Patent Publication Number: US-11027403-B2

Title: Hydraulic hammer

Description:
TECHNICAL FIELD 
     The present disclosure relates to a hydraulic hammer. More particularly, the present disclosure relates to a hydraulic hammer with an external valve assembly. 
     BACKGROUND 
     Hydraulic hammers are used at various work sites for breaking up hard objects, such as rocks, concrete, asphalt, frozen ground, and other materials. The hydraulic hammers may be mounted on a machine, such as an excavator, a dozer, a loader, a motor grader, and the like. Typically, the hydraulic hammers include a housing, a power cell enclosed within the housing, and a mounting bracket disposed on the housing. The power cell is positioned within the housing and coupled with a tool that extends out of the housing. The power cell may be operated pneumatically or hydraulically for actuating the tool for performing various operations on a work surface. The power cell generally includes a valve assembly for regulating fluid flow to and from the power cell. Some power cells may have an external valve assembly. 
     The power cell may have to be removed from the housing of the hydraulic hammer for servicing and/or replacement. Hydraulic hammers with external valve assembly may require removal of multiple parts, for example, pins, wear members, and the mounting bracket, to remove the power cell from the housing. This may result in additional downtime and requirement of various tools to service and/or replace the power cell. 
     Korean Patent Publication Number 20160103316 describes an improved breaker which has improvement points with respect to a control valve structure for a breaker, a piston structure for a breaker having an actuating surface using an inclination structure, and a gas chamber structure for expanding the capacity thereof. The control valve for a breaker, which is installed in a valve room to switch the direction of fluid in a breaker, includes: a valve housing; a valve spool which is fitted to come in contact with the inner surface of the valve housing; and a valve plug which is fitted to come in contact with the inner surface of the valve spool. 
     SUMMARY OF THE DISCLOSURE 
     In an aspect of the present disclosure, a hydraulic hammer is provided. The hydraulic hammer includes a housing defining a cutout and a power cell slidably received within the housing. The power cell includes a valve assembly extending from a side of the power cell. The valve assembly is at least partially received within the cutout of the housing. The hydraulic hammer further includes a pair of wear plates at least partially disposed around the valve assembly of the power cell. Each of the pair of wear plates is coupled to at least one of the power cell and the housing. 
     In another aspect of the present disclosure, a hydraulic hammer is provided. The hydraulic hammer includes a housing defining a cutout and a power cell slidably received within the housing. The cutout is U-shaped. The power cell includes a valve assembly extending from a side of the power cell and a plurality of apertures disposed around the valve assembly. The valve assembly is at least partially received within the cutout of the housing. The hydraulic hammer further includes a pair of wear plates at least partially disposed around the valve assembly of the power cell. Each of the pair of wear plates includes a pair of projecting portions adapted to be removably received within corresponding apertures of the plurality of apertures of the power cell. 
     In yet another aspect of the present disclosure, a hydraulic hammer is provided. The hydraulic hammer includes a housing having a top end and a bottom end. The housing further defines a cutout. The hydraulic hammer further includes a power cell slidably received within the housing. The power cell includes a valve assembly extending from a side of the power cell. The valve assembly is at least partially received within the cutout of the housing. The hydraulic hammer further includes a pair of wear plates at least partially disposed around the valve assembly of the power cell. Each of the pair of wear plates is coupled to at least one of the power cell and the housing. The hydraulic hammer further includes a top buffer disposed proximate to the top end of the housing. The hydraulic hammer also includes a bottom buffer disposed proximate to the bottom end of the housing. 
