Importance

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Abstract

The invention is directed to a retaining ring for securing components along a shaft by transferring the compression load between the components, thereby preventing the adjacent components from separating. The retaining ring includes a pair of arcuate interlocking members having a first end, a second end, an inner wall and an outer wall. The outer wall includes a first surface and the inner wall includes a second surface thereby defining a thickness between the first surface and the second surface. The inner wall also includes a third surface thereby defining a thickness between the third surface and the first surface, wherein the thickness between the third surface and the first surface is less than the thickness between the second surface and the first surface. The inner wall also includes a fourth surface joining the second surface and the third surface to define a smooth transition therebetween. The intersection of the second surface with the fourth surface defines a first inflection point and the intersection of the third surface with the fourth surface defines a second inflection point. The first end includes an outer latching profile having a first back angle, and the second end includes an inner latching profile having a second back angle. The retaining ring may also include a two part load ring having a pair of arcuate retaining members having an inner wall and an outer wall. The pair of arcuate retaining members may include a groove in the outer wall to receive the pair of arcuate interlocking members. A method of transferring compression loads between adjacent tubular components is also disclosed.

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First Claim