Claims
- 1. Tubing expansion apparatus, the apparatus comprising:
an expansion device for advancement through a length of expandable tubing to expand the tubing from a smaller first diameter to a larger second diameter, the device being adapted to cycle between a smaller diameter first configuration and a larger diameter second configuration; a pressure responsive member for cycling the device between said configurations; and a force application member for advancing the cycling means through the tubing.
- 2. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the device comprises a hollow flexible body, the dimensions of the body being variable in response to variations in internal fluid pressure.
- 3. The apparatus of claim 2, wherein the body in elastomeric.
- 4. The apparatus of claim 2, wherein the body carries rigid members for contact with an internal surface of the tubing.
- 5. A method of expanding tubing, the method comprising:
providing a length of expandable tubing of a first diameter; locating an expansion device in the tubing; cycling the expansion device between a smaller diameter first configuration and a larger diameter second configuration using a cycling device, in said second configuration the expansion device describing a greater diameter than said tubing first diameter such that the tubing is expanded to a greater second diameter; and advancing the cycling device through the tubing.
- 6. The method of claim 5, wherein the expansion device is cycled at least once a second.
Priority Claims (1)
Number |
Date |
Country |
Kind |
0114872.5 |
Jun 2001 |
GB |
|
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS
[0001] This application is a divisional of co-pending U.S. patent application Ser. No. 10/175,544, filed Jun. 19, 2002, which claims priority benefit under 35 USC § 119 of Great Britain application Serial No. 0114872.5, filed Jun. 19, 2001. Both applications are herein incorporated by reference in their entireties.
Divisions (1)
|
Number |
Date |
Country |
Parent |
10175544 |
Jun 2002 |
US |
Child |
10770373 |
Feb 2004 |
US |