Aquifier flow controlling valve assembly and method
원문보기
IPC분류정보
국가/구분
United States(US) Patent
등록
국제특허분류(IPC7판)
E21B-034/14
F16K-011/02
출원번호
US-0815324
(2010-06-14)
등록번호
US-8522887
(2013-09-03)
발명자
/ 주소
Madison, Kent R.
출원인 / 주소
Madison, Kent R.
대리인 / 주소
Klarquist Sparkman, LLP
인용정보
피인용 횟수 :
4인용 특허 :
52
초록▼
A valve assembly for use in aquifer liquid flow control in accordance with one embodiment can be used to deliver liquid to and/or from at least one selected aquifer in a plural aquifer system. In accordance with an embodiment, the valve can be used to route liquid to or from a first aquifer without
A valve assembly for use in aquifer liquid flow control in accordance with one embodiment can be used to deliver liquid to and/or from at least one selected aquifer in a plural aquifer system. In accordance with an embodiment, the valve can be used to route liquid to or from a first aquifer without delivering liquid to or from a second aquifer, or to or from the second aquifer without delivering liquid to or from the first aquifer. As an aspect of an embodiment, the valve assembly can be used to shut off the flow of liquid to both the first and second aquifers.
대표청구항▼
1. A valve assembly for use in selectively delivering recharge liquid through one portion of the valve assembly to an aquifer or receiving liquid from an aquifer through the one portion of the valve assembly and selectively delivering recharge liquid through another portion of the valve assembly to
1. A valve assembly for use in selectively delivering recharge liquid through one portion of the valve assembly to an aquifer or receiving liquid from an aquifer through the one portion of the valve assembly and selectively delivering recharge liquid through another portion of the valve assembly to an aquifer or receiving liquid from the aquifer through said another portion of the valve assembly, the valve assembly comprising: a pipe section comprising a wall with an interior surface and an exterior surface and a liquid flow passageway through the pipe section;at least one aperture extending through the wall at said one portion of the valve assembly and communicating between a first portion of the liquid flow passageway and the exterior of the pipe section;at least one bypass passageway communicating from the first portion of the liquid flow passageway to a second portion of the liquid flow passageway;a first valve positioned within the interior of the pipe section and selectively movable from a first valve closed position in which the first valve overlies and blocks liquid flow through the at least one aperture to a first valve open position in which the first valve no longer overlies the at least one aperture at least in part such that liquid can flow through the at least one aperture to recharge the at least one aquifer or recover liquid from at least one aquifer when the valve assembly is installed in a well casing, wherein the first valve has flexibility such that when the first valve is in the first valve closed position and the valve assembly is installed in a well casing, a head of water pressure within the pipe section can urge the valve outwardly against the overlaid at least one aperture;a second valve positioned within the interior of the pipe section and selectively movable from a second valve open position to a second valve closed position, wherein in the second valve open position the second valve is positioned to at least partially open the bypass passageway such that liquid can flow through the pipe section through the first portion of the liquid flow passageway, through the bypass passageway and through the second portion of the liquid flow passageway, and wherein in the second valve closed position the second valve closes the second portion of the liquid flow passageway to thereby block liquid flow through the liquid flow passageway;a valve actuator coupled to the first valve and operable to selectively move the first valve between the first valve closed position and first valve open position, the valve actuator also being coupled to the second valve and operable to selectively move the second valve between the second valve open position and the second valve closed position, the second valve being selectively movable to the second valve open position at least during a portion of the time that the first valve is in the first valve closed position such that liquid can flow through the first portion of the liquid flow passageway, the bypass passageway and the second portion of the liquid flow passageway through the said another portion of the valve assembly to or from at least one aquifer to recharge the at least one aquifer or to recover liquid from said at least one aquifer when the valve assembly is installed in a well casing without flowing through the at least one aperture; and the valve actuator being operable to selectively move the second valve to the second valve closed position during at least a portion of the time the first valve is in the first valve open position such that when the valve assembly is installed in a well casing the second valve blocks liquid flow through the second portion of the liquid flow passageway to or from an aquifer and liquid is allowed to flow through the at least one aperture to or from an aquifer; andwherein the first valve comprises a hollow cylindrical valve having an interior wall with an inner wall diameter and first and second end portions, the cylindrical valve having a valve center portion spaced inwardly from the interior wall through which liquid can flow, a first ring adjacent to the first end portion and a second ring adjacent to the second end portion, the first ring having an inner ring diameter that is less than the inner wall diameter, the first ring being positioned adjacent to the first end portion such that an interior periphery portion of the first ring extends inwardly of the interior wall, a support comprising a first support portion mounted to the interior periphery portion of the first ring and extending away from the first ring and toward the center portion of the cylindrical valve, the first support portion extending through the interior of the first valve and terminating in a second distal end support portion, the second distal end support portion comprising a valve supporting stem portion extending away from the first ring and first support portion and beyond the second end portion of the cylindrical valve, the valve support being configured to allow liquid to flow through the cylindrical valve and first portion of the valve support within the interior of the cylindrical valve, and the second valve being mounted to the distal end of the support. 