Flushing system for a percussive, fluid-activated apparatus
AssigneeIngersoll-Rand Company
InventorRobert R. Kimberlin
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
A debris flushing system for a percussive, fluid-activated apparatus includes a first and second separate and independent flushing system in the apparatus, each flushing system having a separate combination of passageways in the apparatus for fluid communication between an inlet port and a front piston exhaust chamber. Each flushing system has a separate seal and throttle combination for opening and closing its own passageways. A third, independent flushing system for flushing water can be added to the apparatus.
Claims13
A debris flushing system in a percussive, fluid-activated drilling apparatus, said apparatus having a backhead at a top end, a fronthead at a bottom end, a housing therebetween forming a central bore having therein a drive chamber and a return chamber for reciprocating a piston, said central bore having therein a front piston chamber for receiving and exhausting a flushing fluid, said flushing system comprising:
- a. a first fluid inlet port in said backhead;
- b. a first fluid flushing system in said apparatus for fluid communication between said inlet port, said drive chamber and said return chamber to reciprocate said piston, and for fluid communication with said front piston chamber;
- c. a second fluid flushing system in said apparatus for fluid communication between said inlet port and a passageway having a portion positioned in said housing external to said central bore, said external portion bypassing said drive chamber and said return chamber, said passageway communicating with said central bore at a position between said return chamber and said front piston chamber and thereafter communicating with said front piston chamber;
- and
- d. said first and second fluid flushing systems each including means for independently starting and stopping fluid flow therein, whereby said first and second fluid flushing systems are separate and independent from each other.
A debris flushing system in a percussive, fluid-activated drilling apparatus, said apparatus having a backhead at a top end, a front head at a bottom end, a housing therebetween forming a central bore having therein a drive chamber and a return chamber for reciprocating a piston, said central bore having therein a front piston chamber for receiving and exhausting a flushing fluid, said flushing system comprising:
- a. a first fluid inlet port in said backhead;
- b. first passageway means in said apparatus for fluid communication between said inlet port and said front piston chamber;
- c. first seal actuator means for opening and closing said first passageway means;
- d. first throttle means for opening and closing said first seal actuator means;
- e. second passageway means in said apparatus for fluid communication between said inlet port and said front piston chamber;
- f. second seal actuator means for opening and closing said second passageway means;
- g. second throttle means for opening and closing said second seal actuator means;
- h. said first passageway means further comprising:
- (i), a first accumulator chamber within said central bore at said backhead, in fluid communication with said inlet port and said drive and return chambers, for receiving percussive fluid to activate said piston and
- (ii), a bore through said piston in fluid communication between said first accumulator chamber and said front piston chamber, whereby a portion of percussive fluid in said first accumulator chamber flows to said front piston chamber;
- i. said second passageway means further comprising:
- (i), a second accumulator chamber in said backhead, said second accumulator chamber being external to said central bore, in fluid communication with said inlet port;
- and
- (ii), housing passageway means in said housing in fluid communication with said second accumulator chamber and said front piston chamber, whereby a portion of percussive fluid in said inlet port can flow to said front piston chamber;
- j. said firs seal actuator means further comprising:
- (i), a first backhead bore in said backhead in fluid communication with said first inlet port;
- (ii), a valve cartridge housing in fluid sealing contact in said first backhead bore;
- (iii), valve cartridge passageway means through said valve cartridge housing, for fluid communication between said first inlet port and said first backhead bore;
- and
- (iv), first valve stem means in said valve cartridge housing for opening and closing said valve cartridge passageway means, in response to said fires throttle means;
- and
- k. said second seal actuator means further comprising:
- (i). a second backhead bore through said backhead in fluid communication with said first inlet port;
- (ii). a connecting passageway in said second backhead for fluid communication between said second backhead bore and said housing passageway means;
- and
- (iii). second valve stem means slidable in said second backhead bore, for opening and closing said connecting passageway.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.