Patent ID: 7389822
Filing Date: 2008-06-24
Classification: B21D,E21B

Abstract:
1. An expander system for radially expanding a tubular element having an unexpanded portion of a first inner diameter, the expander system including an expander movable between a radially retracted mode and a radially expanded mode, wherein the expander includes an expander body having first and second body ends and a tapering expansion surface extending in an axial direction of the expander, the expansion surface being operable to expand the tubular element from said first inner diameter to a second inner diameter larger than the first inner diameter by movement of the expander from the retracted mode to the expanded mode thereof, said expansion surface being of increasing diameter in said axial direction of the expander; wherein the expander body is provided with a plurality of longitudinal slots spaced about the circumference of the expander body, each slot having first and second ends, wherein each pair of adjacent slots defines a body segment therebetween, and wherein each slot end is spaced an axial distance from a respective body end; and wherein the expander includes a contact surface for contacting the inner surface of the tubular element, said contact surface having largest diameter that is larger than said first inner diameter and a smallest diameter that is smaller than said first inner diameter when the expander is in the radially retracted mode thereof.