Tubular expansion device and method of fabrication

Details Tubular expansion device and method of fabrication Tubular expansion device and method of fabrication

2011-01-04

2011-01-04

Hook, James F (Department: 3754)

Pipes and tubular conduits

Repairing

Patches

C138S093000, C166S384000, C166S101000, C166S187000, C072S370070, C072S058000

Reexamination Certificate

active

07861744

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.

REFERENCES:
patent: 2875787 (1959-03-01), Evans
patent: 3028915 (1962-04-01), Jennings
patent: 3167122 (1965-01-01), Lang
patent: 3179168 (1965-04-01), Vincent
patent: 3338310 (1967-08-01), McGill
patent: RE30802 (1981-11-01), Rogers, Jr.
patent: 4368571 (1983-01-01), Cooper, Jr.
patent: 4420016 (1983-12-01), Nichols
patent: 4467835 (1984-08-01), Champleboux
patent: 5009002 (1991-04-01), Kelly
patent: 5119862 (1992-06-01), Maimets et al.
patent: 5236201 (1993-08-01), Vance, Sr. et al.
patent: 5301424 (1994-04-01), Snyder
patent: 5327962 (1994-07-01), Head
patent: 5469919 (1995-11-01), Carisella
patent: 5785120 (1998-07-01), Smalley et al.
patent: 5833001 (1998-11-01), Song et al.
patent: 6007067 (1999-12-01), Hiorth
patent: 6019136 (2000-02-01), Walsh et al.
patent: 6029748 (2000-02-01), Forsyth et al.
patent: 6041863 (2000-03-01), Lindsey
patent: 6073692 (2000-06-01), Wood et al.
patent: 7077196 (2006-07-01), Rudd
patent: 7111680 (2006-09-01), Duggan
patent: 2003/0221840 (2003-12-01), Whitelaw et al.
International Search Report, PCT Application No. PCT/US07/87253.

Affiliated with

Also associated with

Rating

Tubular expansion device and method of fabrication does not yet have a rating. At this time, there are no reviews or comments for this patent.

If you have personal experience with Tubular expansion device and method of fabrication, we encourage you to share that experience with our LandOfFree.com community. Your opinion is very important and Tubular expansion device and method of fabrication will most certainly appreciate the feedback.

Rate now

Comments { 0 }

Profile ID: LFUS-PAI-O-2692075