Abstract
A cone assembly for use in expanding the diameter of a pipe has a rigid cone adapted to be positioned adjacent to an end of the pipe, a flexible cone positioned adjacent an end of the rigid cone and being movable between an expanded diameter at a reduced diameter, and an actuator having an end in contact with the flexible cone. The actuator is movable between an extended position and a retracted position. The extended position is adapted to cause the rigid cone to expand the outer diameter of the pipe and causes the flexible cone to expand in diameter. The retracted position of the actuator removes the force applied to the flexible cone so as to cause the flexible cone to have the reduced diameter. The flexible cone is a ring having a continuous wall with a single slot therethrough.
Claims
1. A cone assembly for use in expanding the diameter of a pipe, the cone assembly comprising: a rigid cone adapted to be positioned adjacent to an end of the pipe; a flexible cone positioned adjacent an end of said rigid cone, said flexible cone movable between an expanded diameter and a reduced diameter, said flexible cone having an internal taper, the flexible cone comprising a ring with a continuous wall having a single slot therethrough; and an actuator having an end in contact with said flexible cone, said actuator movable between an extended position and a retracted position, the extended position adapted to cause said rigid cone to expand a diameter of the pipe and to cause said flexible cone to have the expanded diameter, the retracted position of said actuator removing or releasing a force applied to said flexible cone so as to cause said flexible cone to have the reduced diameter.
2. The cone assembly of claim 1, the slot of the flexible cone extending longitudinally through the wall of said flexible cone, the slot widening in the expanded diameter of said flexible cone, the slot narrowing in the reduced diameter of said flexible cone.
3. The cone assembly of claim 1, said actuator comprising a piston having an end bearing adjacent the opposite end of said flexible cone when said flexible cone has the expanded diameter.
4. The cone assembly of claim 1, said slot positioned at an angle with respect to a center axis of the flexible cone.
5. The cone assembly of claim 1, the end of said actuator having a tapered outer diameter that corresponds to the internal taper of said flexible cone.
6. The cone assembly of claim 5, wherein the tapered outer diameter of said actuator is slidable along the internal taper of said flexible cone.
7. The cone assembly of claim 1, wherein the internal taper of said flexible cone is slidable along an external taper of said rigid cone.
8. An assembly comprising: a pipe having an end and an inner diameter; a rigid cone positioned adjacent the end of the pipe, said rigid cone having a tapered outer diameter that reduces from one end of the rigid cone toward an opposite end of said rigid cone, the opposite end of said rigid cone having an outer diameter less than an inner diameter of the end of said pipe, the end of said rigid cone having an outer diameter greater than the inner diameter of the end of said pipe; a flexible cone comprising a ring with a continuous wall having a single slot therethrough, the flexible cone having an end at the end of said rigid cone and an opposite end, said flexible cone having a tapered inner diameter, said flexible cone having an expanded diameter upon an application of force and a reduced diameter when no force or a minimal force is applied to said flexible cone; and an actuator having an end facing the opposite end of said flexible cone, the end of said actuator being in contact with the flexible cone, said actuator movable between an extended position and a retracted position, the extended position causing the flexible cone to have the expanded diameter and to urge said flexible cone and said rigid cone to expand the diameter of said pipe, the retracted position allowing said flexible cone and said rigid cone to be removed from the inner diameter at the end of said pipe.
9. The assembly of claim 8, wherein the flexible cone has a slot extending axially through the wall of said flexible cone from the end of said flexible cone to the opposite end of said flexible cone.
10. The assembly of claim 8, wherein the reduced diameter of said flexible cone is less than the inner diameter of said pipe when the actuator is in the retracted position.
11. The assembly of claim 8, wherein the actuator has a tapered outer diameter at an end thereof, the tapered outer diameter of said actuator generally matching the tapered inner diameter of said flexible cone.
12. The assembly of claim 11, wherein the tapered outer diameter of said actuator is slidable with respect to the tapered inner diameter of said flexible cone as said actuator moves between the extended position and the retracted position.
13. The assembly of claim 8, said slot positioned at an angle with respect to a center axis of the flexible cone.
14. The assembly of claim 8, wherein the internal taper of said flexible cone is slidable along an external taper of said rigid cone.