     Other features and aspects of this disclosure will be apparent from the following description and the accompanying drawings. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         FIG. 1  is a side view of an exemplary machine incorporating a hydraulic hammer, according to one embodiment of the present disclosure; 
         FIG. 2  is a perspective view of the hydraulic hammer, according to one embodiment of the present disclosure; 
         FIG. 3  is an exploded view of the hydraulic hammer, according to one embodiment of the present disclosure; 
         FIG. 4  is a schematic view of a power cell of the hydraulic hammer, according to one embodiment of the present disclosure; 
         FIG. 5  is a perspective view of a housing of the hydraulic hammer, according to one embodiment of the present disclosure; 
         FIG. 6  is a partial perspective view of the housing, according to one embodiment of the present disclosure; 
         FIG. 7  is a sectional view of the housing, according to one embodiment of the present disclosure; 
         FIG. 8  is another sectional view of the housing, according to one embodiment of the present disclosure; 
         FIG. 9  illustrates a partial front view of the power cell being partly inserted into the housing, according to one embodiment of the present disclosure; 
         FIG. 10  illustrates a partial perspective view of the power cell fully inserted within the housing, according to one embodiment of the present disclosure; 
         FIG. 11  illustrates a sectional view of the power cell fully inserted within the housing, according to one embodiment of the present disclosure; 
         FIG. 12  illustrates a front view of a valve assembly of the power cell, according to one embodiment of the present disclosure; 
         FIG. 13  illustrates a perspective view of a wear plate of the hydraulic hammer, according to one embodiment of the present disclosure; 
         FIG. 14A  illustrates a front view of a buffer member of the hydraulic hammer, according to one embodiment of the present disclosure; and 
         FIG. 14B  illustrates a side view of the buffer member of  FIG. 14B . 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
     Wherever possible, the same reference numbers will be used throughout the drawings to refer to the same or the like parts. Referring to  FIG. 1 , an exemplary machine  100  employing a hydraulic hammer  102  (hereinafter referred to as “the hammer  102 ”) is illustrated. The machine  100  may be an excavator (shown in  FIG. 1 ), a backhoe loader, a skid steer loader, dozer, a motor grader, or any other type of machine. The machine  100  may perform work associated with a particular industry including, but not limited to, construction, mining, agriculture, waste management, material handling, and forestry. 
     The machine  100  includes linkages, such as a boom  104  and a stick  106 . The boom  104  is pivotally connected to a frame  108  of the machine  100 . Further, the stick  106  is pivotally connected to the boom  104 . A mounting bracket  110  pivotally connects the hammer  102  to the stick  106 . The hammer  102  may replace an excavator bucket. 
     The machine  100  includes a drive system  112 , such as tracks, for propelling the machine  100 . The frame  108  is rotatable about a vertical axis (not shown) with respect to the drive system  112 . The machine  100  further includes an operator cab  114  having user interface devices for controlling the boom  104 , the stick  106 , the drive system  112 , and the hammer  102 . One or more hydraulic cylinders  116  may raise, lower, and/or swing the boom  104 , the stick  106 , and the mounting bracket  110  to correspondingly raise, lower, and/or swing the hammer  102 . 
     The hammer  102  includes a work tool  118  that may be operated to break up or demolish hard objects, such as rocks, concrete, asphalt, frozen ground, and other materials. It is contemplated that the work tool  118  may include any tool capable of use with the hammer  102 . In one embodiment, work tool  118  may include a chisel bit. Further, the hammer  102  may be powered hydraulically, pneumatically, or a combination thereof for actuation of the work tool  118 . 
       FIG. 2  illustrates a perspective view of the hammer  102 . The hammer  102  includes a housing  202  that encloses one or more components of the hammer  102 . The housing  202  defines a longitudinal axis ‘L’ along its length. Further, the housing  202  defines a top end  204  and a bottom end  206  with respect to the longitudinal axis ‘L’. The housing  202  includes a top flange  208  at the top end  204  and a bottom flange  210  at the bottom end  206 . The top flange  208  is detachably coupled to the mounting bracket  110  via multiple fasteners  211 . Further, the work tool  118  extends through the bottom flange  210 . 
