AU2013201977A1 - Radial tool with conical cutting insert - Google Patents

Abstract

A radial cutting tool includes a shank portion with a non-circular cross section, a head portion including a tip region distal from the shank portion, and a conical cutting insert or a conical cutting assembly having a conical insert mounted on a front end of the tip region. The shank portion is non-rotatable and may have, for example, a generally rectangular or generally square cross-section. In addition, the conical cutting insert may include at least one of a tungsten carbide material or a polycrystalline diamond ("PCD") material. --- 32 40, 18aU FIG. 2 FIG. 5

Description

RADIAL TOOL WITH CONICAL CUTTING INSERT This application claims priority from US Application No. 13/471,377 filed on 14 May 2012, the contents of which are to be taken as incorporated herein by this reference. BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION [00011 The invention pertains generally to a radial cutting tool and, more particularly, to a radial cutting tool with a conical cutting insert. [0002] Various types of cutting assemblies having cutter bits are used for mining and construction operations wherein, typically, the cutter bits include a shank for insertion into a tool holder and a forward working portion on the shank for engagement with earth strata, e.g., coal or mineral formation. An individual insert formed of a hard, wear resistant material is provided on the forward working portion to cut into the earth strata and to enhance the life of the cutter bit as it removes the material. [00031 One particular type of cutting assembly used particularly in mining operations is a radial cutting tool assembly. Radial cutting tools usually include a plurality of cutter bits mounted on a rotatable disc or drum, wherein each of the cutter bits include a substantially-flat cutting insert made of a hard material. These substantially-flat cutting inserts are affixed to the forward working end of the cutter bits. However, it has been determined that due to the shape and configuration of the substantially-flat cutter inserts, the cutter inserts do not wear uniformly. This non-uniform wear decreases the overall useful life of the cutting inserts. 100041 Therefore, it is desirable to provide an improved radial cutting tool that overcomes limitations and disadvantages of known such tools. In addition, it is desirable to provide an improved radial cutting tool that provides for improved wear and efficiency during operation. - 1- SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 100051 In accordance with an aspect of the invention, a radial cutting tool includes a shank portion with a non-circular cross-section, a head portion including a tip region distal from the shank portion, and a conical cutting insert mounted on a front end of the tip region. The shank portion is non-rotatable and may have, for example, a generally rectangular or generally square cross-section. In addition, the conical cutting insert may include at least one of a tungsten carbide material or a polycrystalline diamond ("PCD") material. 10006] In accordance with another aspect of the invention, a radial cutting tool includes a shank portion with a non-circular cross-section, a head portion including a tip region distal from the shank portion, and a conical cutting assembly mounted at the tip region of the head portion. The conical cutting assembly may include a cutting tool body having an axial forward end, a mediate portion axially rearward of the head portion, and a rearward shank portion axially rearward of the mediate portion. The rearward shank portion is rotatably mounted to the tip region of the head portion. The shank portion having a non-circular cross-section is non-rotatable. 100071 In accordance with yet another aspect of the invention, a radial cutting assembly includes a rotatable element, a tool holder base mounted on the rotatable element, and a radial cutting tool removably mounted in the tool holder base. The radial cutting tool includes a shank portion with a non-circular cross-section, a head portion including a tip region distal from the shank portion, and a conical cutting insert mounted at a front end of the tip region. [0008] In accordance with another aspect of the invention, a radial cutting assembly includes a rotatable element, a tool holder base mounted on the rotatable element, and a radial cutting tool removably mounted in the tool holder base. The radial cutting tool includes a shank portion with a non-circular cross-section, a head portion including a tip region distal from the shank portion, and a conical cutting assembly mounted at the tip region of the head portion. -2- [0009] These and other aspects of the present invention will be more fully understood following a review of this specification and drawings. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS [0010] Figure 1 is a side view of a radial cutting assembly wherein a radial cutting tool is inserted into a block or tool holder that in turn is affixed to a movable, rotatable element, in accordance with an aspect of the invention. [00111 Figure 2 is the radial cutting tool illustrated in Figure 1 with a portion cut away to illustrate the mounting of a conical cutting tool assembly in the radial cutting tool, in accordance with an aspect of the invention. [0012] Figure 3 is an additional radial cutting tool, in accordance with an aspect of the invention. [0013] Figure 4 is a sectional view along line 4-4 of Figure 2, in accordance with an aspect of the invention. [00141 Figure 5 is an additional sectional view similar to Figure 4 but showing an alternative shape, in accordance with an aspect of the