Expandable structures for wellbore deployment

Abstract

The subject disclosure relates to expandable structures that seal and block cross-sections of a wellbore. In an embodiment, the apparatus comprises a plurality of structure plates and at least one expandable structure, the apparatus operable to change a perimeter diameter and block a cross-section when deployed.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . An apparatus comprising:
 a plurality of structure plates;   at least one reversibly expandable structure operable to change a perimeter diameter; and   the apparatus operable to block a cross-section when deployed.   
     
     
         2 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein the plurality of structure plates are connected to the at least one reversibly expandable structure. 
     
     
         3 . The apparatus of  claim 2 , wherein the plurality of structure plates are driven by the at least one reversibly expandable structure. 
     
     
         4 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein the perimeter dimension of the at least one reversibly expandable structure is variable, lockable and adjustable. 
     
     
         5 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein the apparatus is deployed in a wellbore. 
     
     
         6 . The apparatus of  claim 5 , wherein a plurality of apparatuses are deployed in series along an axial dimension of the wellbore. 
     
     
         7 . The apparatus of  claim 4 , wherein the perimeter dimension of the at least one reversibly expandable structure is defined by the inner diameter of a wellbore. 
     
     
         8 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , further comprising an anchoring device. 
     
     
         9 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein the at least one reversibly expandable structure comprises a plurality of linkages. 
     
     
         10 . The apparatus of  claim 9 , wherein each linkage comprises a compliant arm. 
     
     
         11 . The apparatus of  claim 10 , further comprising a housing. 
     
     
         12 . The apparatus of  claim 11 , wherein the compliant arm in a deformed state is stored in the housing. 
     
     
         13 . The apparatus of  claim 12 , wherein the compliant arm stores energy in the deformed state. 
     
     
         14 . The apparatus of  claim 11 , wherein the housing is a tube. 
     
     
         15 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , further comprising a sealing material. 
     
     
         16 . The apparatus of  claim 15 , wherein the sealing material is disposed adjacent the plurality of structure plates. 
     
     
         17 . The apparatus of  claim 15 , wherein the sealing material is attached to the plurality of structure plates. 
     
     
         18 . The apparatus of  claim 15 , wherein the sealing material has multiple pleated-type folds. 
     
     
         19 . The apparatus of  claim 15 , wherein the sealing material seals fluid communication from one side to the other of the cross-sectional area when deployed. 
     
     
         20 . The apparatus of  claim 15 , wherein the sealing material fluidly isolates a first or upper section from a second or lower section of the wellbore. 
     
     
         21 . The apparatus of  claim 15 , wherein the wellbore is a cased or open hole wellbore. 
     
     
         22 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein a first section of a wellbore is isolated from a second section when deployed. 
     
     
         23 . The apparatus of  claim 15 , wherein the deployed apparatus provides zonal isolation along a length of a wellbore. 
     
     
         24 . The apparatus of  claim 15 , wherein the sealing material is one of an elastomer, a swelling material or combinations thereof 
     
     
         25 . A method for blocking a cross-section of a well comprising:
 providing an apparatus comprising a plurality of structure plates and at least one reversibly expandable structure; and
 changing the perimeter dimension of the at least one reversibly expandable structure to block a cross-section of the well. 
   
     
     
         26 . A method for blocking a cross-section of a wellbore comprising:
 providing an apparatus comprising a plurality of structure plates and at least one reversibly expandable structure; and
 deploying the apparatus to block a cross-section of the wellbore. 
   
     
     
         27 . A method for blocking a cross-section of a well comprising:
 deploying an apparatus comprising a plurality of structure plates and at least one reversibly expandable structure in a collapsed state to a location in a well; and   transitioning the apparatus to an expanded state at the location, a level of expansion for the expanded state defined by the wellbore.   
     
     
         28 . The method of  claim 27 , wherein the plurality of structure plates block a cross-section when the apparatus is deployed. 
     
     
         29 . The method of  claim 27 , further comprising a sealing material. 
     
     
         30 . The method of  claim 27 , wherein the sealing material seals the cross-section when deployed.