Radially expanding tubular members.

摘要

In order to radially expand a tubular member (12), an apparatus (10) is disposed therein. The apparatus (10) comprises first and second spaced apart end caps (16, 18) rigidly connected to each other by a post (20). An expandable bladder (22) is fixed to each end cap (16, 18) and extends around the post (20) to define an annular space (24). A propellant is disposed in the annular space (24) and ignition means (32, 34) is associated with the propellant. The propellant is of the type which burns rapidly to generate large amounts of gas for expanding the bladder (22) and thus radially expands the tubular member (14) which is disposed around the bladder.