Resilient Anchor

Abstract

Methods and apparatus for radially expanding and plastically deforming an expandable tubular member using an expansion device for radially expanding and plastically deforming the expandable tubular member, an actuator coupled to the expansion device, and an anchor coupled to the actuator. The anchor includes a resilient member that is selectively deformable between a first position wherein the resilient member does not engage the expandable tubular member and a second position wherein the resilient member engages the expandable tubular member so as to releasably couple the anchor to the expandable tubular member.

1 . An apparatus for radially expanding and plastically deforming an expandable tubular member, comprising:
 an expansion device operable to radially expand and plastically deform the expandable tubular member as said expansion device is axially displaced relative to the expandable tubular member;   an actuator coupled to said expansion device and operable to axially displace said expansion device relative to the expandable tubular member; and   an anchor coupled to said actuator, wherein said anchor comprises a resilient member selectively deformable between a first position wherein said resilient member does not engage the expandable tubular member and a second position wherein said resilient member engages the expandable tubular member so as to releasably couple said anchor to the expandable tubular member.   
     
     
         2 . The apparatus of  claim 1  wherein said resilient member is deformed from the first position to the second position by axially compressing said resilient member. 
     
     
         3 . The apparatus of  claim 2  wherein said anchor further comprises a compression flange operable to axially compress said resilient member. 
     
     
         4 . The apparatus of  claim 1  wherein said resilient member is deformed from the first position to the second position by radial expansion. 
     
     
         5 . The apparatus of  claim 4  wherein said anchor further comprises a mandrel operable to radially expand said resilient member. 
     
     
         6 . The apparatus of  claim 1  wherein said resilient member further comprises reinforcement members embedded therein. 
     
     
         7 . A method comprising:
 coupling an anchor comprising a resilient member to a first end of an actuator;   coupling an expansion device to a second end of the actuator;   disposing the anchor into an expandable tubular member;   applying a force to the resilient member so as to deform the resilient member from a first position wherein the resilient member does not engage the expandable tubular member to a second position wherein the resilient member engages the expandable tubular member so as to releasably couple the anchor to the expandable tubular member; and   radially expanding and plastically deforming the expandable tubular member by activating the actuator so as to axially displace the expansion device relative to the expandable tubular member.   
     
     
         8 . The method of  claim 7 , further comprising:
 removing the force from the resilient member so as to allow the resilient member to deform from the second position to the first position;   axially displacing the anchor relative to the expansion device;   applying a force to the resilient member so as to deform the resilient member from the first position to the second position; and   radially expanding and plastically deforming the expandable tubular member by activating the actuator so as to axially displace the expansion device relative to the expandable tubular member.   
     
     
         9 . The method of  claim 7 , wherein the force applied to the resilient member is an axial compressive force. 
     
     
         10 . The method of  claim 7 , wherein the force applied to the resilient member is a radial expansion force. 
     
     
         11 . The method of  claim 7 , wherein the force applied to the resilient member is generated by a pressurized fluid. 
     
     
         12 . The method of  claim 7 , wherein deforming the resilient member to the second position does not plastically deform the expandable tubular member. 
     
     
         13 . The method of  claim 7 , wherein deforming the resilient member to the second position plastically deforms the expandable tubular member. 
     
     
         14 . A method comprising:
 coupling an anchor and an expansion device to an actuator to form an expansion assembly, wherein the anchor comprises a resilient member;   disposing the expansion assembly at least partially within an expandable tubular member that is disposed within a wellbore;   deforming the resilient member from a first position wherein the resilient member does not engage the expandable tubular member to a second position wherein the resilient member engages the expandable tubular member so as to releasably couple the anchor to the expandable tubular member; and   radially expanding and plastically deforming the expandable tubular member by activating the actuator so as to axially displace the expansion device relative to the expandable tubular member.   
     
     
         15 . The method of  claim 14 , further comprising:
 returning the resilient member to the first position from the second position;   axially displacing the anchor relative to the expansion device;   deforming the resilient member from the first position to the second position; and   radially expanding and plastically deforming the expandable tubular member by activating the actuator so as to axially displace the expansion device relative to the expandable tubular member.   
     
     
         16 . The method of  claim 14 , wherein the resilient member is deformed from the first position to the second position by applying a force to the resilient member and returns to the first position when the force is removed. 
     
     
         17 . The method of  claim 16 , wherein the force applied to the resilient member is an axial compressive force. 
     
     
         18 . The method of  claim 16 , wherein the force applied to the resilient member is a radial expansion force. 
     
     
         19 . The method of  claim 14 , wherein deforming the resilient member to the second position does not plastically deform the expandable tubular member. 
     
     
         20 . The method of  claim 14 , wherein deforming the resilient member to the second position plastically deforms the expandable tubular member.