Expandable tubing and method
First Claim
Patent Images
1. An apparatus for use in a wellbore, comprising:
- a wellbore tubular having a bistable device configured for deployment proximate a wellbore wall, the expandable bistable device having a plurality of bistable cells arranged in a generally tubular shape, the plurality of bistable cells being stable in a first configuration and in a second configuration, wherein the force required to move the plurality of bistable cells between the first configuration and the second configuration is greater in one direction than the other.
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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.
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Citations
31 Claims
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1. An apparatus for use in a wellbore, comprising:
a wellbore tubular having a bistable device configured for deployment proximate a wellbore wall, the expandable bistable device having a plurality of bistable cells arranged in a generally tubular shape, the plurality of bistable cells being stable in a first configuration and in a second configuration, wherein the force required to move the plurality of bistable cells between the first configuration and the second configuration is greater in one direction than the other. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17)
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18. A method of facilitating use of a wellbore, comprising:
isolating a portion of a wellbore with an expandable bistable device having a generally tubular shape formed by a plurality of bistable cells that permit the expandable bistable device to be selectively actuated between a contracted state and an expanded state.
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19. A method of sealing a portion of a wellbore tubular, comprising:
- locating a bistable device comprising a plurality of bistable cells within a wellbore tubular adjacent to a zone to be sealed; and
expanding the bistable device against the wellbore tubular by moving the bistable device through a nonstable region towards an expanded stable state.
- locating a bistable device comprising a plurality of bistable cells within a wellbore tubular adjacent to a zone to be sealed; and
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20. An apparatus for use in a wellbore, comprising:
a wellbore conduit having a bistable wall comprising a plurality of bistable cells, the bistable wall enabling transition of the wellbore conduit from a radially contracted stable state, in which the wellbore conduit is readily insertable into a wellbore, and a radially expanded state, in which the bistable wall is proximate the wall of the wellbore. - View Dependent Claims (21, 22)
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23. A wellbore tubular, comprising:
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a radially expandable bistable tubing comprising a plurality of bistable cells; and a device mounted to the tubing, the device being configured to sense a wellbore parameter.
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24. A method of routing a communication line in a well, comprising:
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deploying an expandable tubing formed of bistable cells into a well; connecting a communication line along at least a portion of the expandable tubing; and expanding the expandable tubing in the well. - View Dependent Claims (25, 26, 27, 28, 29, 30, 31)
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Specification