Patent ID: 7766100

Claim:
A rotating control device configured for receiving a downhole drillstring during drilling of a well, comprising: an outer barrel having a central bore, a non-tapered exterior surface, and a tapered exterior surface, wherein the tapered exterior surface is configured for being engaged with a mating tapered surface within a central bore of a rotating control device housing whereby engagement of said tapered surfaces align the outer barrel with respect to the central bore of the rotating control device housing, wherein the tapered exterior surface and the non-tapered exterior surface both extend around an entire circumference of the outer barrel, wherein the outer barrel includes a bearing assembly retention groove extending jointly through the non-tapered exterior surface and the tapered exterior surface such that the non-tapered surface extends from an upper edge of the bearing assembly retention groove toward an upper end portion of the outer barrel and the tapered surface extends from a lower edge of the bearing assembly retention groove toward an lower end portion of the outer barrel, wherein the bearing assembly retention groove extends at least partially around said circumference of the outer barrel, wherein a maximum diameter of the outer barrel at the non-tapered exterior surface is equal to a diameter of the outer barrel at the upper edge of the bearing assembly retention groove, wherein a diameter of the tapered exterior surface at the lower edge of the of the bearing assembly retention groove is less than the diameter of the outer barrel at the upper edge of the bearing assembly retention groove such that a maximum insertion depth of the bearing assembly within the rotating control device housing is limited entirely by engagement of the tapered exterior surface of the outer barrel with the tapered bearing assembly seating surface of the rotating control device housing and wherein an angled ram engagement face of the bearing assembly retention groove intersects the tapered exterior surface such that the tapered exterior surface defines the lower edge of the bearing assembly retention groove; an inner barrel at least partially disposed within the central bore of the outer barrel; bearing units coupled between said barrels for providing concentric alignment of said barrels and allowing rotation therebetween; and a stripper rubber attachment structure integral with a lower end portion of the inner barrel.