Retention of multiple rolling cutters

Abstract

A cutting tool may include a tool body; at least one blade extending radially from the tool body; a plurality of cutters disposed on the at least one blade; and at least one retention component, each retention component contributing the retention of at least two of the plurality of cutters at a side surface thereof.

1 . A cutting tool comprising:
 a tool body;   at least one blade extending, radially from the tool body;   a plurality of cutters disposed on the at least one blade; and   at least one retention component, each retention component contributing to the retention of at least two of the plurality of cutters at a side surface thereof.   
     
     
         2 . The cutting tool of  claim 1 , wherein the at least two cutters are rotatable about their axes. 
     
     
         3 . The cutting tool of  claim 1 , wherein each cutter comprises at least one groove or protrusion formed in a side surface of the cutter and wherein the at least one retention component interfaces the cutter along at least a portion of the groove or protrusion. 
     
     
         4 . The cutting tool of  claim 1 , wherein the at least one retention component is positioned at a top surface of the at least one blade. 
     
     
         5 . The cutting tool  claim 1 , wherein the at least one retention component forms at least a portion of the top portion of the blade. 
     
     
         6 . The cutting tool of  claim 1 , wherein the retention component is welded to the blade. 
     
     
         7 . The cutting tool of  claim 1 , wherein the retention component is attached to the blade by screwing the retention component to the blade. 
     
     
         8 . The cutting tool of  claim 1 , wherein the retention component is attached to the blade by brazing the retention component to the blade. 
     
     
         9 . The cutting tool of  claim 1 , wherein the retention component does not extend as far rearward as a bottom surface of the cutters. 
     
     
         10 . The cutting tool of  claim 1 , wherein the retention component covers the bottom surface of the cutters. 
     
     
         11 . The cutting tool of  claim 1 , wherein the retention component is secured to the blade between two adjacent cutting elements and extends laterally across a portion of the two adjacent cutting elements. 
     
     
         12 . The cutting tool of  claim 1 , wherein the retention component comprises a cutter cartridge having at least two cavities formed therein in which two cutters are disposed. 
     
     
         13 . A cutter assembly comprising:
 a rolling cutter cartridge having at least two cutter cavities formed therein; and   at least two rotatable cutting elements having a groove formed in a side surface thereof disposed within the at least two cutter cavities, the at least two cutter cavities interfacing the grooves in the at least two rotatable cutting elements,   wherein the at least two cavities and at least two rotatable cutters are spaced such that less than 0.1 inches is spaced between the at least two rotatable cutters.   
     
     
         14 . A downhole cutting tool, comprising:
 a cutting element support structure having at least one cutter assembly pocket formed therein;   at least one cutter assembly disposed in the at least one cutter assembly pocket, the at least one cutter assembly comprising:
 a rolling cutter cartridge having at least two cutter cavities formed therein; and 
 at least two rotatable cutting element disposed within the at least two cavities; and 
   at least one retention mechanism retaining the at least two rotatable cutters in the rolling cutter cartridge.   
     
     
         15 . The downhole cutting tool of  claim 14 , where the at least two rotatable cutting elements have a groove formed in a side surface thereof, wherein the at least one retention mechanism is the rolling cutter cartridge whereby the at least two cutter cavities interface the grooves formed in the at least two rotatable cutting elements. 
     
     
         16 . The downhole cutting, tool of  claim 14 , wherein the at least one retention mechanism comprises at least one front blocking element interfacing, a cutting face of the at least two rotatable cutting elements. 
     
     
         17 . The downhole cutting tool of  claim 14 , wherein the at least two cavities and at least two rotatable cutters are spaced such that less than 0.1 inches is spaced between the at least two rotatable cutters. 
     
     
         18 . The downhole cutting tool of  claim 14 , wherein the at least two rotatable cutting elements form an arcuate cutting profile of their cutting edges.