Abstract: A pneumatic percussive device has a casing (1) accomodating a movable hammer piston dividing the interior space of the casing (1) into two chambers. One of these chambers (7) alternately communicates, by means of an air distribution arrangement (3) having a movable actuator member (8), with a compressed air source and with the environment. In addition, said chamber (7) communicates, via a throttling passage (27), with a cavity (10) of the air distribution arrangement (3) the pressure in which ensures movement of the actuator member to one of its limit positions.

Abstract: A drilling device for drilling a borehole and comprising a drilling tool, a drill pipe extending into the borehole for conducting a flow of liquid thereinto for generating an oscillating percussion force applied to the drilling tool, a longitudinally movable impulse tube located below a lower end of the drill tube, a throttle located between a lower mouth of the drill tube and an upper mouth of the impulse tube for controlling a ration of flow portion of the liquid outside and inside the impulse tube in accordance with longitudinal position thereof, and a spring-loaded thrust valve for controlling the flow of liquid inside the tube.

Abstract: A downhole oil well tool uses impact, reciprocal drilling and an improved rotating bit or like working member, receiving both fluid pressure and weight from an elongated pipe string with a flow bore in order to drive the tool. A valve within tool housing controls fluid pressure to the working end so that the tool pressures up, then releases pressure through the working member allowing the pipe string to load the bit, creating impact. A clutch rotates the working member during drilling to prevent imprint upon the formation.

Abstract: A novel fluid powered rotary percussion drill is disclosed having a small, efficient, fluid energy to impulsive mechanical energy conversion motor and a unique bit arrangement wherein individual independently acting formation disintegration inserts are periodically actuated by the motor at a comparatively high cycle frequency to drill earthen boreholes. Bit drilling structure is renewable by replacing individual inserts and better borehole diameter and bit cutting ability is maintained by rotational gage row inserts. Bottom borehole sensing structure determines drill operational mode.

Abstract: A pressure-medium driven ram boring machine for boring in the earth, having an impact tip acted on by a percussion piston reciprocating in the machine housing, wherein the impact tip is arranged to be radially adjustable in the housing whereby controlled directional changes of the machine can be effected.

Abstract: A down hole hammer comprises a top sub and a drill bit support supporting a drill bit separated by a tubular housing to define a piston chamber therebetween. A feed tube is mounted to the top sub and extends concentrically into the piston chamber. A piston is slidably received within the housing and over the feed tube. Fluid porting is provided in the feed tube and the piston to sequentially admit fluid to a first space between the piston and top sub to drive the piston towards the drill bit support and to a second space between the piston and the drill bit support to drive the piston towards the top sub.

Abstract: A manually operated downhole for an underground earth boring apparatus having a pneumatically operated earth boring tool. A drill pipe is connected to the tool and to a source of pneumatic fluid. A valve is positioned in the drill pipe substantially adjacent to the tool between the tool and the source of pneumatic fluid. This downhole valve controls the flow of pneumatic fluid to the tool. The valve is operable in response to pushing or pulling on the drill pipe.

Abstract: A valveless-type down-the-hole hammer drill which has an inner tube extending from the upper end of the hammer body into a central opening in a cutter bit reciprocably mounted in a chuck on the opposite end of the hammer body. High pressure fluid is supplied to the interior of the inner tube and a piston surrounding the inner tube has internal surfaces controlling connection of a port to chambers above and below the piston. The external surface of the piston controls connection of these chambers to an exhaust port. A valve sleeve on the chuck coacts with the piston in this respect.

Abstract: A percussion drill provided with additional control phases in the form of a gentle braking phase for controlling the rearward movement, and a progressive braking phase for controlling forward movement. To this end, the control slide valve of the drill has a clearly defined gentle braking control edge, a new type of control channel having a cross-section which is variable along its length. The main advantages which are achieved as a consequence are substantially reduced compressed air consumption, substantially smoother operation even in relatively loose soil, and a considerably prolonged effective life.

Abstract: A jarring apparatus is provided for vibrating a pipe string in a borehole. The apparatus thereto generates at a downhole location longitudinal vibrations in the pipe string in response to flow of fluid through the interior of said string.

Abstract: A ram boring implement having a pneumatically or hydraulically driven percussion piston, movable axially in a reciprocating manner in a housing, and an axially movable bit which is connected to an end of the housing and acted upon directly or indirectly by the percussion piston, is of a structure which permits a restoring piston, connected to the bit, to be acted upon by the pneumatic or hydraulic pressure during the return stroke of the percussion piston.

