Abstract: A drill bit includes a bit body having one or more blades extending therefrom, a plurality of cutters secured to the one or more blades, and a rolling element assembly positioned within a cavity defined on the bit body. The rolling element assembly includes a rolling element rotatable within the cavity about a rotational axis, and a retainer extendable within a retainer slot defined in the cavity to secure the rolling element within the cavity. The retainer and the cavity cooperatively encircle more than 180° but less than 360° of a circumference of the rolling element while leaving a full axial width of the rolling element exposed. The retainer includes a protruding portion thereon extendable into an offset region of the retainer slot when the first retainer piece is inserted into the retainer slot in a first direction and shifted within the retainer slot in a second direction.

Abstract: A drill bit includes a bit body including one or more blades extending therefrom and a plurality of cutters secured to the one or more blades. A rolling element assembly is positioned within a cavity defined on the bit body and includes a housing, a rolling element rotatable within the housing about a rotational axis, and one or more bearing elements extendable into a corresponding one or more arcuate grooves defined in the cavity to secure the housing within the cavity. The housing encircles more than 180° but less than 360° of a circumference of the rolling element while leaving a full axial width of the rolling element exposed.

Abstract: A drill bit includes a bit body having one or more blades extending therefrom, a plurality of cutters secured to the one or more blades, and a rolling element assembly positioned within a cavity defined on the bit body. The rolling element assembly includes a rolling element rotatable within the cavity about a rotational axis, and a retainer extendable within a retainer slot defined in the cavity to secure the rolling element within the cavity. The retainer and the cavity cooperatively encircle more than 180° but less than 360° of a circumference of the rolling element while leaving a full axial width of the rolling element exposed. The retainer includes a protruding portion thereon extendable into an offset region of the retainer slot when the first retainer piece is inserted into the retainer slot in a first direction and shifted within the retainer slot in a second direction.

Abstract: A rolling element assembly includes a rolling element rotatable about a rotational axis when positioned within a cavity defined on a bit body of a drill bit, and a compliant retainer positioned within a retainer slot defined in the bit body. A biasing device is positioned within a device pocket defined within the bit body to bias the compliant retainer against the outer circumferential surface of the rolling element. The compliant retainer secures the rolling element within the cavity while an arcuate portion of the rolling element protrudes from the cavity and exposes a full axial width of the rolling element.

Abstract: A downhole drilling tool is disclosed. The downhole drilling tool may include a drill bit having a bit body, a blade disposed on an exterior portion of the bit body, the blade including a pocket and a pocket groove adjoining the pocket. The drill bit may also have a drilling element located in the pocket, the drilling element including a drilling-element groove at least partially aligned with the pocket groove. In addition, the drill bit may have a locking element extending through a combined space inside the pocket groove and the drilling-element groove.

Abstract: A downhole drilling tool is disclosed. The downhole drilling tool may include a drill bit having a bit body, a blade disposed on an exterior portion of the bit body, the blade including a pocket and a pocket groove adjoining the pocket. The drill bit may also have a drilling element located in the pocket, the drilling element including a drilling-element groove at least partially aligned with the pocket groove. In addition, the drill bit may have a locking element extending through a combined space inside the pocket groove and the drilling-element groove.

Abstract: A drill bit includes a bit body including one or more blades extending therefrom and a plurality of cutters secured to the one or more blades. A rolling element assembly is positioned within a cavity defined on the bit body and includes a housing, a rolling element rotatable within the housing about a rotational axis, and one or more bearing elements extendable into a corresponding one or more arcuate grooves defined in the cavity to secure the housing within the cavity. The housing encircles more than 180° but less than 360° of a circumference of the rolling element while leaving a full axial width of the rolling element exposed.

Abstract: A downhole drilling tool is disclosed. The downhole drilling tool may include a drill bit having a bit body, a blade disposed on an exterior portion of the bit body, the blade including a pocket and a pocket groove adjoining the pocket. The drill bit may also have a drilling element located in the pocket, the drilling element including a drilling-element groove at least partially aligned with the pocket groove. In addition, the drill bit may have a locking element extending through a combined space inside the pocket groove and the drilling-element groove.

Abstract: A rolling element assembly includes a rolling element rotatable about a rotational axis when positioned within a cavity defined on a bit body of a drill bit, and a compliant retainer positioned within a retainer slot defined in the bit body. A biasing device is positioned within a device pocket defined within the bit body to bias the compliant retainer against the outer circumferential surface of the rolling element. The compliant retainer secures the rolling element within the cavity while an arcuate portion of the rolling element protrudes from the cavity and exposes a full axial width of the rolling element.

Abstract: A drill bit that includes a bit body having one or more blades extending therefrom and a plurality of cutters secured to the one or more blades. One or more rolling elements are positioned on the bit body, each rolling element having a cylindrical bearing portion defining a rotational axis. Each rolling element is rotatably coupled to the bit body about the rotational axis within a corresponding pocket defined in the bit body and a locking pin secures the rolling element within the pocket. One or more internal bearing surfaces of the pocket engage the cylindrical bearing portion and the pocket partially encircles the cylindrical bearing portion while leaving a full length of the rolling element exposed.

Abstract: A downhole drilling tool is disclosed. The downhole drilling tool may include a drill bit having a bit body, a blade disposed on an exterior portion of the bit body, the blade including a pocket and a pocket groove adjoining the pocket. The drill bit may also have a drilling element located in the pocket, the drilling element including a drilling-element groove at least partially aligned with the pocket groove. In addition, the drill bit may have a locking element extending through a combined space inside the pocket groove and the drilling-element groove.

Abstract: A drill bit includes a bit body having one or more blades extending therefrom and a plurality of cutters secured to the one or more blades. One or more rolling elements are positioned on the bit body, and each rolling element has a rotational axis and provides one or more cylindrical bearing portions rotatable about the rotational axis. Each rolling element is rotatably coupled to the bit body within a housing that defines one or more internal bearing surfaces that partially enclose the one or more cylindrical bearing portions but leaves a full length of the rolling element exposed.

Abstract: A drill bit includes a bit body having one or more blades extending therefrom and a plurality of cutters secured to the one or more blades. One or more rolling elements are positioned on the bit body, and each rolling element has a rotational axis and provides one or more cylindrical bearing portions rotatable about the rotational axis. Each rolling element is rotatably coupled to the bit body within a housing that defines one or more internal bearing surfaces that partially enclose the one or more cylindrical bearing portions but leaves a full length of the rolling element exposed.

Abstract: A drill bit that includes a bit body having one or more blades extending therefrom and a plurality of cutters secured to the one or more blades. One or more rolling elements are positioned on the bit body, each rolling element having a cylindrical bearing portion defining a rotational axis. Each rolling element is rotatably coupled to the bit body about the rotational axis within a corresponding pocket defined in the bit body and a locking pin secures the rolling element within the pocket. One or more internal bearing surfaces of the pocket engage the cylindrical bearing portion and the pocket partially encircles the cylindrical bearing portion while leaving a full length of the rolling element exposed.