Abstract: A down-the-hole drill hammer comprising a casing having externally threaded distal end, and a chuck having internal threads threadedly connectable to the distal end of the casing. The down-the-hole drill hammer further comprising a drill bit having a head and a shank extending proximally from the head, and a bit retaining ring between the casing and the chuck for releasably retaining the drill bit.

Abstract: Techniques for classes of tables for use in image compression are described. Classes of tables for use in image compression may provide increased compression without a reduction in quality compared to conventional image compression techniques. In at least some implementations, a plurality of table classes are generated that correspond to a particular camera subsystem, each table class containing a Huffman table and a quantization table. When an image captured by the particular camera subsystem is encoded, a table class is selected based on camera subsystem parameters associated with the image, and the Huffman table and the quantization table of the selected table class are utilized to encode the image.

Abstract: Techniques for classes of tables for use in image compression are described. Classes of tables for use in image compression may provide increased compression without a reduction in quality compared to conventional image compression techniques. In at least some implementations, a plurality of table classes are generated that correspond to a particular camera subsystem, each table class containing a Huffman table and a quantization table. When an image captured by the particular camera subsystem is encoded, a table class is selected based on camera subsystem parameters associated with the image, and the Huffman table and the quantization table of the selected table class are utilized to encode the image.

Abstract: A method, a system, and computer program product for correcting image artifacts in image data captured by a camera sensor in conjunction with a flash. The method includes extracting, from a buffer, an image data captured by at least one camera sensor. The method then includes determining, from a metadata of the image data, a face in the image data and a position of a first eye and a second eye. The method then includes selecting at least one region of interest around at least one of the first and the second eye based on a size of the face and a distance between the eyes. In response to selecting the at least one region of interest, at least one correction is applied to the at least one region of interest to reduce or eliminate the appearance of at least one image artifact in the image data.

Abstract: A method, a system, and computer program product for correcting image artifacts in image data captured by a camera sensor in conjunction with a flash. The method includes extracting, from a buffer, an image data captured by at least one camera sensor. The method then includes determining, from a metadata of the image data, a face in the image data and a position of a first eye and a second eye. The method then includes selecting at least one region of interest around at least one of the first and the second eye based on a size of the face and a distance between the eyes. In response to selecting the at least one region of interest, at least one correction is applied to the at least one region of interest to reduce or eliminate the appearance of at least one image artifact in the image data.

Abstract: A down-the-hole drill hammer is provided that includes a housing, a solid core piston mounted within the housing, a seal located between the solid core piston and the housing, and a backhead configured to exhaust working fluid volumes about a proximal end of the DHD hammer. The backhead includes a check valve assembly having a plug seal that can be moved to a closed seal position by gravity. A DHD hammer having a segmented chuck assembly is also provided. The segmented chuck assembly includes a plurality of chuck segments forming a cylindrical chuck assembly.

Abstract: A pressure reversing valve for a down-the-hole percussive drilling (“DHD”) apparatus has a first valve pressure surface, a second valve pressure surface and a third valve pressure surface. The first valve pressure surface engages an internal surface of a housing of the DHD hammer. The second valve pressure surface is in communication with a high pressure port of the DHD hammer. The third valve pressure surface is in communication with a passageway that extends through a distributor within the DHD hammer. The valve also includes a valve passageway that extends through the valve and which is in communication with a first volume of the DHD hammer. The first volume is formed by surfaces of the distributor and the third valve pressure surface.

Abstract: A down-the-hole drill hammer having a housing, a backhead and a tubular sliding check valve assembly that includes a distal end, a threaded male proximal end, a supply inlet and an exhaust port. The exhaust port communicates between an interior of the backhead and an exterior of the backhead. The tubular sliding check valve assembly includes a distributor, a sliding valve, and a biasing member. The distributor has a central opening extending through the distributor, an aperture extending through the distributor, and an exhaust gallery. The sliding valve is slidable along the central opening. The biasing member biases the sliding valve to a closed position.

Abstract: A down-the-hole drill hammer assembly includes a casing, a drill stem, a drilling lug segment and a pilot drill bit is provided. The drill stem is housed within the casing and includes an abutment surface. The drilling lug segment is slidably engaged with a distal end of the drill stem and movable between an initial configuration and an extended configuration. The drilling lug segment includes a proximal end engageable with the abutment surface of the drilling lug segment. The drill stem is movable between first and second positions within the pilot drill bit. In moving to the second position, the drill stem slidingly engages the drilling lug segment and moves the drilling lug segment to the extended configuration.

Abstract: A down-the-hole drill hammer having a housing, a backhead and a tubular sliding check valve assembly that includes a distal end, a threaded male proximal end, a supply inlet and an exhaust port. The exhaust port communicates between an interior of the backhead and an exterior of the backhead. The tubular sliding check valve assembly includes a distributor, a sliding valve, and a biasing member. The distributor has a central opening extending through the distributor, an aperture extending through the distributor, and an exhaust gallery. The sliding valve is slidable along the central opening. The biasing member biases the sliding valve to a closed position.

