US2657709A - Valve - Google Patents

Description

Nov. 3, 1953 H. A. GILLERsTRoM ErAL 2,657,709

. VALVE Filed March 25, 1952 Patented Nov. 3, i953 UNITED .STATES PATENT OFFICE Cannng, Norwalk, Calif., assgnors to .Inde- :pendent .Pneumatic Tool Co., Aurora, Ill., 1a.

f'corpnratinns of.'D elaware .ApplcationMarc'hf 25, 1952, S eriaNO.A 2781382 20 Ulams.

, rock drill.

Another object of the inventionistoprovide a feedleg air control Valveincluding a manually Y operable element which may be operated from any side around its connection withthe leg.

A further object of theinvention is to provide a control' valve /forthe feed'leg of a rock drill or the' like which serves as a manually variableipressure regulator.

Still another object of 'the invention is to provide a throttle valve for rock drill feed'legs'in which theforegoing objectives are realized and which is composed of `iew.parts,'is simplein construction, easy to maintain, andreliable in its operation.

VWith the foregoing vobjects 'in view, together with such additional objects and advantages as may subsequently appear, the 'invention resides in the parts, and'in the construction, .combination and arrangement of parts, described'by way of example in the Vfollowing speciiication of a representative mode o'f execution of the invention, reference being had ,to ,the accompanying, drawings which form a part of' said specification and in which drawings:

'Figure 1 is a .fragmentary side velevation di a. rock drill having anair cylinder poweredieed leg to which a control Valve embodying theinvention is applied;

Figure 2vis an enlarged elevation of the -outlet end of the valve constructed in accordance with the present invention, being ,a .viewloo-king in the direction of the arrows ron the line-22 Vof Figure 3;

Figure 3 is a medial longitudinal sectional View of the valve on the line 3 3 of .Figure 2;

Figures 4 and 5 .are transversek sectional views taken on the line 4--4 ofliigure showing the relative positions of .the valve parts in the open and closed positions, respectively;

Figure 6 is a'reduced medialllongitudinal sectional view of the operating element -orsleeveof the valvel shown in the'position it occupies fin Figure 3;

Figure 7 is areduced side eleVationfofthe-'valve body;

AFiguref'is a transverse-sectiononithelinefB-#B Cil ofFigure 3 andshowsthe' cooperating movement limiting Ameans on 'the --valve body and rotatable control sleeve element Figure-9 is Aa transversesectionalview taken ony theline '9-9 of Figure -3 snowing details oifthe pressure bleeding means; A and Y Figure 10=is a'fragmentary viewsimilarl'to-Figure'3 but showingthe valvein'closed position and the relative-position oftheparts to effect pressure bleeding.

Referring iirst to Figure -1, there is sho-wn a typical pneumaticrock 'drill D'mounte'd -on Za support including a lieg "-L "having `1an extensible air'cylinderiunit A effectivetomaintain the drill at a constant vheightas it advances' intothe work. The air 'cylinder A receives compressed V'air through'a supply hose 1H under-the-control `ot valve means positioned between those elements and `generally designated Iby the reference characterll.

'lhe illustrated-'formof the inventionlis shown in detail inFigures -2 to -9`-, inclusive, andzcomprisesa-'body 2 generally of elongated cylindrical form having aninternally'threa'ded, axially disposedinlet Y port ilv at one-end v4and an vnexternally threaded, a-Xi'allydisposed-outlet port f at fthe opposite'en'd. From the. inlet endto theoutlet end 'the nexterior of the i body 1 member `2 comprises inthe `order recited a clearance -di'ameter portion 5 interrupted at itsouter --end by a snap ringereceiving groove; 6 aslightly1larger bearing portion fl 4interrupted adjacent the' clearance diameter 5 by a gasket-receiving groovesI and f having openings in its surface as I'will-loe described in detail; ashort.-largeidiametersealingfportion shavingv a gasket-receiving 'groove 1li); and-'an enlarged wrench-engageable portion H having flat'parallel'faces I2, |12 separatedfrombody portion 9 bya shoulder l5. --Rotatablyfmounted-'on the bearingrpo-rtion "lof the'ibody 2 Ais afcylindrical valve-operating member or sleeveii 3'v the outer surface of which preferablyislroughened for-Imanual grasping as, for example,Iby-thezpreseno'efoi longitudinallyland circumferentially spaced series ofrectangular bosses M f having -knurledf or otherwise roughened v surfaces. One endfof the voperating sleeve memberiabuts shoulder it formed. by the juncture; (if-'body `portions 1S. and l i while its other end is engagedby af snap ring i5- seated ln la groove f6 in portion :5v-of hody memloeri. Internally .from `its `end adjacent lthe inlet end 3 :of the 'body 12, 'the operating A:member has .a clearance diameter @portion il Vsulastantially coextensivef in length `with the length f of the @clearance diameter :portion 5 :of :the ihodyzmember; .a

essere@ y t,

bearing portion i8 closely but slidably fitting the bearing portion l of the body; and a short, larger diameter portion I8 closely but slidably iitting the sealing portion 9 of the body. Gaskets I9 and 20, which may be of the O ring type, in the grooves 8 and i9, respectively, engage the inner opposite surfaces of the enclosing operating member I3 to provide air-tight seals which prevent the escape of air from the interior of the Valve between the operating and body members.

