Patents by Inventor Markku Keskiniva

Markku Keskiniva has filed for patents to protect the following inventions. This listing includes patent applications that are pending as well as patents that have already been granted by the United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO).

  • Patent number: 12146387
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a flapper valve for a percussion drill tool. The valve comprises a first side engageable with a planar surface of an element of the percussion drill tool to alternately close first and second fluid flow paths of the percussion drill tool. The planar surface comprises first and second apertures in fluid communication with the first and second fluid flow paths, respectively. The first side of the flapper valve comprises a first planar portion and a second planar portion and a first curved tip portion intermediate the first and second planar portions. The flapper valve is pivotable about the first curved tip portion between a first position, in which the first planar portion of the flapper valve is in sealing contact with the planar surface to close the first aperture, and a second position, in which the second planar portion of the flapper valve is in sealing contact with the planar surface to close the second aperture.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 18, 2021
    Date of Patent: November 19, 2024
    Assignee: MINCON INTERNATIONAL LIMITED
    Inventors: Ben Sexton, Markku Keskiniva
  • Patent number: 12024950
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a fluid-operated percussion drill tool comprising an outer wear sleeve comprising a substantially cylindrical wall and having inner and outer surfaces. The tool also comprises a percussion bit having a head portion and a bit retaining portion and located at a forward end of the outer wear sleeve. The tool further comprises a sliding piston mounted for reciprocating movement within the outer wear sleeve to strike the percussion bit. The tool also includes a drive ring having a substantially cylindrical wall and comprising connection means adapted for connecting the drive ring to a drive means of the fluid-operated percussion drill tool. At least one flushing channel provides a fluid path to the cutting face of the bit for a flushing medium.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 25, 2021
    Date of Patent: July 2, 2024
    Assignee: MINCON INTERNATIONAL LIMITED
    Inventors: Markku Keskiniva, Ben Sexton
  • Publication number: 20230407704
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a drilling device. The device comprises at least one drill rod, the or each drill rod having a first cylindrical wall defining an elongate chamber for receiving a working fluid to form a fluid column, the length of the fluid column being equal to a total length of the elongate chambers of the or each drill rod. The device also comprises a displacement excitation device arranged at a proximal end of the fluid column and configured to excite the fluid column to cause the working fluid in the fluid column to oscillate, wherein the excitation device is configured to excite the fluid column at an excitation frequency at or within 10% of a natural frequency of the fluid column determined based on the fluid column having a fixed boundary condition at a proximal end thereof.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 5, 2021
    Publication date: December 21, 2023
    Applicant: Mincon International Limited
    Inventor: Markku Keskiniva
  • Publication number: 20230304378
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a flapper valve for a percussion drill tool. The valve comprises a first side engageable with a planar surface of an element of the percussion drill tool to alternately close first and second fluid flow paths of the percussion drill tool. The planar surface comprises first and second apertures in fluid communication with the first and second fluid flow paths, respectively. The first side of the flapper valve comprises a first planar portion and a second planar portion and a first curved tip portion intermediate the first and second planar portions. The flapper valve is pivotable about the first curved tip portion between a first position, in which the first planar portion of the flapper valve is in sealing contact with the planar surface to close the first aperture, and a second position, in which the second planar portion of the flapper valve is in sealing contact with the planar surface to close the second aperture.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 18, 2021
    Publication date: September 28, 2023
    Applicant: Mincon International Limited
    Inventors: Ben Sexton, Markku Keskiniva
  • Patent number: 11725456
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a hydraulic down-the-hole hammer. The hammer comprises an elongate shaft and a piston having a central bore therethrough, the piston slidably mounted for reciprocal movement on the shaft and arranged to impact a percussion bit. Forward and rear drive chambers for the piston are disposed between the piston and the shaft and the forward chamber is separated from the rear chamber by an annular shoulder formed internally of the piston bore. The hammer also comprises a control valve to control reciprocation of the piston, wherein the control valve is arranged within the central bore of the piston. The hammer may be a disposable water hammer in which the piston is an outermost component of the hammer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 28, 2022
