Expandable device for use in a well bore

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.

1 . An expandable device for use in a well comprising: 
 a well 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, wherein the expansion member is readily moved along a well bore when the plurality of cells are in the closed position, further wherein the expansion member is expandable by transitioning the plurality of cells to the open position at a desired location in the well bore.    
   
   
       2 . The expandable device as recited in  claim 1 , wherein the expansion member comprises a tubular member that undergoes radial expansion during expansion of the plurality of cells.  
   
   
       3 . The expandable device as recited in  claim 1 , wherein the expansion member comprises an expandable tubular member sized to exert an external radial force on a well bore surface.  
   
   
       4 . The expandable device as recited in  claim 1 , wherein the expansion member comprises an expandable tubular member sized to support an open hole formation in the well.  
   
   
       5 . The expandable device as recited in  claim 1 , wherein the expansion member comprises a well bore liner.  
   
   
       6 . The expandable device as recited in  claim 1 , wherein the expansion member comprises an expandable sand screen.  
   
   
       7 . An expandable device for use in a well comprising: 
 a well device comprising a tubular member having a plurality of cells that are expandable from a closed position to an open position when the tubular member is radially expanded, each cell having a thin strut coupled to a thick strut for pivotal motion relative to the thick strut, wherein the thickness ratio of the thick strut to the thin strut determines the force required to transition the plurality of cells to the open position.    
   
   
       8 . The expandable device as recited in  claim 7 , wherein the tubular member is an expandable sand screen  
   
   
       9 . The expandable device as recited in  claim 7 , wherein the thickness ratio is at least 2 to 1.  
   
   
       10 . The expandable device as recited in  claim 7 , wherein the thickness ratio is at least 3 to 1.  
   
   
       11 . The expandable device as recited in  claim 7 , wherein the tubular member is sized to support an open hole formation in the well.  
   
   
       12 . An expandable device for use in supporting or stabilizing a desired region of the wall within a well bore hole comprising: 
 a downhole well device comprising a substantially tubular 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, wherein the tubular expansion member is in a contracted state when the cells are in the closed position and the tubular expansion member is in an expanded state when the cells are in the open position; wherein the tubular expansion member when in the contracted state is readily moved along the well bore; and wherein the tubular expansion member when in the expanded state can engage the wall of the well bore to provide support or stabilization of the desired region of the wall of the well bore.