At the inner end of the inlet port 3, the body 2 is provided with a radially extending passage 2 i which terminates in the surface of bearing portion Also, inwardly of the end of the inlet port 3, body 2 is provided with a diametrically extending open-ended bore 22 extended substantially parallel to passage 2l and reduced in diameter at its end thereof adjacent the opening of passage 2l. Bore 22 is formed witna frusto conical shoulder 23 between its larger and smaller portions which serves as a seat for a valve ball 254 disposed in the larger portion of the bore. Ball 2li is yieldingly urged into sealing engagement with the seat 23 by a compression spring 255 housed within the bore 22 and reacting between the ball and a plunger 2t slidable in the opposite end of the bore 22 and extended there from into engagement with the sleeve i3 as will be described. A longitudinally extending passage 27 connects bore 22 with the inner end of outlet port fi. The bearing portion 'a' of the body member 2 is additionally provided with a radial bore 28 disposed adjacent the body sealing por-- tion il. A detent element 2e is slidable in bore 23 and has a wedge-like outer end 3@ adapted to cooperate with detent-engaging teeth on the operating member I3, as will be later described in detail. The inner end of the detent element is provided with a shallow bore 3i which houses one end of a compression spring 32 the opposite end of which abuts the inner end of bore 23 enabling the spring to urge the detent radially outwardly from the body member. Additionally, body member 2 is provided with a bleed ofi pas sage 33 comprising a radial bore 3d and a longi tudinal bore 35, the former extending inwardly from the bearing surface i in substantially the same transverse plane and in longitudinal alignment with bore 22. Bore 35 is positioned longitudinally between bore 22 and the sealing gasket groove 3 and communicates with the inner end of the bore 35 which is disposed at one side of and extends parallel to the inlet port S to the end of the body 2.

The inner surface of operating member I3 includes a wide shallow groove 3e extending longitudinally of member i3 from the side of the passageway 2l nearest the inlet end of the body member to the opposite side of the bore 22 at its reduced end (see Figure 3). ln length groove Se extends substantially haltn the inner circumference of operating member i3 (see Figure 5). Substantially diametrically opposite groove the inner surface of operating member i3 is provided with a cam groove 3i of the same width as the diameter of the larger portion of the bore 22 and, being located directly opposite that bore. receives and seats the outer end of plunger 255. Finally, the operating member E3 is provided interiorly in its portion I8 with a circumferentially arranged series of longitudinally extending teeth 33 disposed opposite the detent 2e and extending substantially through an arc of 90 degrees as shown in Figure 8. The teeth 38 are formed with sloping side faces, the last tooth at each end having a longer side face se than the other detent-engaging faces. Spaced from each of the end teeth is a radially disposed shoulder d adapted to abut a corresponding face di formed on the otherwise sloping end face of the detent 29 to prevent movement of the detent past the toothed range and thus limit the extent of rotative movement of the operating member to approximately degrees. At the side of the toothed area of the operating member spaced from the outlet end i of the valve, its portion i5 is formed with an annular groove 2 primarily7 to provide the tool clearance necessary in the formation of the teeth 353.

The operation of the device is as follows. As suming that the valve is in the shut off position, as shown in Figures 5 and 9, it will be noted that the small end of the bore 22 is closed by the surface of the bearing portion ie of operating member i3, and that the plunger 2e is riding on the short land 43 between the adjacent ends or the grooves 35 and 3 compressing the spring 2e and increasing the pressure with which the valve ball 2li abuts its seat 23'. Rotation or' the operating member I3 in a clockwise direction, as viewed in Figure 5, will bring the groove into registry with the radial passage 2i and also with the small end of the bore 22 thus afording communication between them and connecting the valve closed end of the latter with the inlet port 3. At the same time the gradually retreating cam face of the groove 3'? permits the plunger 25 to move radially outward allowing the spring to expand and thus lessening the force exerted by it against ball 2i. Thereupon the inlet air pressure present in groove St will unseat the ball slightly and force its way into the bore 22 and thence through the passageway 2l to the outlet port and from the latter' to the air cylinder A. The pressure and ilow of the air in bore 22, and so in the cylinder A, are controlled by the pressure with which the spring-pressed ball 2Q resists its entrance into the bore 22. The ball pres-r sure is determined by the spring 25 which is expanded, and so exerts less pressure on the ball, as the plunger 26 moves radially outwardly as permitted by the contour of cam groove 3?. it

