Aquifier flow controlling valve assembly and method

Abstract

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.

I claim: 
     
         1 . An aquifer flow control method comprising:
 placing a valve assembly in a section of well pipe positioned in a well bore, the well bore passing through a first aquifer and at least to a second aquifer and the well pipe extending at least below the first aquifer;   blocking the flow of liquid between the well pipe and well bore at a location of the well bore between the first and second aquifers;   permitting liquid flow through at least one aperture from the interior of the valve assembly to the first aquifer or through the at least one aperture from the first aquifer to the interior of the valve assembly with the flow of liquid to the second aquifer being blocked; and   permitting liquid flow through the valve assembly to the second aquifer or from the second aquifer through the valve assembly with the at least one aperture being blocked so that liquid flowing through the valve assembly does not flow through the at least one aperture to or from the first aquifer.   
     
     
         2 . A method according to  claim 1  comprising:
 permitting the flow of relatively high temperature liquid to and from one of the first and second aquifers and permitting the flow of relatively low temperature liquid to and from the other of the first and second aquifers, whereby the relatively high temperature liquid can be used for heat generation purposes when delivered from the one of the first and second aquifers and for storing heat when delivered to said one of the first and second aquifers, and whereby the relatively low temperature liquid can be used for cooling purposes when delivered from the other of the first and second aquifers and can be used for storing relatively low temperature liquid when delivered to the other of the first and second aquifers. 
 
     
     
         3 . A method according to  claim 1  further comprising the act of selectively blocking the flow of liquid through the valve assembly and through the first aperture. 
     
     
         4 . A valve assembly system for use in aquifer liquid flow control, the valve assembly being installed in a well bore hole accessing first and second aquifers, 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 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 or 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 to or from at least one aquifer when the valve assembly is installed in a well casing without flowing through the at least one first 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 passageway to or from an aquifer and liquid is allowed to flow through the at least one aperture to or from an aquifer; and   well pipe connected to the valve assembly both above and below the valve assembly, the system 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 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.   
     
     
         5 . A valve assembly for use in aquifer liquid flow control 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 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 or 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 to or from at least one aquifer when the valve assembly is installed in a well casing without flowing through the at least one first 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 passageway to or from an aquifer and liquid is allowed to flow through the at least one aperture to or from an aquifer.   
     
     
         6 . A valve assembly according to  claim 5  wherein the first valve is selectively movable 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 passageway, the valve actuator being operable to 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. 
     
     
         7 . A valve assembly according to  claim 6  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. 
     
     
         8 . A valve assembly according to  claim 5  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 actuator for moving both the first and second valves simultaneously. 
     
     
         9 . A valve assembly according to  claim 5  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. 
     
     
         10 . A valve assembly according to  claim 9  comprising 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 conduit bypass aperture through the conduit wall and communicating between the first portion of the liquid passageway and the second portion of the liquid 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 passageway, the at least one conduit bypass aperture and the second portion of the liquid 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 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. 
     
     
         11 . A valve assembly according to  claim 10  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. 
     
     
         12 . A valve assembly according to  claim 9  comprising 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 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 liquid 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. 
     
     
         13 . A valve assembly according to  claim 12  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. 
     
     
         14 . A valve assembly according to  claim 5  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. 
     
     
         15 . A valve assembly according to  claim 12  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. 
     
     
         16 . A valve assembly according to  claim 5  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 first aperture and the liquid flow passageway is blocked; and 
 the 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. 
 
     
     
         17 . A valve assembly according to  claim 16  further comprising a plurality of pushrods 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. 
     
     
         18 . A valve assembly according to  claim 5  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 second valve being mounted to the distal end of the support. 
     
     
         19 . A valve assembly for use in aquifer liquid flow control 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;   at least one aperture spaced from the first and second ends and communicating from the liquid passageway to an exterior of the pipe section;   a valve movable between at least first and second positions, the valve being configured to block said at least one aperture 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 hollow flexible first valve portion movable to a first valve portion closed position overlaying and closing the at least one aperture 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, the first valve portion being movable to a first valve portion open position wherein 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, whereby when the valve assembly is placed in a well liquid flow to or from at least one aquifer is controlled through the at least one aperture and through the liquid flow passageway between the first and second ends of the pipe section.   
     
     
         20 . A valve assembly according to  claim 19  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 though the at least one aperture when the valve is in the third shut off position. 
     
     
         21 . 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 though 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 projection and between the first and second liquid flow passageway portions; and   a 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 movable with the movement of the first valve member, the second valve member being movable to a second valve member open position with the movement of the first valve member to the first valve member closed position and movable to a second valve member closed position with the movement of the first valve member to the first valve member open position, 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 first 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 first 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.   
     
     
         22 . A valve assembly for use in aquifer liquid flow control comprising:
 housing means for defining a liquid passageway for the passage of liquid there through and for defining at least one aperture for communicating from the liquid passageway to the exterior of the housing means;   valve means for selectively blocking the flow of liquid to an aquifer through the at least one aperture while permitting the flow of liquid through the liquid passageway to an aquifer and for selectively blocking the flow of liquid through the liquid passageway to an aquifer while allowing the flow of liquid through the at least one aperture to an aquifer.