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 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 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 bit assembly is for a percussive drill that includes a casing with an interior chamber and includes a bit connectable with the casing and having a longitudinal bore and an axis through the bore. The bore has a retainer portion with one or more generally conical inner surfaces extending circumferentially about and facing generally toward the axis. A generally cylindrical valve has a longitudinal passage with an inlet fluidly connectable with the casing chamber and an outlet fluidly connectable with the bit central bore and an axis through the passage. An engagement portion with at least one generally conical outer surface extends circumferentially about and faces generally away from the valve axis. The valve engagement portion is disposable within the bit bore retainer portion such that the valve conical outer surface is disposed within and against the bit conical inner surface to retain the valve coupled with the bit.

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 bit assembly is for a percussive drill that includes a casing with an interior chamber and includes a bit connectable with the casing and having a longitudinal bore and an axis through the bore. The bore has a retainer portion with one or more generally. conical inner surfaces extending circumferentially about and facing generally toward the axis. A generally cylindrical valve has a longitudinal passage with an inlet fluidly connectable with the casing chamber and an outlet fluidly connectable with the bit central bore and an axis through the passage. An engagement portion with at least one generally conical outer surface extends circumferentially about and faces generally away from the valve axis. The valve engagement portion is disposable within the bit bore retainer portion such that the valve conical outer surface is disposed within and against the bit conical inner surface to retain the valve coupled with the bit.

Abstract: A piston for a fluid-actuated, percussive, down-the-hole drill is provided with self-lubricating bearings and self-lubricating seals. The piston includes an elongated body member terminating in a front end and a back end and having a longitudinal bore therethrough. A bearing and seal combination is positioned adjacent each end of the piston and an undercut portion of the piston body extends therebetween. The bore and undercut portions of the body form a portion of fluid passageways in the drill, when the piston is reciprocated in the drill. The seals float in their grooves, being movable axially, radially and circumferentially. The bearings are substantially nonmovable axially and radially.

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 reversible casing for a fluid-actuated, percussive, down-the-hole drill is provided with a tubular body having an internal surface forming a bore extending along a longitudinal axis. The internal surface has a profile that is a mirror image about a centerline axis perpendicular to the longitudinal axis. The profile is provided with alternating undercut portions and land portions, with a portion of the undercut portions being in an annular scalloped configuration comprising a plurality of longitudinally extending parallel grooves in the internal surface.

Abstract: A fluid-actuated, percussive, down-the-hole drill having a piston slidingly supported in a casing and passageways for transmitting flow of percussive fluid to actuate the piston is provided with self-lubricating bearings and self-lubricating seals within the drill to provide a drill requiring no oil lubrication.

Abstract: A borehole conditioning tool suitable for use in a drill string, the tool including a tubular body portion having a plurality of elongated, circumferentially spaced retainer slots for housing wall contacting members, each retainer slot being defined by a pair of opposed elongated slot side walls and a plurality of wall contacting members in the form of elongated stabilizer blades which are mounted in the retainer slots, each stabilizer blade having a pair of opposed blade side walls. In the borehole conditioning tool the slot side walls and blade side walls are shaped so that for each stabilizer blade one blade side wall is in engagement with one slot side wall, while the opposed blade side wall is in engagement with the opposed slot side wall along only a portion of the length of the blade side wall in at least one interference zone, the degree of interference being sufficient to locate the blade in position in the slot.