will be obvious that as the operating member is is turned to the full open position, shown in Figures 3, 4 and 8, the detent 255 by engagement with the teeth 33 will hold it against accidental displacement at any intermediate position, the force exerted by the spring 2E being reduced as member I3 is rotated clockwise as viewed in igure 5. The ball 2li and its seat function a spring-biased check valve to provide a controllable pressure drop between the inlet line pressure and the air cylinder A with resultant controllable variability in the force exerted the leg L in holding the drill D in engagement with the work face and in its rate oi' expansion. When the valve is returned to oir position, Figures 5 and 10, it will be noted that the sloped end of groove Bextends partially under the plunger 2t, and so the bore 22, and also under the bore 34 of the bleed oi passageway 33. Since the passageway 2'! connected to air cylinder a through outlet i communicates directly with the bore 22 without obstruction, air pressure in cylinder A will bleed oi at the inlet end oi the valve when the control sleeve i3 is in its oil position. This is necessary when it is desired to reduce the length of the leg L for any reason. The gaskets I9 and 2li, being of the pressureresponsive O ring type, allow the operating memn e. Dev

s; berffl 3 te=-befrotated onf-thebodyfmember 2Ewhile; sealing:y the: surfacesif. between.. saidr: irrrernliers.;i against leakage.

Tlie-A` device comprising:tliepresentlinventionSis characterized:lbyL simple.; and rugged designs well? 5::

suited v tol the character.` off'. work: for whiclnl it isa. intended; The: component parts'` are off simple-' construction'. andl= economical: to.i manufaeture? The` assembled; valve.l is .readilytaken. aparmforr servicev and may bea as readily;l reassembledstiei ma securingl means beingS-.the simpleasnapsring l5..

While in.. the foregoing.:specication'sthereahas;

been. described: andillustratedioneipreferrederrre.J

bodiment of the invention, Kit :isliappreciated: thats in. the light'. .of the foregoingrdisclosure f modica'af 15x tions will suggestA themselves: tot otherssaskilleda, in: the; art.; Consequently. the; inventionr. sinot'z. to bezzdeemed toxb'e'. limited itoxthefspeciicexample; disclosedzand instead 1it;:is.zto;beunderstoodiithaia the. invention: embracesiall; suclrimodicationsim 20::4

the; partsA and in. the aY construction; combinationn and. arrangement. of.l parts.: as: shall; comen Withim the purview!` of; theappended claims.:u

We;.claim1 1: In;v a. supply. valve.. for: a rockidrill feeI e leg.; 251l a :generally cylindrical; valve. body member.; have ing an..inlet porttatroneend and an:.outlet';por.t. at.' the opposite: endf: and passage.: means; interi-|` connecting said ports, a spring biased, normally? closed, valve,` meansin' said 1body; membersA inter- 30;;

posedv in said, passageV means,v said." valve?A meanse being constructed andaarrangedato; be, opened; by'inlet pressure avalve?operatingpelementicome prisinga sleeve. mounted forzrotatiomontthee exe;`

terior of; said. body' member and .having escamas surface on. the. inner; surface; thereo eiective.. at; different rotative. positions. of; said sleeveaon; said body member toi varythe;springzbiasi on; said, valve; means, .and;sealingfgaskets;interposed;

between the adjacentisurfacesofsaid boolyimem.-v 40 ber and saidsleeveV to proventi.; escape; off. uiCL from. the valve.

2. In a supply valve for;aeroclezdrill;feed;leg, a:A generally cylindrical valve bodyafmemberrhavfing. an` inlet port at. one` endeand; anoutlet-145 at the opposite.; end and; passagei means; intere connecting. said portsa spring: biasanormally:v closed valve means g in.: saidy bodyfmember; inten posed in said, passage.l means; said valve. meansa` being constructed; and. arrangediv to; be openefdi50l by inlet pressurefia. valvefzoperatingzelement; comeVI prisinga sleeve. mountedion rotationion: the exe terior. of said bodyv member and' havingf a1. cam` surface on.. the inner.` surface thereofiy effective at:

different.rotativepositionsof said sleeve-on said; 55;

body;v member; to.v vary. the; spring biasaA onsrsaid valve. means, sealing gaskets; interposedb'etween; the. adjacent surfaces. of, saidrbodyz member andi` said sleeve. to prevent escape.. of; iluidifromzsaid';

passage means, and.. a. ratchet: interposedy be: 60

tween saidbody. membenandtsadzsleeve effective.. to permit relative rotary movement therebetween; in. either; direction.; and; toI releasably: locl. said sleeve in. selectivepositions ofisaidi relative".rotary:Y

