Expandable Devices and Method

Abstract

The present system and method comprises an expandable device for use in wellbores. In one embodiment, the present device comprises a plurality of slots disposed within the device. The slots define expansion compensation portions, wherein the compensation portions facilitate radial expansion of the device while concurrently maintaining essentially constant the axial length of the device. The present technique also comprises a method of forming the device in accordance therewith.

1 . A method of forming an expandable device, comprising: 
 cutting an expansion compensation portion into a wellbore device, the compensation portion being adapted to substantially retard axial contraction of the wellbore device during radial expansion of the device.    
   
   
       2 . The method as recited in  claim 1 , wherein cutting comprises cutting via a water jet.  
   
   
       3 . The method as recited in  claim 1 , wherein cutting comprises cutting via a laser jet.  
   
   
       4 . The method as recited in  claim 1 , wherein cutting comprises stamping.  
   
   
       5 . A method of forming an expandable device, comprising: 
 forming slots in a sheet of expandable material;    orienting the slots to create strut members that enable expansion of the sheet in one direction without causing contraction in a generally perpendicular direction; and    rolling the sheet into a tubular sized for insertion into a wellbore.    
   
   
       6 . The method as recited in  claim 5 , wherein orienting comprises creating the strut members such that at least some of the strut members comprise spring portions that undergo changes in axial length during expansion of the sheet by radially expanding the tubular.  
   
   
       7 . The method as recited in  claim 6 , wherein orienting comprises creating the strut members such that at least some of the strut members are relatively thick relative to the other strut members.  
   
   
       8 . The method as recited in  claim 5 , wherein orienting comprises creating the strut members such that at least some of the strut members are formed as rotational segments that enable radial expansion of the tubular without axial shortening.  
   
   
       9 . The method as recited in  claim 5 , wherein rolling comprises rolling the sheet into a sand screen.  
   
   
       10 . The method as recited in  claim 5 , wherein forming comprises cutting via a water jet.  
   
   
       11 . The method as recited in  claim 5 , wherein forming comprises cutting via a laser jet.  
   
   
       12 . The method as recited in  claim 5  wherein forming comprises stamping.  
   
   
       13 . The method as recited in  claim 5 , further comprising creating a cutout in the sheet for routing a line in an axial direction along the tubular.  
   
   
       14 . A method, comprising: 
 forming an expandable wellbore device with a plurality of slots to create an expansion section; and    orienting the plurality of slots to outline a plurality of first members coupled to a plurality of second members, the plurality of first members comprising rotational segments that enable expansion of the expandable wellbore device without contraction of the device in a direction generally perpendicular to the direction of expansion.    
   
   
       15 . The method as recited in  claim 15 , wherein forming comprises creating a plurality of slots in a sheet of material and then rolling the sheet into a tubular expandable wellbore device.  
   
   
       16 . The method as recited in  claim 15 , wherein orienting further comprises providing the plurality of first members with a plurality of spring portions that can expand and contract in a linear direction.  
   
   
       17 . The method as recited in  claim 15 , wherein orienting comprises orienting the plurality of slots such that the plurality of second members are substantially thicker than the plurality of first members.  
   
   
       18 . A method, comprising: 
 forming at tubular sized for radial expansion within a wellbore; and    positioning slots in the tubular in an orientation that enables radial expansion of the tubular in the wellbore without axial contraction.    
   
   
       19 . The method as recited in  claim 18 , wherein forming the tubular comprises forming a sand screen.  
   
   
       20 . The method as recited in  claim 18 , wherein forming the tubular comprises forming an expandable casing patch.  
   
   
       21 . The method as recited in  claim 18 , wherein forming the tubular comprises forming an expandable packer.  
   
   
       22 . The method as recited in  claim 18 , wherein forming the tubular comprises forming an expandable hanger.  
   
   
       23 . The method as recited in  claim 18  wherein forming the tubular comprises forming an expandable liner.  
   
   
       24 . The method as recited in  claim 18 , wherein forming the tubular comprises forming an expandable casing.  
   
   
       25 . The method as recited in  claim 18 , wherein positioning comprises creating rotational segments that facilitate radial expansion without axial contraction.  
   
   
       26 . The method as recited in  claim 18 , wherein positioning comprises creating spring segments that facilitate radial expansion without axial contraction.  
   
   
       27 . The method as recited in  claim 18 , wherein positioning comprises creating linearly extensible spring segments that facilitate radial expansion without axial contraction.