# US 10,865,610 B2 · Device and method for the implementation of a reformable tubular structure made of composite material > Agents: this data is available as JSON from the patentgrep API and MCP server — see https://patentgrep.com/llms.txt - Number: US 10,865,610 B2 - Document ID: US10865610B2 - Status: Granted - Kind: B2 - Application number: 16/316,551 - Filed: 2017-07-13 - Published: 2019-08-01 - Granted: 2020-12-15 - Earliest claimed: 2016-07-14 - Assignees: ENI S.p.A. - Applicants: ENI S.p.A. - Inventors: Stefano Carminati; Domenico Antonio Di Renzo; Mauro Favaretto; Massimo Zampato - Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US10865610B2 ## CPC - E21B 19/22: Handling reeled pipe or rod units, e.g. flexible drilling pipes {(lifting or hauling appliances using two or more cooperating endless chains B66D3/003)} - E21B 17/20: Flexible or articulated drilling pipes {, e.g. flexible or articulated rods, pipes or cables} - E21B 43/103: {of expandable casings, screens, liners, or the like} - E21B 43/105: {Expanding tools specially adapted therefor} - E21B: EARTH OR ROCK DRILLING; OBTAINING OIL, GAS, WATER, SOLUBLE OR MELTABLE MATERIALS OR A SLURRY OF MINERALS FROM WELLS ## Abstract The present invention relates to a device and a method for the implementation of a flexible tubular structure made of reformable composite material, designed for passing from a first folded configuration to a second longitudinally developed operating configuration using a tapered profile slidingly engageable inside the tubular structure. ## Claims ### Claim 1 A device for the implementation of a flexible tubular structure made of reformable composite material, said flexible tubular structure for passing from a first folded configuration to a second longitudinally developed operating configuration, obtaining a reformed tubular structure, the device comprising: a reforming system, wherein the device comprises a profile tapered according to a longitudinal direction, said tapered profile is slidingly engageable inside the flexible tubular structure made of the reformable composite material, so that the longitudinal direction of the tapered profile substantially coincides with the longitudinal axis of the reformed tubular structure and so that the surface of any transversal section of the reformed tubular structure, in the second operating configuration, is larger with respect to the surface of the same transversal section of the flexible tubular structure made of the reformable composite material in the first folded configuration, wherein the reforming system comprises a fixed frame, and wherein the tapered profile is fixed relative to said fixed frame that is stationary. ### Claim 2 (depends on 1) The device according to claim 1, wherein the reformed tubular structure, in the second operating configuration having a substantially circular transversal section, by sectioning the reformed tubular structure according to a plane perpendicular to the longitudinal axis. ### Claim 3 (depends on 1) The device according to claim 1, wherein the fixed frame is outside the flexible tubular structure made of the reformable composite material, said fixed frame is provided with an external sliding mechanism with respect to the outer wall of the flexible tubular structure made of the reformable composite material, and wherein the tapered profile comprises an internal sliding mechanism with respect to the inner wall of the flexible tubular structure made of the reformable composite material, said external sliding mechanism and said internal sliding mechanism guide and facilitate passage of the flexible tubular structure made of the reformable composite material. ### Claim 4 (depends on 3) The device according to claim 3, wherein the fixed frame comprises a primary fixed frame and a secondary fixed frame, said primary fixed frame and said secondary fixed frame being respectively equipped with said external sliding mechanism interferes with said internal sliding mechanism, blocking movement of the tapered profile in both a longitudinal direction with respect to the flexible tubular structure made of the reformable composite material, and also in a direction orthogonal to said longitudinal direction, guaranteeing the sliding of the flexible tubular structure made of the reformable composite material. ### Claim 5 (depends on 3) The device according to claim 3, wherein said external sliding mechanism is a roll, wheel, bearing, bushing, skate, support coated with a low-friction material, or any combination thereof. ### Claim 6 (depends on 3) The device according to claim 3, wherein said internal sliding mechanism is a roll, wheel, bearing, bushing, skate, support coated with a low-friction material, or any combination thereof. ### Claim 7 (depends on 1) The device according to claim 1, comprising a polymerization system of the flexible tubular structure made of the reformable composite material impregnated with a polymerizable compound. ### Claim 8 (depends on 7) The device according to claim 7, wherein the polymerization system comprises at least one ultraviolet-ray lamp which acts on the flexible tubular structure made of the reformable composite material for activating the polymerization process. ### Claim 9 (depends on 7) The device according to claim 7, wherein the polymerization system comprises at least one electric or infrared heater which acts on the flexible tubular structure made of the reformable composite material for activating the polymerization process. ### Claim 10 (depends on 7) The device according to claim 7, wherein the polymerization system comprises at least one electron beam emission gun or at least one microwave generator which acts on the flexible tubular structure made of the reformable composite material for activating the polymerization process. ### Claim 11 A method for implementing a flexible tubular structure made of reformable composite material, the method comprising: preparing a flexible tubular structure made of the reformable composite material in a first folded configuration; extending the flexible tubular structure made of the reformable composite material for a second longitudinally developed operating configuration, exerting a pulling action along the substantially longitudinal direction of said flexible tubular structure; reforming the flexible tubular structure made of the reformable composite material in the second operating configuration, obtaining a reformed tubular structure so that the surface of any transversal section of the reformed tubular structure, in the second operating configuration, is larger with respect to the surface of the same transversal section of the flexible tubular structure made of the reformable composite material in the first folded configuration, wherein the reforming the flexible tubular structure is effected with use of a profile being tapered according to a longitudinal direction slidingly engageable inside the flexible tubular structure made of the reformable composite material, so the longitudinal direction of the tapered profile substantially coincides with the longitudinal axis of the reformed tubular structure; and providing a reforming system comprising a fixed frame, wherein the tapered profile is fixed relative to said fixed frame that is stationary. ### Claim 12 (depends on 11) The method according to claim 11, further comprising: impregnating the flexible tubular structure made of the reformable composite material with a polymerizable compound. ### Claim 13 (depends on 12) The method according to claim 12, further comprising: polymerizing the compound by a thermal action or a chemical action or irradiation. ### Claim 14 (depends on 13) The method according to claim 13, wherein the polymerizing of the compound is with at least one electron beam emission gun or with at least one ultraviolet-ray lamp. ### Claim 15 (depends on 13) The method according to claim 13, wherein the polymerizing of the compound is with at least one electric or infrared-ray heater. ### Claim 16 (depends on 13) The method according to claim 13, wherein the polymerizing of the compound is with at least one microwave radiation generator. ### Claim 17 (depends on 1) A system for the implementation of a flexible tubular structure made of reformable composite material, the system comprising: a movable platform, the device according to claim 1, and a well.