Screen, method of expanding a screen and method of conforming a screen to a borehole

Abstract

A screen includes, a body having a permeable material with energy stored therein configured to change the body from a first volume to a second volume, and a binder in operable communication with the body configured to retain the body in the first volume until the binder is weakened sufficiently for the energy stored within the body to overcome the binder and allow the body to change from the first volume toward the second volume.

1 . A screen comprising:
 a body having a permeable material with energy stored therein configured to change the body from a first volume to a second volume; and   a binder in operable communication with the body configured to retain the body in the first volume until the binder is weakened sufficiently for the energy stored within the body to overcome the binder and allow the body to change from the first volume toward the second volume.   
     
     
         2 . The screen of  claim 1 , wherein the binder includes polyvinyl alcohol. 
     
     
         3 . The screen of  claim 1 , wherein the energy is created by compaction of the body. 
     
     
         4 . The screen of  claim 1 , wherein the binder is weakened by changes in temperature. 
     
     
         5 . The screen of  claim 1 , wherein the binder is weakened by exposure to a solvent. 
     
     
         6 . The screen of  claim 1 , wherein the binder is weakened by a chemical reaction. 
     
     
         7 . The screen of  claim 1 , wherein the binder is weakened by exposure to an acid. 
     
     
         8 . The screen of  claim 1 , wherein the permeable material is a polymer. 
     
     
         9 . The screen of  claim 1 , wherein the body is configured to filter fluid. 
     
     
         10 . The screen of  claim 1 , wherein the body is expandable when the binder is removable from the body. 
     
     
         11 . The screen of  claim 1 , wherein the body has a mat structure. 
     
     
         12 . The screen of  claim 1 , wherein the body has an open celled foam structure. 
     
     
         13 . A sand screen apparatus comprising:
 a tubular; and   a body according to  claim 1  in operable communication with the tubular positioned radially of the tubular.   
     
     
         14 . The sand screen apparatus of  claim 13 , wherein the tubular is perforated. 
     
     
         15 . A method of expanding a screen comprising:
 generating energy within a permeable body sufficient to change the body from a first volume to a second volume;   binding the permeable body to prevent the generated energy from expanding the permeable body from the first volume to the second volume;   weakening the binding to a level sufficient to allow the generated energy to expand the permeable body from the first volume to the second volume; and   expanding the body from the first volume toward the second volume.   
     
     
         16 . The method of expanding a screen of  claim 15 , wherein the generating energy is through compaction of the body. 
     
     
         17 . The method of expanding a screen of  claim 15 , wherein the weakening the binding is through changes in temperature thereof. 
     
     
         18 . The method of expanding a screen of  claim 15 , wherein the weakening the binding is through exposing the binding to a solvent. 
     
     
         19 . The method of expanding a screen of  claim 15 , further comprising dissolving the binding. 
     
     
         20 . The method of expanding a screen of  claim 15 , further comprising removing the binding from the body. 
     
     
         21 . The method of expanding a screen of  claim 15 , wherein the generating energy is through extrusion of the body. 
     
     
         22 . A method of conforming a screen to a borehole, comprising:
 positioning a screen within a borehole;   weakening a binding maintaining the screen at a first volume;   expanding the screen toward a second volume with energy stored within the screen; and   contacting walls of the borehole with the screen.