     The housing  202  also includes a front external wall  212  (hereinafter referred to as “the external wall  212 ”), a pair of side walls  214  disposed opposite to one another, and a rear wall  215  (shown in  FIGS. 5 and 8 ) disposed opposite to the external wall  212 . The external wall  212  defines a front opening  216  (shown in  FIG. 3 ) extending therethrough. The external wall  212  is located between the side walls  214 . Further, the side walls  214  may extend beyond the external wall  212 . The front opening  216  is covered by a dust cover  218  that defines a pair of cover holes  220 . Each of the cover holes  220  may receive a fluid conduit (not shown) therethrough. The fluid conduits may provide supply and discharge paths for a working fluid of the hammer  102 . The housing  202  further includes a pair of top reinforcing portions  222  connected to the top flange  208  and each of the side walls  214 . In an embodiment, the top reinforcing portions  222  may be welded to the top flange  208  and the corresponding side wall  214 . Each of the top reinforcing portions  222  may have a substantially triangular shape. Each of the side walls  214  includes a side handling portion  224  connected to the bottom flange  210 . A bottom handling portion  226  is further connected to the external wall  212  and the bottom flange  210 . In an embodiment, the bottom handling portion  226  may be welded to the external wall  212  and the bottom flange  210 . Each of the side and bottom handling portions  224 ,  226  may have a substantially triangular shape. The side and bottom handling portions  224 ,  226  may point towards the operator cab  114  (shown in  FIG. 1 ) of the machine  100  and are used for material handling. 
     In various embodiments, different parts of the housing  202  may be connected to each other by various methods, such as welding, brazing, adhesives, mechanical fasteners, and the like. In an alternative embodiment, the housing  202  may include a one-piece configuration. Further, the housing  202  may be made of a metal, an alloy, a plastic, a composite, or any other suitable material. 
       FIG. 3  illustrates an exploded view of the hammer  102 . Several components of the hammer  102 , such as the work tool  118  and the dust cover  218 , have been omitted in  FIG. 3  for the purpose of clarity. The hammer  102  includes a power cell  302  that is slidably and removably received within the housing  202 . Specifically, the power cell  302  may be slidably received within or removed from the housing  202  along an axial direction ‘D’. The axial direction ‘D’ may be substantially parallel to the longitudinal axis ‘L’ of the housing  202 . The power cell  302  includes a main housing  304  and a valve assembly  306 . The main housing  304  defines a first end  307  and a second end  308  opposite to the first end  307 . In the illustrated embodiment, the main housing  304  has a substantially rectangular cross-section. However, the main housing  304  may have any other suitable shape as per application requirements. The main housing  304  may enclose one or more working components of the power cell  302  for actuating the work tool  118  (shown in  FIG. 2 ). Specifically, power cell  302  may include a piston  502  (shown schematically in  FIG. 4 ) disposed inside the main housing  304  and other components (not shown). The piston  502  may reciprocate inside the main housing  304  during operation of the hammer  102 . The power cell  302  may further include a bottom part  310  extending from the second end  308  of the housing  202 . The work tool  118  may extend from the bottom part  310 . Further, the work tool  118  may be operatively connected to the power cell  302  at the bottom part  310 . In an embodiment, the bottom part  310  may have a hollow cylindrical shape. The power cell  302  further includes multiple nut and bolt assemblies  312  that project from the first end  307  of the main housing  304 . The nut and bolt assemblies  312  may retain various components of the power cell  302  within the main housing  304 . 
     The valve assembly  306  extends from a side  314  of the main housing  304 . Specifically, the valve assembly  306  may extend transversely from the side  314  of the main housing  304 . The valve assembly  306  may regulate flow of the working fluid to and from the power cell  302  in order to actuate the piston  502 . The valve assembly  306  may therefore constitute an external valve assembly of the power cell  302 , i.e., the valve assembly  306  is disposed externally to the main housing  304 . The valve assembly  306  includes a main portion  316  and a pair of securing members  318  disposed at opposite ends of the main portion  316 . The main portion  316  may form a valve housing and encloses one or more components of the valve assembly  306 . The main portion  316  may be connected to the main housing  304  of the power cell  302  via multiple first fasteners  320 . Further, each of the securing member  318  in cooperation with multiple second fasteners  322  may retain various components within the main portion  316  of the valve assembly  306 . The valve assembly  306  further includes a pair of fluid connectors  324  disposed on the main portion  316 . The fluid connectors  324  may connect with corresponding fluid conduits for intake and discharge of the working fluid from the valve assembly  306 . The main housing  304  of the power cell  302  further defines multiple apertures  326  around the valve assembly  306 . The multiple apertures  326  may receive a pair of wear plates  602 . In an alternative embodiment, the wear plates  602  may be coupled to the housing  202 . The wear plates  602  are at least partially disposed around the valve assembly  306  of the power cell  302 . 