movement. 65.;f

3.- In ar supply' valve. lfort a= rockadrill;feed;leg;. a generally cylindrical valve; body member: hav@ ing aninletportiat oneend andanpoutletzportf.: at the opposite end` andpassage meansiintereconnecting vsaid ports; a; spring; biased, .nor-:tria'lly:'70mv closed valve means in.v said; body; membenrintere'` posed inY said.Y passage. means;I saidmialveiv means;A being constructedn and; arranged:` to be; opened; by-inlet pressure-,ga valve.-operaztingf.elementcome prising` kafsleeve mounted; for; rotation s Orr-thax exe-f 751i. thenner surface' thereof.:'effectiveeatsdiiferentsroteriinv* or? saldi1 lciocly;- memberrand;` havingl: a canin' surfaoee oni the.5 inner surface?4 thereon effective. at#` differ-.entf rotative;`` positions; of? said;y sleeve ons saidbodytmembertoivary theaspring'zbiaszon:saida valve.t means;` sealing.:- gaskets e interposed: betweem thel adjacenttsurfacesl of; saidfl body members ande said; sleeve;`v` and; disposed: to proventi. escapada fluid :from saidipassage means; .and/means intona posedsbetweenLsaidzbody.; member: and .sa-idisleevef, constantlyreiectivezatoireleasablmlocktsaisleevez atf'aipiralityf offpredeterminedr positionsr'oiV said'; relatives. rotary :f movement.

4:; In;y aisupplygvalvesfor: aroekrdrill-.ifeedi leg; a generally-'cylindrical valvebody: member: have.. inggan inlet portiiatfonez end and*y an; outletzport ats thai opposite; end: andi passage means; inte .e connecting; said-:ports aispring biased; normally; closed.` valve?. imsazid; bodyrmembierf intere? posed; inl:l said passage: means; said: vaflvez meansz; being construrzted1:and?` arranged; to: bef. opened;rv by rlnletmressure; 4a;.valve. op eratingz'elementcomeu prisingza. sleevesmoimted for.; rotation .on-z thezexeu teror: or"saidibodyfmemberand: having ai camz. surface onthe,y inner.: surface; thereof;` eiectiveivr at diierent; rotative; positions.v of said sleeveeont saidzi body: member: tou vary.. the; springs; biasa om. said-valve= means, sealing.y gaskets... interposed?L beetweenithea diacent' surfaces aofzsaidibodymember: and-1 said-:sleeve and: disposedto prevent;escaped;I fluid.fr.om saidzpassage.'meazns;y anda ratrhetjnf.` terppsed between said; body memberf and; saida sleeve@ eiective, toi permitY relative: rotarygmovee ment. therebetween. in either.m direetionf andi releasablyg'lockfsaidisleeveinselectiveipositionsoii saidrelative rotary movement, saidrratchet-:irr-a cluding devices;v effective.` to;limitz the;- extent@ of; said.A relative rotary movement'. to anJ amount.;Y less than onecomplete revolution;

5. In.a supplyvalvevfora rockdrill; feed lega 1 a generally: cylindricalgvalve..y body: member i have ing jan inlet t port ,at one. end and: an outlet; porti at. the. opposite.- end and; passagemeans;v interet connecting; said; portervr a; spring. biased, ,normallinY closed valve f meansin .said l. bodyf member.. inter:-` posed. in..- said: passage fmeans,... said. valve-, means being. constructed,v and arranged to@ be opened-.z byinletpressureaa valveoperatingielement-teorico prisingfa sleevemounted,v fonrotation onotherexe teriorfosaidgbody. member. andf having a cam: sur-facefom the.` inner; surfacethereof; eicctive att diierent rotative-l positions .of1Y said.:V sleeve oni: saidbody; member-.to vary..- thefspringfbias; on said': valve,means-,y .sealing gaskets -1 interposed.between';A the adjacent surfaces-Lof; said body memberzandi: said sleeveanddisposedto prevent Aescaped@'fluid^` fromfsaid passage-.meansand means; interposed: between said.- body member. and ysaid .sleeve coneA stantly effective.- to: releasably locksaidV sleeve: at a, pluralityl ofrpredetermined positions off.. said; relative rotary.v movement, said lastfnamedfmeansi includingL stop Imeanseieetiveto limit. the extent.y of. saidzrelativerotary: movement. to arr amount. lessthan. one complete revolution;

6J Inra. supply valvefor a rock: dri1l',feed:1eg, .aa. generally. cylindrical.. valve.` body member. having; an,inlet..port at one endandfan. ontletportatgthe'; opposite .end vand passage. means.- interconnecting. said.. ports, afspringabiased; normally 'closedi valvefmeans,I in` said., body member. interposedz inf said? passage... means, said, valvemeansv being cone structedand arranged-to be opened `:by inlet prese` sure., a; valve.-oper-ating,- element; comprising:v ai sleeve; mounted`v for#A rotation on: thef exterior 'ofi' saidqbody: membenA and havingY aicamfsurf'ace :ont

acer/zoe tative positions of said sleeve on' said body member to vary the spring bias on 4said valve means, and sealing gaskets interposed between the adjacent surfaces of said body member and said sleeve at each end of said sleeve, said valve means comprising a bore extending transversely of said body member at a point between said gaskets and having a valve seat adjacentl the fluid entrance end thereof, a valve element in said bore engaging said valve seat, a compression spring in said bore having one end thereof bearing on said valve element, and a plunger slidably mounted in said bore having one end thereof engaging said spring and its other end engaging said cam surface.

