ROTATING ELEMENTS FOR DOWNHOLE CUTTING TOOLS
A cutting element includes a cutting end having a cutting face, a body, and a retention end opposite the cutting end. The retention end is formed of a different material than the body. The retention end may include at least one slit extending an axial distance along a partial height of the retention end and extending a transverse distance between the outer circumference of the retention end.
1 . A rotating assembly for a downhole cutting tool, comprising:
a support; and
a rotating element including a formation contacting portion, a body, and a retention portion, the body being between the formation contacting portion and the retention portion; and
a retention mechanism restricting removal of the cutting element from the support, the retention mechanism being formed of first material different than a second material forming the body of the rotating element, and deformable in a radial direction.
2 . The rotating assembly of claim 1 , the retention being integrally formed as part of the retention portion of the rotating element.
3 . The rotating assembly of claim 1 , the retention portion including at least one opening extending in axial and radial directions.
4 . The rotating assembly of claim 3 , the at least one opening extending a full diameter of the retention portion.
5 . The rotating assembly of claim 3 , the at least one opening including multiple slits.
6 . The rotating assembly of claim 3 , the at least one opening extending planarly in the radial direction.
7 . The rotating assembly of claim 3 , the at least one opening extending a full height of the retention portion, the retention portion being formed of the first material.
8 . The rotating assembly of claim 7 , the first material having higher ductility than the second material.
9 . The rotating assembly of claim 8 , the first material including a metallic alloy and the second material including a carbide.
10 . The rotating assembly of claim 1 , the retention mechanism including a protrusion extending from, and integrally formed in, the retention portion.
11 . The rotating assembly of claim 10 , the protrusion being located within a recess within the support.
12 . The rotating assembly of claim 10 , the protrusion including a ridge around the retention portion.
13 . The rotating assembly of claim 1 , the retention mechanism including a ridge formed on the retention portion, a plurality of slits formed in the retention portion, and a recess in the support, the ridge being positioned within the recess and the plurality of slits extending axially and radially within the retention portion.
14 . The rotating assembly of claim 13 , at least one of the plurality of slits extending across a full diameter of the retention portion or across a full chord of the retention portion.
15 . The rotating assembly of claim 1 , the support being part of a body of the downhole cutting tool.
16 . A cutting element, comprising:
a cutting end;
a body; and
a retention end opposite the cutting end, the retention end including:
at least one slit extending an axial distance along a height of the retention end and extending a transverse distance between the outer circumference of the retention end;
the retention end being formed of a different material than the body.
17 . The cutting element of claim 16 , the axial distance of the at least one slit ranging from greater than 50% to less than 90% of a total height of the retention end.
18 . The cutting element of claim 16 , the retention end further including at least one ridge formed at least partially around the outer circumference.
19 . The cutting element of claim 16 , the material forming the retention end having a higher ductility than the material forming the body.
20 . A method of installing a rotating element on a downhole cutting tool, comprising:
radially compressing a retention end of the rotating element while moving the rotating element through a first end of a support on the downhole cutting tool, the retention end being formed of a material different than a body of the rotating element and including a ridge around a circumference thereof and at least one slit therein; and
radially expanding the retention end of the rotating element when the ridge is aligned with a recess in the support.