Patent ID: 7363690

Claim:
A method of coupling a first tubular member to a second tubular member, comprising: plastically deforming and radially expanding a first portion of the first tubular member to a first outside diameter; plastically deforming and radially expanding another portion of the first tubular member to a second outside diameter; positioning the second tubular member inside the plastically deformed and radially expanded first portion of the first tubular member in an overlapping relationship therewith; plastically deforming and radially expanding the second tubular member to a third outside diameter; and plastically deforming and radially expanding the second tubular member to a fourth outside diameter; wherein the inside diameters of the first and second tubular members alter the plastic deformations and radial expansions are substantially equal; and wherein plastically deforming and radially expanding the first portion of the first tubular member comprises: applying a radial force to the first portion of the first tubular member using an inflatable bladder.