All the components of Hydraflex hydraulic steering systems are made specifically for
the marine environment, using materials and working processes which offer long life and
safety for the most extreme conditions.
How the system works
Under normal operating conditions, a turn of the steering wheel will send the oil from the
helm unit into one of the two connecting hydraulic lines. The oil will be pumped into one
of the chambers of the cylinder and either extend or retract the cylinder rod, depending
on the steering wheel rotation. The fluid going out from the other chamber of the cylinder
is returned to the helm unit via the other hydraulic line.
There are only two basic components for all the Hydraflex hydraulic steering
systems. These are the helm unit and the cylinder, connected by nylon or
copper tubing. The helm unit consists of both a hydraulic pump section and a
valve assembly. The valve
assembly prevents outgoing fluid from returning along the same line, isolates each
steering station, locks the rudder and eliminates rudder “ feedback “ to the
helm. The cylinders are double acting and may be balanced or unbalanced ( the rod extends
through only one end of the cylinder ).