2. A valve assembly according to claim 1 wherein the valve actuator is slidably coupled to the interior of the pipe section and slidable to selectively move the first valve to a first valve shut off position in which the first valve overlies and blocks the flow of liquid through the at least one aperture, wherein the second valve is selectively movable to a second valve shut off position in which the second valve closes the bypass passageway and blocks the flow of liquid flow through the second portion of the liquid flow passageway, the valve actuator being slidable to selectively move the second valve to the second valve shut off position during at least a portion of the time the first valve is in the first valve shut off position such that when the valve is installed in a well casing the second valve blocks liquid flow through the bypass passageway and through the second portion of the liquid flow passageway to an aquifer and the first valve blocks the flow of liquid through the at least one aperture to an aquifer. 3. A valve assembly according to claim 2 wherein the first valve closed position and the first valve shut off position are at different first valve positions in the pipe section from one another, and wherein the second valve closed position and the second valve shut off position are at different positions from one another in the pipe section. 4. A valve assembly according to claim 1 wherein the second valve is coupled to the first valve for movement with the movement of the first valve and the valve actuator comprises a common slidable actuator for moving both the first and second valves simultaneously. 5. A valve assembly according to claim 1 wherein the first valve comprises an annular valve body comprising a polymer material with a valve exterior surface and a valve interior surface, the valve body allowing liquid to flow through the valve body and through the first portion of the liquid flow passageway, the first valve being movable between the first valve closed position in which the valve exterior surface of the valve body overlies a portion of the interior surface of the wall and entirely overlies the at least one aperture and the first valve open position in which the valve exterior surface of the valve body no longer entirely overlies the at least one aperture, and wherein the second valve comprises a plug, and wherein the pipe section has a longitudinal axis and wherein the bypass passageway has a section that is open along the longitudinal axis of the pipe section. 6. A valve assembly according to claim 5 comprising a conduit section coupled to the pipe section and comprising a first conduit end portion and a second conduit end portion with at least a portion of the second portion of the liquid flow passageway communicating between the first and second conduit end portions, the conduit section also comprising a conduit wall with an interior surface and an exterior surface, the bypass passageway comprising at least one conduit bypass aperture through the conduit wall and communicating between the first portion of the liquid flow passageway and the second portion of the liquid flow passageway, the plug being selectively movable from the second valve open position wherein the plug blocks the first conduit end portion while permitting the flow of liquid through the first portion of the liquid flow passageway, the at least one conduit bypass aperture and the second portion of the liquid flow passageway and thereby through the pipe section at least during a portion of the time that the first valve is in the first valve closed position to entirely block the at least one aperture, the plug being movable to the second valve closed position wherein the plug is positioned to block liquid flow through the second portion of the liquid flow passageway and to block the flow of liquid through the conduit bypass aperture at least during a portion of the time that the first valve is in the first valve open position such that liquid can flow through the at least one aperture between the interior and exterior of the pipe section. 7. A valve assembly according to claim 6 wherein the first valve is selectively movable to a first valve shut off position in which the exterior surface of the valve body overlies a portion of the interior surface of the wall and entirely overlies the at least one aperture to block the flow of liquid through the at least one aperture, wherein the plug is selectively movable to a second valve shut off position in which the plug blocks the flow of liquid through the second portion of the liquid flow passageway at least during a portion of the time that the first valve is in the first valve shut off position to thereby prevent the flow of liquid both through the liquid flow passageway and through the at least one aperture. 