Patent ID: 6932166

Claim:
A tool ( 20 ) for impacting a workpiece ( 22 ), comprising; a casing ( 42 ) having a proximal end ( 44 ) and a distal end ( 46 ) and defining a chamber ( 48 ) therebetween, an impactor device ( 24 , 54 ) slidable within said chamber ( 48 ) along an operational axis (A) to impact the workpiece, a valve system ( 100 , 200 ) for selectively introducing and releasing pressurized fluid into and out from said chamber ( 48 ) to slide said impactor device ( 24 , 54 ) within said chamber ( 48 ) along said operational axis (A), and an energy absorbing mechanism ( 402 ) including a sleeve ( 404 ) slidable along said distal end ( 46 ) of said casing ( 42 ) to define a first pressure chamber ( 412 ) with said impactor device ( 24 , 54 ) for reducing the kinetic energy of said impactor device ( 24 , 54 ) in a first stage immediately after movement thereof by compressing pressurized fluid within said first pressure chamber ( 412 ), said tool ( 20 ) characterized by said energy absorbing mechanism ( 402 ) further comprising a second pressure chamber ( 414 ) defined between said casing ( 42 ) and said sleeve ( 404 ) for reducing the kinetic energy of said impactor device ( 24 , 54 ) in a second stage by compressing pressurized fluid within said second pressure chamber ( 414 ) after compressing the pressurized fluid in said first pressure chamber ( 412 ) when said impactor device ( 24 , 54 ) impacts said sleeve ( 404 ).