invention. DETAILED DESCRIPTION [00151 The invention pertains generally to a radial tool with a conical cutting insert. Referring to the drawings, there is illustrated in Figure 1 a radial cutting assembly, generally designated as 10, which includes a movable, rotatable (as indicated by arrow R) member or element 12. Although not intended to be limiting, the rotatable element 12 may include a disk or drum for mounting on, for example, a mining or construction machine. The radial cutting assembly 10 also includes a block or tool holder base 14 mounted on the rotatable element 12. The tool holder base 14 may be affixed to the rotatable element 12 such as by welding or the like. -3 - [0016] As shown in Figure 1, the radial cutting assembly 10 also includes a radial cutting tool 16 that is removably mounted in the tool holder base 14. The radial cutting tool 16 includes a shank portion 18 having a non-circular cross-section. The shank portion 18 may have, for example, a generally rectangular cross-section (Figure 4) or alternatively a generally square cross-section (shank portion 18a shown in Figure 5). The tool holder base 14 includes a corresponding bore 20 structured and arranged for inserting the shank portion 18 therein, as illustrated by arrow 22. It will be appreciated that the shape or cross-sectional shape of the shank portion 18 generally corresponds to the shape of the bore 20 such that the shank portion 18 and, more particularly, the radial cutting tool 16 does not rotate during operation once the radial cutting assembly 10 is assembled by inserting the radial cutting tool 16 into the tool holder base 14. 100171 The radial cutting tool 16 includes a forward working portion, generally designated as 24, that includes a head portion 26 having a tip region 28 distal from the shank portion 18. A conical cutting assembly, generally designated at 30 is mounted at a front end of the tip region 28. 100181 Referring to Figures 1 and 2, the conical cutting assembly 30 includes a cutting tool body 32 having an axial forward end 34, a mediate portion 36 axially rearward of the axial forward end 34 and a rearward shank portion 38 axially rearward of the mediate portion 36. The shank portion 38 is received in a bore 40 and is retained therein by, for example, a retaining clip 42 such that the shank portion 38 is rotatably mounted within the bore 40. [0019] Still referring to Figures 1 and 2, the conical cutting assembly 30 further includes a hard, conical shaped cutting insert 44 affixed to the axial forward end 34 of the cutting tool body 32. The conical cutting insert 44 may be affixed to the axial forward end 34 by, for example, brazing the conical cutting insert 44 thereto. In addition, the conical cutting insert 44 may be formed of a sufficiently hard material for performing cutting operations including, but not limited to, a tungsten carbine material or a polycrystalline diamond ("PCD") material. -4- [00201 Advantageously, the hard conical cutting insert 44 provides for improved wear characteristics when compared to previously known radial cutting tools having substantially flat cutting inserts. As a result of the shank 38 being rotatably received in the head portion 26 of the radial cutting tool 16, the conical cutting insert 44 rotates as well. Advantageously, the hard conical cutting insert 44 sharpens itself during operation, thereby increasing the useful life of the tool. [00211 Referring to Figure 3, there is illustrated an additional radial cutting tool 116, in accordance with another aspect of the invention. Radial cutting tool 116 is similar in structure and operation as the herein described radial cutting tool 16, and may be used in association with the described tool holder base 14 for mounting on a rotatable member or element 12. More specifically, the radial cutting tool 116 includes a shank portion 118 having a generally non-circular cross-section. For example, the shank portion 118 may have a generally rectangular cross-section or a generally square cross-section for receipt in a correspondingly shaped bore 20 of the tool holder base 14. Thus, it will be appreciated that the shank portion 118 is structured and arranged so as to be non-rotatable with respect to the tool holder base 14. [00221 Still referring to Figure 3, the radial cutting tool 116 also includes a head portion 126 having a tip region 128 distal from the shank portion 118. A hard conical shaped cutting insert 144 is mounted at a front end of the tip region 128. The hard conical cutting insert 144 may be formed of, for example, a tungsten carbide material or a PCD material. As described herein in regard to the conical cutting insert 44 that is part of the conical cutting assembly 30, the conical shape of the cutting insert 144 is advantageous for increasing the wear and useful life of the radial cutting tool 116. It will be appreciated that the hard conical cutting insert 144 is affixed to the front end of the tip region 128 by, for example, brazing the hard conical cutting insert 144 thereto. The hard conical cutting insert 144, therefore, does not rotate with respect to the head portion 126 of the radial cutting tool 16. [00231 Whereas particular aspects of this invention have been described above for purposes of illustration, it will be evident to those skilled in the art that numerous -5variations of the details of the present invention may be made without departing from the invention as defined in the appended claims. -6-

Claims (28)

1. A radial cutting tool, comprising: a shank portion with a non-circular cross-section; a head portion including a tip region distal from the shank portion; and a conical cutting insert mounted at a front end of the tip region.

