Locking ring with tapered recesses

Abstract

A locking ring positioned between first and second components. The locking ring includes a body having first and second opposing axial surfaces and a bore formed axially therethrough. A recess is formed into the second axial surface. The recess is defined by an outer radial surface, first and second opposing circumferentially offset surfaces, and an inner axial surface disposed between the first and second axial surfaces. At least a portion of the first circumferentially offset surface is oriented at an angle between 30° and 85° with respect to a plane that is perpendicular to a longitudinal centerline through the body.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A locking ring adapted to be positioned between first and second components, comprising:
 a body having opposing first and second axial surfaces and a bore formed axially therethrough, wherein a recess is formed into the second axial surface, the recess at least partially defined by:
 opposing first and second circumferentially offset surfaces, wherein at least a portion of the first circumferentially offset surface is oriented at an angle between 20° and 85° with respect to a plane that is perpendicular to a longitudinal centerline through the body. 
   
     
     
         2 . The locking ring of  claim 1 , wherein at least a portion of the first circumferentially offset surface is oriented at an angle between 30° and 60° with respect to the plane that is perpendicular to the longitudinal centerline through the body. 
     
     
         3 . The locking ring of  claim 1 , wherein at least a portion of the second circumferentially offset surface is oriented at an angle between 30° and 60° with respect to the plane that is perpendicular to the longitudinal centerline through the body. 
     
     
         4 . The locking ring of  claim 1 , wherein the recess is further defined by an outer radial surface, wherein at least a portion of the outer radial surface is oriented at an angle between about 30° and about 85° with respect to the plane that is perpendicular to the longitudinal centerline through the body. 
     
     
         5 . The locking ring of  claim 1 , wherein the recess is further defined by an inner axial surface, wherein the inner axial surface has a notch formed therein toward the first axial surface, and wherein the notch is shaped to receive a conical or frustoconical portion of the second component. 
     
     
         6 . The locking ring of  claim 1 , wherein the recess is further defined by an outer radial surface and an interface between the outer radial surface and the first circumferentially offset surface, wherein the interface has a radius of curvature between 1 mm and 25 mm. 
     
     
         7 . The locking ring of  claim 1 , wherein the body has a diameter between 60 mm and 600 mm. 
     
     
         8 . The locking ring of  claim 1 , wherein the body is made of steel. 
     
     
         9 . The locking ring of  claim 1 , wherein the first axial surface of the body is substantially flat and parallel to the plane that is perpendicular to the longitudinal centerline through the body. 
     
     
         10 . The locking ring of  claim 1 , wherein the recess comprises a plurality of recesses that are circumferentially-offset from one another. 
     
     
         11 . A downhole tool, comprising:
 a first component having a first engagement feature formed on an outer surface thereof;   a second component having a second engagement feature formed on an inner surface thereof, wherein the second component includes an axial protrusion extending therefrom; and   a locking ring positioned between the first and second components, the locking ring including a body having first and second opposing axial surfaces and an axial bore formed therethrough, wherein an axial recess is formed into the second axial surface, and the axial recess is configured to receive the axial protrusion, the axial recess at least partially defined by:
 an outer radial surface; 
 opposing first and second circumferentially offset surfaces, wherein at least a portion of the first circumferentially offset surface is oriented at an angle between 20° and 85° with respect to a plane that is perpendicular to a longitudinal centerline through the body; and 
 an inner axial surface disposed between the first and second axial surfaces. 
   
     
     
         12 . The downhole tool of  claim 11 , wherein the first component is made of steel, and the second component is made of tungsten carbide. 
     
     
         13 . The downhole tool of  claim 12 , wherein the locking ring is made of steel, and wherein the first component is welded to the locking ring. 
     
     
         14 . The downhole tool of  claim 13 , wherein the first component is a connector pin, and the second component is a drill bit. 
     
     
         15 . The downhole tool of  claim 11 , wherein at least a portion of the second circumferentially offset surface is oriented at an angle between 20° and 60° with respect to the plane that is perpendicular to the longitudinal centerline through the body. 
     
     
         16 . The downhole tool of  claim 11 , wherein at least a portion of the outer radial surface is oriented at an angle between 30° and 85° with respect to the plane that is perpendicular to the longitudinal centerline through the body. 
     
     
         17 . The downhole tool of  claim 11 , wherein the axial protrusion has a conical or frustoconical tip portion extending therefrom. 
     
     
         18 . A downhole tool, comprising:
 a non-weldable component having an axial protrusion extending therefrom; and   a locking ring positioned adjacent to and abutting the non-weldable component, the locking ring including a body having first and second opposing axial surfaces and an axial bore formed therethrough, wherein an axial recess is formed into the second axial surface, and the axial recess is configured to receive the axial protrusion, the axial recess at least partially defined by:
 an outer radial surface; 
 opposing first and second circumferentially offset surfaces, wherein at least a portion of the first and second circumferentially offset surfaces are oriented at an angle between 30° and 60° with respect to a plane that is perpendicular to a longitudinal centerline through the body; and 
 an inner axial surface disposed between the first and second axial surfaces. 
   
     
     
         19 . The downhole tool of  claim 18 , further comprising a weldable component positioned adjacent the locking ring and opposite the non-weldable component. 
     
     
         20 . The downhole tool of  claim 19 , wherein the locking ring is welded or brazed to the weldable component.