    Date of Patent: August 15, 2023
    Assignee: Mincon International Limited
    Inventors: Joseph Purcell, Markku Keskiniva
  • Publication number: 20230151694
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a fluid-operated percussion drill tool comprising an outer wear sleeve comprising a substantially cylindrical wall and having inner and outer surfaces. The tool also comprises a percussion bit having a head portion and a bit retaining portion and located at a forward end of the outer wear sleeve. The tool further comprises a sliding piston mounted for reciprocating movement within the outer wear sleeve to strike the percussion bit. The tool also includes a drive ring having a substantially cylindrical wall and comprising connection means adapted for connecting the drive ring to a drive means of the fluid-operated percussion drill tool. At least one flushing channel provides a fluid path to the cutting face of the bit for a flushing medium.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 25, 2021
    Publication date: May 18, 2023
    Applicant: Mincon International Limited
    Inventors: Markku Keskiniva, Ben Sexton
  • Publication number: 20220349256
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a hydraulic down-the-hole hammer. The hammer comprises an elongate shaft and a piston having a central bore therethrough, the piston slidably mounted for reciprocal movement on the shaft and arranged to impact a percussion bit. Forward and rear drive chambers for the piston are disposed between the piston and the shaft and the forward chamber is separated from the rear chamber by an annular shoulder formed internally of the piston bore. The hammer also comprises a control valve to control reciprocation of the piston, wherein the control valve is arranged within the central bore of the piston. The hammer may be a disposable water hammer in which the piston is an outermost component of the hammer.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 28, 2022
    Publication date: November 3, 2022
    Applicant: Mincon International Limited
    Inventors: Joseph Purcell, Markku Keskiniva
  • Patent number: 11319755
    Abstract: An arrangement and a method for installing a casing in a borehole are described. The arrangement includes a casing, a boring pipe, which is adapted within the casing, and the boring pipe includes flow channels for compressed air and a flushing medium. The flushing medium flow channel is arranged to lead the flushing medium to the bottom of the borehole. The arrangement also includes a percussion hammer, which includes a compressed air operated percussion piston adapted in a cylinder of the percussion hammer, as well as hole drilling means for drilling a hole for the casing. The flushing medium flow channel is adapted to bypass the percussion piston or which flushing medium flow channel is adapted to pass through the percussion piston, and in which arrangement the drilling means additionally includes splines transmitting a rotating motion and adapted to conduct the compressed air that used the percussion piston through the splines.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 21, 2019
    Date of Patent: May 3, 2022
    Assignee: Mincon Nordic Oy
    Inventor: Markku Keskiniva
  • Publication number: 20210062586
    Abstract: An arrangement and a method for installing a casing in a borehole are described. The arrangement includes a casing, a boring pipe, which is adapted within the casing, and the boring pipe includes flow channels for compressed air and a flushing medium. The flushing medium flow channel is arranged to lead the flushing medium to the bottom of the borehole. The arrangement also includes a percussion hammer , which includes a compressed air operated percussion piston adapted in a cylinder of the percussion hammer, as well as hole drilling means for drilling a hole for the casing. The flushing medium flow channel is adapted to bypass the percussion piston or which flushing medium flow channel is adapted to pass through the percussion piston, and in which arrangement the drilling means additionally includes splines transmitting a rotating motion and adapted to conduct the compressed air that used the percussion piston through the splines.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 21, 2019
    Publication date: March 4, 2021
    Applicant: Mincon Nordic Oy
    Inventor: Markku Keskiniva
  • Publication number: 20190119992
    Abstract: According to an aspect of the present invention, there is provided a release assembly (100) disposable axially between two components (A, B) of a percussion drill tool (10), wherein the components (A, B) are connectable together by means of a screw-threaded connection (20). The release assembly (100) comprises a release ring (102), the release ring (102) being tapered on at least a first side (103) in a first radial direction. The release assembly (100) also comprises a first counter element (105) arranged axially adjacent the first side (103) of the release ring (102), the first counter element (105) having a tapered side (106) for engagement with the first side (103) of the release ring (102).