2. The radial cutting tool of claim 1, wherein the conical cutting insert is affixed to the head portion.

3. The radial cutting tool of claim 2, wherein the shank portion is non rotatable.

4. The radial cutting tool of claim 3, wherein the shank portion has a generally rectangular cross-section or a generally square cross-section.

5. The radial cutting tool of claim 1, wherein the conical cutting insert includes a tungsten carbide material.

6. The radial cutting tool of claim 1, wherein the conical cutting insert includes a polycrystalline diamond material.

7. A radial cutting tool, comprising: a shank portion with a non-circular cross-section; a head portion including a tip region distal from the shank portion; and a conical cutting assembly mounted at the tip region of the head portion.

8. The radial cutting tool of claim 7, wherein the conical cutting assembly includes a cutting tool body having an axial forward end, a mediate portion -7- axially rearward of the axial forward end and a rearward shank portion axially rearward of the mediate portion.

9. The radial cutting tool of claim 8, wherein the rearward shank portion is rotatably mounted to the tip region of the head portion.

10. The radial cutting tool of claim 9, wherein the conical cutting assembly further includes a hard conical cutting insert affixed to the axial forward end of the cutting tool body.

11. The radial cutting tool of claim 10, wherein the conical cutting insert includes a tungsten carbide material.

12. The radial cutting tool of claim 10, wherein the conical cutting insert includes a polycrystalline diamond material.

13. The radial cutting tool of claim 7, wherein the shank portion has a generally rectangular cross-section or a generally square cross-section.

14. The radial cutting tool of claim 7, wherein the shank portion having a non-circular cross-section is non-rotatable.

15. A radial cutting assembly, comprising: a rotatable element; a tool holder base mounted on the rotatable element; and a radial cutting tool removably mounted in the tool holder base, the radial cutting tool comprising: a shank portion with a non-circular cross-section; -8- a head portion including a tip region distal from the shank portion; and a conical cutting insert mounted at a front end of the tip region.

16. The radial cutting assembly of claim 15, wherein the conical cutting insert is affixed to the head portion.

17. The radial cutting assembly of claim 16, wherein the shank portion is non-rotatable relative to the tool holder base.

18. The radial cutting assembly of claim 17, wherein the shank portion has a generally rectangular cross-section or a generally square cross-section.

19. The radial cutting assembly of claim 15, wherein the conical cutting insert includes a tungsten carbide material.

20. The radial cutting assembly of claim 15, wherein the conical cutting insert includes a polycrystalline diamond material.

21. A radial cutting assembly, comprising: a rotatable element; a tool holder base mounted on the rotatable element; and a radial cutting tool removably mounted in the tool holder base, the radial cutting tool comprising: a shank portion with a non-circular cross-section; a head portion including a tip region distal from the shank portion; and a conical cutting assembly mounted at the tip region of the head portion. -9-

22. The radial cutting assembly of claim 21, wherein the conical cutting assembly includes a cutting tool body having an axial forward end, a mediate portion axially rearward of the axial forward end and a rearward shank portion axially rearward of the mediate portion.

23. The radial cutting assembly of claim 22, wherein the rearward shank portion is rotatably mounted to the tip region of the head portion.

24. The radial cutting assembly of claim 23, wherein the conical cutting assembly further includes a hard conical cutting insert affixed to the axial forward end of the cutting tool body.

25. The radial cutting assembly of claim 24, wherein the conical cutting insert includes a tungsten carbide material.

26. The radial cutting assembly of claim 24, wherein the conical cutting insert includes a polycrystalline diamond material.

27. The radial cutting assembly of claim 21, wherein the shank portion has a generally rectangular cross-section or a generally square cross-section.

28. The radial cutting assembly of claim 21, wherein the shank portion having a non-circular cross-section is non-rotatable relative to the base tool holder. -10-