     The housing  202  further includes an internal wall  402  spaced apart from the external wall  212 . The internal wall  402  defines a cutout  404 . The valve assembly  306  is at least partially received within the cutout  404  upon insertion of the power cell  302  within the housing  202 . Further, the valve assembly  306  extends through the cutout  404  towards the external wall  212  upon insertion of the power cell  302  within the housing  202 . In the illustrated embodiment, the cutout  404  is U-shaped. However, the cutout  404  may have any other alternative shape based on the shape of the valve assembly  306 . The cutout  404  and the front opening  216  may be substantially aligned with each other such that the fluid conduits received through the cover holes  220  (shown in  FIG. 2 ) of the dust cover  218  may be attachable to the corresponding fluid connectors  324  of the valve assembly  306 . The external wall  212  along with the dust cover  218  may therefore act as a cover for the valve assembly  306 . 
     The housing  202  further defines a house opening  406  originating at the top end  204  for receiving the power cell  302  within the housing  202 . The house opening  406  includes a first portion  408  and a second portion  410  adjacent to the first portion  408 . The first portion  408  may receive the main housing  304  of the power cell  302 . Further, the second portion  410  may receive the valve assembly  306  of the power cell  302 . The first and second portions  408 ,  410  of the house opening  406  may extend at least partially along the length of the housing  202 . Each of the first portion  408  and the second portion  410  has a substantially rectangular shape. However, an area of the first portion  408  is larger than an area of the second portion  410 . 
     The top flange  208  further defines multiple flange apertures  411 . The mounting bracket  110  also defines corresponding bracket apertures  412 . The flange apertures  411  and the corresponding bracket apertures  412  receive the corresponding fasteners  211  for removably securing the mounting bracket  110  to the top flange  208  of the housing  202 . The hammer  102  further includes a top buffer  414  that is disposed proximate to the top end  204  of the housing  202 . In an embodiment, the top buffer  414  may be retained between the mounting bracket  110  and the top flange  208  of the housing  202 . The top buffer  414  may further rest on a top surface  328  of the main housing  304  of the power cell  302 . The top buffer  414  includes multiple recessed portions  416  for accommodating the nut and bolt assemblies  312  extending from the top surface  328  of the power cell  302 . The top buffer  414  further defines a hole  418  extending therethrough. 
     The cutout  404  may allow the power cell  302  to be easily inserted into or removed from the housing  202 . Specifically, the valve assembly  306  may slide into the cutout  404  upon insertion of the power cell  302  into the housing  202 . In order to remove the power cell  302  from the housing  202 , the mounting bracket  110  may have to be disconnected and removed from the top flange  208  of the housing  202 . The top buffer  414  which rests on the top surface  328  of the power cell  302  may be easily removed without using any tools. The power cell  302  including the valve assembly  306  may be then slidably removed from the housing  202 . 
       FIG. 4  shows a schematic view of the power cell  302 . Referring to  FIGS. 3 and 4 , the power cell  302  includes the piston  502  that reciprocates within the main housing  304 . The piston  502  may further impact the work tool  118  (shown in  FIG. 2 ) during operation of the hammer  102 . The piston  502  may be actuated by a controlled flow of the working fluid to and from the power cell  302 . The valve assembly  306  may regulate the flow of the working fluid to one or more fluid chambers (not shown) associated with the piston  502  via fluid passages  504  and  506 . Specifically, the valve assembly  306  may provide pressurized working fluid to drive the piston  502  towards the work tool  118  during a work stroke and to return the piston  502  during a return stroke. In various embodiments, the valve assembly  306  may include one or more valves (not shown) to control the flow of the working fluid. The valves may be mechanically operated valves, electronically controlled valves, pilot operated valves, and so forth. 