Abstract: A percussion drilling apparatus for drilling bore holes into subterranean formation in which a plurality of drill rods are arranged in concentric rows in a drill bit housing, each rod having an impact tooth at its lower ends and the rods arranged either to converge inwardly adjacent to the center of the housing or to diverge outwardly at progressively increased angles in each row toward the outermost row. The impact teeth are fired sequentially by concentric combustion chambers arranged above the drill rods and where the pattern and rate of firing can be controlled by cam operated intake and exhaust valves associated with the combustion chambers. The drill bit housing is arranged at the lower end of the drill string with an umbilical cord which carries all necessary cables and lines between the surface controls and the drill bit housing for the purpose of controlling combustion in each chamber and of carrying away the cuttings as the drilling operation proceeds.

Abstract: A down-hole percussion drilling tool supplied with compressed air includes a piston reciprocated in an enclosed cylinder against a bit. A spool is continuously reciprocated in a valve chamber by a pilot fluid pressure supply, tapped from the compressed air from a major air flow passage to either a first or a second feed passage. Compressed air conducted through the first feed passage accelerates the piston toward the bit and compressed air conducted through the second feed passage accelerates the piston away from the bit. The continuous reciprocation of the spool is independent of the position of the piston relative to the cylinder.

Abstract: There is disclosed herein an apparatus for providing an underground tunnel utilizing a steerable pneumatically powered, elongated percussive downhole hammer having a forwardmost cutting bit which is asymmetrically configured with respect to the elongation axis of the hammer. This hammer is steered through the ground, that is, made to move along a straight path or a particular curved path, by controlling the way in which it is pneumatically powered and/or the way in which it is urged forward and/or the way in which its cutting bit is rotated.

Abstract: In a percussion drilling tool, a bit is connected to a drill motor through a mating spline connection. External splines on the bit engage internal splines in the drill motor and have respective load bearing faces disposed in a plane extending radially outwardly from central axes. The splines also include a crest land, and a root land. When the splines are in an abutting centered position, there is a uniform radially measured outer clearance between the external spline crests and the internal spline roots, and a uniform radially measured inner clearance between the external spline roots and the internal spline crests. The outer clearance is less than the inner clearance to prevent abrasive damage below the root diameter of the bit resulting from axial relative movement so that the external spline crests will engage the associated internal spline roots while continually maintaining a spacing between the external spline roots and the internal spline crests.

Abstract: An apparatus is provided whereby a standard percussive-type downhole drill may be utilized in directional drilling. This eliminates the need for less efficient tri-cone type downhole motors in this application. A motor is provided directly on top of the hammer at the end of the drill string, which both rotates the hammer and allows the passage of compressed air to the hammer for its piston operation. A preferred embodiment of the motor is an air-driven turbine with a replaceable connecting subassembly to link the motor shaft to the hammer apparatus.

Abstract: An accelerator for a fishing jar is disclosed. The accelerator includes front, compression, rear, and air chambers. These chambers insure that the pressure of the fluid in the compression chamber is substantially independent of the temperature of the fluid and the hydrostatic pressure of the well. These chambers also insure that the high pressure seals of the compression chamber are lubricated on each side of each seal. The accelerator also insures that a threshold upward force which is proportional to the hydrostatic pressure must be applied to the drill string before the fluid in the compression chamber begins to be compressed, thereby providing an accelerator that has a higher maximum load in deep wells.

Abstract: In a scavenger is supplied through a scavenging pipe (26) to the internal pipe string (11), the scavenging pipe (25) extending through a bore (27) of the hammer piston (17) of the hammer drill. Due to a rotary drive (14), the drilling strings (10,11) are rotated which are connected to the shank (13) extending into the rotary drive (14). The scavenger is conducted through the scavenging pipe (26) into the shank (23) and from there into the internal pipe string (11). The external diameter of the scavenging pipe (26) is inferior to the inner diameter of the bore (27) of the hammer piston (17), and of the scavenging bore (23). Sealing between the scavenging pipe (26) and the scavenging bore (23) is effected by a thick head piece (33) at the end of the scavenging pipe. Said head piece (33) contains a seal rubbing along the cylindrical scavenging bore wall if the hammer piston (17) strikes on the shank (13).