7. In a supply valve for a rock drill feed leg, a generally cylindrical valve body member having an inlet port at one end and an outlet port at the opposite end and passage means interconnecting said ports, a spring biased, normally closed valve means in said body member interposed in said passage means, said valve means being constructed and arranged to be opened by inlet pressure, a valve-operating element comprising a sleeve mounted for rotation on the exterior of said body member and having a cam surface on the inner surface thereof effective at different rotative positions of said sleeve on said body member to vary the spring bias on said valve means, sealing gaskets interposed between the adjacent surfaces of said body member and said sleeve at each end of said sleeve, and means interposed between said body member and said sleeve constantly effective to releasably lool?` said sleeve at a plurality of predetermined positions of said relative rotary movement, said valve means comprising a bore extending transversely of said body member at a point between said gaskets and having a valve seat adjacent the iiuid entrance end thereof, a valve element in said bore engaging said valve seat, a compression spring in said bore having one end thereof bearing on said valve element, and a plunger slidably mounted in said bore having one end thereof engaging said spring and its other end engaging said cam surface.

8. In a lsupply valve for a rock drill feed leg, a -r generally cylindrical valve body member having an inlet port at one end and an outlet port at the opposite end and passage means interconnecting said ports, a spring biased, normally closed valve means in said body member interposed in said passage means, said valve means being constructed and arranged to be opened by inlet pressure, a valve-operating element comprising a sleeve mounted for rotation on the exterior of said body member and having a cam surface on the inner surface thereof effective at different rotative positions of said sleeve on said body member to vary the spring bias o-n said valve means, sealing gaskets interposed between the adjacent surfaces of said body member and said sleeve at eac-h end of said sleeve, and means interposed between said body member and said sleeve constantly eifective to releasably lock said sleeve at a plurality of predetermined positions of said relative rotary movement, said last-named means including stop means effective to limit the extent of said relative rotary movement to an amount less than one complete revolution, said valve means comprising a bore extending transversely of said body member at a point between said gaskets and having a valve seat adjacent the fluid entrance end thereof, a valve element in said bore engaging said valve seat, a co-mpression spring in said bore having one end thereof bearing on said valve element, and a plunger slidably mounted in said bore having one end thereof en"- gaging said spring and its other end engaging said cam surface.

9. In a supply valve for a rock drill feed leg, a generally cylindrical valve body member having an inlet port and an outlet port at its opposite ends and a valve-operating rotatable sleeve element mounted on said body member, said body member having a passage extending radially from said inlet port to a side surface of said body member, a valve chamber in said body member comprising a bore extending transversely through said body member at a point adjacent said passage, a second passage extending generally axially of said body member from said valve chamber to said outlet port, a valve seat in lsaid valve chamber bore at the end thereof adjacent said first-named passage, a valve element in said bore engaging said seat, a spring in said bore urging said Valve element into engagement With said seat, a plunger element in said bore having one end thereof engaging said spring, and a cam surface on said sleeve engaging the opposite end of said plunger and eiective incident to relative rotative movement between said body member and said sleeve to vary the position of said plunger axially of said bore with incident variation of the force exerted by said spring against said valve element.

l0. In a supply valve for a rock drill feed leg, a generally cylindrical valve body member having an inlet port and an outlet port at its opposite ends and a valve-operating rotatable sleeve element mounted on said body member, said body member having a passage extending radially from said inlet port to a side surface of said body member, a valve chamber in said body member comprising a bore extending transversely through said body member at a point adjacent said passage, a second passage extending generally axially of said body member from said valve chamber to said outlet port, a valve seat in said valve chamber bore at the end thereof adjacent sair rst-named passage, a valve element in said bore engaging said seat, a spring in said bore urging said valve element into engagement with said seat, a plunger element in said bore having one end thereof engaging said spring, a cam surface on said sleeve engaging the opposite end of said plunger and effective incident to relative rotative movement between said body member and said sleeve to vary the position of said plunger axially of said bore with incident variation of the force exerted by said spring against said valve element, and a groove on the inner face of said sleeve at a point longitudinally thereof embracing said first-named passage and said valve chamber bore and disposed diametrically opposite said cam surface effective when in registry with said first-named passage and said bore to afford communication between said passage and said bore.

