Apparatus for expanding a tubular member

Abstract

An apparatus for expanding a tubular member comprising a support member, an expansion device for radially expanding the tubular member movably coupled to the support member for longitudinal displacement relative to the support member, at least one pressure chamber defined by and positioned between the support member and 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.

1 . An apparatus for expanding a tubular member, comprising:
 a support member comprising a fluid passage.   an expansion device movably coupled to the support member comprising an expansion cone and a tubular piston operably coupled to the expansion cone;   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.   
   
   
       2 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein the at least one releasable support comprises at least one releasable locking member for locking the tubular member to the support member. 
   
   
       3 . An apparatus for radially expanding and plastically deforming an expandable tubular member, comprising:
 an expansion device for radially expanding and plastically deforming the expandable tubular member;   a support member;   an actuator coupled to the expansion device and the support member for displacing the expansion device in the longitudinal direction relative to the tubular member; and   a locking device for the position of the expandable tubular member relative to the support member; wherein the locking device is positioned above the expansion device; and wherein the actuator comprises one of more tubular pistons.   
   
   
       4 . The apparatus of  claim 3 , wherein the actuator comprises an expandable pressure chamber. 
   
   
       5 . The apparatus of  claim 3 , wherein the locking device comprises one or more of the following:
 hydraulic slips;   mechanical slips; or   drag blocks.   
   
   
       6 . The apparatus of  claim 3 , wherein the locking device is one of a plurality of locking devices, and wherein at least one of the plurality of locking devices engages a radially nonexpanded portion of the tubular member. 
   
   
       7 . The apparatus of  claim 3 , wherein the expansion device comprises:
 an adjustable expansion device; and   a non-adjustable expansion device.   
   
   
       8 . The apparatus of  claim 3 , 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. 
   
   
       9 . An apparatus for radially expanding and plastically deforming an expandable tubular member, comprising:
 an expansion device for radially expanding and plastically deforming the expandable tubular member;   a support member;   an actuator coupled to the expansion device and the support member for displacing the expansion device in the longitudinal direction relative to the tubular member; and   a locking device for preventing movement of the expandable tubular member in at least a single direction;   wherein the locking device is positioned above the expansion device.   
   
   
       10 . The apparatus of  claim 9 , wherein the actuator comprises an expandable pressure chamber. 
   
   
       11 . The apparatus of  claim 9 , wherein the locking device is one of a plurality of locking devices, and wherein at least one of the plurality of locking devices engages a radially nonexpanded portion of the tubular member. 
   
   
       12 . The apparatus of  claim 9 , wherein the expansion device comprises:
 an adjustable expansion device; and   a non-adjustable expansion device.   
   
   
       13 . An apparatus for radially expanding and plastically deforming an expandable tubular member, comprising:
 an expansion device for radially expanding and plastically deforming the expandable tubular member:   a support member;   an actuator coupled to the expansion device and the support member for displacing the expansion device in the longitudinal direction relative to the tubular member; and   a device for preventing movement of the expandable tubular member;   wherein the device is positioned above the expansion device.   
   
   
       14 . The apparatus of  claim 13 , wherein the actuator comprises an expandable pressure chamber. 
   
   
       15 . The apparatus of  claim 13 , wherein the device is one of a plurality of devices, and wherein at least one of the plurality of devices engages a radially nonexpanded portion of the tubular member. 
   
   
       16 . The apparatus of  claim 13 , wherein the expansion device comprises:
 an adjustable expansion device;   a non-adjustable expansion device.