Method and apparatus for creating a support in a bore

Abstract

A method for creating a support within a bore comprises providing a support body with a non-round profile which permits deployment through the bore when the support body is in a first orientation, wherein the support body defines an outer surface and an inner surface, the outer surface defining a perimeter which is larger than a perimeter of the bore. The method comprises deploying the support body through the bore when oriented in its first orientation, and re-orientating the support body towards a second orientation to cause the support body to be reformed by engagement with a wall of the bore to establish an interference fit between the outer surface of the body and the wall of the bore.

1 . A method for creating a support within a bore, comprising:
 providing a support body with a non-round profile which permits deployment through the bore when the support body is in a first orientation, wherein the support body defines an outer surface and an inner surface, the outer surface defining a perimeter which is larger than a perimeter of the bore;   deploying the support body through the bore when oriented in its first orientation; and   re-orientating the support body towards a second orientation to cause the support body to be reformed by engagement with a wall of the bore to establish an interference fit between the outer surface of the body and the wall of the bore.   
     
     
         2 . (canceled) 
     
     
         3 . The method of  claim 1  wherein the support body comprises a first width in a first lateral direction, and a second width in a second lateral direction, wherein the first width is larger than the second width such that the support body is elongated along the first lateral direction, the first orientation of the support body being such that the elongation direction of the support body is aligned in a direction of deployment of the support body through the bore. 
     
     
         4 . (canceled) 
     
     
         5 . The method according to  claim 1 , comprising providing the support body initially in a circular form, and then forming the support body to adopt the non-round profile. 
     
     
         6 . The method according to  claim 1 , wherein when the support body is in its first orientation within the bore said support body defines leading and trailing ends relative to a direction of deployment through the bore, and wherein re-orientation of the support body towards its second orientation comprises engaging the leading and trailing ends of the support body with the bore wall, with continued re-orientation of the support body establishing a compressive force between the leading and trailing ends of the support body to cause re-forming of the support body, and establishing the interference fit. 
     
     
         7 . The method according to  claim 1 , comprising rotating the support body within the bore to re-orientate the support body towards its second configuration. 
     
     
         8 . The method according to  claim 1 , comprising expanding the support body when in its second orientation to increase the level of interference between the support body and the bore wall. 
     
     
         9 . The method according to  claim 8 , comprising engaging an expansion tool with the inner surface of the support body and applying an expansion force to expand the support body. 
     
     
         10 . (canceled) 
     
     
         11 . The method according to  claim 9 , comprising one of:
 removing the expansion tool from the support body after expansion of the support body; and   retaining the expansion tool in place within the support body.   
     
     
         12 . (canceled) 
     
     
         13 . The method according to  claim 1 , comprising re-orientating the support body towards its second orientation to cause the support body to establish sealing interference between the outer surface of the body and the wall of the bore. 
     
     
         14 . The method according to  claim 13 , comprising establishing metal-to-metal sealing interference between the support body and the bore wall. 
     
     
         15 . The method according to  claim 13 , comprising setting a sealing plug within the support body to provide sealing within the bore. 
     
     
         16 . The method according to  claim 1 , comprising hanging an object from the support body within the bore. 
     
     
         17 . A support body for use in creating a support within a bore, the support body comprising:
 an outer surface and an inner surface, the outer surface defining a perimeter of the support body which is selected to be larger than a perimeter of the bore in which the support body is to be installed,   wherein the support body has a non-round profile which permits deployment through the bore when the support body is in a first orientation;   and wherein the support body is deformable by engagement with a wall of the bore during re-orientating the support body towards a second orientation to cause the support body to be reformed to establish an interference fit between the outer surface of the body and the wall of the bore.   
     
     
         18 . The support body according to  claim 17 , wherein the support body comprises a first width in a first lateral direction, and a second width in a second lateral direction, wherein the first width is larger than the second width such that the support body is elongated along the first lateral direction, the first orientation of the support body being such that the elongation direction of the support body is aligned in a direction of deployment of the support body through the bore. 
     
     
         19 . The support body according to  claim 17 , wherein the support body is at least one of oval and elliptical. 
     
     
         20 . The support body according to  claim 17 , wherein the outer surface of the support body comprises an interface structure configured to engage the bore wall at least when the support body is in its second orientation. 
     
     
         21 . The support body according to  claim 20 , wherein the interface structure defines a primary interface structure and the outer surface of the support body further comprises a secondary interface structure adjacent to the primary interface structure, the secondary interface structure initially protruding further from the support body than the primary interface structure. 
     
     
         22 . The support body according to  claim 21 , wherein the secondary interface structure comprises a cantilever portion which provides compliant mounting on the support body, the cantilever portion comprising a fixed end connected to the support body and a free end, the free end being positioned adjacent to the primary interface structure. 
     
     
         23 . The support body according to  claim 21 , wherein the primary interface structure comprises an anvil surface, wherein the secondary interface structure is initially disengaged from the anvil surface, and is brought into engagement with the anvil surface when the support body is re-orientated towards its second orientation. 
     
     
         24 . The support body according to  claim 21 , comprising first and second secondary interface structures provided on opposite sides of the primary interface structure. 
     
     
         25 . (canceled)