Invention Grant
- Patent Title: Tubular expansion device and method of fabrication
- Patent Title (中): 管状膨胀装置及其制造方法
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Application No.: US11954942Application Date: 2007-12-12
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Publication No.: US07861744B2Publication Date: 2011-01-04
- Inventor: Charles B. Fly , Gerald W. Fly , Kenneth W. Walker
- Applicant: Charles B. Fly , Gerald W. Fly , Kenneth W. Walker
- Applicant Address: US TX League City
- Assignee: Expansion Technologies
- Current Assignee: Expansion Technologies
- Current Assignee Address: US TX League City
- Agency: Nutter McClennen & Fish LLP
- Agent David J. Powsner; Christopher J. Stow
- Main IPC: F16L55/12
- IPC: F16L55/12

Abstract:
The invention comprises a device for expanding tubular members to a controlled diameter and its method of fabrication. The device includes an expandable bladder held in a convoluted form. After the device is inserted into a cylindrical tube to be evenly expanded, the bladder is expanded by hydraulic pressure to a controlled maximum diameter. It is then deflated so the device can then be moved to another location and reused. The bladder is formed from a flexible impervious material having integral reinforcing fibers. It is initially formed in a fully expanded configuration over a convoluted mandrel and a removable cylindrical shell. When the shell is removed vacuum or external pressure draws the bladder against the mandrel. The bladder is overmolded with a resilient cover to hold it in reduced form until pressurized. The bladder cover prevents the bladder from kinking during the expansion.
Public/Granted literature
- US20090126436A1 TUBULAR EXPANSION DEVICE AND METHOD OF FABRICATION Public/Granted day:2009-05-21
Information query
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