Expandable tubing and method
AssigneeHalliburton Energy Services, Inc.
InventorsL. McDonald Schetky, Craig D. Johnson, Matthew R. Hackworth, Patrick W. Bixenman, Peter Besselink
Life of this patent
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Abstract
An apparatus suitable for use in a wellbore comprises an expandable bistable device. An exemplary device has a plurality of bistable cells formed into a tubular shape. Each bistable cell comprises at least two elongated members that are connected to each other at their ends. The device is stable in a first configuration and a second configuration.
Claims35
An expandable system, comprising:
- a tubular member configured for use in a wellbore, the tubular member having longitudinal structures extending the length of the tubular member and openings oriented between the longitudinal structures such that expansion of the tubular member expands the plurality of openings without deforming the longitudinal structures;
- wherein the tubular member comprises a plurality of pivotal links connecting adjacent longitudinal structures.
A method of utilizing a tubular within a wellbore, comprising:
- radially expanding the tubular within a wellbore;
- and
- maintaining substantially constant the axial length of the tubular;
- wherein maintaining comprises linking a plurality of longitudinal bars with flexible links.
An expandable device for use in a wellbore, comprising:
- a wellbore conduit having a plurality of expandable cells, each cell having a thick strut and a compliant link,
- wherein radial expansion of the wellbore conduit results when the compliant link is transitioned from a contracted position to an expanded position;
- wherein the plurality of expandable cells comprise a passageway in which a communication line is deployed.
A method of forming an expandable conduit, comprising:
- forming a conduit wall with a plurality of expandable cells;
- and
- structuring each expandable cell with at least one undeformed longitudinal section and at least one thin strut that can be transitioned to move the conduit wall between a contracted state and an expanded state;
- wherein the plurality of expandable cells comprise a passageway in which a communication line is deployed.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.