     The valve assembly  306  is further fluidly connected to a hydraulic system  508  of the machine  100  (shown in  FIG. 1 ) via fluid lines  510  and  512 . The valve assembly  306  may be fluidly connected to the fluid lines  510  and  512  via the fluid connectors  324 . The hydraulic system  508  may include a tank  514  and a pump  516 . The pump  516  is in fluid communication with the tank  514 . The hydraulic system  508  may be powered by a power source (not shown) of the machine  100 . The hydraulic system  508  may also include additional components (not shown), for example, one or more valves, filters, sensors, and so forth. The fluid line  510  may supply pressurized working fluid to the valve assembly  306  from the pump  516 . The fluid line  512  may provide a return path of the working fluid from the valve assembly  306  to the tank  514 . 
       FIG. 5  illustrates a perspective view of the housing  202 . The wear plates  602  may be disposed around the cutout  404  defined by the internal wall  402 . Each of the wear plates  602  is coupled to at least one of the power cell  302  (shown in  FIG. 3 ) and the housing  202 . In an embodiment, each of the wear plates  602  may be detachably coupled to the internal wall  402  of the housing  202  by various methods, such as fasteners, pegs, a snap-fit connection, and so forth. A middle buffer  604  of the hammer  102  is also disposed within the housing  202 . The middle buffer  604  may be coupled to the rear wall  215  and/or side walls  214  of the housing  202 . The middle buffer  604  may have any suitable shape as per application requirements. The top buffer  414  is disposed proximate to the top end  204  of the housing  202 . 
     The external wall  212  is spaced apart from the internal wall  402 . Further, the external wall  212  includes a top portion  606 , an inclined portion  608 , and a bottom portion  610 . The top portion  606  is proximal to the top end  204  of the housing  202 . The bottom portion  610  is proximal to the bottom end  206  of the housing  202 . The bottom handling portion  226  is further located in the bottom portion  610  of the external wall  212 . The inclined portion  608  is disposed between the top portion  606  and the bottom portion  610 . The top portion  606  and the bottom portion  610  may extend substantially parallel to the longitudinal axis ‘L’ of the housing  202 . The inclined portion  608  may be inclined at an angle with respect to the longitudinal axis ‘L’. Each of the side walls  214  also includes a sloped portion  612  located on a side of the inclined portion  608 . Each of the sloped portions  612  may also be inclined at an angle with respect to the longitudinal axis ‘L’. 
       FIG. 6  illustrates a partial perspective view of the housing  202  with a part of the external wall  212  removed. Specifically, the top and inclined portions  606 ,  608  of the external wall  212  have been removed for illustrative purposes. The internal wall  402  includes a pair of elongate portions  702  extending from an upper edge  704 . The elongate portions  702  and the upper edge  704  together define the cutout  404 . Each of the elongate portions  702  may have a rectangular shape. The interface between each of the elongate portions  702  and the upper edge  704  may be rounded to provide the cutout  404  with a U-shape. A pair of lateral members  706  (only one shown in  FIG. 6 ) may extend transversely from the internal wall  402  towards the rear wall  215 . Specifically, each of the lateral members  706  may extend from the corresponding elongate portion  702  of the internal wall  402 . The lateral members  706  may guide the valve assembly  306  (shown in  FIG. 3 ) during insertion or removal of the power cell  302  from the housing  202 . 
       FIGS. 7 and 8  illustrate different sectional views of the housing  202 . The top buffer  414  is disposed at the top end  204  of the housing  202 . Referring to  FIGS. 7 and 8 , a pair of bottom buffers  802  of the hammer  102  is disposed proximate to the bottom end  206  of the housing  202 . However, the hammer  102  may have any number of bottom buffers  802  as per application requirements. Each of the bottom buffers  802  may be disposed adjacent to a support portion  804  of the housing  202 . The support portion  804  is further disposed on the bottom flange  210  of the housing  202 . The bottom buffers  802  are disposed opposite to each other. The bottom buffers  802  may be removably coupled to one or more parts of the housing  202  by various methods, such as mechanical fasteners, a snap-fit connection, and the like. One of the bottom buffers  802  may be removably coupled to the rear wall  215 . The other bottom buffer  802  may be removably coupled to the bottom portion  610  of the external wall  212 . Each of the bottom buffers  802  may have any suitable shape as per application requirements. In an embodiment, each of the bottom buffers  802  may be chamfered at both top and bottom ends. 