15. A method for expanding the diameter of a pipe, the method comprising: positioning a rigid cone and a flexible cone adjacent the end of the pipe such that the rigid cone has a narrow diameter end adjacent the end of the pipe, the flexible cone being positioned adjacent a wide diameter end of said rigid cone, the flexible cone comprising a ring with a continuous wall having a single slot therethrough; applying a force to the flexible cone so as to translate the flexible cone and the rigid cone into the end of the pipe; expanding the diameter of the pipe by sliding an outer diameter of said rigid cone along an inner diameter of said pipe; expanding a diameter of said flexible cone during the application of force to the flexible cone; releasing or reducing the force on the flexible cone after the end of the pipe has a desired expanded diameter so as to cause the flexible cone to reduce the outer diameter of the flexible cone; and removing the flexible cone and the rigid cone from the end of the pipe after the force is reduced or released.
16. The method of claim 15, wherein the rigid cone has a tapered outer diameter, the tapered outer diameter having a large diameter greater than an inner diameter of the end of the pipe prior to the step of expanding the outer diameter of the pipe and a small diameter less than the inner diameter of the end of the pipe prior to the step of expanding the outer diameter of the pipe.
17. the method of claim 16, wherein the large diameter of the rigid cone is less than an inner diameter of the end of the pipe following the steps of expanding the outer diameter of the pipe.
18. The method of claim 15, wherein the step of applying the force comprises: actuating an actuator so as to move from a retracted position to an extended position, the extended position bearing against an end of the flexible cone.
19. The method of claim 18, the step of expanding the outer diameter of the flexible cone comprising: sliding a tapered surface of the actuator or a tapered outer surface of the rigid cone along the tapered inner diameter of the flexible cone such that the slot formed in the outer wall of the flexible cone widens.
20. The method of claim 18, wherein the step of removing comprises: retracting the actuator so as to pull the rigid cone and the flexible cone from the end of the pipe; and retrieving the flexible cone and the rigid cone to a remote location.
Description
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE SEVERAL VIEWS OF THE DRAWINGS
[0044] FIGS. 1A, 1B and 1C show a cone assembly of the prior art as used for the expansion of a pipe or tubular.
[0045] FIG. 2 is a side elevational view showing the cone assembly of the present invention prior to the expansion of the tubular.
[0046] FIG. 2A is a perspective view showing the flexible cone of the present invention.
[0047] FIGS. 3A and 3B illustrates the various steps of the method of the present invention for the expansion of the tubular and for the removal of the cone assembly from the tubular.
[0048] FIGS. 4A, 4B and 4C show the various steps of the method of the present invention for forming the expanded outer diameter of the tubing.
[0049] FIGS. 5A, 5B and 5C illustrate a cone assembly of another embodiment of the present invention.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
[0050] Referring to FIG. 2, there is shown the cone assembly 20 for use in the expansion of a tubular 22. The tubular 22 is in the nature of a pipe having an end 24 and an inner diameter 26. A rigid cone 28 is positioned adjacent to the end 24 of the pipe 22. The rigid cone 28 has a tapered outer diameter 30 that reduces in diameter from end 32 toward end 33. The end 33 of the rigid cone 28 has an outer diameter less than the inner diameter 26 at the end of the pipe 22. The end 32 of the rigid cone 28 has an outer diameter greater than the inner diameter 26 of the pipe 22. A flexible cone 34 has an end 36 at the end 32 of the rigid cone 28. The flexible cone 34 will preferably have a tapered inner diameter which widens from the end 36 to the opposite end 38. The flexible cone 34 has an expandable diameter when a force is applied to the end 38 of the flexible cone 34 and a reduced diameter when no force or minimal force is applied to the flexible cone. In FIG. 2, the reduced diameter of the flexible cone 34 is particularly illustrated.
[0051] An actuator 40 has an end received within the flexible cone 34. As will be described hereinafter, the end of the actuator 40 is receivable within the tapered inner diameter of the flexible cone 34. The actuator 40 is movable between an extended position and a retracted position (shown in FIG. 2). In the extended position, the flexible cone has an expanded diameter which urges the flexible cone and the rigid cone to expand the diameter of the pipe 22. The retracted position allows the flexible cone 34 and the rigid cone 28 to be removed from the inner diameter 26 of the pipe 22.
[0052] As can be seen in FIG. 2A, the flexible cone 34 has a slot 43 extending axially through a wall of the flexible cone 34 from one end of the flexible cone 34 to an opposite end of the flexible cone. As will be described hereinafter, the reduced diameter of the flexible cone 34 will be less than the inner diameter 26 of the pipe 22 (after expansion) when the actuator 40 is in the retracted position. The actuator 40 will preferably have a tapered outer diameter at an end thereof. In an embodiment, the tapered outer diameter of the actuator 40 generally matches the tapered inner diameter of the flexible cone 34. The tapered outer diameter of the actuator 40 is slidable with respect to the tapered inner diameter of the flexible cone 34 as the actuator 40 moves between the extended position and the retracted position.
