Cutting element assemblies comprising rotatable cutting elements
First Claim
1. A cutting element assembly, comprising:
- a sleeve defining a first internal groove and a first frustoconical surface longitudinally spaced from the first internal groove;
a rotatable cutting element disposed within the sleeve, the rotatable cutting element comprising a polycrystalline hard material and a supporting substrate, wherein the polycrystalline hard material has an end cutting surface, wherein the rotatable cutting element defines a second internal groove in a surface of the supporting substrate and a second frustoconical surface longitudinally spaced from the second internal groove;
wherein the first frustoconical surface and the second frustoconical surface are in direct sliding contact such that compressive loads are transferred substantially via a bearing interface at which the first frustoconical surface contacts the second frustoconical surface;
wherein the rotatable cutting element also defines an interior planar back surface parallel to the end cutting surface, and wherein a generally planar end surface of the sleeve and the interior planar back surface parallel to the end cutting surface define a void adjacent the interior planar back surface; and
a retention element disposed partially within the first internal groove and partially within the second groove such that the retention element provides sufficient force to retain the rotatable cutting element within the sleeve under normal operating conditions.
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Accused Products
Abstract
A cutting element assembly includes a sleeve, a rotatable cutting element disposed within the sleeve, and a retention element. The sleeve and rotatable cutting element each have frustoconical surfaces. In some embodiments, a rotatable cutting element defines a first generally cylindrical surface, a second generally cylindrical surface, and an axial bearing surface opposite the end cutting surface and intersecting each of the first generally cylindrical surface and the second generally cylindrical surface. A bearing element may be disposed between an upper surface of a sleeve and a bearing surface of the rotatable cutting element. Earth-boring tools having rotating cutting elements are also disclosed.
44 Citations
11 Claims
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1. A cutting element assembly, comprising:
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a sleeve defining a first internal groove and a first frustoconical surface longitudinally spaced from the first internal groove; a rotatable cutting element disposed within the sleeve, the rotatable cutting element comprising a polycrystalline hard material and a supporting substrate, wherein the polycrystalline hard material has an end cutting surface, wherein the rotatable cutting element defines a second internal groove in a surface of the supporting substrate and a second frustoconical surface longitudinally spaced from the second internal groove; wherein the first frustoconical surface and the second frustoconical surface are in direct sliding contact such that compressive loads are transferred substantially via a bearing interface at which the first frustoconical surface contacts the second frustoconical surface; wherein the rotatable cutting element also defines an interior planar back surface parallel to the end cutting surface, and wherein a generally planar end surface of the sleeve and the interior planar back surface parallel to the end cutting surface define a void adjacent the interior planar back surface; and a retention element disposed partially within the first internal groove and partially within the second groove such that the retention element provides sufficient force to retain the rotatable cutting element within the sleeve under normal operating conditions. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6)
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7. A cutting element assembly, comprising:
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a sleeve defining a first interior cylindrical surface, a second interior cylindrical surface, and a generally planar axial bearing surface between the first interior cylindrical surface and the second interior cylindrical surface, wherein the first interior cylindrical surface, the generally planar axial bearing surface, and the second interior cylindrical surface together at least partially define a cavity in the sleeve; a rotatable cutting element disposed at least partially within the cavity, the rotatable cutting element comprising a polycrystalline hard material having an end cutting surface generally parallel to the axial bearing surface of the sleeve and mounted to a substrate, wherein the rotatable cutting element also defines an interior back surface parallel to the end cutting surface, and wherein a generally planar end surface of the sleeve and the interior back surface parallel to the end cutting surface define a void adjacent the interior back surface; the substrate defining a first generally cylindrical surface, a second generally cylindrical surface, and an axial bearing surface opposite the end cutting surface and extending between the first generally cylindrical surface and the second generally cylindrical surface; wherein the substrate is substantially disposed within and is in sliding contact with both an interior of each of the first interior cylindrical surface and the second interior cylindrical surface with the axial bearing surface of the rotatable cutting element in sliding contact with the axial bearing surface of the sleeve. - View Dependent Claims (8, 9, 10, 11)
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Specification