     The middle buffer  604  is disposed between the top buffer  414  and one of the bottom buffers  802  with respect to the longitudinal axis ‘L’ of the housing  202 . The middle buffer  604  may be removably coupled to the rear wall  215  of the housing  202 . Further, the middle buffer  604  may be located opposite to the cutout  404  and the wear plates  602  (only one shown in  FIG. 8 ). In an embodiment, the middle buffer  604  may be chamfered at both top and bottom ends. In another embodiment, the middle buffer  604  and each of the bottom buffers  802  may have a substantially similar configuration. The top, middle, and bottom buffers  414 ,  604 ,  802  and the wear plates  602  may form a buffer system of the hammer  102 . 
     Each of the top, middle, and bottom buffers  414 ,  604 ,  802  may act as a sacrificial material, and prevent the components of the power cell  302  from being subjected to wear and abrasion during operation of the hammer  102 . The top, middle, and bottom buffers  414 ,  604 ,  802  may further isolate at least a part of the power cell  302  from the housing  202 . Specifically, the top, middle, and bottom buffers  414 ,  604 ,  802  may isolate the main housing  304  of the power cell  302  from the housing  202 . The top, middle, and bottom buffers  414 ,  604 ,  802  may also protect inner surfaces of the housing  202  by presenting a sacrificial surface. Similarly, the wear plates  602  may protect the valve assembly  306  from wear and abrasion during operation of the hammer  102 . Each of the top, middle, and bottom buffers  414 ,  604 ,  802  may be made of a non-metallic material, for example, but not limited to, rubber, urethane, nylon, ultra-high-molecular-weight polyethylene (UHMW), and so forth. 
     The housing  202  further includes a bottom opening  806  disposed at the bottom end  206 . The bottom opening  806  is defined by the bottom flange  210  and extends therethrough. The support portion  804  also defines a support opening  808  extending therethrough. The support opening  808  may be axially aligned with the bottom opening  806  of the bottom flange  210 . The work tool  118  (shown in  FIG. 2 ) extends through the bottom opening  806 . Further, the side walls  214  extend beyond the external wall  212  along a direction that is perpendicular to the longitudinal axis ‘L’ of the housing  202 . Further, the front opening  216  may be substantially aligned with the cutout  404 . The side walls  214  may also extend beyond the rear wall  215  along a direction that is perpendicular to the longitudinal axis ‘L’ of the housing  202 . The rear wall  215  may be disposed between the side walls  214 . 
     The housing  202  further defines a hollow volume for slidably receiving the power cell  302  therein. The house opening  406  may extend at least partially along the length of the housing  202  to define the hollow volume. The first portion  408  of the house opening  406  may extend from the top end  204  of the housing  202  to the support portion  804 . The main housing  304  (shown in  FIG. 3 ) of the power cell  302  is received within the first portion  408 . The valve assembly  306  may be slidably inserted or removed through the second portion  410  of the house opening  406 . The second portion  410  may extend from the top end  204  of the housing  202  to an upper edge of the inclined portion  608  of the external wall  212 . Therefore, a width of the hollow volume defined by the housing  202  varies along the longitudinal axis ‘L’. The hollow volume may have a first width ‘W 1 ’ till the upper edge of the inclined portion  608 . Further, the hollow volume may have a second width ‘W 2 ’ from a lower edge of the inclined portion  608  to the support portion  804 . The first width ‘W 1 ’ may be larger than the second width ‘W 2 ’. The first width ‘W 1 ’ may accommodate both the main housing  304  and the valve assembly  306  of the power cell  302 . The second width ‘W 2 ’ may accommodate only the main housing  304  of the power cell  302 . The inclined portion  608  of the external wall  212  and the sloped portions  612  of the side walls  214  may act as a transition region between the first width ‘W 1 ’ and the second width ‘W 2 ’. Further, the support opening  808  has a third width ‘W 3 ’. The support opening  808  may at least partially receive the bottom part  310  (shown in  FIG. 3 ) of the power cell  302 . 
