Method and system for radially expanding a tubular element

摘要

The invention relates to a system and method for radially expanding a tubular element (8). The method comprises the steps of bending the tubular element (8) radially outward and in axially reverse direction so as to form an expanded tubular section (10) extending around an unexpanded tubular section (8) wherein bending occurs in a bending zone (14); and increasing the length of the expanded tubular section (10) by inducing the bending zone (14) to move in axial direction relative to the unexpanded tubular section (8). The method includes the further step of heating the bending zone. Several embodiments to enable heating are described.

主权项

1. A method for radially expanding a tubular element, the method comprising the steps of:
bending the tubular element radially outward and in axially reverse direction so as to form an expanded tubular section extending around an unexpanded tubular section, wherein bending occurs in a bending zone; increasing the length of the expanded tubular section by inducing the bending zone to move in axial direction relative to the unexpanded tubular section; and heating the bending zone, wherein heating the bending zone includes activating a heating element which is arranged near the bending zone, wherein the heating element includes an electric coil arranged between the unexpanded section and the expanded section.