Abstract: An air/water separator including a first hollow member configured to receive a flow including an air and water mixture and a second hollow member configured to receive the flow from the first hollow member. An exit of the first hollow member extends into an opening of the second hollow member such that the exit of the first hollow member axially overlaps the opening of the second hollow member, thereby creating a first flow path from the interior of the first hollow member to the outside of the second hollow member including two turns about the exit of the first hollow member and opening of the second hollow member, and a second flow path from the first hollow member through the second hollow member.

Abstract: A drill bit assembly for boring including a drill bit and a bit sub. A front bit end has a plurality cutting elements at a forward face of the front bit end and a first fluid return passage extending through the drill bit to a rear bit end. The bit sub couples to the rear bit end. The bit sub includes a bore disposed at a front sub end sized and shaped to receive the rear bit end of the drill bit. A plurality of legs extends from a mid-sub region toward the front sub end between pairs of cutting elements. The plurality of legs has a fluid delivery passage disposed therein with the fluid delivery passage extending from the plurality of legs to a rear sub bit end. The bit sub has a second fluid return passage connecting the first fluid return passage to the rear sub bit end.

Abstract: An off bottom flow diverter subassembly. A fronthead and shank each includes a central bore. One of the shank and the fronthead has an outer diameter configured to fit within the central bore of another of the fronthead and shank. The shank and fronthead are arranged to slide longitudinally with respect to each other and are limited from sliding out of contact with each other. At least one diverting flow passage is between adjacent sliding surfaces of the shank and fronthead. Sliding the fronthead and shank with respect to each other opens and closes the diverting flow passage. Application of a force, sufficient to open the diverting flow passage, to a drill string to which the subassembly is attached in a direction toward an opening of a hole being drilled causes the diverting flow passage to open and drilling fluid to flow out of the subassembly away from the bit.

Abstract: A drill bit for drilling a hole through earth and hard materials, the drill bit including a bit body having an inner bore and a cutting head at a cutting end, the cutting head including a center portion with one or more apertures extending from the cutting end to the inner bore, a perimeter portion projecting radially outward to form a plurality of blades divided by a plurality of junk slots, a cutting face, and a plurality of cutter receptacles spaced about the cutting face. A plurality of cutters with cutter tips terminating in points are in mounted into the cutter receptacles at a pitch angle relative to the cutting face, and with the plurality of cutter points together defining a projected cutting surface.

Abstract: An earth bit includes a cutting cone carried by a lug, and an interstice seal assembly which forms a dynamic seal with a radial interstice lug surface of the lug. The interstice seal assembly includes a rigid sealing ring having lengthened and shortened arm portions. The lengthened arm portion extends outwardly from the shortened arm portion, and engages the radial interstice lug surface.

Abstract: A drill bit configured for boring holes or wells into the earth include a plurality of blades configured with a recessed center such that the blades cut a core therebetween. Cutting elements in the recessed center are configured to cut and remove the core. The recessed center has a first diameter at a height from the cutting elements in the recessed center and a second diameter smaller than the first diameter such that the confining stress on the core is relieved prior to being cut by the cutting elements in the recessed center.

Abstract: A hammer assembly is actuated to drive an earth bit through a formation. The hammer assembly includes a piston, and a flow control tube which extends through the piston. The flow control tube includes drive and return guide ports. The piston is repeatably moveable relative to the drive and return guide ports in response to a fluid flow through the flow control tube. In this way, the hammer assembly is actuated.

Abstract: A method of boring through a formation includes providing a drilling machine and drill string and operatively coupling an earth bit to the drilling machine through the drill string. An air flow is provided through the drill string at an air pressure less than about one-hundred pounds per square inch (100 psi) and an overstrike force is applied to the earth bit, wherein the overstrike force is less than about five foot-pounds per square inch (5 ft-lb/in2).

Abstract: A retaining assembly for a cylindrical member and support sleeve in the bore of a component of a DTH. The cylindrical member and support sleeve may, for example, be a foot valve assembly for insertion into a counter bore in a bit. The cylindrical member has a cylindrical member rigidity and at least a portion of the support sleeve has a rigidity greater than the cylindrical member rigidity. A gap is provided between the sleeve and the component bore of the DTH. The cylindrical member deforms in the gap, resulting in the cylindrical member being fixedly sandwiched between the support sleeve and the component bore.

Abstract: A chuck assembly, an assembly for an earth-boring drill assembly, and a method of manufacturing a chuck assembly. In the assembly, a first portion of the chuck bore may have a minimum inner diameter greater than the chuck spline maximum inner diameter. A support ring recess may be defined in the bore axially between the chuck splines and the first end. A support ring may be positionable in the support ring recess, and the support ring, when positioned in the support ring recess, may have a support ring inner diameter less than the minimum inner diameter of the first portion of the bore. The drive pin may be positionable circumferentially between one of the chuck splines and an associated one of the bit splines and have an axial end surface at least partially engageable with the support ring to limit axial movement of the drive pin toward the first end.

Abstract: A raise boring reamer assembly includes a saddle, and a journal assembly carried by the saddle. The journal assembly includes nose and gage shanks, and a cutter is carried by the journal assembly. Nose and gage wiper rings are positioned proximate to the nose and gage shanks, respectively. The nose and gage wiper rings move debris in opposed directions in response to the rotation of the cutter.