11. In a supply valve for a rock drill feed leg, a generally cylindrical valve body member having an inlet port and an outlet port at its opposite ends and a valve-operating rotatable sleeve element mounted on said body member, said body member having a passage extending radially from said inlet port to a side surface of said body member, a valve chamber in said body member comprising a bore extending transversely through said body member at a point adjacent said passage, a second passage extending generally axially of said body member from said valve chamber to said outlet port, a valve seat in said valve cham.-

1'9 fher :bore at ithe -xendrthereof .eadjacent .fsaidzfirst- :namelizpassagef: ".va-lveelementin said boreffenf.gagngsaidfseat,..aspring infsaidfborexurging:said `:valve-.element :into efengagement fwith said seat, a

plunger zelement in .-said :bore khaving Lone :fend 1:1

.ber ffrom. a point :between @said valve f chamber f'.

bore :and f said inlet A; port and thence f longitudi- .nallyparallel to saidinletgportrto theinleaport .t end ofgsaidbody member.

12. :In-Aia supply Af-valve :toria: rock. drill feed: leg, fag-generally cylindrical yvalve body.-.member havzingfan inlet portfandfan voutletfportfat;its;oppo- `site ,ends andravalveoperatingfrotatablevsleeve :element mountedomsaidrbody member, said .body .member :havin-g a ,passage extending radially --from-fsaid 4inletfport to sa side suriaoezofesaid `body fmember, .a fvalve -fchamber .fin said body :member comprisinga. bore. extending transversely I-through vsaid vboflynlernber r-fat :7.a point 4.adjacent fsa-id massage, .fa second i passage extending :gene -erally @axially -..of fsaid body member Afrom :said valvefehamber to saidn outlet gport, v.a valve-@seat r in ,esa-id valve chamber .bore at l.the end .thereof fadjaeent-A said :first-named passage, .a `valve -ele- .ment .inrsaid bore engaging Y.said seat, a spring .in .fsaid -.b.ore .urgingsaid fvalvevelementi into` .en-

gagement with .-.said..seat, .-.a .plunger V.element .in @said bore havingroneaend [thereof engaging` said fspring, a .cam .surface Ion fsaid sleeve engaging f the fzopposite .end of Csaid v. .plunger and effective incident to .relative .rotative .movement l.between v-said tbody rmember .and -said Vsleeve (to .vary .the fposition .offesa-id plunger axia1lyof.-saidl bore .With -incident -variation .-.of `the force .exerted rbysa-id .spring against Asaid :valve l .element, a pressure Lbleed .passage Aextending .ffirst v.radially inwardly of :said .bodymember .from .-a ,pointbetween -said valve chamberboreand-saidinletport and .thence longitudinally aparallel fto -.said .inlet port to the inlet Tport .end sof said body vmembery fand -stop means interposed `between said sleeve and said #body membereecti-ve A.to .limit the extent of .rrelative .rotationLtherebetweenetoan.. amountless -.thanone,revolution. l

13. In. .aY supply Valve...f.or .a rock. drill feed Aleg, La generally cylindrical 1valve V.bodymember.-.hav- ...ingfan ii11let.port andan.,outlet port. at. its. opposite tends.. and. a rvalve.rmere-ting. rotatable sleeve -;element .mounted on` said. bodyvmembensaid. body 4vmember ,having a ,passage ,extending .radially .from ...said `inlet A...port .to ...a. side surface of -said .bodymemben avalve vcl'lanribenin said body mem- .ber `con'iprising ,a .bore .extending .transversely fthrough said Abody .memberat .-.a point adjacent said passage, l a y.second message extending gengerally axially fof .,said .body `memherlfrom `said valve .chamber .tdsaidbutlet porta valve Lseat `in said .valve .chamber bore .at .the w.end thereof .adjacentsaid.irstenarned ypassage, a .valveeleafment..in,saidiboreeengaging:saidseatfaspringlin .vv-ment '.Withsaid fseat, `aiphmger .element in said ibore'fhavingaonegend-thereof engagnglsaidsnring :a :foam surfacefnnffsaidesleeve engaging the? Opho- .tsitefndiof saidrplungerandeeffectivel.incidentsto :relative :rotative movement :ihetween .fsaid -.bedy

iftO

`member T.and f said :sleeve to vary .the 4 positionof f said .plunger-.axially Vof said bore with l.incident f variation of -:the .Y force A'exerted -by said spring -against -said lvalve` element, apressure bleed pas- .f-sageiextendingrst radially inwardly of said body f -any one. of. azplura'lity of. predeterminedpositions .Within .the range of. said relative. rotary movement.