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 20, 2017
    Publication date: April 25, 2019
    Applicant: MINCON INTERNATIONAL LIMITED
    Inventor: Markku KESKINIVA
  • Patent number: 9138879
    Abstract: A method for lubricating a drill shank of a rock drilling machine, wherein at least part of the flow of the pressure fluid of a hydraulic circuit of a device of the rock drilling machine performing at least one function is directed to the rotation mechanism of the drill shank for the purpose of lubricating the rotation mechanism of the drill shank.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 27, 2011
    Date of Patent: September 22, 2015
    Assignee: Sandvik Mining and Construction Oy
    Inventors: Markku Keskiniva, Juha Piispanen, Mauri Esko, Aimo Helin
  • Patent number: 9108311
    Abstract: The invention relates to a percussion device having a frame, a tool mounted movable in its longitudinal direction, the percussion device containing a work chamber having a movably mounted transmission piston to compress the tool so that a longitudinal stress pulse is generated to the tool, inlet and outlet channels for conducting the pressure fluid to the percussion device and away from it and a control valve that alternately directs the pressure fluid from the inlet channel to the work chamber to act on the transmission piston and, correspondingly, discharges the pressure fluid from the percussion device. The percussion device and trans-mission piston have channels that connect the pressure fluid that acted on the transmission piston to flow during the return movement of the transmission piston through the control valve and transmission piston to the pressure fluid outlet channel and cut off the flow when the transmission piston has returned to its initial position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 24, 2010
    Date of Patent: August 18, 2015
    Assignee: Sandvik Mining and Construction Oy
    Inventors: Markku Keskiniva, Juha Piispanen, Mauri Esko
  • Patent number: 9067310
    Abstract: The invention relates to a sealing arrangement in a rotating control valve of a pressure fluid-operated percussion device, to which percussion device a tool is mountable movable in its longitudinal direction, the percussion device containing a work chamber and a transmission piston mounted movable to compress the tool suddenly to generate a stress pulse to the tool, inlet and outlet channels for conducting pressure fluid to the percussion device and away from it, and a control valve having a rotating switch member with channels to connect inlet and outlet channels through the channels of the switch member to alternately conduct the pressure fluid through the channels to the work chamber and, correspondingly, away from the work chamber, and in the inlet channel of the pressure fluid at the switch member side end thereof at least one sealing sleeve for the purpose of sealing the inlet channel to the switch member.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 24, 2010
    Date of Patent: June 30, 2015
    Assignee: Sandvik Mining and Construction Oy
    Inventors: Markku Keskiniva, Juha Piispanen, Mauri Esko
  • Publication number: 20150117940
    Abstract: A release assembly and a method of forming a drilling tool for rock or overburden drilling is provided. The release assembly is arranged axially between two drilling tool components. The release assembly includes a release mechanism allowing an initial axial length to shorten when a joint of the drilling tool components provided with connecting threads is turned in an opening direction. The release assembly has a decreased second axial length and friction forces in the joint decrease.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 29, 2014
    Publication date: April 30, 2015
    Inventors: Mauri ESKO, Markku KESKINIVA
  • Publication number: 20140305707
    Abstract: A fuel tank for a fuel-operated down-the-hole drill including a drill bit, is provided. A largest rotation diameter of the fuel tank is provided at or in connection with drilling equipment and is sufficiently small in order to be able to insert the fuel tank into a drill hole.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 4, 2012
    Publication date: October 16, 2014
    Applicant: SANDVIK MINING AND CONSTRUCTION OY
    Inventors: Jarmo Leppanen, Markku Keskiniva, Juha Hedlund
  • Publication number: 20140224544
