Hole opener bearing arrangement

摘要

The present disclosure provides a back reamer roller cone that is configured so that the bearings assemblies therein can be relatively easily removed and replaced. Methods of replacing the bearing assemblies in a back reamer are also provided.

主权项

1. A roller cone for a back reamer comprising:
a roller cone body including an outer surface including a plurality of cutter teeth thereon, a minor diameter end, a major diameter end, and a central cavity; a shaft that extends into the central cavity of the roller cone body, the shaft including an annular shoulder that caps the major diameter end of the roller cone body; a bearing assembly positioned between the central portion of the roller cone body and the shaft, the bearing assembly configured to enable the roller cone body to rotate freely about the shaft; and a lock assembly configured to retain the shaft in the central cavity of the roller cone body, the lock assembly including a snap ring that engages an annular groove in the shaft, at least three pins that extend from the annular groove radially into the shaft to a release aperture, wherein the release aperture is configured to receive a tool configured to drive the pins radially outward thereby disengaging the snap ring from the annular groove in the shaft.