Hydraulically Operated Trim Attachment For Powerboats

Abstract

A powerboat including a pair of trim members hinged to the stern of the boat and a hydraulic cylinder individual to each trim member. Each hydraulic cylinder is constructed and arranged so that no external hydraulic lines are needed between the boat and the cylinder. The hydraulic pump has unique features to control volume and pressure.

Description

This invention relates to boats and particularly to powerboats.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

In my prior U.S. Pat. No. 3,062,167, issued Nov. 6, 1962, and No. 3,399,643, issued Sept. 3, 1968, there are disclosed and claimed trim attachments for powerboats which comprise trim members that are hinged to the stern of the boat and are actuated to vary the angles thereof and thereby provide control of the attitude of the boat. Such arrangements permit longitudinal and lateral trimming of the boat under varying load in order to obtain optimum attitude for movement of the boat through the water and result in greater speed with less fuel consumption, improve visibility, and permit adjustment to be made under varying load conditions and to be removed in rough water.

Among the objects of the invention are to provide a hydraulically operated trim attachment for trim members of the type shown in the aforementioned patents which includes a novel hydraulic operating mechanism that does not utilize external supply lines; which utilizes a novel hydraulic cylinder structure; and which can be operated in both fresh and salt water without damage to the trim attachment.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

A powerboat including a pair of trim members hinged to the stern of the boat and a hydraulic cylinder individual to each trim member. The hydraulic cylinder is constructed and arranged so that no external hydraulic lines are needed between the boat and the cylinder. The hydraulic pump has unique features to control volume and pressure.

DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a fragmentary perspective view of a boat embodying the invention.

FIG. 2 is a part sectional side elevational view of a portion of the boat shown in FIG. 1.

FIG. 3 is a fragmentary sectional view of a portion of the cylinder shown in FIG. 2.

FIG. 4 is a schematic diagram of the control system.

FIG. 5 is a part sectional elevational view of a portion of the system shown in FIG. 4.

FIG. 6 is a fragmentary sectional view taken along the line 6--6 in FIG. 5.

FIG. 7 is a fragmentary sectional view taken along the line 7--7 in FIG. 5.

FIG. 8 is a sectional view of a modified construction taken along the line 8--8 in FIG. 7.

DESCRIPTION

Referring to FIG. 1, boat 10 has a pair of trim members 11 hinged to the transom 12 in the manner disclosed and claimed in the aforementioned U.S. Pat. Nos. 3,062,167, and 3,399,643. Each of the trim members comprises a generally flat portion 13 having an end 14 which is hooked into the hooked end 15 of a bracket 16 to provide a hinge. Each member further includes an upstanding flange 17. The underside of the trim member 11 when in horizontal position is substantially in the plane of the bottom 18 of the boat.

The angle of the trim member with respect to the boat can be varied by use of a hydraulic cylinder 20 comprising a cylindrical body 21 having a lower head 22 integral therewith and an upper head 23 that is threaded thereon. A piston 24 with an O-ring seal 25 is reciprocable within the cylinder and is yieldingly urged upwardly by a spring 26 interposed between the piston 24 and the lower head 22. Piston shaft 27 on piston 24 is pivoted to a bracket 29 on trim member 11. A hollow tubular bag element 30 is provided above the piston 24 and has a peripheral integral O-ring 31 (FIG. 3). The head 23 when threaded onto the body 21 engages the O-ring to provide a seal. The bag element 30 prevents the entry of water and the like which might leak past the piston 24 into the hydraulic system for operating the cylinder. The head 23 further includes an integral projection 32 that limits the upward movement of the piston 24. In practice, the bag element 30 is interposed in the cylinder with a layer of grease or oil between the outer surfaces thereof and the cylinder so that air will not be entrapped between the outer surface thereof and the cylinder.

Head 23 includes a generally rectangular interconnecting element or flange 33 having a fluid opening 34 therein and an integral bracket 35 which has a surface 36 for engaging the transom 12. A fluid line 37 extends through an opening 38 in the transom and is threaded into the bracket 35 in an opening 39 which communicates with passage 34.

Fluid can be selectively applied through line 37 to force the piston 24 downwardly or permitted to escape through line 37 to permit the spring 26 to force the piston upwardly. The spring functions to hold the tabs horizontal at dockside.

