Threaded cone retention system for roller cone bits

1. A method of retaining a roller cone on a bearing pin of a drill bit body, comprising:

coupling a retention member to the roller cone;

inserting an end of the bearing pin into the roller cone;

transmitting torque from the roller cone to the retention member; and

then coupling the retention member to the bearing pin.

2. The method of claim 1 , wherein transmitting torque from the roller cone to the retention member comprises:

coupling a torque transfer member to the retention member;

displacing the torque transfer member into engagement with the roller cone; and

then transmitting torque from the roller cone to the retention member.

3. The method of claim 2 , further comprising:

coupling the retention member to the bearing pin; and

then displacing the torque transfer member out of engagement with the roller cone.

4. The method of claim 2 , wherein displacing the torque transfer member into engagement with the roller cone comprises applying a contact force to the torque transfer member.

5. The method of claim 4 , wherein displacing the torque transfer member into engagement with the roller cone comprises moving a flexible rod into and through the bearing pin.

6. The method of claim 2 , wherein displacing the torque transfer member into engagement with the roller cone comprises applying a non-contact force to the torque transfer member.

7. The method of claim 1 , further comprising:

coupling the retention member to the bearing pin; and

then no longer transmitting torque from the roller cone to the retention member.

8. A roller cone assembly for retaining a roller cone on a bearing pin of a drill bit body, comprising:

a roller cone defining a cavity adapted to receive an end of the bearing pin;

a retaining assembly coupled to the roller cone adapted to receive the end of the bearing pin and defining a cavity;

a torque transfer member received within and mating with the cavity of the retaining assembly; and

a spring comprising one end received within the cavity of the retaining assembly and another end received within the cavity of the roller cone;

wherein the torque transfer member is adapted to be received within and mate with the cavity of the roller cone.

9. The assembly of claim 8 , wherein the cavity defined within the roller cone comprises a hexagonal cross sectional profile.

10. The assembly of claim 8 , wherein the roller cone defines an internal annular recess; and wherein the retaining assembly comprises a washer received within the recess of the roller cone.

11. The assembly of claim 10 , wherein the washer comprises a segmented thrust washer.

12. The assembly of claim 8 , wherein the cavity of the retaining assembly comprises a hexagonal cross sectional profile.

13. The assembly of claim 8 , wherein the retaining assembly comprises threads adapted to threadably engage the end of the bearing pin.

14. The assembly of claim 8 , wherein the torque transfer member defines an internal cavity for receiving an end of the spring.

15. The assembly of claim 8 , wherein the torque transfer member comprises an outer profile that is hexagonal in cross section.

16. The assembly of claim 8 , wherein the retaining assembly comprises a ball bearing.

17. An apparatus for retaining a roller cone on a bearing pin of a drill bit body, comprising:

a drill bit body;

a bearing pin coupled to the drill bit body;

a retention member coupled to the bearing pin;

a roller cone coupled to the retention member; and

a torque transfer member coupled to the retention member and the roller cone adapted to selectively transfer torque between the retention member and the roller cone;

wherein the retention member defines a cavity; and wherein the torque transfer member is received within and mates with the cavity of the retention member;

wherein the torque transfer member is adapted to be received within and mate with the cavity of the roller cone; and

wherein the apparatus further comprises:

a spring comprising one end received within the cavity of the retention member and another end received within the cavity of the roller cone for biasing the torque transfer member into the cavity of the retention member.

18. An apparatus for retaining a roller cone on a bearing pin of a drill bit body, comprising:

a drill bit body;

a bearing pin coupled to the drill bit body;

a retention member coupled to the bearing pin;

a roller cone coupled to the retention member; and

a torque transfer member coupled to the retention member and the roller cone adapted to selectively transfer torque between the retention member and the roller cone;

wherein the retention member defines a cavity;

wherein the torque transfer member is received within and mates with the cavity of the retention member;

wherein the roller cone defines a cavity;

wherein the torque transfer member is adapted to be received within and mate with the cavity of the roller cone;

wherein the cavity defined within the retention member comprises a hexagonal cross sectional profile; and

wherein the cavity defined within the roller cone comprises a hexagonal cross sectional profile.

19. An apparatus for retaining a roller cone on a bearing pin of a drill bit body, comprising:

a drill bit body;

a bearing pin coupled to the drill bit body;

a retention member coupled to the bearing pin;

a roller cone coupled to the retention member; and

a torque transfer member coupled to the retention member and the roller cone adapted to selectively transfer torque between the retention member and the roller cone;

wherein the retention member defines a cavity;

wherein the torque transfer member is received within and mates with the cavity of the retention member;

wherein the roller cone defines a cavity;

wherein the torque transfer member is adapted to be received within and mate with the cavity of the roller cone;

wherein the apparatus further comprises a spring comprising one end received within the cavity of the retention member and another end received within the cavity of the roller cone for biasing the torque transfer member into the cavity of the retention member; and

wherein the torque transfer member defines an internal cavity for receiving an end of the spring.

20. A method of retaining a roller cone on a bearing pin of a drill bit body, comprising:

coupling a retention member to the roller cone;

inserting an end of the bearing pin into the roller cone;

transmitting torque from the roller cone to the retention member; and

then coupling the retention member to the bearing pin;

wherein transmitting torque from the roller cone to the retention member comprises:

coupling a torque transfer member to the retention member;

displacing the torque transfer member into engagement with the roller cone; and

then transmitting torque from the roller cone to the retention member;

wherein displacing the torque transfer member into engagement with the roller cone comprises applying a contact force to the torque transfer member; and

wherein displacing the torque transfer member into engagement with the roller cone comprises moving a flexible rod into and through the bearing pin.

21. A method of retaining a roller cone on a bearing pin of a drill bit body, comprising:

coupling a retention member to the roller cone;

inserting an end of the bearing pin into the roller cone;

transmitting torque from the roller cone to the retention member; and

then coupling the retention member to the bearing pin;

wherein transmitting torque from the roller cone to the retention member comprises:

coupling a torque transfer member to the retention member;

displacing the torque transfer member into engagement with the roller cone; and

then transmitting torque from the roller cone to the retention member; and

wherein displacing the torque transfer member into engagement with the roller cone comprises applying a non-contact force to the torque transfer member.