`14...In .a .Supply valve ."for. a. rock drill 'feed,leg, l a `generally cylindrical valve .body member". havingan inlet .portand an outletport at'itsop- ,posite ends and .a rvalve-.operating .rotatable sleeve .element mounted on .said body .memben .said body member .having ...a V passage extending .radiallyffrom` said inlet port to side surface of said .body..member, a .valve chamber in said body member .comprisinga bore. extendingtransverselyjthrough said body member ata point adjacent 4said passage, a .second passage extending generally axially of saidbody member from Vsaid valvechamberto said outlet port, aLvalvelseat in .said valve chamber' bore 'at the 'end'thereof'adljacent. said rst-namedpassage, a'valve element sin. said bore engaging` saidseatgaspringin said bore .urgingsaid valve element 'intoengagement `with said seat, aplunger element in said bore ,having oneendthereof engaging said spring, a `cam surface on saidzsleeve engagingthe opposite end ofsaid plunger and effective incident to relativerotative movement .between said body mem- .ber and .said sleeve to yvary the position ofxsaid .plunger .axially of said .bore With Yincident variationof thelforce exerted. by said spring .against .said .valve element,..a1'1d a groove on the inner [face .of .said sleeve at a Ypoint .longitudinally thereof embracing said rstenamed passage'and said valve. chamber bore and disposeddiametricallyvopposite said cam surface effective vWhen in registry With Lsaid lirstenamed passage and .said .bore to afford communication between .said passage and saidbore, `said groove extending'ap- .proximately one'half ofthe inner Vcircumference .of Ysaid sleeve Vmember and'being Aso disposed that .when .one end.is out 'of registry'wth said'iirstnamedpassage, the .opposite 'end Aof' said 'groove .willloe in registry with -said valve chamberbore and :said second passage.

.15.1'In asupply valve iorarock drillfee'd leg, ,a ,generally -cylindrical valve'b'ody member having anlinlet port and an outletmportat its opposite ends .and a valve-operating rotatable sleeve element mounted ,on said' body member, .said lbody member having a passage Vvextending radially jfrom saidinlet port to 'a side surface otsaidholdyimember, .a valvejha'mberiin said .body.member..comprisingga bore 'extending' transversely through Isaid '.body ,member .at a *point .adjaoents'aid .passage, .al second passage extend- .inggenerally axially ,of ysaid body' member' from rsaid valvebhamber .".to vsaid outlet port, a' valve fs-eat .in .said .valve hamber .bore 'at "the -end .thereof l.adjacent said jirst-.named passage, a valve .elemetfinesaid i bore .engaging .said seat, a vspring :in .said bore .urging said valve element into h.engagement with .said seat, ,a plunger fele- .ment.in...saidbore..havng oneendi thereof "engaging said spring, a cam surface on said sleeve engaging the opposite end of said plunger and effective incident to relative rotative movement between said body member and said sleeve to vary the position of said plunger axially of said bore with incident variation of the force exerted by said spring against said valve element, and stop means interposed between said sleeve and said body member effective to limit the extent of relative rotation therebetween to an amount less than one revolution.

16. In a supply valve for a rock drill feed leg, a generally cylindrical valve body member having an inlet port and an outlet port at its opposite ends and a valve-operating rotatable sleeve element mounted on said body member, said body member having a passage extending radially from said inlet port to a side surface of said body member, a valve chamber in said body member comprising a bore extending transversely through said body member at a point adjacent said passage, a second passage extending generally axially of said body member from said valve chamber to said outlet port, a valve seat in said valve chamber bore at the end thereof adjacent said first-named passage, a valve element in said bore engaging said seat, a spring in said bore urging said valve element into engagement with said seat, a plunger ele-- ment in said bore having one end thereof engaging said spring, a cam surface on said sleeve engaging the opposite end of said plunger effective incident to relative rotative movement between said body member and said sleeve to vary the position of said plunger axially of said bore with incident variation of the force exerted by said spring against said valve element, and stop mean interposed between said sleeve and said body member e'ective to limit the extent of relative rotation therebetween to an amount less than one revolution, said stop means including ratchet devices effective to releasably lock said sleeve in any one of a plurality of predetermined positions within the range of said relative rotary movement.

17. In a supply valve for a rock drill feed leg, a generally cylindrical valve body member having an inlet port and an outlet port at its opposite ends and a valve-operating rotatable sleeve element mounted on said body member, said body member having a passage extending radially from said inlet port to a side surface of said body member, a valve chamber in said body member comprising a bore extending transversely through said body member at a point adiacent said passage, a second passage extending generally axially of said body member from said valve chamber to said outlet port, a valve seat in said valve chamber bore at the end thereof adjacent said first-named passage, a valve element in said bore engaging said seat, a spring in said bore urging said valve element into engagement with said seat, a plunger element in said bore having one end thereof engaging said spring, a cam surface on said sleeve engaging the opposite end of said plunger and` effective incident to relative rotative movement between said body member and said sleeve to vary the position of said plunger axially of said bore with incident variation of the force exerted by said spring against said valve element, a groove on the inner face of said sleeve at a point longitudinally thereof embracing said firstnamed passage and said valve chamber bore and disposed diametrically opposite said cam Sulafi@ effective when in registry With said first-named passage and said bore to afford communication between said passage and said bore, and stop means interposed between said sleeve and said body member effective to limit the extent of relative rotation therebetween to an amount less than one revolution.

