Apparatus comprising expandable bistable tubulars and methods for their use in wellbores
First Claim
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1. A system of expandable tubulars, comprising:
- a first expandable tubular;
a second expandable tubular; and
a connector system coupling the first expandable tubular to the second expandable tubular, the connector system having a plurality of interlocking extensions comprising receiving extensions and insertion extensions, each receiving extension having a connector opening with a narrow outer portion and a wider inner portion to interlockingly receive a corresponding insertion extension.
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Abstract
A technique for connecting expandable tubulars. The technique comprises an expandable connector system that facilitates the connection of tubular components, such as tubulars used in wellbore environments.
29 Citations
54 Claims
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1. A system of expandable tubulars, comprising:
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a first expandable tubular;
a second expandable tubular; and
a connector system coupling the first expandable tubular to the second expandable tubular, the connector system having a plurality of interlocking extensions comprising receiving extensions and insertion extensions, each receiving extension having a connector opening with a narrow outer portion and a wider inner portion to interlockingly receive a corresponding insertion extension. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9)
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10. A device that may be used in a wellbore, comprising:
an expandable tubular having a plurality of bistable cells and an expandable connector end formed with a plurality of extensions. - View Dependent Claims (11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 19)
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16. A connector system for connecting a pair of adjacent tubulars, comprising:
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a plurality of connector portions extending from a first tubular; and
a plurality of corresponding connector portions disposed at an end of a second tubular, the plurality of connector portions being configured to interlockingly receive the corresponding connector portions when the first tubular and the second tubular are rotated with respect to each other. - View Dependent Claims (17, 18, 20, 21)
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22. A method of expanding tubulars, comprising:
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forming a first tubular and a second tubular from a plurality of bistable cells;
coupling the first tubular to the second tubular by a plurality of interlocking extensions; and
radially expanding the plurality of interlocking extensions during expansion of the first tubular and the second tubular. - View Dependent Claims (23, 24, 25, 26, 27, 28)
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29. A system for expanding tubulars, comprising:
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means for coupling a first bistable tubular to a second bistable tubular; and
means for radially expanding the plurality of interlocking extensions during expansion of the first bistable tubular and the second bistable tubular. - View Dependent Claims (30, 31)
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32. A system of expandable tubulars, comprising:
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a first expandable tubular;
a second expandable tubular coupled to the first expandable tubular via a connector system; and
a sand barrier disposed along the connector system. - View Dependent Claims (33, 34, 35, 36)
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37. A device for use in a wellbore, comprising:
a crossover having an end formed as an expandable connector. - View Dependent Claims (38, 39, 40)
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41. A system of expandable tubulars, comprising:
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a first expandable tubular;
a second expandable tubular; and
a slide cover mounted on the first expandable tubular, wherein the slide cover may be slid into engagement with the second expandable tubular to secure the second expandable tubular to the first expandable tubular. - View Dependent Claims (42, 43, 44, 45)
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46. A system for connecting tubulars, comprising:
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a first tubular;
a second tubular; and
a connector system coupling the first tubular to the second tubular, the first tubular having a plurality of receiving extensions and the second tubular having a plurality of insertion extensions, each receiving extension being configured to interlockingly receive a corresponding insertion extension, wherein the outside diameter of the connector system does not exceed the outside diameter of either the first tubular or the second tubular. - View Dependent Claims (47, 48, 49, 50, 51, 52, 53, 54)
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Specification