Granted Patent B2

US 7,779,909 · App. 11/621,129 · Granted Aug 24, 2010

Assignee: Enventure Global Technology, LLC

Abstract

Claims (31)

1. A method of radially expanding a tubular member, comprising:

coupling an expansion assembly to the tubular member, wherein the expansion assembly comprises a support member, an anchor and a die, wherein the support member extends through the anchor and the die, and wherein the support member is coupled to the tubular member;

restricting movement of the anchor relative to the tubular and support members while displacing the die through the tubular member to radially expand the tubular member; and

restricting movement of the die relative to the tubular and support members while displacing the anchor through the tubular member,

wherein the anchor comprises a first brake configured to selectively engage the support member, and wherein coupling the expansion assembly to the support member comprises engaging the support member with the first brake.

2. The method of claim 1 wherein the anchor comprises a second brake configured to selectively engage the tubular member, and wherein restricting movement of the anchor relative to the support member comprises at least one of:

engaging the support member with the first brake; and

engaging the tubular member with the second brake.

3. The method of claim 2 wherein displacing the anchor through the tubular member comprises disengaging the first brake from the support member and disengaging the second brake from the tubular member.

4. The method of claim 1 wherein the expansion assembly comprises a pressure chamber defined by internal surfaces of the anchor and the die and an external surface of the support member, wherein displacing the anchor through the tubular member comprises pressurizing the pressure chamber, and wherein displacing the anchor through the tubular member comprises depressurizing the pressure chamber.

5. The method of claim 4 wherein the expansion assembly comprises a reservoir coupled to the anchor and a pump fluidicly coupled between the reservoir and the pressure chamber, wherein pressurizing the pressure chamber comprises operating the pump to transmit hydraulic fluid from the reservoir to the pressure chamber, and wherein depressurizing the pressure chamber comprises operating the pump to transmit hydraulic fluid from the pressure chamber to the reservoir.

6. A method of radially expanding a tubular member, comprising:

coupling an expansion assembly to the tubular member, wherein the expansion assembly comprises a support member, an anchor and a die, wherein the support member extends through the anchor and the die, and wherein the support member is coupled to the tubular member;

restricting movement of the anchor relative to the tubular and support members while displacing the die through the tubular member to radially expand the tubular member; and restricting movement of the die relative to the tubular and support members while displacing the anchor through the tubular member,

wherein the die comprises a first brake configured to selectively engage the support member and a second brake configured to selectively engage the tubular member, and wherein displacing the die through the tubular member comprises disengaging the first brake from the support member and disengaging the second brake from the tubular member.

7. The method of claim 6 wherein restricting movement of the die relative to the support member comprises at least one of:

engaging the support member with the first brake; and

engaging the tubular member with the second brake.

8. A method of radial expanding a tubular member, comprising:

coupling an expansion assembly to the tubular member, wherein the expansion assembly comprises a support member, an anchor and a die, wherein the support member extends through the anchor and the die, and wherein the support member is coupled to the tubular member;

restricting movement of the anchor relative to the tubular and support members while displacing the die through the tubular member to radially expand the tubular member; and restricting movement of the die relative to the tubular and support members while displacing the anchor through the tubular member, wherein:

the anchor comprises a first brake configured to selectively engage the support member and a second brake configured to selectively engage the tubular member;

the die comprises a third brake configured to selectively engage the support member and a fourth brake configured to selective engage the tubular member;

restricting movement of the anchor relative to the support member while displacing the die through the tubular member to radially expand the tubular member comprises:

engaging one of the support member and the tubular member with one of the first and second brakes;

disengaging the third brake from the support member; and

disengaging the fourth brake from the tubular member; and

restricting movement of the die relative to the support member while displacing the anchor through the tubular member comprises:

disengaging the first brake from the support member;

disengaging the second brake from the tubular member; and

engaging one of the support member and the tubular member with one of the third and fourth brakes.

Assignments (1)

Continuity (27)