Abstract: A hydraulic percussion drill includes a piston hammer disposed in a cylinder for reciprocating movement in response to pressure fluid acting continuously on one transverse face of the piston hammer and in response to valving of pressure fluid alternately to an opposed piston face of the piston hammer by a tubular sleeve valve disposed around the piston hammer. The drill includes a percussion bit configured to have a face portion disposed at an acute angle with respect to a plane normal to the bit and the drill central axis. Cooperating spiral splines on the bit and a bit chuck provide for directional drilling using a method which includes causing the bit to receive impact blows without rotating the cylinder housing to initiate a deviated drillhole.

Abstract: A hydraulic reciprocating piston hammer percussion drill includes an elongated piston hammer having opposed reduced diameter shank portions and disposed in a cylinder for reciprocating movement in response to pressure fluid acting continuously on one transverse face of the piston hammer and in response to valving of pressure fluid alternately to an opposed piston face of the piston hammer by a tubular sleeve valve which is disposed in sleeved relationship around the piston hammer between a piston portion of the piston hammer and an impact blow receiving bit. The tubular sleeve valve is provided with ports which communicate with high pressure and fluid exhaust ports in the piston hammer to effect reciprocation of the sleeve valve and of the piston hammer to deliver repeated impact blows to the bit.

Abstract: A hydraulic reciprocating piston hammer percussion drill includes an elongated piston hammer having opposed reduced diameter shank portions and disposed in a cylinder for reciprocating movement in response to pressure fluid acting continuously on one transverse face of the piston hammer and in response to valving of pressure fluid alternately to an opposed piston face of the piston hammer by a tubular sleeve valve which is disposed in sleeved relationship around the piston hammer between a piston portion of the piston hammer and an impact blow receiving bit. The tubular sleeve valve is provided with ports which communicate with high pressure and fluid exhaust ports in the piston hammer to effect reciprocation of the sleeve valve and of the piston hammer to deliver repeated impact blows to the bit.

Abstract: A hydraulic reciprocating percussion tool, particularly adapted for drilling applications, comprises an elongated cylinder, opposed fronthead and backhead members and a central bore in the cylinder for supporting a reciprocating piston hammer. The piston hammer has reduced diameter end portions which have respective tubular sleeve valves disposed in sleeved relationship thereon and engageable with valve retainer members on the reduced diameter portions for effecting movement of the valves with the piston hammer. The head members include tubular sleevelike stem portions which cooperate with the respective valves to valve pressure fluid to and from opposed chambers in the cylinder to effect repeated impact blow delivering strokes to a shank member disposed in a chuck connected to the fronthead.

Abstract: A percussion drill rod assembly comprising an elongated inner percussion blow transmitting rod of substantially constant diameter supported in a tubular torque transmitting coupling member by spaced apart sets of resilient isolator members secured to the tubular coupling member. The drill rod assembly is connected to a shank assembly at the drill motor and an adaptor assembly at the bit end, each of which include inner percussion blow transmitting members and outer torque transmitting members. Integral drill rod assemblies having inner percussion rods and outer torque transmitting tubular coupling members are adapted for use with feed leg and sinker drills, for example.

Abstract: A rock drill feed support beam comprises longitudinal side plates and a base member which are formed of folded metal plate welded together to form a channel-like support beam with a substantially clear unobstructed space between the members for containing a plurality of pressure fluid hoses which are trained over a hose guide supported by the feed beam and also disposed generally between the side members in the space. A feed mechanism comprising an endless chain is disposed in the channel-like space and includes a support member connected to the hose guide and supporting spaced apart sprockets. One run of the chain is connected to the drill motor and the opposite run of the chain is anchored to the feed beam. A motor is drivably connected to the chain through one of the sprockets for advancing the drill motor at twice the rate of the hose guide and the feed support member.

Abstract: A hydraulic in-the-hole type percussion tool including an elongated piston-hammer which is disposed for delivering percussion blows to an impact receiving bit or shank member and is adapted to reset an elongated tubular sleeve type distributing valve disposed in the tool cylinder rearwardly of the piston-hammer. The distributing valve is moved in one direction by the piston-hammer and is urged in the opposite direction by pressure fluid which is transferred to a chamber to act on a pressure surface of the distributing valve when the piston-hammer uncovers a fluid transfer port. An in-line hydraulic accumulator is disposed between the percussion mechanism and a source of working fluid and includes an annular piston forming an accumulator chamber and biased by a series of conical washer type springs. The tool is adapted to use high pressure water or drilling mud as the working fluid and which is conducted to and from opposed expansible chambers formed in an inner cylinder member.