Abstract: A hydraulic rock drill comprises a housing having a piston and valve bore formed therein, a rotation motor, and a fluid connection and fluid reservoir interposed between the housing and the rotation motor. Fluid connections to the hydraulic rock drill comprise a single inlet fluid connection to the housing and a single exhaust fluid connection from the rotation motor. The working shoulder areas of the piston are proportioned so that the exhaust stroke of the piston will pressurize the fluid in the reservoir, providing a fluid inlet source for the rotation motor. When the rotation torque demand increases, pressure in the fluid reservoir and pressure in the fluid inlet connection will rise accordingly, thus providing higher rotation torque while maintaining impact power. When fluid inlet pressure reaches a predetermined limit, rotation and impact will lessen or cease altogether.

Abstract: A simple and positive drill steel retainer comprises a retainer and a latch. The retainer cannot be opened until the latch is disengaged. The latch is held in the engaged position by a spring. The retainer and latch can be easily operated with one hand.

Abstract: The present invention discloses, in certain aspects, systems and methods for producing cyclical impacts and, in certain aspects for moving a drilling apparatus for drilling a borehole in a formation, the system in certain embodiments including a housing with a longitudinal axis and a movable member movably disposed therein and movable within the housing transversely to the longitudinal axis of the housing and positioned within the housing with a first space on a first side thereof and a second space on a second side thereof, the movable member substantially fluidly isolating the two spaces and movable to compress gas in one of the first space and the second space while decompressing gas in the other space so that a charge of compressed gas exits from the housing to move an impact member; e.g. for impacting a pile to be driven into the earth or for impacting a drill apparatus for drilling a wellbore, the movable member movable continuously to provide a series of impacts.

Abstract: An operating system for a hydraulic rock drill in which the impact piston and rotation motor are hydraulically connected in series. The advantages are simplicity of connections, automatic torque increase when required without reducing impact power, and automatic reduction of impact power if the rotation stalls.

Abstract: A concentric valve for a hydraulic rock drill featuring simple and direct fluid connections, especially suited for use with fluid storage volumes.

Abstract: A simple and positive drill steel retainer, comprising a retainer (402) and a latch (403). The retainer cannot be opened until the latch is disengaged. The latch is held in the engaged position by a spring (406). The retainer and latch can be easily disengaged in one continuous motion with one hand.

Abstract: A compressor piston divides a first compartment into two compression chambers, while a hammer piston divides a second compartment into two drive chambers, each of the compression chambers being connected to a respective one of the drive chambers to form a closed fluid system wherein reciprocation of the compressor piston causes cyclic compression and expansion of the fluid in the compression chambers and thus in the drive chambers, to effect a cyclic impacting of the hammer piston with a bit adapter connected to the drill bit. A mud motor rotates a shaft to drive an oscillator which reciprocates the compressor piston. The oscillator can comprise roller elements in the compressor piston in engagement with canted grooves in the shaft. While drilling mud drives the motor and then passes downwardly to flush the drill bit and the borehole, the drilling mud is isolated from the closed fluid system.

Abstract: A compressor piston divides a first compartment into two compression chambers, while a hammer piston divides a second compartment into two drive chambers, each of the compression chambers being connected to a respective one of the drive chambers to form a closed fluid system wherein reciprocation of the compressor piston-causes cyclic compression and expansion of the fluid in the compression chambers and thus in the drive chambers, to effect a cyclic impacting of the hammer piston with a bit adapter connected to the drill bit. A mud motor rotates a shaft to drive an oscillator which reciprocates the compressor piston. The oscillator can comprise roller elements in the compressor piston in engagement with canted grooves in the shaft. While drilling mud drives the motor and then passes downwardly to flush the drill bit and the borehole, the drilling mud is isolated from the closed fluid system.

Abstract: A compressor piston divides a first compartment into two compression chambers, while a hammer piston divides a second compartment into two drive chambers, each of the compression chambers being connected to a respective one of the drive chambers to form a closed fluid system wherein reciprocation of the compressor piston causes cyclic compression and expansion of the fluid in the compression chambers and thus in the drive chambers, to effect a cyclic impacting of the hammer piston with a bit adapter connected to the drill bit. A mud motor rotates a shaft to drive an oscillator which reciprocates the compressor piston. The oscillator can comprise roller elements in the compressor piston in engagement with canted grooves in the shaft. While drilling mud drives the motor and then passes downwardly to flush the drill bit and the borehole, the drilling mud is isolated from the closed fluid system.

Abstract: A fluid-activated, percussive impact tool has a piston therein that reciprocates longitudinally but not rotationally. The piston activates a wrap spring clutch to rotate the drill steel. A removable splined nut in combination with the tool's housing restrains rotation of the piston, while permitting longitudinal reciprocation of the piston.

Abstract: A fluid-activated, percussive impact tool has a piston therein that reciprocates longitudinally but not rotationally. The piston activates a wrap spring clutch to rotate the drill steel. A removable splined nut in combination with the tool's housing restrains rotation of the piston, while permitting longitudinal reciprocation of the piston.

Abstract: A variable frequency control for a hydraulic percussion actuator includes a piston bore and a valve bore. A piston is axially disposed within the piston bore, while a valve is axially disposed within the valve bore. A first piston biasing member biases the piston in a first direction while a second piston biasing member, which overcomes the bias of the first piston biasing member to move the piston in a second direction. A first valve biasing pin biases the valve in a third direction while a second valve biasing pin overcomes the bias of the first valve biasing pin to move the valve in a fourth direction. A hydraulic valve actuator displaces the second valve biasing pin when the piston is extended in the second direction, and a piston actuator activates the second piston biasing pin when the valve is extended in the fourth direction. A valve response member controls the time required for the valve to be displaced in said fourth direction upon actuation of said valve actuating member.

Abstract: A variable frequency control for a hydraulic percussion actuator includes a piston bore and a valve bore. A piston is axially disposed within the piston bore, while a valve is axially disposed within the valve bore. A first piston biasing member biases the piston in a first direction while a second piston biasing member, which overcomes the bias of the first piston biasing member to move the piston in a second direction. A first valve biasing pin biases the valve in a third direction while a second valve biasing pin overcomes the bias of the first valve biasing pin to move the valve in a fourth direction. A hydraulic valve actuator displaces the second valve biasing pin when the piston is extended in the second direction, and a piston actuator activates the second piston biasing pin when the valve is extended in the fourth direction. A valve response member controls the time required for the valve to be displaced in said fourth direction upon actuation of said valve actuating member.