8. A valve assembly according to claim 5 comprising a conduit section coupled to the pipe section and comprising a first conduit end portion and a second conduit end portion with at least a portion of the second portion of the liquid flow passageway communicating between the first and second conduit end portions, the conduit section also comprising a conduit wall with an interior surface and an exterior surface, the bypass passageway comprising a liquid flow path past the plug and into the first conduit end portion at least when the plug is positioned outside of the conduit section, the plug being selectively movable to the second valve open position wherein the plug is positioned exteriorly of the conduit section such that liquid can flow past the plug and into the first end portion of the conduit section at least during a portion of the time that the first valve is in the first valve closed position and entirely blocks the at least one aperture, the plug being movable to the second valve closed position wherein the plug is inserted at least partially into the first end portion of the conduit section to block liquid flow through the bypass passageway and through the conduit section and thereby through the second portion of the liquid flow passageway at least during a portion of the time that the first valve is in the first valve open position and no longer entirely overlays the at least one aperture such that liquid can flow through the at least one aperture between the interior and exterior of the pipe section. 9. A valve assembly according to claim 8 wherein the first valve is selectively movable to a first valve shut off position in which the exterior surface of the valve body overlies a portion of the interior surface of the wall and entirely overlies the at least one aperture to block the flow of liquid through the at least one aperture, wherein the plug is selectively movable to a second valve shut off position in which the plug is inserted into the first end portion of the conduit section so as to block the flow of liquid through the bypass passageway and through the second portion of the liquid flow passageway at least during a portion of the time that the first valve is in the first valve third position, whereby the flow of liquid is blocked through both through the liquid flow passageway and through the at least one aperture. 10. A valve assembly according to claim 5 wherein the first valve comprises a seamless valve cylinder of a polymer material with an exterior surface that is sized to slide along the interior of the pipe section. 11. A valve assembly according to claim 1 comprising a valve actuator coupled to the first valve and operable to move the first valve between the first valve closed position and first valve open position, the valve actuator comprising first and second hydraulic pistons coupled to the first valve, a first hydraulic liquid chamber associated with the first piston and a second hydraulic liquid chamber associated with the second piston, one of the first and second pistons being movable in a direction to urge the first valve toward said first valve closed position upon delivery of hydraulic liquid to the hydraulic liquid chamber associated with said one of the first and second pistons, the other of the first and second pistons being movable in a direction to urge the first valve toward the first valve open position upon delivery of hydraulic liquid to the hydraulic liquid chamber associated with the said other of the first and second pistons, and wherein the second valve is coupled to the first valve such that the valve actuator moves the second valve to the second valve open position with the movement of the first valve to the first valve closed position and such that the valve actuator moves the second valve to the second valve closed position with the movement of the first valve to the first valve open position. 12. A valve assembly according to claim 5 wherein the second valve comprises a plug and further comprising at least one second valve support coupled to the second valve and to the first valve to thereby couple the first and second valves together. 13. A valve assembly according to claim 1 comprising: a valve support connecting the second valve to the first valve such that the second valve moves with the movement of the first valve;wherein the first valve comprises an annular valve body with a valve exterior surface and a valve interior surface, the valve body allowing liquid to flow through the interior of the valve body, the first valve being movable between the first valve closed position in which the exterior surface of the valve body overlies a portion of the interior surface of the wall and entirely overlies the at least one aperture and the first valve open position wherein the exterior surface of the valve body no longer entirely overlies the at least one aperture, and wherein the first valve comprises a material with flexibility such that when the first valve is in the first valve closed position and a head of water pressure is within the pipe section, the head of water can force the valve body outwardly against the overlaid at least one aperture;wherein the second valve comprises a plug;a conduit section coupled to the first pipe section and comprising a first conduit end portion and a second conduit end portion with at least a portion of the second portion of the liquid flow passageway communicating between the first and second conduit end portions, the conduit section also comprising a conduit wall with an interior surface and an exterior surface, the bypass passageway comprising at least one bypass liquid flow opening communicating from a location exteriorly of the conduit section to the interior of the conduit section, the plug being selectively movable to the second valve open position wherein the plug does not entirely block the at least one bypass liquid flow opening so that liquid can flow through the at least one liquid bypass opening, the plug being moved to the second valve open position with the movement of the first valve to the first valve closed position, the plug being movable to the second valve closed position wherein the plug blocks liquid flow through the second portion of the liquid flow passageway and through the at least one bypass opening with the movement of the first valve to the first valve open position, such that liquid can flow through the at least one aperture between the interior and exterior of the pipe section while the flow of liquid is blocked through the second portion of the fluid flow passageway;wherein the first valve is selectively movable to a first valve shut off position in which the exterior surface of the valve body overlies a portion of the interior surface of the wall and entirely overlies the at least one aperture to block the