Ingersoll-Rand Company

Flowmole Corporation

Glen O Baker, Jr

John E Mercer

Albert W Chau

Dmitry Feldman

Shiu S Ng

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.

Technique for steering a downhole hammer

In a first embodiment an improved, hydraulic-powered paving breaker is depicted in which a novel arrangement is provided for internally lubricating the breaker. In the arrangement an elbow taps off discharging pressured hydraulic fluid from the breaker and, through a manifold line coupled to fittings, which are in penetration of the housing of the breaker, admits hydraulic fluid into the breaker to lubricate a reciprocating plunger, moil, and O-ring seals. In an alternative embodiment, a conduit is formed entirely within the breaker for the same purpose. In both embodiments a restrictor device is interposed between the supply of pressured hydraulic fluid and the points of fluid injection to insure a uniform supply of fluid to the latter at a given prescribed pressure.

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Kent, WA, United States of America

Glen O Baker, Jr