Aquifier flow controlling valve assembly and method

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.

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;
• 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 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.