluid then flows through the line 17 and passage 27a to the lower chambers 15 of the cylinders 11; and hydraulic fluid also flows from the upper cylinder chambers 14 to the reservoir 32, thereby eflecting movement of the piston 16 and piston'rod 13 which results in upward and rearward tilting of the drive assembly D. It will be understood that it only a small quantity of hydraulic fluid is pumped into the lower cylinder chambers 15, the drive assembly D will be tilted only partially upwardly and the upper cylinder chambers 14, although reduced in size, remain filled with the hydraulic fluid. After the drive assembly is allowed to remain in this partially tilted position, the drive assembly is thereupon locked in this position. The spring 48 returns piston 47 to its normal position so as to allow valve element 42 to seat again. In the event of external force being applied to the drive assembly D, tending to tilt the drive assembly either upwardly or downwardly, further upward tilting is prevented by the ball valve element 42 preventing escape of any further hydraulic fluid from the upper cylinder chambers 14, and downward tilting of the drive assembly D is prevented by the maintenance of the pressure in line 17.

Of course further operation of pump 20 will produce similar additional upward tilting of the drive assembly D.

When the valve 22 is opened, pressure in the line 17 is relieved, whereupon the weight of the drive assembly D applies pressure against the piston rod 13 and pistons 16 causing hydraulic fluid to be expelled from the lower cylinder chambers 15 through the passages 27a and to the line 17. Simultaneously, movement of the pistons 16 causes enlargement of the upper cylinder chambers 14 thereby causing a suction pressure to withdraw hydraulic fluid from the reservoir 32 and to pass around the ball check valve 42 and into the upper cylinder chambers 14. It has been found that because the valve apparatus 24, is affixed to the boat adjacent the transom T or actually on the transom T, the resistance to hydraulic fluid flow in the short conduits wand 28 between the valve apparatus 24 and the cylinders 11 will prevent suction of air into the system through the normal or conventional glands of the cylinders around the piston rods thereof. The cylinders are maintained in' fully filled condition at all times as are all of the hydraulic fluid passages, channels and transmission lines. This elimination of any air in the hydraulic system provides positive and reliable operation to tilt the drive assembly D to the desired angle and to prevent any desirable bouncing or tilting oscillation thereof.

It will, of course, be understood that various changes may be made in the form, details, arrangement and proportions of the parts without departing from the scope of my invention which consists of the matter shown and described herein and set forth inthe appended claims.

What is claimed is: v

1. Apparatus for tilting and locking the outboard drive assembly and housing of a power boat at a predetermined angle with respect to the boat transom,

comprising a hydraulic cylinder connectible between the boat transom and drive assembly, said cylinder having a movable piston and an extendible piston rod, said cylinder having first and second fluid chambers at opposite sides of the piston, the piston rod extending through said first chamber to effect tilting of the drive assembly upwardly upon application of hydraulic fluid pressure in the second chamber,

a single hydraulic fluid transmission line,

controllable means selectively applying, retaining and relieving hydraulic fluid pressure in the line,

reservoir means supplying hydraulic fluid to said controllable means,

a valve apparatus connected between the line and the cylinder and having an unobstructed fluid transmission passage communicating between the line and the second fluid chamber for cooperating with said controllable means in causing upward tilting of said drive assembly and locking of said drive assembly against downward tilting, said valve apparatus also having a second fluid reservoir therein and a flow channel connecting the bottom of the second reservoir with the first fluid chamber of the cylinder, said valve apparatus having a check valve in said flow channel and obstructing flow from the cylinder to the second reservoir whereby to normally lock the drive assembly against upward tilting, and said valve apparatus having means opening said check valve in response to a predetermined fluid pressure in said passage whereby to permit fluid transmission from the first chamber to the second reservoir when hydraulic fluid pressure is applied in the second chamber for tilting said drive assembly upwardly.