Abstract: A ram boring implement has a pneumatically driven percussion piston (16), which is movable in the axial direction in a reciprocating manner in a housing (12), and a control sleeve (24) which is axially adjustable for reversing the direction of motion of the ram boring implement and is acted upon by the pressure in one (20) of the pressure chambers (18, 20) formed on both sides of the percussion piston (16). The control sleeve (24) can be adjusted by means of a spindle drive (30, 50) by turning a compressed air supply hose (26). According to the invention, the control sleeve is arranged on a core (30, 34), supported in an axially fixed manner on the housing (12), so that the control sleeve itself forms only a relatively small annular effective area (52) acted upon by pressure. This makes it possible for the control sleeve to be moved forward or toward the rear without the compressed air feed having to be interrupted.

Abstract: A reverse circulation down-the-hole hammer drill apparatus for drilling rock and overburden comprises a fluid-driven piston which reciprocates in an annular chamber to repeatedly strike a bit suspended at one end of the chamber, for example in a splined mounting. Fluid is exhausted through the bit directly to the face of the bit and cuttings and debris are returned via a central throughbore in the bit and in the drill apparatus to the surface. The bit drops forward on encountering a void during drilling operations to open by-pass passages which exhaust fluid directly into the throughbore temporarily so as to prevent any loss of return of sample to the surface.

Abstract: A hydraulic drill string jar is powered and actuated by drilling fluid pressure controlled from the earth surface. By selective manipulation of drilling fluid flow, the jar can be conditioned to operate in drilling mode to avoid activation of the jars while normal drilling and fluid flow activities take place. By different fluid flow manipulations, the jar is conditioned to operate in the jarring mode. In the jarring mode, the jars will axially shock the drill string each time the flow rate is reduced below a preselected amount and then increased to a higher preselected amount.

Abstract: The invention relates to the construction equipment. A device comprises a body (1) internally accommodating a percussion member (2) with ports (5), an air distributing sleeve (6), an elastic element (7) and a threaded bushing (8). Grooves (9) are made on an external surface of the threaded bushing (8) at an angle to the axis of the device. When the device is moving soil gets in the grooves (9) of the threaded bushing (8) and develops a circumferential force fixing the threaded bushing (8) relative to the body (1).

Abstract: A down hole hammer comprising a substantially cylindrical casing having a top sub at one end and a drill bit support at the other; a central passageway extending through the top sub, casing and drill bit support; a central tube coaxial with the casing and extending from the bottom of the top sub to the top of the bit support thereby defining an annular space between its outer surface and the internal face of the casing, its inner bore forming part of the central passageway; an annular piston reciprocatively accommodated within the annular space for movement between an impact position at which said piston abuts the drill bit support, and a raised position at which said piston is spaced from the drill bit support; fluid porting being provieded to said annular space to effect the reciprocation of the piston between the raised and impact positions, the exhaust from the annular space during reciprocation of the piston being exhausted into the central passageway; a fluid by-pass extending between the top sub and th

Abstract: The annular air-hammer apparatus for drilling holes comprises a shell hav fitted co-axially therein a chips-receiving sleeve, a hollow cylindrical case, and a ring-shaped hammer capable of reciprocating back and forth. The lower part of the shell accommodates a rock-cutting tool capable of moving axially with at least one blow-off passage formed by at least a single longitudinal groove made on the outer cylindrical surface of the rock-cutting tool. With the rock-cutting tool in its uppermost position, the blow-off passage communicates with an outlet space provided between the shell and the case.

Abstract: An annular air hammer apparatus for drilling wells has a cylindrical body which accommodates a stepped annular hammer mounted for reciprocations. A stepped air distribution tube is rigidly secured in the body and has inlet ports and exhaust ports, the tube cooperating with the hammer and defining therewith a work stroke chamber and defining a return stroke chamber with the body. A pipe for receiving drillings is stationary mounted in the air distribution tube and defines therewith a plenum. An annular member is provided between the pipe for receiving drillings and air distribution pipe, in the zone between the inlet and exhaust ports, to define an exhaust chamber between the pipe for receiving drillings and air distribution tube. The plenum and exhaust chamber permanently communicate with each other through a throttle means.

Abstract: An annular air-hammer apparatus for drilling holes incorporates a hollow cylindrical case with a stepped bore which has inlet and outlet ports. A rock-cutting tool with an axial opening is fitted to the case at the forward end thereof. A chips-receiving sleeve and a stepped ring-shaped hammer are located inside the case, whereby the hammer forms a working-stroke chamber with the case and an idle-stroke chamber with the case, the rock-cutting tool and the chips-receiving sleeve. The chips-receiving sleeve has a cylindrical protuberance at its upper end which interacts with the hammer when this is in its topmost position. A channel is provided in the idle-stroke chamber at that side thereof which faces the upper end face of the hammer.

