Backhead and Drill Assembly with Backhead
AssigneeRockmore International, Inc.
InventorRainer S. Beccu
Life of this patent
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Abstract
In representative embodiments, a backhead for a drill assembly comprises an elongate member having a proximal end connectible to a source of pressurized fluid, a side wall defining an axial bore and an open distal end. A portion of the bore extending proximally from the distal end has an inner surface defining a cylinder portion shaped to receive an axially movable piston. The axial bore also comprises a check valve receiving area shaped to receive a check valve and to separate, during normal operation when a check valve is received in the check valve receiving area, an inlet area extending proximally to the proximal end from the cylinder portion extending distally to the distal end. Various improvements in retaining the distributor and increasing flow efficiency are described.
Claims17
A portion of a drill assembly operated by a supply of compressed fluid, comprising:
- a backhead having a proximal end connectible to the supply, an axial bore and an open distal end having defined therein an integrated cylinder portion, the backhead having passages extending between the axial bore and outer surface of the backhead;
- a hollow elongate wear sleeve having a proximal end to which the backhead is coupled and into which the distal end of the backhead is received;
- and
- a piston housed by the wear sleeve and having a proximal end shaped to fit within the integrated cylinder portion of the backhead, the piston being slidably movable along the wear sleeve and the integrated cylinder portion in response to compressed fluid conveyed through the backhead,
- wherein an intake flow path for an intake flow of compressed fluid in the drilling tool extends in a distal direction from the axial bore, through the passages in the backhead, through a space between the backhead and the wear sleeve and into an area between the piston and wear sleeve and into contact with the piston, and wherein the intake flow path is free from sharp bends.
A portion of a drill assembly operated by a supply of compressed fluid, comprising:
- a backhead having a proximal end connectible to the supply, an axial bore and an open distal end having defined therein an integrated cylinder portion shaped to receive a piston member;
- and
- a distributor positioned at least partially within the axial bore between the proximal end and the distal end, the distributor being removably secured to the backhead by a securing member accessible from an exterior surface of the backhead.
A portion of a drill assembly operated by a supply of compressed fluid, comprising:
- a backhead having a proximal end connectible to the supply, an axial bore and an open distal end having defined therein an integrated cylinder portion, the backhead having passages extending between the axial bore and outer surface of the backhead;
- a hollow elongate wear sleeve having a proximal end to which the backhead is coupled and into which the distal end of the backhead is received;
- a piston housed by the wear sleeve and having a proximal end shaped to fit within the integrated cylinder portion of the backhead, the piston being slidably movable along the wear sleeve and the integrated cylinder portion in response to compressed fluid conveyed through the backhead;
- wherein when the drill assembly is in a drop open position, a proximal end of the piston is spaced apart from the integrated cylinder portion in the distal direction and an open annular space is defined between a proximal end of the piston and the wear sleeve.
A portion of a drill assembly operated by a supply of compressed fluid, comprising:
- a backhead having a proximal end connectible to the supply, an axial bore and an open distal end having defined therein an integrated cylinder portion, the backhead having passages extending between the axial bore and outer surface of the backhead;
- a cylinder portion aligned with and in selective fluid communication with the backhead;
- a hollow elongate wear sleeve surrounding the cylinder portion and connected to the backhead;
- a piston housed by the wear sleeve and having a proximal end shaped to fit within the cylinder portion, the piston being slidably movable along the wear sleeve and the cylinder portion in response to compressed fluid conveyed through the backhead;
- wherein when the drill assembly is in a drop open position, a proximal end of the piston is spaced apart from the cylinder portion and the wear sleeve.
A portion of a drill assembly operated by a supply of compressed fluid, comprising:
- a backhead having a proximal end connectible to the supply, an axial bore and an open distal end having defined therein an integrated cylinder portion, the backhead having passages extending between the axial bore and outer surface of the backhead;
- a hollow elongate wear sleeve having a proximal end to which the backhead is coupled and into which the distal end of the backhead is received;
- and
- a piston housed by the wear sleeve and having a proximal end shaped to fit within the integrated cylinder portion of the backhead, the piston being slidably movable along the wear sleeve and the integrated cylinder portion in response to compressed fluid conveyed through the backhead,
- wherein an intake flow path for an intake flow of compressed fluid in the drilling tool extends in a distal direction from the axial bore, through the passages in the backhead, through a space between the backhead and the wear sleeve and into an area between the piston and wear sleeve and into contact with the piston, and wherein a filling flow path extends in the proximal direction from the area between the piston and the wear sleeve, along the piston and between the piston and the backhead into a space proximal of the proximal end of the piston, and wherein a separation is maintained between the intake flow path and the filling flow path in the area between the piston and the wear sleeve.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.