Down-the-Hole Hammer Air Valve for Fast Pressure Adjustment
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing down-the-hole hammers require disassembly for adjusting operation pressure, which is time-consuming and labor-intensive.
Innovation Solution
A down-the-hole hammer with an adjustable air consumption valve comprising a control tube and an air distributor with multiple sets of ports, allowing for indexable alignment to adjust air flow rate and pressure without disassembly.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If a removable volume-changer is used to control piston operating pressure, then the hammer can be adjusted for different pressure settings, but significant disassembly is required to access the volume-changer making adjustment time-consuming and labor-intensive
Solution Approach 1:
The air distributor is segmented into multiple sets of ports (first set, second set, etc.) that can be selectively engaged with the control tube slot. This segmentation allows the system to offer multiple pressure settings while maintaining quick access to adjustment mechanisms, eliminating the need for significant disassembly.
Solution Approach 2:
The adjustment mechanism (control tube with slot and air distributor with ports) is extracted and made accessible from the exterior of the hammer. This allows operators to change pressure settings by simply rotating the control tube without needing to disassemble internal components, significantly reducing adjustment time.
2Adaptability or versatility
If multiple sets of ports are provided in the air distributor, then air consumption can be adjusted for different drilling conditions, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The air distributor serves multiple functions through its multiple sets of ports - it can be configured for different air flow rates and pressure settings by rotating the control tube to align different port sets with the slot. This multi-functionality is achieved without adding complex external adjustment mechanisms, as the same component structure handles all adjustment needs.
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
Enables quick and efficient adjustment of air consumption for optimal drilling performance by rotating the control tube relative to the air distributor, improving operational efficiency and reducing setup time.
Implementation Method 1
a check valve member rotationally fixed to the control tube
Implementation Method 2
The control tube is indexable between a plurality of rotational positions by rotating the check calve member to adjust which of the sets of ports of the air distributor is aligned with the slot of the control tube
Data Source
AI summary
A down-the-hole hammer includes a barrel having a longitudinal axis and defining a proximal chamber and a distal chamber, a piston slidable within the barrel between the proximal chamber and the distal chamber, a control tube having a slot, a check valve member rotationally fixed to the control tube, and an air distributor having a plurality of sets of ports. Each set of ports includes a proximal port and a distal port longitudinally spaced apart from one another. The control tube is indexable between a plurality of rotational positions by rotating the check calve member to adjust which of the sets of ports of the air distributor is aligned with the slot of the control tube.