Apparatus comprising bistable structures and methods for their use in oil and gas wells
US6431271B1 · kind B1 · utility
Assignee
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | Sep 20, 2000 |
| Grant date | Aug 13, 2002 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Nov 10, 2020 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC F)Mechanical Engineering; Lighting; Heating
- CPC primaryF16H19/064
- WIPO fieldCivil engineering
- WIPO sectorOther fields
Abstract
Apparatus for use in a wellbore comprises (1) a first structure that comprises (a) at least one extendable member that can be reconfigured from a coiled form to an extended form, the member having a flattened transverse cross-section when in the coiled form and a curved transverse cross-section when in the extended form, (b) a downhole well tool attached to the extendable member, and (c) a housing in which the extendable member can be coiled; (2) a well mounting device for supporting the first structure from the wellbore or the surface of a well; and (3) means for reconfiguring the extendable, coilable member in a wellbore from the coiled form to the extended form. Preferably, the extendable member is reversibly configurable between the coiled form and the extended form.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.