flow of liquid through the at least one aperture, wherein the plug selectively movable to a second valve shut off position with the movement of the first valve to the first valve shut off position, the plug in the shut off position being inserted into the first end portion of the conduit section to a position that blocks the flow of liquid through both the bypass opening and the second portion of the liquid flow passageway, whereby when the first valve and plug are in their respective shut off positions the flow of liquid through both the at least one aperture and the liquid flow passageway is blocked; andthe valve actuator also being operable to move the first valve and plug to their respective shut off positions, the valve actuator comprising first and second hydraulic pistons coupled to the first valve, a first hydraulic liquid chamber associated with the first piston and a second hydraulic liquid chamber associated with the second piston, one of the first and second pistons being movable in a direction to urge the first valve to said first valve closed position and to said first valve shut off position upon delivery of hydraulic liquid to the hydraulic liquid chamber associated with said one of the first and second pistons, the other of the first and second pistons being movable in a direction to urge the first valve toward the first valve open position upon delivery of hydraulic liquid to the hydraulic liquid chamber associated with the said other of the first and second pistons, wherein the valve actuator moves the plug to the second valve open position with the movement of the first valve to the first valve closed position, wherein the valve actuator moves the plug to the second valve closed position with the movement of the first valve to the first valve open position, and wherein the valve actuator moves the second valve to the second valve shut off position with the movement of the first valve to the first valve shut off position. 14. A valve assembly according to claim 13 wherein the first valve comprises a hollow right cylindrical valve having an interior wall with an inner wall diameter and first and second end portions, a first ring adjacent to the first end portion and a second ring adjacent to the second end portion, the first ring having an inner ring diameter that is less than the inner wall diameter, the first ring being positioned adjacent to the first end portion such that an interior periphery portion of the first ring extends inwardly of the interior wall, a support mounted to the interior periphery portion of the first ring and extending away from the first ring, through the interior of the first valve and terminating in a distal end support portion, the plug being mounted to the distal end of the support. 15. A valve assembly according to claim 14 further comprising a plurality of push rods coupled to the first ring and extending from the first ring toward the first piston, the push rods also being coupled to the second ring and extending from the second ring toward the second piston. 16. A valve assembly according to claim 1 wherein the first valve support portion comprises plural mounting brackets that each have a respective first end mounted to the first ring and a second distal end, the brackets converging toward the center portion of the cylindrical valve with the valve supporting stem portion being mounted to the second end of each of the brackets. 17. A valve assembly according to claim 1 installed in a well bore hole accessing first and second aquifers, well pipe being connected to the valve assembly both above and below the valve assembly, bore packing positioned in the bore hole so as to substantially isolate the flow of liquid in the bore hole outside of the well pipe and valve assembly between the first and second aquifers, the valve assembly comprising: the at least one aperture communicating through the pipe section and bore hole to one of the first and second aquifers with the first valve in the first valve open position, the bypass passageway communicating through the second portion of the liquid passageway and through the bore hole to another of the first and second aquifers other than said one of the first and second aquifers with the second valve positioned in the second valve open position, whereby liquid can be directed to or from either of the first and second aquifers. 18. A valve assembly for use in recharging and pumping liquid to accomplish aquifer liquid flow control, the valve assembly comprising: a pipe section comprised of a pipe body having a first end and a second end and defining a liquid passageway between the first end and the second end through which liquid flows to recharge pump liquid from an aquifer when the liquid passageway between the first and second ends are not blocked;plural apertures spaced from the first and second ends and communicating from the liquid passageway to an exterior of the pipe section and to an aquifer at the exterior of the pipe section for use in recharging the aquifer or pumping liquid from the aquifer;a valve movable between at least first and second positions, the valve being configured to block said plural apertures when the valve is in a first position without blocking liquid communication through the liquid passageway between the first and second ends, the valve also being configured to block liquid communication between the first and second ends while at least partially opening said at least one aperture when the valve is in the second position;wherein the valve comprises a flexible first valve portion comprising a wall having a hollow central portion with a center, the first valve being movable to a first valve portion closed position overlaying and closing the plural apertures when the valve is in the first position, the valve further comprising a second plug portion movable with the first valve portion to a plug open position allowing liquid communication between the first and second ends of the pipe section when the first valve portion is in the first valve closed position, a valve support coupled to the wall of the first