    Abstract: A pneumatic down-the-hole (DTH) drill having a frame, and a pneumatic percussion piston that moves in a reciprocating manner as pressurized air is fed into the DTH-drill and strikes a tool in the front end of the frame is mounted movably in the longitudinal direction of the frame. A feed channel for feeding compressed air to the DTH-drill shoulders in the frame and in the percussion piston for controlling compressed air to provide an impact movement. In the rear end of the frame the DTH drill has a combustion chamber and an acceleration piston that is arranged to push the percussion piston during the impact movement for a portion of the percussion piston travel, and means for feeding combustion air and fuel into the combustion chamber, whereby the percussion piston is arranged to push the acceleration piston after the impact into the combustion chamber and to compress the air in the combustion chamber prior to feeding the fuel into the combustion chamber.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 4, 2012
    Publication date: August 14, 2014
    Inventors: Jarmo Leppanen, Markku Keskiniva, Juha Hedlund
  • Publication number: 20130180785
    Abstract: A button and a rock drill bit for percussive drilling including a bit head attached at an end of a drill element of a drilling assembly. The bit head has at a front end, as seen in the intended drilling direction, a plurality of buttons distributed over the bit head to engage material to be crushed. At least one of the buttons has a shank portion made of a substrate material of particles of a first material embedded in a binder phase. The first material is harder than the binder phase. The shank portion at least partially forms a bearing portion, the material of which is harder than the binder phase. At least one of the buttons is allowed to rotate about its own respective symmetry axis.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 20, 2011
    Publication date: July 18, 2013
    Applicant: SANDVIK INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY AB
    Inventors: Mauri Esko, Markku Keskiniva, Juha Piispanen, Pauli Lemmetty
  • Publication number: 20130180784
    Abstract: A rock drill bit for percussive drilling includes a bit head attached at an end of a drill element of a drilling assembly. The bit head has a diameter larger than that of the drill element. The bit head has at a front end as seen in the intended drilling direction a plurality of buttons distributed thereon to engage material to be crushed. At least one of the buttons is allowed to rotate about its own symmetry axis.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 16, 2011
    Publication date: July 18, 2013
    Applicant: SANDVIK INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY AB
    Inventors: Mauri Esko, Markku Keskiniva, Juha Piispanen
  • Publication number: 20120292114
    Abstract: A method for lubricating a drill shank (9) of a rock drilling machine (5), wherein at least part of the flow of the pressure fluid of a hydraulic circuit of a device (12, 13, 29, 36, 40) of the rock drilling machine (5) performing at least one function is directed to the rotation mechanism (20, 21, 25, 34) of the drill shank (9) for the purpose of lubricating the rotation mechanism (20, 21, 25, 34) of the drill shank (9).
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 27, 2011
    Publication date: November 22, 2012
    Inventors: Markku Keskiniva, Juha Piispanen, Mauri Esko, Aimo Helin
  • Patent number: 8151901
    Abstract: A pressure fluid operated impact device comprising a frame (2) whereto a tool (3) is mountable movably in its longitudinal direction, and control means (7) for controlling pressure fluid feed to the impact device (1), as well as a method of generating a stress pulse in a pressure fluid operated impact device. The impact device (1) comprises a working chamber (8) and a transmission piston (9) moving therein. Energy charging means for charging energy of pressure fluid and the control means are coupled to allow periodically alternately pressure fluid to flow to the working chamber (8) and, correspondingly, to discharge pressure fluid from the working chamber (8). In the method, pressure fluid is fed to the working chamber (8), which produces a force pushing the transmission piston (9) in the direction of the tool (3), thus generating a stress pulse in the tool (3).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 6, 2004
    Date of Patent: April 10, 2012
    Assignee: Sandvik Mining and Construction Oy
    Inventors: Markku Keskiniva, Jorma Mäki, Mauri Esko, Erkki Ahola, Aimo Helin, Timo Muuttonen