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 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.