     Upon insertion within the housing  202 , the valve assembly  306  extends through the cutout  404  towards the external wall  212 . Specifically, the valve assembly  306  extends into a space  810  defined between the internal wall  402  and the external wall  212 . The internal wall  402  further extends upwards from the lower edge of the inclined portion  608  of the external wall  212 . In an embodiment, the internal wall  402  may be integral with the bottom portion  610  of the external wall  212 . In another embodiment, the internal wall  402  may be joined to the bottom portion  610 . 
       FIG. 9  illustrates the power cell  302  being partially inserted into the housing  202 . A part of the external wall  212  has been removed for the purpose of illustration. The power cell  302  may be inserted substantially parallel to the axial direction ‘D’. The main housing  304  of the power cell  302  defines two pairs of the apertures  326 . The apertures  326  are disposed around the valve assembly  306 . Specifically, one of the pair of apertures  326  are disposed on one side of the valve assembly  306 , while the other pair of apertures  326  are disposed on the opposite side. Each of the pair of apertures  326  are coupled to the corresponding wear plate  602  (shown in  FIG. 3 ). In an embodiment, the apertures  326  may be drilled into the main housing  304 . The cutout  404  may allow the valve assembly  306  to be inserted into or removed from the housing  202 . Further, the valve assembly  306  is at least partially received in the cutout  404  upon insertion within the housing  202 . 
       FIG. 10  illustrates the power cell  302  fully inserted within the housing  202 . A part of the external wall  212  has been removed for the purpose of illustration. In the inserted state, the valve assembly  306  is at least partially received within the cutout  404 . Further, the valve assembly  306  may extend through the cutout  404 . The top buffer  414  is disposed on the power cell  302 . 
       FIG. 11  illustrates a sectional view of the power cell  302  fully inserted within the housing  202 . Various internal components of the power cell  302  have been omitted for the purpose of illustration. Referring to  FIGS. 8 and 11 , the main housing  304  of the power cell  302  is received within the first portion  408  of the house opening  406 . The valve assembly  306  is at least partially received within the cutout  404  and extends into the space  810  defined between the internal wall  402  and the external wall  212 . The bottom part  310  is at least partially received within the support opening  808  of the support portion  804 . The top buffer  414  is disposed on the top surface  328  of the main housing  304 . The middle and bottom buffers  604 ,  802  abut the main housing  304  of the power cell  302 . In an embodiment, the middle and bottom buffers  604 ,  802  may be removably coupled to the main housing  304 . 
       FIG. 12  illustrates a front view of the valve assembly  306 . The wear plates  602  at least partially surround the valve assembly  306  on opposite sides. Each of the wear plates  602  includes an elongate section  902  and a pair of lateral sections  904  extending from opposite ends of the elongate section  902 . The pair of lateral sections  904  may be oriented substantially perpendicular to the elongate section  902 . Each of the lateral sections  904  includes a projecting portion  906  that is adapted to be removably received within the corresponding aperture  326  (shown in  FIG. 9 ) of the main housing  304 . Therefore, each of the pair of wear plates  602  includes a pair of the projecting portions  906  adapted to be removably received within the corresponding apertures  326  of the main housing  304  of the power cell  302 . In an embodiment, the wear plates  602  may be connected to the power cell  302  prior to insertion within the housing  202 . In another embodiment, the wear plates  602  may be connected to the power cell  302  upon insertion of the power cell  302  within the housing  202 . In an alternative embodiment, the wear plates  602  may be removably attached to the internal wall  402  (shown in  FIG. 6 ) of the housing  202 . 
     The main portion  316  of the valve assembly  306  further includes a pair of longitudinal edges  330  opposite to each other and a pair of lateral edges  332  opposite to each other. The elongate section  902  of each of the wear plates  602  is proximal to the corresponding longitudinal edge  330  of the main portion  316 . Further, the elongate section  902  of each of the wear plates  602  may be oriented substantially parallel to the corresponding longitudinal edge  330  of the main portion  316 . The lateral sections  904  of each of the wear plates  602  are proximal to the corresponding lateral edges  332  of the main portion  316 . Further, the lateral sections  904  of each of the wear plates  602  are oriented substantially parallel to the corresponding lateral edges  332  of the main portion  316 . 
