Expandable translating joint

Abstract

An expandable translating joint comprises a first expandable tubular member having a lower end with a recessed inner wall portion and a second expandable tubular member having an upper end with a recessed outer wall portion. The second expandable tubular member is partially disposed within the first expandable tubular member such that the recessed inner wall portion at least partially surrounds the recessed outer wall portion. A retainer is coupled to the recessed inner wall portion of the first expandable tubular member and disposed within the recessed outer wall portion of the lower second expandable tubular member. An expansion cone is operable to move axially through and radially expand the first and second expandable tubulars. The first expandable tubular can translate relative to the second tubular member both before and after expansion.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . An expandable translating joint comprising:
 a first expandable tubular member having a lower end with a recessed inner wall portion;   a second expandable tubular member having an upper end with a recessed outer wall portion, wherein the second expandable tubular member is partially disposed within the first expandable tubular member such that the recessed inner wall portion at least partially surrounds the recessed outer wall portion;   a retainer coupled to the recessed inner wall portion of the first expandable tubular member and disposed within the recessed outer wall portion of the lower second expandable tubular member; and   an expansion cone disposed within the second expandable tubular member and operable to move axially through and radially expand the first and second expandable tubulars, wherein the first expandable tubular can translate relative to the second tubular member both before and after expansion.   
     
     
         2 . The expandable translating joint of  claim 1 , further comprising a seal groove disposed proximate to the upper end of the second expandable tubular member. 
     
     
         3 . The expandable translating joint of  claim 2 , wherein the seal groove is disposed between the upper end and the recessed outer wall portion of the second expandable tubular member. 
     
     
         4 . The expandable translating joint of  claim 2 , further comprising a seal member disposed in the seal groove and in sealing engagement with the recessed inner wall portion of the first expandable tubular member. 
     
     
         5 . The expandable translating joint of  claim 1 , wherein the first expandable tubular member is rotationally constrained relative to the second expandable tubular member. 
     
     
         6 . The expandable translating joint of  claim 1 , further comprising a plurality of axial tabs extending from the upper end of the second expandable tubular member that are engaged with a corresponding plurality of axial grooves formed in the first expandable tubular member. 
     
     
         7 . The expandable translating joint of  claim 1 , further comprising a plurality of retainer pins that couple the retainer to the first expandable tubular member. 
     
     
         8 . The expandable translating joint of  claim 1 , wherein the retainer is welded to the first expandable tubular member. 
     
     
         9 . An expansion system comprising:
 an upper tubular member having a lower end with a recessed inner wall portion;   a lower tubular member having an upper end with a recessed outer wall portion, wherein the lower tubular member is partially disposed within the upper tubular member such that the recessed inner wall portion at least partially surrounds the recessed outer wall portion;   a retainer coupled to the upper tubular member and disposed within the recessed outer wall portion of the lower tubular member; and   an expansion cone operable to move axially through and radially expand the upper and lower tubulars, wherein the upper tubular can translate relative to the lower tubular member both before and after expansion.   
     
     
         10 . The expansion system of  claim 9 , further comprising a seal groove disposed proximate to the upper end of the lower tubular member. 
     
     
         11 . The expansion system of  claim 10 , wherein the seal groove is disposed between the upper end and the recessed outer wall portion of the lower tubular member. 
     
     
         12 . The expansion system of  claim 10 , further comprising a seal member disposed in the seal groove and in sealing engagement with the recessed inner wall portion of the upper tubular member. 
     
     
         13 . The expansion system of  claim 9 , wherein the upper tubular member is rotationally constrained relative to the lower tubular member. 
     
     
         14 . The expansion system of  claim 9 , further comprising a plurality of axial tabs extending from the upper end of the lower tubular member that are engaged with a corresponding plurality of axial grooves formed in the upper tubular member. 
     
     
         15 . The expansion system of  claim 9 , further comprising a plurality of retainer pins that couple the retainer to the upper tubular member. 
     
     
         16 . The expansion system of  claim 9 , wherein the retainer is welded to the upper tubular member. 
     
     
         17 . A method comprising:
 inserting an upper end of a lower tubular member into a recessed inner wall portion of an upper tubular member;   coupling a retainer to a lower end of the upper tubular member, wherein the retainer is disposed within a recessed outer wall portion of the lower tubular member; and   axially translating an expansion cone through the upper and lower tubular members so as to radially expand the upper and lower tubular members, wherein the upper tubular can translate relative to the lower tubular member both before and after expansion.   
     
     
         18 . The method of  claim 17 , further comprising forming a seal between the lower tubular member and the recessed inner wall portion of the upper tubular member. 
     
     
         19 . The method of  claim 17 , further comprising rotationally constraining the upper tubular member relative to the lower tubular member both before and after expansion. 
     
     
         20 . The method of  claim 17 , wherein the retainer is coupled to the upper tubular member by a plurality of retainer pins.