Downhole telescoping tool with radially expandable members

Abstract

A downhole axial expansion or telescoping tool includes radially expandable tubular members. The tubular members are relatively moveable before and after radial expansion, and include an intermediate layer therebetween of a non-metal or non-cladding material. The intermediate layer may provide any one or more of lubricity, load transfer, sealing, and shape retention during and after radial expansion.

1 . A downhole telescoping tool comprising:
 a first metal tubular member;   a second metal tubular member disposed in the first metal tubular member and reciprocal therein; and   a non-metal layer disposed between the first and second tubular members;   wherein the first and second tubular members are radially expandable to a plastically deformed position.   
     
     
         2 . The telescoping tool of  claim 1  wherein the first and second tubular members are radially expanded and plastically deformed. 
     
     
         3 . The telescoping tool of  claim 2  wherein the non-metal layer transfers the radial expansion load from the second tubular member to the first tubular member. 
     
     
         4 . The telescoping tool of  claim 2  wherein the second tubular member is reciprocal in the first tubular member before and after radial expansion. 
     
     
         5 . The telescoping tool of  claim 2  wherein the non-metal layer is lubrication between the reciprocal second tubular member and the first tubular member. 
     
     
         6 . The telescoping tool of  claim 2  wherein the non-metal layer seals between the second tubular member and the first tubular member. 
     
     
         7 . The telescoping tool of  claim 1  further comprising an outer tubular housing receiving the first and second tubular members. 
     
     
         8 . The telescoping tool of  claim 7  wherein the outer tubular housing is radially expandable. 
     
     
         9 . The telescoping tool of  claim 7  wherein the outer tubular housing engages a portion of the non-metal layer. 
     
     
         10 . The telescoping tool of  claim 7  wherein the outer tubular housing is coupled to at least one of the first tubular member and the second tubular member. 
     
     
         11 . The telescoping tool of  claim 7  wherein the outer tubular housing is coupled to an upper tubular string. 
     
     
         12 . The telescoping tool of  claim 11  wherein the upper tubular string is radially expandable. 
     
     
         13 . The telescoping tool of  claim 1  wherein the second tubular member is coupled to a lower tubular string. 
     
     
         14 . The telescoping tool of  claim 13  wherein the lower tubular string is radially expandable. 
     
     
         15 . A downhole telescoping tool comprising:
 a first tubular member slidably coupled with a second tubular member; and   an intermediate layer of non-cladding material disposed between the slidably coupled first and second tubular members;   wherein the first tubular member, the second tubular member, and the intermediate layer are radially expanded and plastically deformed;   wherein the first tubular member and the second tubular member are relatively slidable before and after radial expansion and plastic deformation.   
     
     
         16 . The telescoping tool of  claim 15  further comprising splines disposed between the first and second tubular members to prevent rotation while allowing axial translation of the first and second tubular members. 
     
     
         17 . The telescoping tool of  claim 15  wherein after radial expansion and plastic deformation the intermediate layer provides at least one of load transfer, lubrication and sealing. 
     
     
         18 . A method of radially expanding a telescoping tool comprising:
 disposing a layer of material between an inner tubular member slidably coupled to an outer tubular member;   radially expanding and plastically deforming the inner tubular member into the layer of material;   transferring the radial expansion load to the outer tubular member using the layer of material to radially expand and plastically deform the outer tubular member; and   after radial expansion and plastic deformation of the inner and outer tubular members, sliding the inner and outer tubular members relative to each other.   
     
     
         19 . The method of  claim 18  further comprising using the layer of material to prevent cladding of the inner and outer tubular members in response to the radial expansion and plastic deformation. 
     
     
         20 . The method of  claim 18  further comprising moving an expansion device through the inner and outer tubular members.