In accordance with the invention, the integral interconnecting element 33 is preferably made of plastic as is the entire head 23 and bracket 35 so that there is limited permissible movement between the head 23 and bracket 35 permitting accommodation for varying angles of the transom 12 as well as changes necessitated by the sweep of the connecting axis at bracket 29 as the angle of the trim tab is varied. A satisfactory plastic material comprises Nylon 610 made by E. I. duPont Company and incorporating glass fibers. The cylindrical body 21, piston 24; piston shaft 27, bracket 29 and pin are preferably made of the same material.

Referring to FIG. 4, the apparatus for controlling the flow of fluid to the cylinders 20 comprises a pump 40 which receives fluid from a reservoir 41 and when energized in one direction supplies the fluid through a line 42 to solenoid-operated valves 43, 44 controlling communication between the line 42 and line 37 to each of the cylinders. When the pump 40 is operated in one direction, fluid is supplied to the cylinder, and when it is operated in the opposite direction, fluid is withdrawn from the cylinders as the piston 24 forces the fluid out of the cylinder.

As shown in FIGS. 5, 6, and 7, the pump is of the well-known gyrotor type and comprises a driven member 45 and a floating member 46. In accordance with the invention, the control of fluid from the reservoir 41 to the inlet 47 is through an orifice 48. The outlet of the pump has a portion thereof vented through an orifice 49 back to the reservoir thereby controlling pressure of fluid out of the pump.

The restricting orifice 48 on the supply side controls the volume or flow and the orifice 49 prevents an excessive pressure. For example, a 0.025 inch orifice on the pressure side reduces maximum pressure from 850 to 500 pounds. The control of volume through supply side orifice 48 enables the provision of gentle action of the tabs.

FIG. 8 shows a different type of a restrictor relief valve 60 and its design eliminates the need for energizing the pump to withdraw fluid from the actuators.

In FIG. 8 there is a floating piston 62 with an orifice 62a through it. An opening 61 extends from the pressure passage to the reservoir. A spring 63 has an adjusting screw or stop 64. Piston 62 has a portion 62b of reduced diameter in the area which covers the passage 61.

When pump is energized behind the piston 62 with the constricting orifice 62a moves with the flow and it covers the passage 61 making all of the fluid go to the actuators. When the actuators are at their limit of stroke the fluid is slowed and the spring 63 moves the floating piston back to at least partially open the passage 61 leading to the reservoir providing a limit on the pressure. Thus pressure is adjustable by the setscrew 64 against the spring 63.

For retracting the actuators it is only necessary to open the solenoid valve in the line and the fluid will pass back into the reservoir as the spring 63 will have pushed the floating piston back opening the passage 62.

It will be appreciated that by operating the pump in one direction or the other, a varying inclination to the trim members can be achieved in order to produce the desired trim of the boat as more fully set forth in the aforementioned U.S. patents.

Claims

I claim:

1. In a powerboat, the combination comprising

a pair or trim members hinged to the stern of the boat, one on each side of the centerline of the boat,

means for hinging each said trim member along its forward edge to the boat,

and a hydraulic cylinder individual to each said trim member,

said cylinder comprising a body having a head at one end and a head at the other end,

a piston within said body,

a shaft connected to said piston extending through said second head,

means for connecting said shaft to said trim member,

a bracket having a surface complementary to the transom of the boat,

means for mounting said bracket on said transom,

means interconnecting said bracket and said first-mentioned head of said cylinder in a manner to permit limited relative movement therebetween,

said first head having a fluid opening therein,

said bracket having a fluid opening therein,

said interconnecting means having a fluid opening providing communication between said openings,

said interconnecting means between said bracket and said first head comprising an integral flange,

said flange having said fluid opening therein providing communication between the openings in said bracket and said first head.

2. The combination set forth in claim 1 wherein said bracket head and flange are made of integral plastic.

3. The combination set forth in claim 1 including a flexible wall within aid body of said cylinder in the end thereof opposite the end of said piston which has said shaft extending therethrough.

4. The combination set forth in claim 3 wherein said flexible wall is generally cylindrical in shape.

5. The combination set forth in claim 3 wherein said first head is removable,

said flexible wall having a portion thereof adapted to be claimed by said head against said body.

