Valve, method, and system

Abstract

A valve including a flexible tube having two ends, a first structure disposed at one of the two ends and rotationally anchored thereto, and a second structure at the other of the two ends and rotationally anchored thereto, at least one of the first and second structures being rotatable relative to the other of the first and second structures. A method for controlling a flow of fluid including rotating one of the first structure and second structure relative to the other of the first structure and second structure of the valve reducing a dimension of a flow path within a flexible tube. A borehole system including a borehole in a subsurface formation, and a valve disposed in the borehole.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A valve comprising:
 a flexible tube having two ends;   a first structure disposed at one of the two ends and rotationally anchored thereto; and   a second structure at the other of the two ends and rotationally anchored thereto, at least one of the first and second structures being rotatable relative to the other of the first and second structures.   
     
     
         2 . The valve as claimed in  claim 1 , further comprising a housing. 
     
     
         3 . The valve as claimed in  claim 2  wherein the housing allows longitudinal movement of one of the first and second structures relative to the other of the first and second structures. 
     
     
         4 . The valve as claimed in  claim 2  wherein the first and second structures include seals that seal the first and second structures to the housing. 
     
     
         5 . The valve as claimed in  claim 1 , wherein one of the first structure and the second structure is configured to be driven by a motor. 
     
     
         6 . The valve as claimed in  claim 5 , wherein the motor is an electric motor. 
     
     
         7 . The valve as claimed in  claim 1 , wherein the one of the first structure and the second structure includes gear teeth thereon. 
     
     
         8 . The valve as claimed in  claim 7 , further comprising a housing and where the other of the first structure and the second structure is anchored to the housing. 
     
     
         9 . The valve as claimed in  claim 1 , wherein the flexible tube includes rubber. 
     
     
         10 . The valve as claimed in  claim 1 , wherein the flexible tube includes a reinforcement. 
     
     
         11 . The valve as claimed in  claim 10 , wherein the reinforcement is a mesh. 
     
     
         12 . The valve as claimed in  claim 10 , wherein the reinforcement comprises metallic material. 
     
     
         13 . The valve as claimed in  claim 10 , wherein the reinforcement comprises polymeric material. 
     
     
         14 . The valve as claimed in  claim 10  wherein the reinforcement includes a wire. 
     
     
         15 . A method for controlling a flow of fluid comprising:
 rotating one of the first structure and second structure relative to the other of the first structure and second structure of the valve as claimed in  claim 1 ; and   reducing a dimension of a flow path within a flexible tube.   
     
     
         16 . The method as claimed in  claim 15  wherein the rotating is twisting of the tube about itself. 
     
     
         17 . The method as claimed in  claim 15  wherein the reducing is closing the flow path. 
     
     
         18 . A borehole system comprising:
 a borehole in a subsurface formation;   a valve as claimed in  claim 1  disposed in the borehole.