Flow path diverter for pneumatic tool

The tool (100, Figure 1), such as a pneumatic impact wrench, has a motor (112, Figure 2) powered by air or fluid and having a rotor 124 including radially extending vanes 126. The tool includes a cylinder chamber 128 adapted to receive the rotor, and a first main inlet port (144, Figure 5) adapted to receive air or fluid. A first port 140 is in fluid communication with the first main inlet port and a vane lifter port 160 of the motor. A first cylinder inlet is in fluid communication with the first main port. A first flow diverter 136 is disposed in the first port and is adapted to act as a barrier to direct air or fluid into the vane lifter port before the first cylinder inlet. The first flow diverter may separate the first port into first and second portions 152, 154, the first portion in fluid communication with the first main inlet port. The flow diverter is disposed in a plenum area of a motor cylinder chamber (also referred to as kidney ports) and acts as a barrier to regulate air or fluid flowing into the chamber to control power of the tool.