Apparatus for expanding a tubular member
An apparatus for radially expanding and plastically deforming a tubular member includes a support member comprising a fluid passage, an expansion device for radially expanding and plastically deforming the tubular member movably coupled to the support member for longitudinal displacement relative to the support member comprising an expansion cone, at least one pressure chamber defined by and positioned between the support member and expansion device fluidicly coupled to the first fluid passage, and one or more releasable supports coupled to the support member adapted to support the tubular member, wherein the releasable supports are positioned above the expansion device.
1. An apparatus for radially expanding and plastically deforming a tubular member, comprising:
a support member comprising a fluid passage;
an expansion device for radially expanding and plastically deforming the tubular member movably coupled to the support member for longitudinal displacement relative to the support member comprising an expansion cone;
at least one pressure chamber defined by and positioned between the support member and expansion device fluidicly coupled to the first fluid passage; and
one or more releasable supports coupled to the support member adapted to support the tubular member;
wherein the releasable supports are positioned above the expansion device.
2. The apparatus of claim 1 , wherein the fluid passage includes a throat passage having a reduced inner diameter.
3. The apparatus of claim 1 , wherein the expansion device includes one or more tubular pistons.
4. The apparatus of claim 1 , wherein the releasable supports comprise hydraulic slips.
5. The apparatus of claim 1 , wherein the expansion device includes:
one or more annular pistons; and
an expansion cone coupled to the annular pistons.
6. The apparatus of claim 5 , wherein one or more of the annular pistons include an expansion cone.
7. The apparatus of claim 1 , wherein the pressure chambers comprise annular pressure chambers.
8. The apparatus of claim 1 , wherein the tubular member comprises a pipeline member.
9. An apparatus for radially expanding and plastically deforming a tubular member, comprising:
a support member comprising a fluid passage;
an expansion device for radially expanding and plastically deforming the tubular member movably coupled to the support member for longitudinal displacement relative to the support member comprising an expansion cone;
at least one pressure chamber defined by and positioned between the support member and expansion device fluidicly coupled to the first fluid passage; and
one or more releasable supports coupled to the support member adapted to support the tubular member;
wherein the releasable supports comprise hydraulic slips.
10. The apparatus of claim 9 , wherein the fluid passage includes a throat passage having a reduced inner diameter.
11. The apparatus of claim 9 , wherein the expansion device includes one or more tubular pistons.
12. The apparatus of claim 9 , wherein the releasable supports are positioned above the expansion device.
13. The apparatus of claim 9 , wherein the expansion device includes:
one or more annular pistons; and
an expansion cone coupled to the annular pistons.
14. The apparatus of claim 13 , wherein one or more of the annular pistons include an expansion cone.
15. The apparatus of claim 9 , wherein the pressure chambers comprise annular pressure chambers.
16. The apparatus of claim 9 , wherein the tubular member comprises a pipeline member.
17. An apparatus for radially expanding and plastically deforming a tubular member, comprising:
a support member comprising a fluid passage;
an expansion device for radially expanding and plastically deforming the tubular member movably coupled to the support member for longitudinal displacement relative to the support member comprising an expansion cone;
at least one pressure chamber defined by and positioned between the support member and expansion device fluidicly coupled to the first fluid passage; and
one or more releasable supports coupled to the support member adapted to support the tubular member;
wherein the pressure chambers comprise annular pressure chambers.
18. The apparatus of claim 17 , wherein the fluid passage includes a throat passage having a reduced inner diameter.
19. The apparatus of claim 17 , wherein the expansion device includes one or more tubular pistons.
20. The apparatus of claim 17 , wherein the releasable supports are positioned above the expansion device.
21. The apparatus of claim 17 , wherein the expansion device includes:
one or more annular pistons; and
an expansion cone coupled to the annular pistons.
22. The apparatus of claim 21 , wherein one or more of the annular pistons include an expansion cone.
23. The apparatus of claim 17 , wherein the releasable supports comprise hydraulic slips.
24. The apparatus of claim 17 , wherein the tubular member comprises a pipeline member.
25. An apparatus for expanding a tubular member, comprising:
a support member comprising a fluid passage;
an expansion device for expanding the tubular member movably coupled to the support member comprising one or more tubular pistons;
at least one pressure chamber defined by and positioned between the support member and the expansion device fluidicly coupled to the first fluid passage; and
one or more releasable supports coupled to the support member adapted to support the tubular member;
wherein the releasable supports are positioned above the expansion device;
wherein the releasable supports comprise hydraulic slips; and
wherein the pressure chambers comprise annular pressure chambers.
26. The apparatus of claim 25 , wherein the tubular member comprises a pipeline member.
27. An apparatus for expanding a tubular member, comprising:
a support member comprising a fluid passage;
an expansion device for expanding the tubular member movably coupled to the support member comprising one or more tubular pistons;
at least one pressure chamber defined by and positioned between the support member and the expansion device fluidicly coupled to the first fluid passage; and
one or more releasable supports coupled to the support member adapted to support the tubular member;
wherein the releasable supports are positioned above the expansion device;
wherein the releasable supports comprise hydraulic slips;
wherein the pressure chambers comprise annular pressure chambers;
wherein the expansion device comprises a tapered outer expansion surface having an angle of attack ranging from about 5 to 30 degrees;
wherein the tapered outer expansion surface of the expansion device comprises a D2 steel; and
wherein the tapered outer expansion surface of the expansion device comprises a surface hardness ranging from about 58 to 62 Rockwell C.
28. The apparatus of claim 27 , wherein the expansion device comprises:
a tubular piston that receives and mates with the support member and is received within and mates with the tubular member;
a tubular sleeve that extends from the tubular piston having an end that extends out of the tubular member; and
a tapered tubular expansion cone coupled to the end of the tubular sleeve.
29. The apparatus of claim 27 , wherein the tubular member comprises a pipeline member.
30. An apparatus for expanding a tubular member, comprising:
a support member;
an expansion device for expanding the tubular member movably coupled to the support member;
an actuator coupled to the support member for actuating the expansion device; and
one or more releasable supports coupled to the support member adapted to support the tubular member;
wherein the releasable supports are positioned above the expansion device;
wherein the releasable supports comprise hydraulic slips;
wherein the expansion device comprises a tapered outer expansion surface having an angle of attack ranging from about 5 to 30 degrees;
wherein the tapered outer expansion surface of the expansion device comprises a D2 steel; and
wherein the tapered outer expansion surface of the expansion device comprises a surface hardness ranging from about 58 to 62 Rockwell C.
31. The apparatus of claim 30 , wherein the tubular member comprises a pipeline member.
32. An apparatus for expanding a tubular member, comprising:
a support member; an expansion device for expanding the tubular member movably coupled to the support member;
an actuator coupled to the support member for actuating the expansion device; and
one or more releasable supports coupled to the support member adapted to support the tubular member;
wherein the releasable supports are positioned above the expansion device; and
wherein the releasable supports comprise hydraulic slips.
33. The apparatus of claim 32 , wherein the tubular member comprises a pipeline member.