Technique of forming expandable devices from cells that may be transitioned between a contracted state and an expanded state

Abstract

An expandable device comprising a plurality of expandable cells. The cells may be bistable cells or other types of cells that are expanded from a contracted position towards an expanded position. Additionally, the cells may be combined with locking mechanisms to hold the structure in an expanded position.

What is claimed is:  
     
         1 . An expandable device, comprising: 
 an expansion member having a plurality of cells that are expandable from a closed position to an open position, each cell having a thin strut pivotably coupled to a thick strut.    
     
     
         2 . The expandable device as recited in  claim 1 , wherein the thin strut and the thick strut of each cell are pivotably coupled by a pin joint.  
     
     
         3 . The expandable device as recited in  claim 1 , wherein the thin strut and the thick strut of each cell are pivotably coupled by a ball and socket joint.  
     
     
         4 . The expandable device as recited in  claim 1 , wherein the thin strut is coupled between a fixed end and a pivotable end.  
     
     
         5 . The expandable device as recited in  claim 1 , wherein the expansion member comprises a tubular that undergoes radial expansion during expansion of the plurality of cells.  
     
     
         6 . An expandable device, comprising: 
 an expansion member having a plurality of cells that are expandable from a closed position to an open position, each of the plurality of cells comprising a thick strut, a first thin strut and a second thin strut.    
     
     
         7 . The expandable device as recited in  claim 6 , wherein the first thin strut is physically connected to the second thick strut and the second thin strut is disposed in abutting engagement with the thick strut.  
     
     
         8 . The expandable device as recited in  claim 6 , wherein the first thin strut and the second thin strut are generally parallel.  
     
     
         9 . The expandable device as recited in  claim 6 , wherein the first thin strut is longer than the second thin strut.  
     
     
         10 . The expandable device as recited in  claim 6 , wherein the expansion member comprises a tubular.  
     
     
         11 . An expandable device, comprising: 
 an expansion member having a plurality of cells that are expandable from a closed position to an open position, each of the plurality of cells comprising a spring member to hold the cell in the open position.    
     
     
         12 . The expandable device as recited in  claim 11 , wherein the spring member comprises a horn.  
     
     
         13 . The expandable device as recited in  claim 11 , wherein the spring member comprises a pair of horns.  
     
     
         14 . The expandable device as recited in  claim 13 , wherein a thin strut and a thick strut extend between the pair of horns.  
     
     
         15 . The expandable device as recited in  claim 11 , wherein each cell comprises a double horn cell.  
     
     
         16 . The expandable device as recited in  claim 11 , wherein each spring member comprises an undulating spring member.  
     
     
         17 . The expandable device as recited in  claim 11 , wherein the expandable member comprises a tubular that undergoes radial expansion during expansion of the plurality of cells.  
     
     
         18 . An expandable device, comprising: 
 an expansion member having a plurality of cells that are expandable from a closed position to an open position, each of the plurality of cells comprising a thick strut and a thin strut, the thin strut having a plurality of flexible joints.    
     
     
         19 . The expandable device as recited in  claim 18 , wherein each flexible joint comprises a thinned region.  
     
     
         20 . The expandable device as recited in  claim 19 , wherein each thinned region undergoes plastic deformation during expansion from the closed position to the open position.  
     
     
         21 . The expandable device as recited in  claim 18 , wherein the expansion member comprises a tubular.  
     
     
         22 . An expandable device, comprising: 
 an expansion member having a plurality of cells that are expandable from a closed position to an open position, each cell having a thin strut coupled to a thick strut by a ligament.    
     
     
         23 . The expandable device as recited in  claim 21 , wherein the thin strut and the thick strut of each cell are pivotably coupled by a pin joint.  
     
     
         24 . The expandable device as recited in  claim 21 , wherein the thin strut and the thick strut of each cell are pivotably coupled by a ball and socket joint.  
     
     
         25 . The expandable device as recited in  claim 21 , wherein the thin strut is coupled between a fixed end and a pivotable end.  
     
     
         26 . A method of expanding a device, comprising: 
 creating a plurality of bistable cells in a wall of the device by coupling thin struts to corresponding thick struts through hinge joints; and    applying an expansion force to the wall in a direction that transitions the plurality of bistable cells from a contracted state to an expanded state.    
     
     
         27 . The method as recited in  claim 26 , further comprising forming a plurality of locking mechanisms in the wall.  
     
     
         28 . The method as recited in  claim 26 , wherein creating comprises coupling each thin strut to a corresponding thick strut through a pivotable hinge joint.  
     
     
         29 . The method as recited in  claim 26 , wherein creating comprises coupling each thin strut to a corresponding thick strut through a flexible hinge joint.  
     
     
         30 . The method as recited in  claim 26 , wherein creating comprises coupling each thin strut to a corresponding thick strut by a hinge joint having a plastically deformable thinned region.  
     
     
         31 . The method as recited in  claim 26 , wherein creating comprises creating the plurality of bistable cells in a tubular.  
     
     
         32 . The method as recited in  claim 31 , wherein applying comprises applying a force in a radially outward direction.  
     
     
         33 . The method as recited in  claim 26 , further comprising coupling at least one thin strut to the at least one thick strut by a spring member.  
     
     
         34 . The method as recited in  claim 26 , further comprising coupling at least one thin strut to the at least one thick strut by a horn spring member.  
     
     
         35 . An apparatus, comprising: 
 an expandable member having a plurality of cells that are expandable from a closed position to an open position, the plurality of cells comprising cells of differing sizes.    
     
     
         36 . The apparatus as recited in  claim 35 , wherein the expandable member comprises a tubular.  
     
     
         37 . An apparatus, comprising: 
 an expandable member having a plurality of cells that are expandable from a closed position to an open position, the plurality of cells comprising cells of differing configurations.    
     
     
         38 . The apparatus of  claim 37 , wherein the expandable member comprises a tubular.