Sonde housing having side accessible sonde compartment

A fluid-actuated percussive impact tool comprising:

• a back head for connection to a pressurized fluid source;
• a tool casing housing a drill bit longitudinally movable with respect thereto, the drill bit defining a central axis extending longitudinally therethrough;
• a sonde housing coupled between the back head and the tool casing and defining a central axis extending longitudinally through the sonde housing, the sonde housing comprising:
• a sonde compartment formed in the sonde housing and defining an open side along an exterior side surface of the sonde housing,
• a sonde removably secured in the sonde compartment, and
• a cover removably mounted upon the open side of the sonde compartment to close the open side thereof, wherein:
• the sonde compartment includes a first bored aperture in one side of the sonde compartment and a second bored aperture in an opposing side of the sonde compartment, the first bored aperture and the second bored aperture being in registry with one another;
• the cover includes a bored channel therein, the bored channel being in registry with the first bored aperture and the second bored aperture when the cover is mounted upon the sonde compartment;
• and
• the sonde housing further comprises a pin extending through the first bored aperture, the bored channel and the second bored aperture to secure the cover upon the sonde compartment, the pin being removable from the first bored aperture, the bored channel and the second bored aperture to dismount the cover from the sonde compartment;
• and
• a bent sub integrally formed with the sonde housing and connecting the sonde housing to the tool casing, such that the central axis of the drill bit intersects the central axis of the sonde housing at a non-zero angle.