Abstract: Apparatus for drilling a bore hole comprising a hammer and a dual walled drill tube. The hammer comprises a reciprocable piston, fluid flow control device for directing fluid under pressure to the hammer to reciprocally drive the piston, and cutting device coupled to the hammer which rotate upon reciprocation of the hammer to cut the bore hole. Rachets are coupled to the cutting device to permit rotation of the cutting means in one direction only and to prevent rotation in an opposite direction. A portion of the fluid under pressure is diverted to entrain and direct particulate material to the surface of the bore hole.

Abstract: In percussion drilling such as earth drilling, a hammer piston driven by pressure medium is axially reciprocally movable in a drill body to transfer impact energy to a drill shank connectable to a drill bit. The axial position of the drill shank in the drill body is monitored, and the impact energy of the hammer piston is varied as a function of said position. For this purpose a sensor in the drill body produces a signal corresponding to the axial position of the drill shank in the drill body. By means of a control valve, the signal is used to control the pressure of the pressure medium actuating the hammer piston, thereby varying the impact energy.

Abstract: Pressurized water is used to operate a percussive down-the-hole drill and the spent motive fluid is used as a flushing fluid. A rear cylinder chamber (24) is constantly pressurized and a valve (28) controls the inlet from the chamber (24) to a bore (23) through the piston hammer (21). A valve (42) controls the outlet from the front cylinder chamber (26) to a flushing channel (38) in the drill bit (21). A check valve (45) controls the outlet from the bore (23) to the front cylinder chamber (26).

Abstract: When drilling deep boreholes with a down-the-hole drill (15), the pressure and the flow of the motive fluid are controlled so that the impact velocity of the piston hammer of the drill is kept within narrow limits independently of the counter pressure in the borehole. For this purpose the quotient of pressure and flow can be held substantially constant.

Abstract: A pneumatically operated impact-action self-propelled mechanism for driving holes in the earth is disclosed. The mechanism comprises a cylindrical housing with an anvil member located at the forward end thereof. An impact piston is reciprocal in the housing to deliver successive impacts to the anvil member and shapes with the housing a forward chamber of variable volume. A control assembly comprises a forwardly extending sleeve which is slidably received within a rear space of the impact piston to form a rear chamber of variable volume. A central passage is connected to the sleeve for continuous supply of compressed air into the rear chamber and therefrom into the forward chamber through apertures in a side wall of the rear chamber of the impact piston. An arrangement is provided for lockably locating the sleeve longitudinally with respect to the apertures for providing forward or reverse movement of the mechanism.

Abstract: A hydraulically operated self-propelled subsoil penetrating tool of the type including an elongated housing member having a penetrating nose with a forward anvil surface, the forward anvil surface defining one end of a cylindrical cavity, a rear anvil surface defines the other end of said cavity, a hammer is slideably mounted in the cavity and has impacting surfaces at either end thereof adapted to impact on the anvil surfaces, the direction of travel of the tool is being determined by the anvil upon which said hammer impacts, the hammer is slideably in said cylindrical cavity to selectively impact upon one of said anvil surfaces and has internal bores of different diameters defining forward and reverse piston surfaces, the forward piston surface area being greater than the reverse piston surface area, a valving member is slideable in one of the hammer bores between the forward and reverse piston surfaces and defines forward and rear variable volume fluid chambers.

Abstract: A pneumatic percussion machine has chambers at its ends with air inlet and exhaust passages thereto, controlled by a piston reciprocable between the chambers, an air supply passage from an axially adjacent end chamber to a third chamber being opened only after the air supply to the other end chamber is closed off.

Abstract: A seismic source operable in deep bore holes, and especially suitable for acoustic well logging and geophysical exploration, produces a controlled-spectrum seismic impulse. The source has a hammer which is hydraulically cocked through a hydraulic transformer into a hydraulic spring. Upon command, the hammer can be released, converting stored energy in the spring to kinetic energy of hammer motion. The hammer impacts on a liquid impulse shaping spring which couples impulse energy of controlled spectral width to the formation surrounding the hole by means of a balanced piston assembly which can be prebiased against the side walls of the hole.

