Abstract: A down-the-hole hammer drill having a reverse circulation system which conducts pressurized air downwardly to a lower cutting face of a drill bit. The air travels across the cutting face and upwardly through a central exhaust passage. The air is conducted to the cutting face through longitudinal and lateral passages in the bit which are kept isolated from the environment surrounding the bit so that no appreciable amount of pressurized air can escape, and so that the passages do not become clogged with dirt. The drill bit comprises upper and lower pieces. Upper sections of the longitudinal passages are formed in the upper piece, and lower sections of the longitudinal passages are formed in the lower piece.

Abstract: A driver sub and a case for enclosing a piston chamber of a percussion drill are threadedly connected by respective identical male and female screw threads. Each of the identical male and female screw threads includes a root portion, the shape of which is defined by portions of two axially overlapping ellipses interconnected by a flat.

Abstract: A percussion drill includes a reciprocating piston surrounded by a cylindrical casing. Disposed at opposite ends of the cylindrical casing are replaceable hollow cylindrical wear sleeves. The wear sleeves are mounted within recesses formed in the outer surface of the casing. Each wear sleeve has a thickness equal to the depth of its respective recess. A longitudinal inner end of each wear sleeve is spaced longitudinally from an end surface of the recess, and a flexible seal is situated between those opposing ends. The wear sleeves can be replaced after being worn by the abrasive environment encountered in the hole being drilled. The wear sleeves may be formed of a more wear resistant material than the casing.

Abstract: A thread coupling comprises two interconnected screw threads. Each of the screw threads has a root portion shaped as a portion of an ellipse. With respect to one of the threads having such a shape, the major axis of the ellipse is longer than that of the other thread.

Abstract: A screw thread structure includes a root portion, the shape of which is defined by portions of two axially overlapping ellipses interconnected by a flat.

Abstract: A rock drilling bit comprises a steel body defining a cutting face with hard material inserts press-fitted into preformed openings in the cutting face. The inserts have ends extending outwardly of the cutting face which perform the actual drilling or cutting operation. The face surface of the body is case hardened except for narrow continuous bands about each insert opening. A method particularly suited for forming the case hardened cutting face is also disclosed.

Abstract: A method of forming precision openings in hardened steel workpieces is disclosed. The method generally includes drilling nominal size openings in the workpiece while it is in a soft condition. Thereafter, sizing plugs formed from a material having a strength greater than that of the steel body during a predetermined range of temperatures are press-fitted in the openings. With the plugs in position, the body is heat treated to harden it. Subsequently, the plugs are removed and the resulting openings are found to be of an extremely uniform size without the wide variations present when hardening is performed without the sizing plugs.

Abstract: A rock drilling bit comprises a steel body defining a cutting face with hard material inserts press-fitted into preformed openings in the cutting face. The inserts have ends extending outwardly of the cutting face which perform the actual drilling or cutting operation. The face surface of the body is case hardened except for narrow continuous bands about each insert opening. A method particularly suited for forming the case hardened cutting face is also disclosed.

Abstract: A hard corrosion resistant surface is provided on a ferrous substrate by first overlay welding onto the substrate surface a chromium containing ferrous material. The deposited overlay can then be machined. It is thereafter subjected to a carburization treatment at a temperature and for a time sufficient to cause the overlay to become converted to an austenitic material containing iron chromium carbides. After cooling, the carburized overlay material is heated for a time and at a temperature sufficient to cause the austenitic matrix material to precipitate secondary carbides and convert to a martensite matrix material upon cooling. It is also contemplated to initiate the aforesaid treatment with a suitably selected chromium containing ferrous material that thereby is not overlay welded.