Screen, method of expanding a screen and method of conforming a screen to a borehole

Abstract

A screen includes, a body having a permeable material with energy stored therein configured to change the body from a first volume to a second volume, and a binder in operable communication with the body configured to retain the body in the first volume until the binder is weakened sufficiently for the energy stored within the body to overcome the binder and allow the body to change from the first volume toward the second volume.

Description

[0001] Cross References to Related Applications [0002] This application claims priority to US Provisional Application No. 13 / 029758, filed February 17, 2011, which is hereby incorporated by reference in its entirety. Background technique [0003] Filtration of contaminants from flowing fluids is common practice in systems involving fluid transport. Many of these systems utilize screens as the filtering mechanism. Screens that expand to substantially fill, for example, annular gaps between concentric pipes are another convention. Some of these systems use expander equipment to radially expand the screen. While this device is suitable for its purpose, it has limitations, including a limited amount of potential energy expansion, complex and costly equipment, and an inability to expand to fill asymmetric spaces. Apparatus and methods that overcome these and other limitations associated with existing systems are therefore desired for those skilled in the art. Contents of the...

AI Technical Summary

Problems solved by technology

Although this device is suitable for its purpose, it has limitations, including a limited amount of potential energy expansion, complex and costly equipment, and inability to expand to fill asymmetric spaces

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