18. In a supply valve for a rock drill feed leg, a generally cylindrical valve body member having an inlet port and an outlet port at its opposite ends and a Valve-operating rotatable sleeve element mounted on said body member, said body member having a passage extending radially from said inlet port to a side surface of said body member, a valve chamber in said body member comprising a bore extending transversely through said body member at a point adjacent said passage, a second passage extending generally axially of said body member from said valve chamber to said outlet port, a valve seat in said valve chamber bore at the end thereof adjacent said first-named passage, a valve element in said bore engaging said seat, a spring in said bore urging said valve element into engagement with said seat, a plunger element in said bore having one end thereof engaging said spring, a cam surface on said sleeve engaging the opposite end of said plunger and effective incident to relative rotative movement between said body member and said sleeve to vary the position of said plunger axially of said bore with incident variation of the force exerted by said spring against said valve element, a groove on the inner face of said sleeve at a point longitudinally thereof embracing said first-named pas-- sage and said valve chamber bore and disposed diametrically opposite said cam surface effective when in registry with said first-named passage and .said bore to afford communication between said passage and said bore, and stop means interposed between said sleeve and said body member effective to limit the extent of relative rotation therebetween to an amount less than one revolution, said stop means including ratchet devices effective to releasably lock said sleeve in any one of a plurality of predetermined positions Within the range of said relative rotary movement.

19. In a supply valve for a rock drill feed leg, a generally cylindrical valve body member having an inlet port and an outlet port at its opposite ends and a valve-operating rotatable sleeve element mounted on said body member and formed with an arcuate groove on its interior surface, said body member having a passage extending radially from said inlet port to a side surface of said body member, a valve chamber in said body member comprising a bore extending transversely through said body member at a point adjacent said passage, a second passage extending generally axially of said body member from said valve chamber to said outlet port, a valve seat in said valve chamber bore at the end thereof adjacent said first-named passage, a valve element in said bore engaging said seatl a spring in said bore urging said valve element into engagement with said seat, a plunger element in said bore having one end thereof engaging said spring, a cam surface on said sleeve engaging the opposite end of said plunger and effective incident to relative rotative movement between said body member and said sleeve to vary the position of said plunger axially of said bore with incident variation of the force exerted by said spring against said valvevelement, a pressure bleed passage extending first radially 13 y inwardly of said body member from a point between said valve chamber bore and said inlet port and thence longitudinally parallel to said inlet port to the inlet port end of said body member, and stop means interposed between said sleeve and said body member eiective to limit the extent of relative rotation therebetween to an amount less than one revolution, said groove in said sleeve element extending approximately one half of the inner circumference of said sleeve element and being so disposed that when one of its ends is out of registry with said first-named passage its opposite end will be in registry with said valve chamber bore and said bleed passage.

20. In a supply Valve for a rock drill feed leg, a generally cylindrical valve body member having an inlet port and an outlet port at its opposite ends and a valve-operating rotatable sleeve element mounted on said body member and formed with an arcuate groove on its interior surface, said body member having a passage extending radially from said inlet port to a side surface of said body member, a valve chamber in said bodlr member comprising a bore extending transversely through said body member at a point adjacent said passage, a second passage extending generally axially of said body member from said valve chamber to said outlet port, a valve seat in said valve chamber bore at the end thereof adjacent said first-named passage, a valve element in said bore engaging said seat, a spring in said bore urging said valve element into engagement with said seat, a plunger element in said bore having one end thereof engaging said spring, a cam surface on said sleeve engaging the opposite end off said plunger and effective incident to relative rotative movement between said body member and said sleeve to vary the position of said plunger axially of said bore with incident variation of the force exerted by said spring against said valve element, a pressure bleed passage extending first radially inwardly of said body member from a point between said valve chamber bore and said inlet port and thence longitudinally parallel to said inlet port to the inlet port end of said body member, and stop means interposed between said sleeve and said body member eiective to limit the extent of relative rotation therebetween to an amount less than one revolution, said stop means including ratchet devices effective to releasably lock said sleeve in any one of a plurality of predeter mined positions within the range of said relative rotary movement, said groove in said sleeve element extending approximately one half of the inner circumference of said sleeve element and being so disposed that when one of its ends is out of registry with said first-named passage its opposite end will be in registry with said valve chamber bore and said bleed passage.

HILMER A. GILLERSTROM.

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