Abstract: A drill bit for reverse drilling in a drill hole being produced by a percussive, fluid-actuated drill includes an elongated drill bit body having a bore extending there through for transmission of a fluid, the body terminating in a head end portion and a shank end portion. Abrasive resistant drilling buttons are arrayed on both the head end portion and the shank end portion to resist abrasion by the material being drilled, during either forward or reverse drilling.

Abstract: A device for spinning vertical drill pipe on a drill rig includes a pair of opposed pipe gripping arms pivotably connected to the drill rig at a first end. The other end of one pipe gripping arm includes a drive wheel for frictionally contacting a drill pipe to be spun, and the other end of the second gripping arm includes a plurality of idler drive wheels to support the spinning pipe. A rod and cylinder assembly opens and closes the pipe gripping arms between a storage position and a pipe spinning position.

Abstract: A chuck and drill bit combination for insertion into a front end of a percussive, down the hole drill forming a part of a cluster drill assembly, for selectively engaging and disengaging the chuck and drill bit during drilling operations includes the bit and chuck each having splines and grooves adapted to overlap and engage each other in a first stop position and further adapted to disengage from each other in a second stop position, whereby the bit is restrained from rotational movement but capable of axial movement in the first stop position and capable of both axial and rotational movement in the second stop position, to provide automatic indexing of the bit so as to position the bit's gage drilling buttons in a preferred position outboard of the drill centerline, to maintain maximum borehole diameter.

Abstract: A removable guide member for guiding drill string components in a drill hole includes and elongated body having a centerline axis with a bore extending along the axis. The body terminates in a head end having a preselected radial dimension with respect to the centerline axis. The guide member is adapted to be threadably connected to adjoining drill string components. The head end radial dimension is preselected to space an outer surface thereof in close proximity to a drill hole sidewall, so that if the drill string begins to deviate out of alignment, the outer surface of the head end will contact the drill hole sidewall to stabilize alignment. The guide member can be inserted into any position along the drill string.

Abstract: A vibratory compactor includes front and rear frame portions driven by a hydraulic motor and a vibration mechanism on at least one of the frame portions also driven by a hydraulic motor. Speed sensors on the vehicle determine the speed of the hydraulic motors, send a signal to a microprocessor on the vehicle which is programmed to convert the signals to indicate the vibrations per unit of longitudinal travel of the vehicle and to display the amount of vibrations on an indicator for the benefit of the operator.

Abstract: A a method for laser heating a surface formed by a circular bore extending in a workpiece along a longitudinal bore axis includes providing a holder for holding a workpiece; directing a laser beam into the workpiece bore; and providing a mirror in the workpiece bore for directing the laser beam against a portion of the surface to be heated. The workpiece is cooled adjacent the portion of the surface to be heated by the workpiece holder. The workpiece and mirror are moved relative to each other longitudinally back and forth along the workpiece bore axis and rotatably about the workpiece bore axis, to produce a preselected pattern of heated area on the workpiece bore surface.

Abstract: A device for laser heating the surface of a small diameter bore in a workpiece includes a workpiece holder, optics for focusing a laser beam and introducing the laser beam into a bore and directing the beam against the bore surface. The workpiece holder and workpiece are movable longitudinally and rotationally with respect to the optics in the bore, to permit the laser beam to move along the bore. A first fluid cooling circuit cools the workpiece holder and workpiece, a second fluid cooling circuit cools the optics in the bore. Shielding gas is introduced into the bore to shield the bore surface being heated.

Abstract: A piston for a fluid-actuated, percussive, down-the-hole drill is provided with self-lubricating bearings and self-lubricating seals within the drill to provide a drill requiring no oil lubrication.

Abstract: A bit retention device for a bit and chuck assembly of a down-the-hole, percussive drill, for retaining a head section of a bit should the head section separate from a shank of the bit includes a chuck adapted for threadable connection to a drill casing, a drill bit, a bit retaining shoulder in the the assembly; a wear collar concentric about the chuck and bit and a flexible retaining member removably connected to the assembly, the retaining member extending radially between the wear collar and bit a sufficient distance to contact the retaining shoulder should the bit drop axially downwardly.

Abstract: A device for use within the backhead of a down hole percussive drill, for removing debris from a drillhole, includes a flow control member in the drill backhead for inducing cyclonic flow of percussive fluid, to concentrate the heavier water and other matter away from the lighter percussive gases, a separator in the backhead that separates the water and other matter, passageways in the backhead for ejecting the separated water and other matter, a sealing member for sealing the backhead passageways against back flow of debris from the drillhole annulus, and an indexing member for positioning the separator so as to permit a pre-selection of flow amounts of removed water and other matter.

Abstract: A bit retention device for a bit and chuck assembly of a down-the-hole, percussive drill, for retaining a head section of a bit should the head section separate from a shank of the bit includes a chuck adapted for threadable connection to a drill casing, a drill bit, a bit retaining shoulder in the the assembly; a wear collar concentric about the chuck and bit and a flexible retaining member removably connected to the assembly, the retaining member extending radially between the wear collar and bit a sufficient distance to contact the retaining shoulder should the bit drop axially downwardly.

Abstract: A unitary valve assembly for a fluid-activated, percussive paving breaker includes a valve chest having an outer sidewall forming an internal valve chamber, a sidewall within the internal chamber forming a valve bore, a reciprocal valve within the valve bore and a bottom plate permanently fastened to the outer sidewall. The inner sidewall forms a first annular, upstanding sealing seat for the valve, and the bottom plate forms a second annular, upstanding sealing seat for the valve. Passageways through the valve assembly are positioned so as to connect with high and low pressure chambers of a paving breaker, when the valve assembly is inserted into the paving breaker. For weight reduction, the valve assembly is made of acetal resin.

Abstract: A mechanical fluid separator defines an interior chamber for centrifugally separating entrained media from a fluid stream. The mechanical fluid separator has a fluid inlet connecting the interior chamber with a media entrained fluid source. A cone shaped baffle disposed within the mechanical fluid separator defines a conical surface having a concave surface and a convex surface. The conical surface has an annular base side and an annular apex side. The base side terminates in a circumferential rim contacting the annular chamber surface above the fluid inlet and said apex side terminates in an apex annular hole. The fluid stream is centrifugally directed in a first direction about the annular chamber surface and the convex surface of the conical baffle to disentrain the entrained media from the fluid stream. The disentrained fluid stream then passes through a window in the cone shaped baffle and escapes through a fluid outlet.

Abstract: A method for processing a carbon steel body by electric arc gouging with a carbon electrode to create flutes with a hardened heat zone containing finely dispersed martensite beneath the bottom surface of each flute. This process can form a kelly bar having hardened flutes for improved wear. Preferably the carbon steel body composition is according to the AISI 4130 standard.

Abstract: A system for lubricating and reciprocating a piston in a fluid-activated, percussive paving breaker includes a unitary valve assembly positioned within a bore of a rear portion of a tool housing, the valve assembly having an oil reservoir for lubricating the piston. The valve assembly is retained in place by a combination of a throttle lever and a backhead plate bolted to the rear tool housing.

Abstract: A kelly bar for rotary drilling machines comprises a hollow, tubular, elongated body having a plurality of electric arc gouged flutes therein, each flute having a hardened, heat-affected zone beneath its bottom surface to provide improved wear.

Abstract: A system for lubricating and reciprocating a piston in a fluid-activated, percussive paving breaker includes a unitary valve assembly positioned within a bore of a rear portion of a tool housing, the valve assembly having an oil reservoir for lubricating the piston. The valve assembly is retained in place by a combination of a throttle lever and a backhead plate bolted to the rear tool housing.