Abstract: Embodiments of the present invention include a drill bit comprised of a plurality of blades. A first plurality of the blades has cutting elements positioned substantially within the cone section of the drill bit. A second plurality of blades has cutting elements positioned substantially within the blade flank section and the blade shoulder section. Another embodiment of the first plurality of blades in which the blades end or truncate at a radial distance substantially less than the radial distance of the blade shoulder section from the center of the drill bit.

Abstract: A method of boring through a formation includes providing a drilling machine and drill string and operatively coupling an earth bit to the drilling machine through the drill string. An air flow is provided through the drill string at an air pressure less than about one-hundred pounds per square inch (100 psi) and an overstrike force is applied to the earth bit, wherein the overstrike force is less than about five foot-pounds per square inch (5 ft-lb/in2).

Abstract: Embodiments of the present invention include a drill bit configured for boring holes or wells into the earth. Embodiments include a drill bit comprised of a plurality of blades. Each of the plurality of blades includes one or more holes therethrough configured to receive a cutter that is secured therein. The cutters are secured in the hole with a removable securing device that typically prevents the cutters from being removed when the drill bit is in use but allow the cutters to be removed from the holes when the drill bit is not in use.

Abstract: A variable frequency down hole drill, includes a drill bit, a reciprocating piston operable to deliver an impact load to the drill bit, and means for changing the frequency with which the piston delivers impact loading to the drill bit, also resulting in a change in overall power of the drill. The means for changing frequency and overall power may operate during continuous operation of the drill. The means for changing the frequency and overall power may include a valve for selectively changing the effective volume of a drive or return chamber, an actuator for changing the timing of placing the drive or return chamber in communication with exhaust, or a system for changing the frequency in response to sensing an predetermined operating parameter of the drill, such as pressure or piston position.

Abstract: A system and method of drilling. The method may generally include providing a drilling system including a rotary motor operable to rotationally drive a drill bit and providing a supply of compressible drill fluid, the supply producing an operating volumetric flow rate of fluid in a normal operating condition. The rotary motor operates at a rotational operating speed under a first volumetric flow rate of fluid, and the supply provides a volumetric flow rate of fluid greater than the first volumetric flow rate of fluid. The method further includes supplying the first volumetric flow rate of fluid from the supply to the rotary motor, and diverting a portion of fluid flow from the supply through a jet sub.

Abstract: A percussive assisted rotary drill includes a top sub for connection with a drill pipe. The drill pipe imparts torque to the drill and also supplies motive fluid to the drill. The drill includes a shank adapter to facilitate affixing a rotary drill bit to the drill. The motive fluid is divided between a bit flow which flows through the bit to clear debris at the bottom of the drill, and an actuator flow. An actuator, which may be in the form of a reciprocating piston, moves within the drill under the influence of the actuator flow to impart cyclical blows to the shank adapter. The blows are transferred to the drill bit through the shank adapter to provide a relatively high frequency low amplitude percussive force on the rotating drill bit to assist in the drilling operation. At least a portion of the actuator flow portion of the motive fluid is exhausted through the top end of the drill.

Abstract: A chuck assembly, an assembly for an earth-boring drill assembly, and a method of retaining a drill bit for an earth-boring drill assembly, the drill assembly including a casing. The assembly includes a drill bit having a generally cylindrical head, a chuck connectable to the casing and operable to support the bit, the chuck having an outer surface with a radially-outwardly extending chuck ridge, an axially-extending first slot being defined in the ridge, a sleeve having an inner surface with a radially-inwardly extending sleeve ridge engageable with the chuck ridge to limit axial movement of the sleeve relative to the chuck, the sleeve having a first lug supported on the inner surface, the first lug being positionable in the first slot to limit relative rotational movement between the sleeve and the chuck. The assembly may also include a retainer assembly provided between the sleeve and the bit.

Abstract: A percussive assisted rotary drill includes a top sub for connection with a drill pipe. The drill pipe imparts torque to the drill and also supplies motive fluid to the drill. The drill includes a shank adapter to facilitate affixing a rotary drill bit to the drill. The motive fluid is divided between a bit flow which flows through the bit to clear debris at the bottom of the drill, and an actuator flow. An actuator, which may be in the form of a reciprocating piston, moves within the drill under the influence of the actuator flow to impart cyclical blows to the shank adapter. At least a portion of the actuator flow portion of the motive fluid is exhausted through the top end of the drill.

Abstract: A fluid distributor cylinder is for a percussive drill assembly that includes a casing having an inner circumferential surface defining a central bore, a central axis extending through the bore, a bit movably coupled with the casing and a piston movably disposed within the casing bore. The distributor cylinder includes a generally tubular body disposeable within the casing bore and having first and second ends, a central axis extending generally between the first and second ends, an outer circumferential surface. At least a section of the outer surface is configured to engage with the inner surface of the casing so to form an interference fit between the body and the casing. The cylinder includes an exterior thread and/or a radially-extending shoulder configured to releasably engage with the casing inner surface so as to substantially prevent axial displacement of the distributor body with respect to the casing.