2. Apparatus for cooperating with a controllable hydraulic fluid pressure source in operating and locking a double acting hydraulic cylinder, comprising,

a valve apparatus having a first port and a second port and having a continuously unobstructed fluid transmission passage communicating between the first and second ports for carrying and transmitting fluid under pressure, said first port being adapted for connection with such a fluid pressure source, said valve apparatus also having a third port and a fluid reservoir with hydraulic fluid therein and a flow channel connecting the bottom of the reservoir with the third port, said second and third ports being adapted for connection to the opposite ends of the double acting hydraulic cylinder, said valve apparatus having a check valve in said flow channel and obstructing flow from the third port to the reservoir, and said valve apparatus having pressure responsive means in fluid communication with said passage and opening said check valve in response to application of predetermined hydraulic fluid pressurein said passage and thereby permitting hydraulic fluid to flow from the third port to the reservoir.

3. In combination with a power boat having a forward control cockpit and a depending but rearwardly and upwardly tiltable outboard drive assembly and housing secured adjacent the transom of the boat;

a hydraulic cylinder connected between the transom and a single hydraulic fluid transmission line extending between the forward control cockpit and the transom,

controllable means in the forward cockpit and selectively applying, retaining and relieving hydraulic fluid pressure in the line,

a quantity of hydraulic fluid in the upper and lower cylinder chambers, in the line and in the controllable means,

a valve apparatus connected between the line and the cylinder and having an unobstructed fluid transmission passage communicating between the line and the first fluid chamber for causing upward tilting of the drive assembly and locking of said drive assembly against downward tilting, said valve apparatus also having a fluid reservoir therein and a flow channel connecting the bottom of the reservoir with the second fluid chamber of the cylinder, said valve apparatus having a check valve in the flow channel and obstructing flow from the cylinder to the reservoir, said valve apparatus having means opening said check valve in response to a predetermined fluid pressure in said passage whereby to permit hydraulic fluid flow into and out of the lower and upper fluid chambers respectively of the chamber.

4. A valve apparatus for use with a double acting hydraulic cylinder,

comprising a housing having first and second delivery ports respectively connectible with the opposite ends of the cylinder and also having a supply port and also having a vented reservoir chamber therein, said housing having a confined flow channel between the second delivery port and the bottom of the reservoir to cause hydraulic fluid flow from the reservoir to the second port in response to application of vacuum pressure to said second port,

a valve element in said flow channel, said housing defining a valve seat in said channel and seating the valve element and preventing flow from said second port to the reservoir,

said housing also having an unobstructed flow passage between the first delivery port and the supply port for free transmission of fluid and pressure,

said housing also having an elongate piston chamber in open communication with said passage,

a control piston slidably and sealingly mounted in said chamber to be moved under influence of hydraulic pressure in the passage,

spring means restraining movement of the piston under influence of the hydraulic fluid in the passage,

a mechanical connection between the piston and the whereby to allow flow to the reservoir only upon application of predetermined minimum hydraulic pressure in the passage.

5. A valve apparatus,

comprising an integral housing having a top, bottom,

front, rear portions and opposite ends,

said housing having an enclosed reservoir compartment adjacent the rear portion,

a pair of spaced and unrestricted upper and lower passages adjacent the front portion and extending endwise through the housing and between opposite ends thereof,

a flow channel adjacent the front portion and extending obliquely downwardly from one of said ends to said lower passage for transmitting hydraulic fluid and pressure thereto,

an upright bore adjacent the front portion and extending endwise through the housing between said top and bottom portions and in communicating relation with said passages, said bore defining an upwardly facing valve seat below the upper passage, said bore also defining a piston chamber above the lower passage, said bore also defining a bearing aperture spaced from and disposed between the seat and the charm ber,

an elongated aperture in the housing and extending obliquely forwardly and upwardly between the bottom of said reservoir compartment and the bore at a 9 position below the valve seat,

a lower plug in the bore adjacent said bottom portion,

an upper plug in the bore adjacent said top portion and having a spring-mounting receptable on the inner end thereof,

a ball valve element on the seat in the bore,

a spring mounted in the receptacle of the upper plug and bearing against the valve element,

a piston slidable in said piston chamber and having a sealing ring thereon slidably engaging the chamber wall, said piston having a reduced downwardly extending projection engaging the lower plug and maintaining the piston above the lower passage, said piston also having a ball valve operating stem projecting upwardly through the bearing aperture of the bore and into closely spaced relation with the ball valve element, said piston being movable upwardly under influence of hydraulic pressure in the lower passage to lift the ball valve element of the seat and thereby permit hydraulic fluid flow from the upper passage to the reservoir,

a spring in the piston chamber and bearing downwardly on the piston and permitting upward movement of the piston only in response to the hydraulic pressure in the lower passage only in excess of a predetermined minimum pressure,

and means at the opposite ends of said passages for connecting fluid conduits thereto.

