# US RE45,011 E1 · Expandable tubing and method > Agents: this data is available as JSON from the patentgrep API and MCP server — see https://patentgrep.com/llms.txt - Number: US RE45,011 E1 - Document ID: USRE45011E1 - Status: Granted - Kind: E1 - Application number: 12/872,178 - Filed: 2010-08-31 - Granted: 2014-07-15 - Earliest claimed: 2000-10-20 - Assignees: Halliburton Energy Services, Inc. - Applicants: L. McDonald Schetky; Craig D. Johnson; Matthew R. Hackworth; Patrick W. Bixenman; Peter Besselink - Inventors: L. McDonald Schetky; Craig D. Johnson; Matthew R. Hackworth; Patrick W. Bixenman; Peter Besselink - Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/USRE45011E1 ## 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. ## Claims ### Claim 1 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. ### Claim 2 (depends on 1) The An expandable system, comprising: as recited in claim 1, wherein the tubular member comprises a tubular member comprising a sandscreen and 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. ### Claim 3 (depends on 1) The expandable system as recited in claim 1, wherein the tubular member comprises a liner. ### Claim 4 (depends on 1) The 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; and as recited in claim 1, wherein the plurality of pivotal links are arranged to undergo plastic deformation during expansion of the tubular member. ### Claim 5 (depends on 2) The expandable system as recited in claim 2, further comprising a communication line routed along the tubular member. ### Claim 6 (depends on 5) The expandable system as recited in claim 5, wherein the tubular member comprises a passageway in which the communication line is received. ### Claim 7 (depends on 5) The expandable system as recited in claim 5, further comprising a device coupled to the communication line. ### Claim 8 (depends on 1) The expandable system as recited in claim 1, further comprising a deformable material surrounding an outer surface of the tubular member. ### Claim 9 (depends on 8) The expandable system as recited in claim 8, wherein the deformable material comprises an elastomer. ### Claim 10 (depends on 1) The An expandable system, comprising: as recited in claim 1, wherein the tubular member comprises a tubular member configured for use in a wellbore, the tubular member comprising a plurality of different diameters in its an expanded state, 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. ### Claim 11 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. ### Claim 12 (depends on 11) The A method of utilizing a tubular within a wellbore, comprising: as recited in claim 11, wherein radially expanding further comprises radially expanding the tubular within a wellbore and creating expanded openings in a wall of the tubular; and maintaining substantially constant the axial length of the tubular, wherein maintaining comprises linking a plurality of longitudinal bars with flexible links. ### Claim 13 (depends on 11) The method as recited in claim 11, wherein maintaining comprises arranging expandable cells such that radial expansion can occur without axial shortening of the tubular. ### Claim 14 (depends on 11) The A method of utilizing a tubular within a wellbore, comprising: as recited in claim 11, wherein radially expanding radially expanding the tubular within a wellbore, wherein the tubular comprises expanding a sandscreen; and maintaining substantially constant the axial length of the tubular, wherein maintaining comprises linking a plurality of longitudinal bars with flexible links. ### Claim 15 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. ### Claim 16 (depends on 15) The expandable device as recited in claim 15, wherein the compliant link is arcuate. ### Claim 17 (depends on 15) The expandable device as recited in claim 15, wherein the axial length of the wellbore conduit remains substantially constant during radial expansion of the wellbore conduit. ### Claim 18 (depends on 15) The expandable device as recited in claim 15, wherein the thick strut has a thickness at least two times greater than the thickness of the compliant link. ### Claim 19 (depends on 15) The expandable device as recited in claim 15, wherein the wellbore conduit comprises a sandscreen. ### Claim 20 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. ### Claim 21 (depends on 20) The method as recited in claim 20, further comprising A method of forming an expandable conduit, comprising: forming a conduit wall with a plurality of expandable cells, the conduit wall comprising a longitudinal thinned portion that provides a slot configured to receive a communication line; 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; and determining a force deflection characteristic of the conduit wall by selecting a thickness ratio of the at least one undeformed longitudinal section to the at least one thin strut; wherein the plurality of expandable cells comprise a passageway in which a communication line is deployed. ### Claim 22 (depends on 21) The method as recited in claim 21, wherein selecting comprises selecting a thickness ratio of at least 2:1. ### Claim 23 (depends on 21) The method as recited in claim 21, wherein selecting comprises selecting a thickness ratio of at least 3:1. ### Claim 24 (depends on 21) The method as recited in claim 21, wherein selecting comprises selecting a thickness ratio of at least 6:1. ### Claim 25 (depends on 20) The method as recited in claim 20, further comprising A method of forming an expandable conduit, comprising: forming a conduit wall with a plurality of expandable cells, the conduit wall comprising a longitudinal thinned portion that provides a slot configured to receive a communication line; 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; and determining a force deflection characteristic by selecting a cell shape; wherein the plurality of expandable cells comprise a passageway in which a communication line is deployed. ### Claim 26 (depends on 25) The method as recited in claim 25, wherein selecting comprises selecting a curvature of the thin strut while the conduit wall is in the contracted state. ### Claim 27 (depends on 7) The expandable system as recited in claim 7, wherein the device is at least one selected from the group consisting of an electrical device, a measuring device, a meter, a gauge, a sensor, and any combination thereof. ### Claim 28 (depends on 7) The expandable system as recited in claim 7, wherein the device is at least one selected from the group consisting of a valve, a sampling device, a device used in intelligent or smart well completion, a temperature sensor, a pressure sensor, a flow-control device, a flow rate measurement device, an oil/water/gas ratio measurement device, a scale detector, an equipment sensor, a vibration sensor, a sand detection sensor, a water detection sensor, a data recorder, a viscosity sensor, a density sensor, a bubble point sensor, a composition sensor, a resistivity array device and sensor, an acoustic device and sensor, a telemetry device, a near infrared sensor, a gamma ray detector, an hydrogen sulfide detector, a carbon dioxide detector, a downhole memory unit, a downhole controller, and any combination thereof. ### Claim 29 (depends on 2) The expandable system as recited in claim 2, wherein the sandscreen further comprises an expandable screen element. ### Claim 30 (depends on 4) The expandable system as recited in claim 4, further comprising a communication line routed along the tubular member. ### Claim 31 (depends on 30) The expandable system as recited in claim 30, wherein the tubular member comprises a passageway in which the communication line is received. ### Claim 32 (depends on 30) The expandable system as recited in claim 30, further comprising a device coupled to the communication line. ### Claim 33 (depends on 10) The expandable system as recited in claim 10, further comprising a communication line routed along the tubular member. ### Claim 34 (depends on 33) The expandable system as recited in claim 33, wherein the tubular member comprises a passageway in which the communication line is received. ### Claim 35 (depends on 33) The expandable system as recited in claim 33, further comprising a device coupled to the communication line.