Patent ID: 9085967
Filing Date: 2015-07-21
Classification: E21B

Abstract:
1. An expansion system comprising: a mandrel having a sloped outer surface that extends between a first end and a second end, wherein the second end is radially larger than the first end; a plurality of primary cone segments, wherein each of the plurality of primary cone segments has an inner surface in contact with the sloped outer surface; and a plurality of secondary cone segments interleaved with the plurality of primary cone segments, wherein each of the plurality of secondary cone segments has an inner surface in contact with the sloped outer surface; wherein the expansion system has a first position wherein the plurality of primary cone segments and the plurality of secondary cone segments are in a retracted position; wherein the expansion system has a second position wherein the plurality of secondary cone segments are in a retracted position and the plurality of primary cone segments are in an expanded position; wherein the expansion system has a third position wherein the plurality of primary cone segments and the plurality of secondary cone segments are in an expanded position; wherein as the expansion system is moved from the first position to the second position and from the second position to the third position, both the plurality of primary cone segments and the plurality of secondary cone segments move axially along the mandrel toward the second end; and wherein the inner surface of each of the plurality of primary cone segments and the inner surface of each of the plurality of secondary cone segments maintains contact with the sloped outer surface of the mandrel as the expansion system is moved from the first position to the second position and from the second position to the third position.