METHOD FOR EXPANDING A TUBULAR ELEMENT
First Claim
1. A method of expanding a tubular element from a first inner diameter to a second inner diameter larger than the first inner diameter, the method comprising the steps of:
- a) installing a sleeve of flexible material in the tubular element;
b) installing an expander in the tubular element, the expander being suitable to radially expand the sleeve to an outer diameter larger than said first inner diameter by moving the expander in axial direction through the sleeve; and
c) moving the expander in axial direction through the sleeve thereby radially expanding the tubular element from the first inner diameter to the second inner diameter, wherein the sleeve is installed in a portion of the tubular element, and wherein the expander has a size allowing the expander to be moved substantially unobstructed through a remaining portion of the tubular element.
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Accused Products
Abstract
A method is provided of expanding a tubular element from a first inner diameter to a second inner diameter larger than the first inner diameter. The method comprises the steps of: a) installing a sleeve of flexible material in the tubular element; b) installing an expander in the tubular element, the expander being suitable to radially expand the sleeve to an outer diameter larger than said first inner diameter by moving the expander in axial direction through the sleeve; and c) moving the expander in axial direction through the sleeve thereby radially expanding the tubular element from the first inner diameter to the second inner diameter.
30 Citations
16 Claims
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1. A method of expanding a tubular element from a first inner diameter to a second inner diameter larger than the first inner diameter, the method comprising the steps of:
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a) installing a sleeve of flexible material in the tubular element; b) installing an expander in the tubular element, the expander being suitable to radially expand the sleeve to an outer diameter larger than said first inner diameter by moving the expander in axial direction through the sleeve; and c) moving the expander in axial direction through the sleeve thereby radially expanding the tubular element from the first inner diameter to the second inner diameter, wherein the sleeve is installed in a portion of the tubular element, and wherein the expander has a size allowing the expander to be moved substantially unobstructed through a remaining portion of the tubular element. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15)
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16. (canceled)
Specification