Ships – Steering mechanism – Fluid pressure
Patent
1993-11-09
1996-04-02
Basinger, Sherman
Ships
Steering mechanism
Fluid pressure
60453, B63H 2512
Patent
active
055030980
DESCRIPTION:
BRIEF SUMMARY
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates to a device for purging marine hydraulic steering systems of the type containing a hydraulic pump actuated by the boat steering-wheel and having first and second fluid inlet/outlet ports, a hydraulic piston cylinder device with first and second chambers on either side of the piston and first and second hydraulic conduits between the inlet/outlet ports of the pump and corresponding inlet/outlet ports of the respective chambers, said device comprising a valve unit which can be coupled into the respective connection between the inlet/outlet port of the respective chamber and the inlet/outlet port of the pump, via which valve unit the air in the fluid can be released.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
Hydraulic steering arrangement for boats are usually purged in the same manner as brake systems in automobiles for example, by opening purging nipples on the hydraulic cylinders and pressurizing the cylinder. In systems with air in the fluid, the air passes through the nipple first mostly air and some of fluid and finally fluid alone, whereafter the nipples close. Such purging methods which usually require two people (one "pumping" and one opening and closing the purging nipple) present special problems for marine steering arrangements. In view of the fact that marine steering arrangements of this type have the hydraulic cylinder mounted near the boat rudder shaft, which is in general mounted behind the engine or in any case near the rear portion of the engine, the job of collecting oil purged with the air will be difficult.
THE KNOWN PRIOR ART
U.S. Pat. No. Re. 33,043 for example discloses a device which eliminate the above mentioned problems. The known device comprises a system of non-return valves, a throttle valve and a collecting container, which is integrated into one unit. Via quick-couplings in the conduits between the steering wheel pump and the hydraulic cylinder it can be coupled as a shunt over the cylinder. The device makes it possible for one person to perform purging by merely turning the steering wheel. The pressure difference thereby produced is used in the valve system to purge liquid with air into the receptacle. After purging has been completed, the device can be disconnected whereupon automatic valves close the branch connections in the conduits between the pump and the cylinder.
The device described solves without a doubt the problems associated with conventional purging, but is on the other hand expensive and complicated and therefore not suitable to be permanently installed in simpler types of hydraulic steering systems. The known device is primarily suited for use in connection with service, i.e. when filling and purging the hydraulic systems.
OBJECT OF THE INVENTION
The purpose of the present invention is to provide a purging device of the type described by way of introduction which, at the same time as it eliminates the problem of fluid spillage during purging, is so inexpensive and uncomplicated that it can be permanently installed in the hydraulic system.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
This is achieved according to the invention by virtue of the fact that the valve unit has manually operated purging valve means, by means of which the respective chamber can be coupled to a third conduit which opens into an inlet of a fluid receptacle.
In a particularly advantageous embodiment of the invention, the third conduit is at least partially transparent and leads to the pump of the hydraulic system.
The purging device according to the invention is uncomplicated and can be manufactured at substantially lower cost than the known device described above. Purging can be performed simply by one person and the risk of fluid spillage is entirely eliminated. The purging is performed by first opening a purging valve and thereafter turning the steering wheel in that direction which will reduce the volume in the associated chamber. When fluid without air bubbles can be seen to rise in the third conduit, the open valve is closed and the other valve is op
REFERENCES:
patent: Re33043 (1989-09-01), McBeth
patent: 3958420 (1976-05-01), Yokota
patent: 4449470 (1984-05-01), Rump
AB Volvo Penta
Basinger Sherman
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