Screen and method of making the same

Abstract

A screen includes a framework of a first material having one or more openings therethrough defining a fluidic filter, and a substance of a second material positioned within the one or more openings in the framework and configured to be removable from the framework during an electrochemical reaction.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A screen comprising:
 a framework of a first material having one or more openings therethrough defining a fluidic filter; and   a substance of a second material positioned within the one or more openings in the framework and configured to be removable from the framework during an electrochemical reaction.   
     
     
         2 . The screen of  claim 1 , wherein the second material is more anodic than the first material. 
     
     
         3 . The screen of  claim 1 , wherein the screen is configured electrochemically react when exposed to an electrolyte. 
     
     
         4 . The screen of  claim 1 , wherein sizes of the one or more openings vary. 
     
     
         5 . The screen of  claim 1 , wherein shapes of the one or more openings vary. 
     
     
         6 . The screen of  claim 1 , wherein the one or more openings create a tortuous path to fluid flowing therethrough. 
     
     
         7 . The screen of  claim 1 , wherein sizes and shapes of the one or more openings are regular and repeating. 
     
     
         8 . The screen of  claim 1 , wherein the framework is defined by interstices between particles of the substance. 
     
     
         9 . The screen of  claim 1 , wherein the second material is selected from the group consisting of one or more of zinc, beryllium and magnesium and combinations including one or more of the foregoing. 
     
     
         10 . The screen of  claim 1 , further comprising a body defining a bore within which the framework and the substance are positioned. 
     
     
         11 . The screen of  claim 10 , wherein the body is made of a third material that is nearer to the first material on the galvanic chart than to the second material. 
     
     
         12 . The screen of  claim 11 , wherein the first material and the third material are substantially the same. 
     
     
         13 . The screen of  claim 10 , wherein the body is tubular. 
     
     
         14 . The screen of  claim 1 , wherein the substance prevents flow through at least one of the one or more openings prior to its removal from the framework. 
     
     
         15 . The screen of  claim 1 , wherein the screen is employable downhole and the electrochemical reaction occurs in fluid anticipated to be downhole. 
     
     
         16 . A method of making a screen comprising;
 brazing particles within a bore of a plug with a filler metal of a first material, the particles being of a second material and the plug of a third material, the second material being more anodic than either of the first material or the third material;   exposing the particles, the plug and the filler metal to a fluid;   allowing an electrochemical reaction to occur; and   removing the particles.   
     
     
         17 . The method of making a screen of  claim 16 , further comprising filling interstices defined between the particles with the filler metal. 
     
     
         18 . The method of making a screen of  claim 16 , wherein the fluid includes an electrolyte. 
     
     
         19 . The method of making a screen of  claim 16 , further comprising selecting the second material to be more anodic than either the first material or the third material.