[0053] Preferably, the flexible cone 34 is in the form of a ring with a continuous outer wall with a single slot therethrough. This construction is advantageous compared to the relatively fragile expander units of the U.S. Pat. No. 7,681,636 patent. The flexible cone 34 of the present invention is stronger and provides more continuous pressure on the pipe than those of the prior art.
[0054] In FIG. 2, it can be seen that there is a piston 42 that is the actuator 40 or acts upon the actuator 40. The piston has a portion received within the inner diameter of the flexible cone 34 and within the interior of the rigid cone 28. The piston 42 has a selective anchor 44 at an end thereof. The selective anchor 44 has a plurality of teeth 45 thereon. The selective anchor 44 will bear against the end 33 of the rigid cone 28 when the actuator 40 moves from the retracted position to the extended position. Each of the rigid cone 28 and the flexible cone 34 is preferably of a frustoconical shape. A pressure line 80 is provided with a pressure port 82 that drives the piston 42 of the actuator 40. The pressure line 80 is also connected to a pressure port 84, which expands the selective anchor 44 such that the teeth 45 engage the pipe.
[0055] FIG. 2A is an isolated view of the flexible cone 34. FIG. 2A illustrates the flexible cone 34 as a ring, wherein the slot 43 cuts through the ring shape from end 38 to end 36. The slot 43 is preferably cut at an angle with respect to the axial direction of the pipe (rather than straight across from end 38 to end 36). An angled cut is preferable because this prevents a gap in the flexible cone where pressure would not be applied to the pipe upon expansion.
[0056] FIG. 3A illustrates the flexible cone in the expanded configuration. Dashed line 41 shows the lack of a gap due to the angled cut, whereas a straight or axially-cut flexible cone would have a gap where pressure would not be applied to the pipe, thereby not expanding the pipe all around.
[0057] FIGS. 3A and 3B show the process of the present invention. In particular, in FIG. 3A, it can be seen that the actuator 40 urges against the flexible cone 34 so as to push the flexible cone 34 and the rigid cone 28 into the inner diameter 26 of the pipe 22. In particular, the tapered outer diameter 30 of the rigid cone 28 will form the desired tapered section 46 of the pipe 22. Similarly, the tapered outer diameter of the flexible cone 34 will further serve to shape the expanded diameter section of the pipe 22. In FIG. 3A, it can be seen that when the actuator 40 applies a force against the flexible cone 34, the slot 43 will expand so as to expand the outer diameter of the flexible cone 34. In this configuration, it can be seen that there is a ledge 50 that is formed at the end of the pipe. The rigid cone 28 moves so as to approach the selective anchor 44.
[0058] Under normal circumstances, it would be difficult to remove the cone assembly from the interior diameter 26 of the pipe 22. However, because of the use of the flexible cone 34, in combination with the rigid cone 28, removal becomes simplified. In FIG. 3B, it can be seen that the actuator 40 removes its force from the flexible cone 34 and also to the rigid cone 28. Because the flexible cone 34 is suitably flexible and it is biased to the non-expanded diameter, the slot 43 will narrow in width so as to reduce the outer diameter of the flexible cone 34. The selective anchor 44 can bear against the rigid cone 28 so that the piston 42 can draw or pull the rigid cone 28 and the flexible cone 34 from the inner diameter 26 of the pipe 22. As such, the expanded section 46 of the pipe 22 is created. The ledge 50 will not interfere with the removal of the flexible cone 34 or the rigid cone 28.
[0059] FIG. 4A shows, in particular, the configuration on the interior of each of the rigid cone 28 and the flexible cone 34 in relation to the actuator 40. It can be seen that a portion 42 of the actuator 40 extends through the interior of the rigid cone 28 and the flexible cone 34. The flexible cone 34 has a tapered inner diameter 54 which widens from the end 36 which abuts the rigid cone 24 toward the opposite end 38 of the flexible cone. The actuator 40 has a tapered outer diameter 56 which will slide along the tapered inner diameter 54 of the flexible cone 34 as the actuator 40 translates through the interior of the flexible cone 34. As the actuator 40 moves in the direction toward the rigid cone 28, the outer diameter of the flexible cone 34 will expand by the widening of the slot 43. This will further urge the rigid cone 28 into the inner diameter 26 of the pipe 22. A spring 49 urges the flexible cone 34 toward the rigid cone 28. The portion 42 of the actuator 40 has an abutment surface 51. The actuator 40 has a wall 41. In FIG. 4A, the rigid cone 28 has an end bearing against the surface 51, and the flexible cone has an end spaced from the wall 41.