References Cited by the Examiner UNITED STATES PATENTS 2,308,099 1/43 Obecny 121-46 2,362,339 11/44 Armington 81420 X 2,470,778 5/49 Lankouski et al. 91420 2,928,243 3/ 60 Albright -41 2,958,339 11/60 Meddock 137-622 3,024,758 3/62 Lieber 115-41 FERGUS S. MIDDLETON, Primary Examiner.

MILTON BUCHLER, Examiner.

Claims

1. APPARATUS FOR TILTING AND LOCKING THE OUTBOARD DRIVE ASSEMBLY AND HOUSING OF A POWER BOAT AT A PREDETERMINED ANGLE WITH RESPECT TO THE BOAT TRANSOM, COMPRISING A HYDRAULIC CYLINDER CONNECTIBLE BETWEEN THE BOAT TRANSOM AND DRIVE ASSEMBLY, SAID CYLINDER HAVING A MOVABLE PISTON AND AN EXTENDIBLE PISTON ROD, SAID CYLINDER HAVING FIRST AND SECOND FLUID CHAMBERS AT OPPOSITE SIDES OF THE PISTON, THE PISTON ROD EXTENDING THROUGH SAID FIRST CHAMBER TO EFFECT TILTING OF THE DRIVE ASSEMBLY UPWARDLY UPON APPLICATION OF HYDRAULIC FLUID PRESSURE IN THE SECOND CHAMBER, A SINGLE HYDRAULIC FLUID TRANSMISSION LINE, CONTROLLABLE MEANS SELECTIVELY APPLYING, RETAINING AND RELIEVING HYDRAULIC FLUID PRESSURE IN THE LINE, RESERVOIR MEANS SUPPLYING HYDRAULIC FLUID TO SAID CONTROLLABLE MEANS, A VALVE APPARATUS CONNECTED BETWEEN THE LINE AND THE CYLINDER AND HAVING AN UNOBSTRUCTED FLUID TRANSMISSION PASSAGE COMMUNICATING BETWEEN THE LINE AND THE SECOND FLUID CHAMBER FOR COOPERATING WITH SAID CONTROLLABLE MEANS IN CAUSING UPWARD TILTING OF SAID DRIVE ASSEMBLY AND LOCKING OF SAID DRIVE ASSEMBLY AGAINST A DOWNWARD TILTING, SAID VALVE APPARATUS ALSO HAVING A SECOND FLUID RESERVOIR THEREIN AND A FLOW CHANNEL CONNECTING THE BOTTOM OF THE SECOND RESERVOIR WITH THE FIRST FLUID CHAMBER OF THE CYLINDER, SAID VALVE APPARATUS HAVING A CHECK VALVE IN SAID FLOW CHANNEL AND OBSTRUCTING FLOW FROM THE CYLINDER TO THE SECOND RESERVOIR WHEREBY TO NORMALLY LOCK THE DRIVE ASSEMBLY AGAINST UPWARD TILTING, AND SAID VALVE APPARTUS HAVING MEANS OPENING SAID CHECK VALVE IN RESPONSE TO A PREDETERMINED FLUID PRESSURE IN SAID PASSAGE WHEREBY TO PERMIT FLUID TRANSMISSION FROM THE FIRST CHAMBER TO THE SECOND RESERVOIR WHEN HYDRAULIC FLUID PRESSURE IS APPLIED IN THE SECOND CHAMBER FOR TILTING SAID DRIVE ASSEMBLY UPWARDLY.