Abstract: An energizer for use with a jar mechanism incorporated on inner and outer bodies in a well string to assist the jar mechanism in delivering an upward jar to the well string includes longitudinally spaced seal means between the inner and outer bodies forming a chamber for receiving a compressible medium therein. A differential area formed on one of the bodies within the compressible medium chamber compresses a compressible medium in the chamber as the well string is lowered to position the inner and outer bodies so that the jar mechanism is actuated to restrain relative longitudinal movement between the inner and outer bodies to an extended position whereby a pull force may be developed in the well string in one of the bodies.

Abstract: A reversible boring ram having a tubular body containing a reciprocable hammer is provided with a pneumatically balanced control member which allows the direction of operation of the ram to be reversed without halting the hammer's reciprocation. The pneumatically balanced control member also allows easy starting of the device.The control member includes a balance piston situated in a balance cylinder which is attached to the body of the ram, the balance cylinder being connected to an inlet channel in such a manner that forward pressure on the balance piston counteracts the backward pressure in the main cylinder. The control member may be spring biased into the position for forward motion.

Abstract: The present invention provides a percussion actuated wire line sampler for use in a drill string. The sampler includes a core barrel adapted to be inserted into the drill string and to be freely movable therein. A hydraulic percussion device (16) also insertable and freely movable in the drill string is connected to the core barrel. A downhole mud turbine (20) is provided and is responsive to drilling mud pressure to actuate the percussion device to drive the core barrel out of the end of the drill string into the material to be sampled.

Abstract: Disclosed is a bidirectional fluid operated jarring apparatus. The apparatus includes a tubular body having a lower end defining a downwardly facing body hammer. A tubular knocker sub is axially slidingly mounted to the body adjacent the body hammer and includes an upwardly facing anvil engageable with the body hammer and spaced apart oppositely facing internal hammers, the upper one of which defines an internal anvil. A tubular mandrel having a low passage therethrough is axially movably mounted in the body and knocker sub. The mandrel includes a hammer positioned within the knocker sub between the internal shoulders. A valve is provided for closing the mandrel flow passage so that fluid pressure urges the mandrel axially downwardly with respect to the body and opening the mandrel flow passage upon predetermined downward movement of the mandrel. When the knocker sub is in a retractive position, the apparatus produces a downward jarring force.

Abstract: Earth drilling hydraulic shock absorber having an anvil reciprocally mounted in a casing and operatively connected with a plurality of independently operating pistons, the anvil being reciprocally mounted within the casing through a spline connection with unidirectional sealing means for equalizing pressure across the sealing means with the hydrostatic pressure in a borehole for retaining a lubricating fluid around the spline connection and to prevent abrasive matter in drilling fluid from coming in contact with the spline connection. The anvil of the shock absorber may include a reduced effective pressure area so that the anvil engages the first piston at a lower downweight.

Abstract: An improved impact tool being attached to a drill stem about ten (10) or more feet above the drill bit, and in drilling mud flows through the impact tool to the drill bit when the well is being drilled. When the drill becomes stuck, plunger means is inserted through the drilling mud passage way from the ground level and is forced down to the impact tool by pressure of the drilling mud, and on reaching the impact tool, it engages a lip forming surface at the upper end of the impact tool and seals off the flow of drilling mud. The pressure placed on the drilling mud flowing from ground level forces a set of sleeves to move downward against the force of a helical spring, causing the drilling mud to flow through a jet contoured nozzle for directing the drilling mud toward the stuck drilling bit for thereby dislodging the drilling bit.

Abstract: A hydraulic drilling jar apparatus having axially elongated outer housing and inner mandrel members that telescope relative to each other when tripped by a predetermined axial force applied to the mandrel to deliver an impact blow to an object stuck in a well bore. A negative pressure is developed within the apparatus during initial retarded telescoping movement to effect acceleration of the mandrel member upon release at a rate exceeding the acceleration rate otherwise imposed by the axial force.

Abstract: A tool adapted for connection to the lower end of a fluid supply line comprising: a housing; a tubular stem telescopically received by the housing for relative reciprocal movement therewith in response to fluid pressure communicated to the housing through the supply line; a working element attached to one end of the stem for movement therewith; and a valve assembly carried by the housing and responsive to predetermined movement of the stem relative to the housing to relieve fluid pressure within the tool, permitting a return of the stem and housing to their initial position relative to each other. In the method, the tool is attached to the end of a fluid supply line and inserted into a well conduit, the continuous supply line is inserted into the conduit until the tool reaches a preselected level; the tool is operated by applying fluid pressure thereto through the supply line; and the supply line is further fed into the conduit as the tool advances through the conduit.