[0060] FIG. 4B shows that the actuator 40 has moved to its extended position. In this configuration, the wall 41 of the actuator 40 will abuts the rigid cone 28 so as to fully urge the rigid cone 28 into the inner diameter 26 of the pipe 22 in order to create the expanded section 46 and the ledge 50 of the pipe 22. In this configuration, the tapered inner diameter 54 of the flexible cone 34 will slide along the tapered outer diameter 56 of the actuator 40. The spring 49 is compressed and the flexible cone 34 is fully positioned over the surface of the actuator 40. The end of the rigid cone 28 will bear against the wall 41. As such, the actuator 40 will cause the outer surface of the rigid cone 28 and the flexible cone 34 to form the expanded section 46 of the pipe 22. The end 47 of the rigid cone 28 will be spaced from the selective anchor 44.
[0061] FIG. 4C shows the circumstances in which the force is removed from the actuator 40. In this configuration, the actuator 40 will move rearwardly within the interior of the flexible cone 34. Similarly, the abutment surface 51 at the end of the portion 42 of the actuator 40 will bear against the end 47 of the rigid cone 28 so as to draw or pull the rigid cone 28 and the flexible cone 34 from the inner diameter 26 of the pipe 22. Since the wide outer diameter of the flexible cone 34 is less than the inner diameter of the pipe 22 at the end of the ledge 50, there will be no restriction against the removal of the rigid cone 28 and the flexible cone 34 from the interior diameter 26 of the pipe 22 after expansion. This assembly can then be easily retrieved to a remote location for further use. The spring 49 assists the rigid cone 28 and the flexible cone 34 back to the position shown in FIG. 4A.
[0062] Referring to FIGS. 5A-5C, there is shown an alternative embodiment of the cone assembly of the present invention. The cone assembly 100 includes an actuator 102 and rigid cone 104. As with the previous embodiment, a flexible cone 106 is in contact with both the actuator and the rigid code 104.
[0063] In FIG. 5A it can been seen that there is an axially forward direction 108 with respect to the pipe 120. The rigid cone 104 has two sections divided by a ledge 110. In the forward section, the diameter of the rigid cone decreases in the axially forward direction 108. Opposite the ledge 110, the diameter of the rigid cone increases in the axially forward direction 108. This area of increasing diameter is illustrated by reference number 112. The flexible cone has a corresponding increase in diameter moving in the axially forward direction 108 from the actuator 102.
[0064] As can be seen in FIG. 5A, the actuator 102 is in contact with the flexible cone 106 such the flexible cone 106 slides along the sloped portion 112 of the rigid cone 104. FIG. 5A also illustrates a spring 116 positioned between actuator 102 and the rigid cone 104. A selective anchor or other abutment number 118 is also shown in FIG. 5A.
[0065] FIG. 5B illustrates the cone assembly 100 in the extended position. As can be seen at FIG. 5B, the actuator 102 has moved the flexible cone 106 up the sloped portion 112 of the rigid cone 104 so as to cause the flexible and rigid cone to expand the diameter of the pipe 120. As we see in FIG. 5B, the flexible cone has been moved along the slope 112 of the rigid code 114 until it abuts the ledge 110. FIG. 5B illustrates how the pipe has been expanded and a ledge 122 is present.
[0066] In FIG. 5C, the cone assembly 100 has been retracted. The flexible cone 106 has moved axially rearwardly along the sloped portion 112 of the rigid cone 104 back to its original position as shown in FIG. 5A. In this position, it can be seen how there is a gap between the bottom portion of the ledge 122 and the top of both the rigid cone 104 and the flexible cone 106. As with the previous embodiments, this allows for easy extraction of the cone assembly from the expanded pipe.
[0067] The foregoing disclosure and description of the invention is illustrative and explanatory thereof. Various changes in the details of the illustrated construction can be made is the scope of the present invention without departing from the true spirit of the invention. The present invention should only be limited by the following claims and their legal equivalents.
