Segmented expansion cone, method and system

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Bibliographic Details
Title: Segmented expansion cone, method and system
Patent Number: 11802,464
Publication Date: October 31, 2023
Appl. No: 17/686699
Application Filed: March 04, 2022
Abstract: A segmented cone expansion ring and expansion system including the ring, the ring including a plurality of segments each segment of the plurality of segments having opposing load walls, each load wall including one of a projection or a recess receptive of the projection, the projection having a neck portion and a rounded anchor portion and the recess having a rounded geometry and a set of dimensions complementary to the projection and that defines a clearance fit for the projection within the recess. A method for expanding a tubular member including introducing the expansion system a tubular member and loading the load walls of the plurality of segments of the ring while not loading the projections and recesses of the plurality of segments. A borehole system including an expansion system disposed within the borehole.
Inventors: Williams, Jeffrey (Cypress, TX, US)
Assignees: BAKER HUGHES OILFIELD OPERATIONS LLC (Houston, TX, US)
Claim: 1. A segmented cone expansion ring comprising: a plurality of segments each segment of the plurality of segments having opposing load walls; each load wall including one of a projection or a recess receptive of the projection, the projection having a neck portion and a truncated rounded anchor portion and the recess having a rounded geometry and a set of dimensions complementary to the projection and that defines a clearance fit for the projection within the recess.
Claim: 2. The ring as claimed in claim 1 wherein the clearance is of an amount greater than an amount of deformation experienced by the plurality of segments, during use.
Claim: 3. The ring as claimed in claim 1 wherein the clearance is obtained by formation of the dimensions of the projection from about 2% to about 15% less than corresponding dimensions of the recess.
Claim: 4. The ring as claimed in claim 1 wherein the clearance is about 0.015 inch at both the neck and the rounded anchor portions.
Claim: 5. The ring as claimed in claim 1 wherein the clearance is about 1.00 inch at both the neck and the rounded anchor portions.
Claim: 6. The ring as claimed in claim 1 wherein the projection rounded portion defines a semicircle in cross section.
Claim: 7. The ring as claimed in claim 1 where in the ring presents a radially outer surface having a geometry that is a frustum of an ogive.
Claim: 8. A method for expanding a tubular member comprising: introducing a system as claimed in claim 7 into the tubular member; landing the pre-cone at an end of the tubular member, urging the pre-cone into the tubular member; urging the ring into the tubular member; loading the load walls of the plurality of segments of the ring while not loading the projections and recesses of the plurality of segments; and expanding the tubular member.
Claim: 9. The method as claimed in claim 8 further including: pulling on the housing; pulling on segments having pull tabs with the housing; collapsing the ring; and retrieving the ring from the tubular member.
Claim: 10. The ring as claimed in claim 1 wherein the load walls of the plurality of segments are in contact with one another over the entirety of each load wall other than at projections and recesses.
Claim: 11. An expansion system comprising: a housing; an expansion ring having a plurality of segments disposed about the housing, each segment of the plurality of segments having opposing load walls; each load wall including one of a projection or a recess receptive of the projection, the projection having a neck portion and a truncated rounded anchor portion and the recess having a rounded geometry and a set of dimensions complementary to the projection and that defines a clearance fit for the projection within the recess; and a pre-cone disposed about the housing and adjacent the ring.
Claim: 12. The system as claimed in claim 11 wherein the pre-cone includes an outer surface that smoothly transitions to a radially outer surface of the expansion ring.
Claim: 13. The system as claimed in claim 11 wherein a segment of the plurality of segments includes a pull tab.
Claim: 14. The system as claimed in claim 11 wherein a plurality of segments of the plurality of segments includes a pull tab.
Claim: 15. The system as claimed in claim 14 wherein every other segment of the plurality of segments includes a pull tab.
Claim: 16. The system as claimed in claim 15 wherein the pull tab is a T tab.
Claim: 17. The system as claimed in claim 11 wherein the housing includes a receptacle for a pull tab connected to each of one or more segments of the plurality of segments.
Claim: 18. A borehole system comprising: a borehole in a subsurface formation; a string disposed within the borehole; and an expansion system as claimed in claim 10 disposed within or as a part of the string.
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Other References: Notification of Transmittal of the International Search Report and the Written Opinion; PCT/US2023/063636; Korean Intellectual Property Office; dated Jun. 30, 2023; 11 pages. cited by applicant
Primary Examiner: Stephenson, Daniel P
Attorney, Agent or Firm: CANTOR COLBURN LLP
Accession Number: edspgr.11802464
Database: USPTO Patent Grants
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