Importance

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Abstract

Disclosed is a hammer reamer comprising cutting wheels, a product-pulling feature, and a hammer component operable to deliver a percussive cycle of an internal piston component. Notably, an internal impact surface within the head of the hammer reamer is positioned relative to the piston component in the hammer consistent with a “sweet spot” position of a drill bit used in a pilot boring configuration. Unlike a slidably engaged drill bit, however, the internal impact surface in the hammer reamer is fixed in place so that the impact surface remains in the “sweet spot” of the piston stroke range. In this way, even though the hammer reamer is being pulled back through a bore while the drill string is being retracted, the hammer component may continue to deliver percussive blows to the hammer reamer head to introduce a vibratory force that contributes to the efficiency of the reaming process.

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First Claim