     The wear plates  602  may protect the valve assembly  306  from wear and abrasion during operation of the hammer  102 . Further, the wear plates  602  may retain the valve assembly  306  in place. Each of wear plates  602  may be made of a non-metallic material, for example, but not limited to, rubber, urethane, nylon, ultra-high-molecular-weight polyethylene (UHMW), and so forth. 
     The main portion  316  of the valve assembly  306  further defines six first apertures  908  and two second apertures  910 . Three of the first apertures  908  and one of the second apertures  910  are arranged in a column proximal to one of the longitudinal edges  330  of the main portion  316 . Similarly, the other three of the first apertures  908  and the other second aperture  910  are arranged in another column proximal to the other longitudinal edge  330  of the main portion  316 . Further, the arrangement of the first apertures  908  and the second aperture  910  in one column is reversed with respect to the other column. Specifically, the second aperture  910  is located at the top in one column, while the second aperture  910  is located at the bottom in another column. Each of the first apertures  908  receives the corresponding first fastener  320 . The first fasteners  320  may couple the main portion  316  of the valve assembly  306  to the main housing  304  of the power cell  302 . Each of the second apertures  910  receives the corresponding fluid connector  324 . 
       FIG. 13  illustrates a perspective view of one of the wear plates  602 . The elongate section  902  may have a rectangular shape. Each lateral section  904  of the wear plate  602  includes a chamfered region  1002  that extends from a corresponding end  1004  of the wear plate  602 . The projecting portions  906  are located on a surface that faces the main housing  304  (shown in  FIG. 3 ) of the power cell  302 . Further, the chamfered regions  1002  and the projecting portions  906  are located on opposite surfaces. Each of the projecting portions  906  may have a cylindrical shape. Further, each of the projecting portions  906  may be embodied as pegs that are removably received within the corresponding aperture  326  (shown in  FIG. 9 ) of the power cell  302 . 
       FIGS. 14A and 14B  illustrate different views of a buffer member  1402 . In an embodiment, the buffer member  1402  may act as both the middle buffer  604  and each of the bottom buffers  802  (shown in  FIG. 8 ) of the hammer  102 . The buffer member  1402  includes a top buffer end  1404  and a bottom buffer end  1406 . The buffer member  1402  includes chamfered portions  1403  at each of the top and bottom buffer ends  1404 ,  1406 . The buffer member  1402  further includes a main body  1408  defining a pair of lateral recesses  1410  opposite to each other. The buffer member  1402  further includes a pair of lateral projections  1412  and a middle projection  1414  extending from the main body  1408 . The middle projection  1414  and each of the lateral projections  1412  define a top recess  1416  between them. 
     INDUSTRIAL APPLICABILITY 
     The present disclosure relates to the hammer  202  with the valve assembly  306  that is externally mounted on the power cell  302 . The hammer includes the housing  202  that defines the cutout  404 . The cutout  404  may allow the power cell  302  to be easily inserted into or removed from the housing  202 . The power cell  302  may have to be removed from the housing  202  for servicing and/or replacement. 
     The valve assembly  306  may slide into the cutout  404  upon insertion of the power cell  302  into the housing  202 . In order to remove the power cell  302  from the housing  202 , the mounting bracket  110  may have to be disconnected and removed from the top flange  208  of the housing  202 . The top buffer  414  which freely rests on the top surface  328  of the power cell  302  may be easily removed without using any tools. The power cell  302  including the valve assembly  306  may be then slidably removed from the housing  202 . After removal of the mounting bracket  110 , the power cell  302  may therefore be removed from the housing  202  without requiring the disconnection of additional parts using tools. This may reduce downtime and requirement of tools to service and/or replace the power cell  302 . 
     The wear plates  602  may also protect the valve assembly  306  from wear and abrasion during operation of the hammer  202 . The wear plates  602  may be easily attached to or removed from the power cell  302  and/or the housing  202 . 
     While aspects of the present disclosure have been particularly shown and described with reference to the embodiments above, it will be understood by those skilled in the art that various additional embodiments may be contemplated by the modification of the disclosed machines, systems and methods without departing from the spirit and scope of the disclosure. Such embodiments should be understood to fall within the scope of the present disclosure as determined based upon the claims and any equivalents thereof.