Aquifier flow controlling valve assembly and method

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;
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• 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.

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.

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.

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;
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• 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.