valve portion and to the second plug portion for coupling the second plug portion to the first valve portion such that the second plug portion is movable with the first valve portion, the valve support comprising a stem portion carrying the second plug portion and a first support portion mounted to the wall and supporting the stem portion, the first support portion comprising plural stem supporting bracket portions with openings there between such that liquid can flow through the first support portion, the first valve portion being movable to a first valve portion open position wherein the wall of the first valve portion at least partially opens the at least one first aperture, the second plug portion being movable with the first valve portion to a plug closed position to block liquid communication between the first and second ends when the first valve portion is in the first valve open position, wherein when the valve assembly is placed in a well liquid flow to or from at least one aquifer is controlled through the plural apertures and through the liquid flow passageway between the first and second ends of the pipe section to selectively allow recharge of liquid to or pumping liquid from the aquifer through the plural apertures or the liquid flow passageway. 19. A valve assembly according to claim 18 wherein the valve is movable to a third shut off position, the valve being configured to block liquid communication between the first and second ends of the pipe section and through the plural apertures when the valve is in the third shut off position. 20. A valve assembly for use in aquifer liquid flow control comprising: a hollow housing comprising a body with a housing wall and defining a liquid flow passageway through the housing, at least one aperture being provided through the housing wall between an interior and exterior of the housing and communicating between a first portion of the liquid flow passageway and the exterior of the housing;a projection within the housing that defines a second portion of the liquid flow passageway that communicates with the first portion of the liquid flow passageway such that liquid can flow through the first and second portions of the liquid flow passageway and through the housing;at least one pathway communicating through the second portion and between the first and second liquid flow passageway portions; anda valve comprising an annular first valve member positioned within the first portion of the liquid flow passageway and slidable along the housing wall between a first valve member closed position in which the first valve member overlies and blocks the at least one aperture and a first valve member open position in which the first valve member no longer blocks the at least one aperture, the valve further comprising a second valve member coupled to and slidable with the sliding movement of the first valve member, the second valve member being slidable to a second valve member open position with the sliding of the first valve member to the first valve member closed position and slidable to a second valve member closed position with the movement of the first valve member to the first valve member open position, a hydraulic actuator coupled to the valve and operable to cause the sliding of the first valve member and sliding of the second valve member wherein when the second valve member is in the second valve member open position the second valve member does not block the flow of liquid through the second portion of the first flow passageway such that liquid can flow through the first portion of the liquid flow passageway, the first valve member and through the second flow passageway while the at least one aperture is blocked by the first valve member, and wherein when the second valve member is in the second valve member closed position the flow of liquid through the second portion of the liquid passageway is blocked by the second valve member and the at least one aperture no longer blocked by the first valve member, whereby when the valve assembly is installed in a well with the first valve member in the first valve member closed position, liquid can flow through the housing to an aquifer without flowing through the at least one aperture, and with the first valve member in the first valve member open position, liquid can flow through the at least one aperture to an aquifer without flowing through the second portion of the liquid flow passageway and through the housing;wherein the first valve member comprises a hollow cylindrical valve having an interior wall with an inner wall diameter and first and second end portions, the cylindrical valve having a valve center portion spaced inwardly from the interior wall through which liquid can flow, a first ring adjacent to the first end portion and a second ring adjacent to the second end portion, the first ring having an inner ring diameter that is less than the inner wall diameter, the first ring being positioned adjacent to the first end portion such that an interior periphery portion of the first ring extends inwardly of the interior wall, a support comprising a first support portion mounted to the interior periphery portion of the first ring and extending away from the first ring and toward the center portion of the cylindrical valve, the first support portion extending through the interior of the first valve and terminating in a second distal end support portion, the second distal end support portion comprising a valve supporting stem portion extending away from the first ring and first support portion and beyond the second end portion of the cylindrical valve, the valve support being configured to allow liquid to flow through the cylindrical valve and first portion of the valve support within the interior of the cylindrical valve, and the second valve member being mounted to the distal end of the support.
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이 특허에 인용된 특허 (52)
Cleveland John T. (Houston TX) Chappell Walter L. (Houston TX) Watts John D. (Houston TX), Adjustable choke.
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