Joints and connections – With adjunctive protector – broken parts retainer – repair,... – Back-off means – e.g. – separator – etc.
Reexamination Certificate
1999-03-25
2001-07-10
Browne, Lynne H. (Department: 3629)
Joints and connections
With adjunctive protector, broken parts retainer, repair,...
Back-off means, e.g., separator, etc.
C403S344000, C403S329000, C166S242600
Reexamination Certificate
active
06257792
ABSTRACT:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to a retaining ring for securing components along a shaft by transferring the compression load between adjacent components. Preferably, the retaining ring is used for securing together the components of a bottom hole assembly by preventing the adjacent components from separating, by transferring the axial and radial compression load between connected components of a bottom hole assembly and a tubing, and by transferring the compression load between connected components of the bottom hole assembly as part of a quick disconnect coupler.
2. Description of the Related Art
Conventional retaining rings have open ended spring rings having a relatively small gap between their open ends. In assembling such rings, they are spread over the end of a shaft and shifted along the shaft in an axial direction until they reach the plane of the shaft groove provided for their reception, into which they spring seat themselves. Other conventional retaining rings are capable of being inserted directly over the shaft in the plane of the groove, i.e., in a plane perpendicular to the axis of the shaft. Still other retaining rings have been proposed, such as one which has two arcuate sections adapted to engage together by connecting male-female flanges on the ends of the arcuate separable sections. Another retaining ring has two separable parts having interlocking grooves and hooked tongues to interlock with one another. All of these have noticeable deficiencies. Most notably, the installation and removal of these retaining rings requires a great deal of force, making the retaining ring very difficult to install and remove. Further, because of the large amount of force required to install and remove these retaining rings, it is highly likely that the retaining ring will be deformed, thereby preventing its re-use. Also, all of these retaining rings are deficient in their ability to remain secured to the shaft when subjected to heavy thrust loads or forces as compared to the retaining ring of the present invention. Furthermore, all of these retaining rings lack the ability to remain secured to the shaft when subject to high radial forces against the arcuate members such as during high rotational speed application, or direct loading.
Accordingly, prior to the development of the present invention, there has been no retaining ring and method of transferring compression loads between adjacent tubular components which: provides easy installation and removal; remains secured to the shaft when subjected to heavy thrust loads; remains secured to the shaft when subjected to axial load compressions; and remains secured to the shaft when subjected to high radial forces, such as those which occur during high rotational speed applications. Therefore, the art has sought a retaining ring and method of transferring compression loads between adjacent tubular components which: provides easily installation and removal; remains secured to the shaft when subjected to heavy thrust loads; remains secured to the shaft when subjected to axial load compressions; and remains secured to the shaft when subjected to high radial forces, such as those which occur during high rotational speed applications.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
In accordance with the present invention the foregoing advantages have been achieved through the present retaining ring. In a broad aspect, the invention is a retaining ring comprising a pair of arcuate interlocking members. Each arcuate interlocking member includes a first end, a second end, an inner wall and an outer wall. The outer wall includes a first surface and the inner wall includes a second surface thereby defining a thickness between the first surface and the second surface. The inner wall also includes a third surface thereby defining a thickness between the third surface and the first surface, wherein the thickness between the third surface and the first surface is less than the thickness between the second surface and the first surface. The inner wall also includes a fourth surface joining the second surface and the third surface to define a smooth transition therebetween. The second surface intersects the fourth surface thereby defining a first inflection point and the third surface intersects the fourth surface thereby defining a second inflection point. The first end includes an outer latching profile having a first back angle; and the second end includes a female interlocking flange.
A further feature of the retaining ring is that the retaining ring may include a two part load ring having a pair of arcuate retaining members, each arcuate retaining member having an inner wall and an outer wall. Another feature is that the pair of arcuate retaining members may include a groove in the outer wall of the arcuate retaining member to receive the pair of arcuate interlocking members. An additional feature is that the female interlocking flange may include an inner supported beam and an inner latching profile. A further feature is that the inner latching profile may include a second back angle. Another feature is that the first end of the arcuate interlocking member may include a first disassembly hole. An additional feature is that the arcuate interlocking member may include a second disassembly hole. A further feature is that the second disassembly hole may be positioned intermediate between the first end and the second end of the arcuate interlocking member. Another feature is that the thickness between the first surface and the second surface may be constant. An additional feature is that the thickness between the second surface and the fourth surface may be constant. A further feature is that the inner wall may include an inner latching base portion joining the second surface with the second end, the second surface intersecting the inner latching base portion thereby defining a third inflection point. Another feature is that the inner latching base portion of the inner wall defines a substantially straight line.
In accordance with the present invention the foregoing advantages have also been achieved through the present retaining ring comprising a pair of arcuate interlocking members. Each arcuate interlocking member includes a first end, a second end, an inner wall, an outer wall, an outer cantilever beam, a tapered cantilever beam, a body, and an inner supporting beam. The first end includes an outer latching profile, wherein the outer latching profile includes a first back angle. The second end includes an inner latching profile. The outer cantilever beam is positioned between the outer latching profile and the tapered cantilever beam. The tapered cantilever beam is positioned between the outer cantilever beam and the body. The body is positioned between the tapered cantilever beam and the inner supporting beam, and the inner supporting beam is positioned between the body and the inner latching profile.
A further feature of the retaining ring is that the retaining ring may include a two part load ring having a pair of arcuate retaining members, each arcuate retaining member having an inner wall and an outer wall. Another feature is that the pair of arcuate retaining members may include a groove in the outer wall of the arcuate retaining members to receive the pair of arcuate interlocking members. An additional feature is that the inner latching profile may include a second back angle. A further feature is that the first end of the arcuate interlocking member may include a first disassembly hole. Another feature is that the arcuate interlocking member may include a second disassembly hole. An additional feature is that the second disassembly hole may be positioned intermediate between the first end and the second end of the arcuate interlocking member. A further feature is that the thickness between the inner wall and the outer wall of the body may be constant and the thickness between the inner wall and the outer wall of the outer cantilever beam may be constant and less than the thickness between the inner wa
Browne Lynne H.
Camco International Inc.
Cottingham John R.
Goldstein & Polasek, L.L.P.
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