# US 2013/0153243 A1 · Apparatus and method for reducing vibration in a borehole > Agents: this data is available as JSON from the patentgrep API and MCP server — see https://patentgrep.com/llms.txt - Number: US 2013/0153243 A1 - Document ID: US20130153243A1 - Status: Published application - Kind: A1 - Application number: 13/330,184 - Filed: 2011-12-19 - Published: 2013-06-20 - Earliest claimed: 2011-12-19 - Assignees: Baker Hughes Incorporated - Inventors: James G. King - Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US20130153243A1 ## CPC - E21B 17/1035: {for plural rods, pipes or lines, e.g. for control lines} - E21B 47/017: Protecting measuring instruments - E21B: EARTH OR ROCK DRILLING; OBTAINING OIL, GAS, WATER, SOLUBLE OR MELTABLE MATERIALS OR A SLURRY OF MINERALS FROM WELLS ## Abstract In one aspect, an apparatus for use in a borehole includes a tubular disposed in the borehole. The apparatus also includes an expandable device disposed outside the tubular and proximate a selected device, the expandable device including a material that causes the expandable device to expand from a first shape to a second shape when exposed to an activating fluid. In addition, the expandable device reduces vibration of the selected device when the expandable device is in the second shape. ## Claims ### Claim 1 An apparatus for use in a borehole, the apparatus comprising: a tubular disposed in the borehole; and an expandable device disposed outside the tubular and proximate a selected device, the expandable device comprising a material that causes the expandable device to expand from a first shape to a second shape when exposed to an activating fluid, wherein the expandable device reduces vibration of the selected device when the expandable device is in the second shape. ### Claim 2 (depends on 1) The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the selected device is a control line coupled to the tubular and wherein the expandable device is disposed about the control line to reduce the vibration experienced by the control line when the expandable device is in the second shape. ### Claim 3 (depends on 2) The apparatus of claim 2, wherein a radial distance of the second shape of the expandable device to a wall of the borehole is less than a radial distance from the control line to the wall of the borehole. ### Claim 4 (depends on 1) The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the selected device is a sensor module coupled to the tubular proximate a flow control device, and wherein the expandable device reduces the vibration experienced by the sensor module when the expandable device is in the second shape. ### Claim 5 (depends on 4) The apparatus of claim 4, wherein the second shape of the expandable device has a radial distance to a wall of the borehole less than a radial distance from the sensor module to the wall of the borehole. ### Claim 6 (depends on 1) The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the expandable device comprises a ring disposed about the tubular. ### Claim 7 (depends on 1) The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the expandable device comprises a helical member disposed about the tubular. ### Claim 8 (depends on 1) The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the expandable device in the second shape is located in the borehole in a manner that is one of: (i) in contact with a wall of the borehole; (ii) not in contact with the wall of the borehole; and (iii) in contact with but not sealing against wall of the wellbore. ### Claim 9 (depends on 1) The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the expandable device comprises water-absorbing particles and the activating fluid comprises water. ### Claim 10 (depends on 1) The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the expandable device comprises oleophillic polymers and the activating fluid comprises hydrocarbons. ### Claim 11 A method for producing fluid from a borehole, the method comprising: providing an expandable device configured to expand from a first shape to a second shape when exposed to an activating fluid; positioning the expandable device in the first shape on a tubular at a selected location in the borehole; and directing the activating fluid to the selected location to cause the expandable device to expand from the first shape to the second shape to reduce vibration experienced by equipment proximate the expandable device. ### Claim 12 (depends on 11) The method of claim 11, wherein positioning the expandable device comprises positioning the expandable device about a control line coupled to the tubular to reduce vibration experienced by the control line when the expandable device is in the second shape. ### Claim 13 (depends on 12) The method of claim 12, wherein the second shape of the expandable device has a radial distance to a wall of the borehole less than a radial distance from the control line to the wall of the borehole. ### Claim 14 (depends on 11) The method of claim 11, wherein positioning the expandable device comprises positioning the expandable device proximate a sensor module to reduce vibration experienced by the sensor module when the expandable device is in the second shape. ### Claim 15 (depends on 14) The method of claim 14, wherein the second shape of the expandable device has a radial distance to a wall of the borehole that is less than a radial distance from the sensor module to the wall of the borehole. ### Claim 16 (depends on 11) The method of claim 11, wherein positioning the expandable device on the tubular comprises disposing one of a ring or a helical member about the tubular. ### Claim 17 (depends on 11) The method of claim 11, wherein directing the activating fluid downhole comprises causing the expandable device to expand to the second shape to locate the expandable device in the borehole as one of: (i) in contact with a wall of the borehole; (ii) not in contact with the wall of the borehole; and (iii) in contact with but not sealing against wall of the wellbore. ### Claim 18 An apparatus for use in a borehole, the apparatus comprising: a tubular disposed in the borehole; and an expandable device disposed outside the tubular, the expandable device comprising a material that causes the expandable device to expand from a first shape to a second shape when exposed to an activating fluid, wherein the expandable device in the second shape reduces vibration experienced by equipment proximate the expandable device. ### Claim 19 (depends on 18) The apparatus of claim 18, wherein the expandable device is positioned proximate a middle of a tubular segment with a packer proximate each end of the tubular segment, wherein the expandable device in the second shape reduces vibration experienced by the tubular segment. ### Claim 20 (depends on 18) The apparatus of claim 18, comprising a control line and sensor module coupled to the tubular, wherein the expandable device in the second shape reduces vibration experienced by the control line and sensor module. ### Claim 21 (depends on 20) The apparatus of claim 20, wherein the second shape of the expandable device has a radial distance to a wall of the borehole that is less than a radial distance from the control line or the sensor module to the wall of the borehole.