Abstract: A low-temperature-fluid storage tank capable of efficiently increasing the pressure of fluid without heating the fluid is provided. There is provided a booster pump which includes a piston having a piston head and a piston rod and a cylinder having a compression chamber that accommodates the piston head so that a fluid is compressed by one end surface of the piston head. The piston head is provided with a bellows for separating a space adjacent to the piston rod from a space adjacent to the cylinder in the compression chamber.

Abstract: Method and apparatus for controlling a percussive machine by determining, during the phase of rebound of a piston following impact, the existence of an instantaneous flow rate of fluid flowing from a top chamber toward the high-pressure fluid feed circuit. The instantaneous flow rate is determined on the basis of the differential pressure between the top chamber and the high pressure fluid feed circuit. If a flow rate is detected, a control device is fed with pressurized fluid so as to shift a selector piston in a direction for lengthening the stroke of the striking piston.

Abstract: A Pneumatic impact drilling tool, particularly useful as a downhole pneumatic drill, includes a housing structure adapted to be connected to a string of drill pipe and supplied with compressed air therethrough. A hammer piston reciprocates in the housing structure along flexible feed and exhaust tubes. Compressed air is directed alternately to the upper and lower ends of the hammer to effect its reciprocation in the housing. The hammer is operable to strike an anvil bit member repeatedly to effect a drilling motion. At the upper end of the housing there is provided a removable annular plug member surrounding the tubular support in which the feeder tube is positioned. The annular plug member defines the volume of the space above the hammer piston and is related to the size of the feeder tube so that the feeder tube and plug member together determine the volume of air utilized at any selected air pressure and the timing of operation of the hammer position.

Abstract: A high-speed steam admission poppet valve structure in a steam engine employs a low-inertia valve element spring-biased into seated position in a valve seat in the end wall of a cylinder and employs a valve lifter member fixed to the face of the associated piston for cyclically unseating the valve element, the lifter member and the valve element having cooperable engageable surfaces of conforming configuration which are maintained in engagement in both the unseating and seating of the valve element for maintaining the sealing surface of the valve element both parallel to and centered in relation to the valve seat in the seating of the valve element.The clearance volume of the cylinder may be adjusted manually or automatically to regulate the power output and efficiency of the engine.