Abstract: A pressure reversing valve for a down-the-hole percussive drilling (“DHD”) apparatus has a first valve pressure surface, a second valve pressure surface and a third valve pressure surface. The first valve pressure surface engages an internal surface of a housing of the DHD hammer. The second valve pressure surface is in communication with a high pressure port of the DHD hammer. The third valve pressure surface is in communication with a passageway that extends through a distributor within the DHD hammer. The valve also includes a valve passageway that extends through the valve and which is in communication with a first volume of the DHD hammer. The first volume is formed by surfaces of the distributor and the third valve pressure surface.

Abstract: A down-the-hole drill hammer assembly includes a casing, a drill stem, a drilling lug segment and a pilot drill bit is provided. The drill stem is housed within the casing and includes an abutment surface. The drilling lug segment is slidably engaged with a distal end of the drill stem and movable between an initial configuration and an extended configuration. The drilling lug segment includes a proximal end engageable with the abutment surface of the drilling lug segment. The drill stem is movable between first and second positions within the pilot drill bit. In moving to the second position, the drill stem slidingly engages the drilling lug segment and moves the drilling lug segment to the extended configuration.

Abstract: A down-the-hole drill hammer is provided that includes a housing, a solid core piston mounted within the housing, a seal located between the solid core piston and the housing, and a backhead configured to exhaust working fluid volumes about a proximal end of the DHD hammer. The backhead includes a check valve assembly having a plug seal that can be moved to a closed seal position by gravity. A DHD hammer having a segmented chuck assembly is also provided. The segmented chuck assembly includes a plurality of chuck segments forming a cylindrical chuck assembly.

Abstract: A fluid channeling device is for a percussive drill including a casing having an interior space, drive and valve chambers defined within the interior space, a piston disposed within the casing and having an upper end disposeable within the drive chamber and a longitudinal through-bore, and a valve for controlling flow into the drive chamber. The device includes a first member partially disposed within the drive chamber so as to extend into the piston bore when the piston end is within the drive chamber. The first member has an outer surface, an interior space and one or more ports extending between the outer surface and interior space and fluidly connectable with the drive chamber. A second member is disposed within the first member interior and has a passage fluidly connected with the valve chamber and fluidly connectable with the port(s) to establish fluid communication between the drive and valve chambers.

Abstract: A mooring system that uses combination traction winch/windlass units is improved by adding an additional fairlead at each combination unit location and by increasing the strength of existing combination units, their foundations and the foundations of associated equipment such as fairleads and turning sheaves. By these relatively simple upgrades, the mooring capabilities of the system can be economically augmented in those situations where additional lines are desired, such as in areas subject to tropical revolving storms. Normal mooring, when there is no threat of hurricanes, has the anchor and chain attached to the floating structure by wire deployed from the traction winch. When storm season threatens, additional anchors attached to chain run over the windlass can be added, allowing the number of lines to be doubled. The additional anchors can be installed if the floating structure is conventionally moored or if it is attached to pre-set moorings.

Abstract: A mooring system that uses combination traction winch/windlass units is improved by adding an additional fairlead at each combination unit location and by increasing the strength of existing combination units, their foundations and the foundations of associated equipment such as fairleads and turning sheaves. By these relatively simple upgrades, the mooring capabilities of the system can be economically augmented in those situations where additional lines are desired, such as in areas subject to tropical revolving storms. Normal mooring, when there is no threat of hurricanes, has the anchor and chain attached to the floating structure by wire deployed from the traction winch. When storm season threatens, additional anchors attached to chain run over the windlass can be added, allowing the number of lines to be doubled. The additional anchors can be installed if the floating structure is conventionally moored or if it is attached to pre-set moorings.

Abstract: A rockbolt assembly for securement within a borehole generally comprising a rockbolt, an anchor, a hollow tube assembly, a faceplate and a nut. The rockbolt has a threaded free end and a second end associated with the anchor. The hollow tube assembly has open first and second ends and an internally extending threaded portion configured to engage the rockbolt. The threaded portion is positioned between the ends with respective first and second tube areas defined on opposite sides thereof. At least one channel is defined in the tube assembly and extends from one tube area to the other such that a continuous passage traversing the threaded portion is defined between the ends of the tube assembly. The nut engages the tube assembly and the faceplate such that tightening of the nut about the tube assembly is translated through the rockbolt to cause engagement of the anchor.

Abstract: A rockbolt assembly for securement within a borehole generally comprising a rockbolt, an anchor, a hollow tube assembly, a faceplate and a nut. The rockbolt has a threaded free end and a second end associated with the anchor. The hollow tube assembly has open first and second ends and an internally extending threaded portion configured to engage the rockbolt. The threaded portion is positioned between the ends with respective first and second tube areas defined on opposite sides thereof. At least one channel is defined in the tube assembly and extends from one tube area to the other such that a continuous passage traversing the threaded portion is defined between the ends of the tube assembly. The nut engages the tube assembly and the faceplate such that tightening of the nut about the tube assembly is translated through the rockbolt to cause engagement of the anchor.