ROLLING CUTTER WITH CLOSE LOOP RETAINING RING

• US 20140054094A1
• Filed: 08/21/2013
• Published: 02/27/2014
• Est. Priority Date: 08/21/2012
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Smith International Incorporated (Schlumberger NV)
• Original Assignee: Smith International Incorporated (Schlumberger NV)
• Inventors: Burhan, Yuri, Shi, Jibin, Zhang, Youhe, Chen, Chen
• Granted Patent: US 9,605,486 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 175/354
• CPC Class Codes: E21B 10/50 the bit being of roller type
• CPC Class Codes: E21B 10/62 characterised by parts, e.g. cutting elements, which are detachable or adjustable E21B10/64 takes precedence; for roller bits E21B10/20; for augers E21B10/44
• CPC Class Codes: E21B 10/627 with plural detachable cutting elements
• CPC Class Codes: E21B 10/633 independently detachable

Abstract

A cutting element is disclosed that includes a sleeve, a rotatable cutting element, and at least one retaining ring. The sleeve has a first inner diameter and a second inner diameter, wherein the second inner diameter is larger than the first inner diameter and located at a lower axial position than the first inner diameter. The rotatable cutting element has an axis of rotation extending therethrough, a cutting face, a body extending axially downward from the cutting face, wherein the body has a shaft that is disposed within the sleeve, and a circumferential groove formed around an outer surface of the shaft. The at least one retaining ring is disposed in the circumferential groove and extends at least around the entire circumference of the shaft, wherein the at least one retaining ring protrudes from the circumferential groove, thereby retaining the rotatable cutting element within the sleeve.

Claims

1. A cutting element assembly, comprising:

a sleeve, comprising;

a first inner diameter; and

a second inner diameter, wherein the second inner diameter is larger than the first inner diameter and located at a lower axial position than the first inner diameter;

a rotatable cutting element having an axis of rotation extending therethrough, wherein the rotatable cutting element comprises;

a cutting face and a body extending axially downward from the cutting face, wherein at least a portion of the body is disposed within the sleeve; and

a circumferential groove formed around an outer surface of the portion of the body; and

at least one retaining ring disposed in the circumferential groove;

wherein the at least one retaining ring extends at least around the entire circumference of the portion of the body; and

wherein the at least one retaining ring protrudes from the circumferential groove, thereby retaining the rotatable cutting element within the sleeve.

2. The cutting element assembly of claim 1, wherein the portion of the body comprises a shaft, and wherein the shaft is disposed within the sleeve.

3. The cutting element assembly of claim 1, wherein the retaining ring extends around the circumference greater than 1.5 times the circumference of the portion of the body.

4. The cutting element assembly of claim 1, further comprising a spring.

5. The cutting element assembly of claim 4, wherein the spring is disposed axially downward from the retaining ring and within the circumferential groove.

6. The cutting element assembly of claim 4, wherein the spring is disposed axially upward from the retaining ring and within the circumferential groove.

7. The cutting element assembly of claim 4, wherein the spring is disposed axially downward from the body and disposed within sleeve.

8. The cutting element assembly of claim 4, wherein the spring comprises at least one non-planar retaining ring.

9. The cutting element assembly of claim 1, wherein the retaining ring is non-planar.

10. The cutting element assembly of claim 1, wherein the retaining ring is compressible.

11. The cutting element assembly of claim 1, wherein the retaining ring comprises a plurality of slits extending axially through a partial height of the retaining ring.

12. The cutting element assembly of claim 11, wherein the plurality of slits are equally spaced around the circumference of the retaining ring.

13. The cutting element assembly of claim 1, wherein the cutting face comprises polycrystalline diamond.

14. The cutting element assembly of claim 1, further comprising a second circumferential groove formed around the outer surface of the body and a second retaining ring disposed within the second circumferential groove.

15. A drill bit comprising:

a bit body;

a plurality of blades extending from the bit body;

at least one cutting element assembly of claim 1 disposed on at least one of the plurality of blades.

16. The cutting element assembly of claim 15, wherein the cutting face of the cutting element is flush a leading face of the blade.

17. The cutting element assembly of claim 1, wherein the retaining ring comprises unattached and overlapping ends.

18. The cutting element assembly of claim 1, wherein the retaining ring comprises a gradually increasing diameter along the axial height of the body.

19. The cutting element assembly of claim 1, wherein the sleeve comprises a gradually increasing inner diameter extending from the first inner diameter to a top opening of the sleeve.

20. The cutting element assembly of claim 1, wherein the sleeve further comprises a third inner diameter smaller than the second inner diameter and located at a lower axial position than the second inner diameter.

21. A cutting element assembly, comprising:

a sleeve;

a rotatable cutting element having an axis of rotation extending therethrough, wherein the rotatable cutting element comprises;

a cutting face and a body extending axially downward from the cutting face, wherein at least a portion of the body is disposed within the sleeve; and

a circumferential groove formed around an outer surface of the body, wherein the circumferential groove is located axially downward from the sleeve; and

at least one retaining ring disposed in the circumferential groove;

wherein the at least one retaining ring extends at least around the entire circumference of the body; and

wherein the at least one retaining ring protrudes from the circumferential groove, thereby retaining the rotatable cutting element within the sleeve.

22. A drill bit comprising:

a bit body;

a plurality of blades extending from the bit body;

at least one cutting element assembly of claim 21 disposed in a corresponding pocket formed in a blade;

wherein the corresponding pocket comprises;

a first inner diameter;

a second inner diameter, wherein the second inner diameter is smaller than the first inner diameter; and

wherein the sleeve of the cutting element assembly is disposed within the first inner diameter and the retaining ring is disposed within the second inner diameter.

23. The cutting element assembly of claim 21, wherein the retaining ring extends around the circumference greater than 1.5 times the circumference of the portion of the body.

24. The cutting element assembly of claim 21, further comprising a spring.

25. The cutting element assembly of claim 21, wherein the retaining ring is non-planar.

26. The cutting element assembly of claim 21, wherein the retaining ring is compressible.