Locking ring with stabilizing blades

Abstract

A locking ring may be adapted to be positioned between first and second components. The locking ring may include a body having a bore formed axially therethrough. A blade may be disposed on an outer radial surface of the body. At least a portion of a centerline through the blade may be oriented at an angle from about 1° to about 60° with respect to a centerline through the body. A recess, a protrusion, or both may be formed in an outer axial surface of the body.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A locking ring adapted to be positioned between first and second components, comprising:
 a body having a bore formed axially therethrough;   a blade disposed on an outer radial surface of the body, wherein at least a portion of a centerline through the blade is oriented at an angle from 1° to 60° with respect to a longitudinal centerline through the body; and   at least one locking feature including a recess, a protrusion, or both formed on an outer axial surface of the body.   
     
     
         2 . The locking ring of  claim 1 , wherein the body includes at least two blades that are circumferentially spaced apart from one another. 
     
     
         3 . The locking ring of  claim 2 , wherein a groove is formed between each adjacent pair of blades, and wherein at least a portion of a centerline through the groove is oriented at an angle from 1° to 60° with respect to the centerline through the body. 
     
     
         4 . The locking ring of  claim 1 , wherein the blade includes an insert on an outer surface thereof that comprises tungsten carbide, thermally stable polycrystalline diamond, or combinations thereof. 
     
     
         5 . The locking ring of  claim 1 , wherein the at least one locking feature includes at least two recesses are formed in the outer axial surface of the body, and wherein the at least two recesses are circumferentially spaced apart from one another. 
     
     
         6 . The locking ring of  claim 1 , wherein the at least one locking feature includes at least two protrusions are formed in the outer axial surface of the body, and wherein the at least two protrusions are circumferentially spaced apart from one another. 
     
     
         7 . The locking ring of  claim 1 , wherein the at least one locking feature includes a recess, the recess being defined by:
 an outer radial surface;   first and second opposing circumferentially offset surfaces, wherein at least a portion of the first circumferentially offset surface is oriented at an angle between from 85° to 90° with respect to a plane that is perpendicular to the longitudinal centerline through the body; and   an inner axial surface.   
     
     
         8 . The locking ring of  claim 1 , wherein the at least one locking feature includes a recess, the recess being defined by:
 an outer radial surface;   first and second opposing circumferentially offset surfaces, wherein 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 the longitudinal centerline through the body; and   an inner axial surface.   
     
     
         9 . The locking ring of  claim 1 , wherein the body comprises a steel. 
     
     
         10 . The locking ring of  claim 1 , wherein the body comprises a nickel-chromium-molybdenum alloy steel. 
     
     
         11 . A downhole tool, comprising:
 a first component;   a second component having a first plurality of locking features formed on an axial surface thereof, the locking features being circumferentially spaced apart from one another; and   a locking ring positioned at least partially between the first and second components, the locking ring including:
 a body having a bore formed axially therethrough, wherein the first component extends at least partially through the bore; 
 a plurality of blades disposed on an outer radial surface of the body, the blades being circumferentially spaced apart from one another; and 
 a second plurality of locking features formed on an outer axial surface of the body, the locking features being circumferentially spaced apart from one another, wherein the second plurality of locking features are configured to engage the first plurality of locking features to limit relative movement therebetween. 
   
     
     
         12 . The downhole tool of  claim 11 , wherein the first plurality of locking features include axial protrusions, and the second plurality of locking features include corresponding recesses. 
     
     
         13 . The downhole tool of  claim 11 , wherein the first plurality of locking features include recesses, and the second plurality of locking features include corresponding axial protrusions. 
     
     
         14 . The downhole tool of  claim 11 , wherein the first component comprises a steel, the second component comprises tungsten carbide, and the locking ring comprises a steel. 
     
     
         15 . The downhole tool of  claim 11 , wherein the first component is a connection pin, and the second component is a drill bit. 
     
     
         16 . The downhole tool of  claim 11 , wherein a ratio of an axial length of the locking ring to an outer diameter of the locking ring at a widest point is from 0.5:1 to 3:1. 
     
     
         17 . The downhole tool of  claim 11 , wherein the second component includes a plurality of blades disposed on an outer surface thereof, the blades being circumferentially spaced apart from one another and wherein the blades on the second component are aligned with the blades on the locking ring. 
     
     
         18 . A downhole tool, comprising:
 a non-weldable component having an axial protrusion extending therefrom and a first blade located adjacent an outer surface of the non-weldable component, the first blade having a first centerline, at least a portion of the first centerline forming a first angle relative to a longitudinal centerline of the downhole tool; and   a locking ring positioned adjacent to and abutting the non-weldable component, the locking ring including an annular 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,   wherein the locking ring includes a second blade having a second centerline, at least a portion of the second centerline forming an second angle relative to the longitudinal centerline of the downhole tool, the second centerline.   
     
     
         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.