Abstract: A percussive drill bit has a working face opposite a shank end. The working face has a central jack insert and a plurality of peripheral inserts extending from the working face. The ends of the plurality of the peripheral inserts form an impacting plane. The central jack insert is disposed within a recessed portion of the working face and has an end extending between the working face and the impacting plane.

Abstract: In one aspect of the present invention, a degradation assembly has a holder fitted within a block attached to a driving mechanism. The holder has a longitudinal central bore with an opening at an end opposite the driving mechanism. A high impact resistant tool has a carbide bolster axially intermediate a steel shank and an impact tip, the steel shank having a first end and a second end. A sleeve being radially intermediate the bore of the holder and the steel shank.

Abstract: In one aspect of the invention, a wear resistant assembly has at least one hard insert disposed within a recess formed within a surface. A hard material substantially surrounds the hard insert and is also disposed within the surface. The hard material is separated from the insert by an intermediate material softer than both the insert and the hard material.

Abstract: A formation breaking apparatus with increased wear-resistance is disclosed. In one aspect of the invention, the apparatus has an assembly attached to an end of an articulated arm. The assembly has an actuator in mechanical communication with an axially guided penetrator. The penetrator may have a body intermediate a proximate end and a distal end; the proximate end being adapted to communicate with the actuator, and the distal end comprising a hard material with a hardness of at least 63 HRc.

Abstract: In one aspect of the invention, an attack tool is disclosed which has a wear-resistant base suitable for attachment to a driving mechanism, a first cemented metal carbide segment brazed to the base at a first interface, and a second metal carbide segment brazed to the first carbide segment at a second interface opposite the base.

Abstract: In one aspect of the invention, a high impact resistant tool having a superhard bonded to a cemented metal carbide substrate at a non-planar interface. The superhard material has a substantially pointed geometry with a sharp apex having 0.050 to 0.125 inch radius. The superhard material also has a 0.100 to 0.500 inch thickness from the apex to the non-planar interface.

Abstract: In one aspect of the invention, a tool has a wear-resistant base suitable for attachment to a driving mechanism and also a hard tip attached to an interfacial surface of the base. The tip has a first cemented metal carbide segment bonded to a superhard material at a non-planar interface. A volume of the superhard material is about 75% to 150% of a volume of the first cemented metal carbide segment.

Abstract: In one aspect of the invention a rotary drag bit has a bit body intermediate a shank and a working surface. The working surface has a plurality of blades converging at a center of the working surface and diverging towards a gauge of the working surface. At least one blade has a cutting element with a carbide substrate bonded to a diamond working end with a pointed geometry. The diamond working end has a central axis which intersects an apex of the pointed geometry such that the axis is oriented within a 15 degree rake angle.

Abstract: In one aspect of the present invention, a high-temperature, high-pressure press apparatus has a cartridge assembly adapted for connection to a unitary frame. An anvil is attached at a front end of a cylindrical body of the cartridge and a hydraulic chamber within the body is adapted to apply axial pressure to the anvil. A threaded end of the anvil is adapted for mating with a threaded inside diameter of a borehole disposed within a wall of the frame. A radial compression element disposed around an outer diameter of the body is adapted to limit radial expansion of the body proximate the hydraulic chamber. At least one mechanism is attached to the radial compression element; the at least one mechanism being adapted to preload the threaded connection between the cartridge assembly and the frame.

Abstract: A cartridge assembly for connection to a frame of a high temperature, high pressure press, having an anvil at a front end of a cylindrical body of the cartridge and a hydraulic chamber within the body adapted to apply axial pressure to the anvil. A radial compression element is disposed around an outer diameter of the body and is adapted to limit radial expansion of the body proximate the hydraulic chamber.

Abstract: In one aspect of the present invention, a degradation assembly comprises a shank with a forward end and a rearward end, the rearward end being adapted for attachment to a driving mechanism, with a shield rotatably attached to the forward end of the shank. The shield comprises an underside adapted for rotatable attachment to the shank and an impact tip disposed on an end opposing the underside. A seal is disposed intermediate the shield and the shank.

Abstract: In one aspect of the present invention, a degradation assembly comprises a shank with a forward end and a rearward end, the rearward end being adapted for attachment to a driving mechanism, with a shield rotatably attached to the forward end of the shank. The shield comprises an underside adapted for rotatable attachment to the shank and an impact tip disposed on an end opposing the underside. A seal is disposed intermediate the shield and the shank.

Abstract: In one aspect of the present invention, a degradation assembly comprises a shank with a forward end and a rearward end, the rearward end being adapted for attachment to a driving mechanism, with a shield rotatably attached to the forward end of the shank. The shield comprises an underside adapted for rotatable attachment to the shank and an impact tip disposed on an end opposing the underside. A seal is disposed intermediate the shield and the shank.

Abstract: In one aspect of the invention, an attack tool has a wear-resistant base suitable for attachment to a driving mechanism. A first end of a generally frustoconical first cemented metal carbide segment bonded to the base. A second metal carbide segment is bonded to a second end of the first carbide segment at an interface opposite the base. The first end has a cross sectional thickness of about 0.250 to 0.750 inches and the second end has a cross sectional thickness of about 1 to 1.50 inches. The first cemented metal carbide segment also has a volume of 0.250 cubic inches to 0.600 cubic inches.

Abstract: In one aspect of the invention, a pick adapted to degrade man-made or natural formations has a steel body comprising a shank adapted for attachment to a driving mechanism. The pick also has a leading edge opposite the shank which has an inside edge. A bore is disposed in the steel body proximate the inside edge. A cemented metal carbide core is press fit into the bore. A reentrant is formed at least partially in the bore.

Abstract: In one aspect of the invention, a roller assembly has an axle that supports opposing faces of a cylindrical body that has a plurality of pointed inserts disposed along an outer diameter of the cylindrical body. At least one of the inserts has a tip with a polycrystalline diamond bonded to a cemented metal carbide segment. The diamond has a substantially conical geometry with a 0.50 to 0.200 inch radius apex and comprises a thickness greater than 0.100 inches at the apex. The roller assembly has an internal lubrication mechanism adapted to apply lubrication between the axle and the cylindrical body.

Abstract: In one aspect of the invention a trenching machine for degrading natural and man-made formations, comprising a plurality of roller assemblies exteriorly mounted to a trenching boom or wheel. The rollers comprising a plurality of pointed inserts radially arranged along the wheel's outer diameter. The inserts are adapted to degrade the formation when the boom or wheel is activated.

Abstract: In one aspect of the invention, an apparatus for degrading natural and man-made formations includes a pick with an axially spring loaded pick comprising a central axis and being attached to a holder secured to a driving mechanism. The pick comprising a steel body with an axial shank disposed within a bore of the holder.

Abstract: In one aspect of the present invention, a roller assembly on an excavator for degrading natural and man-made formations has a plurality of pointed inserts disposed along its outer diameter. The inserts have a tip adapted to impact the formation and at least one of the tips has polycrystalline diamond bonded to a cemented metal carbide segment. The diamond also has a substantially conical geometry with a 0.50 to 0.200 inch radius and a thickness greater that 100 inches at the apex. The diamond also has a volume that is 75 to 150 percent of a volume of a carbide substrate.