6. The combination set forth in claim 1 including controls for said cylinder comprising a pump, a reservoir, and

an inlet extending from said reservoir to said pump,

an outlet extending from said pump,

first orifice means between said inlet and said reservoir,

second orifice means between said outlet and said reservoir.

7. The combination set forth in claim 6 including a pressure release valve associated with said first-mentioned orifice means.

8. For use in a powerboat, the combination comprising

a trim member adapted to be hinged to the stern of the boat,

means for hinging said trim member along its forward edge to the boat,

and a hydraulic cylinder,

said cylinder comprising a body having a head at one end and a head at the other end,

a piston within said body,

a shaft connected to said piston extending through said second head,

means for connecting said shaft to said trim member,

a bracket having a surface generally complementary to the transom of a boat,

means for mounting said bracket on said transom,

means interconnecting said bracket and said first-mentioned head of said cylinder in a manner to permit limited relative movement therebetween,

said first head having a fluid opening therein,

said bracket having a fluid opening therein,

said interconnecting means comprising a fluid opening providing communication between said openings,

said interconnecting means between said bracket and said first head comprising an integral flange,

said flange having an opening therein communicating with the openings in said bracket and said first head.

9. The combination set forth in claim 1 wherein said bracket, head and flange are made of integral plastic.

10. The combination set forth in claim 1 including a flexible wall within said body of said cylinder in the end thereof opposite the end of said piston which has said shaft extending therethrough.

11. The combination set forth in claim 10 wherein said flexible wall is generally cylindrical in shape.

12. The combination set forth in claim 10 wherein said first head is removable,

said flexible wall having a portion thereof adapted to be clamped by said head against said body.

13. The combination set forth in claim 1 including controls for said cylinder comprising a pump, a reservoir, and

an inlet extending from said reservoir to said pump,

an outlet extending from said pump,

first orifice means between said inlet and said reservoir,

second orifice means between said outlet and said reservoir.

14. The combination set forth in claim 13 including a pressure release valve associated with said first-mentioned orifice means.

15. The combination comprising

a hydraulic cylinder,

said cylinder comprising a body having a first head at one end and a second head at the other end,

a piston within said body,

a shaft connected to said piston extending through said second head,

means for connecting said shaft to a work member,

a bracket having a surface generally complementary to the transom of a boat,

means for mounting said bracket on a support,

means interconnecting said bracket and said first-mentioned heat of said cylinder in a manner to permit limited relative movement therebetween,

said first head having a fluid opening therein,

said bracket having a fluid opening therein,

said interconnecting means comprising a fluid opening providing communication between said openings,

said interconnecting means between said bracket and said first head comprising an integral flange,

said flange having an opening therein communicating with the openings in said bracket and said first head.

16. The combination set forth in claim 15 wherein said bracket, head and flange are made of integral plastic.

17. The combination set forth in claim 15 including a flexible wall within said body of said cylinder in the end thereof opposite the end of said piston which has said shaft extending therethrough.

18. The combination set forth in claim 17 wherein said flexible wall is generally cylindrical in shape.

19. The combination set forth in claim 17 wherein said first head is removable,

said flexible wall having a portion thereof adapted to be clamped by said head against said body.

20. The combination set forth in claim 15 including controls for said cylinder comprising a pump, a reservoir, and

an inlet extending from said reservoir to said pump,

an outlet extending from said pump,

first orifice means between said inlet and said reservoir,

second orifice means between said outlet and said reservoir.

21. The combination set forth in claim 20 including a pressure release valve associated with said first-mentioned orifice means.

22. The combination comprising

a hydraulic cylinder,

said cylinder comprising a body having a first head at one end and a second head at the other end,

a piston within said body,

a shaft connected to said piston extending through said second head,

means for connecting said shaft to a work member,

a bracket,

means for mounting said bracket on a support,

means interconnecting said bracket and said first-mentioned head of said cylinder,

said first head having a fluid opening therein,

said bracket having a fluid opening therein,

said interconnecting means comprising an integral flange having a fluid opening providing communication between said openings,

a flexible wall within said body of said cylinder in the end thereof opposite the end of said piston which has said shaft extending therethrough.