Patent ID: 8522887
Filing Date: 2013-09-03
Classification: E21B,F24T,Y02E,Y10T

Abstract:
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; and wherein 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.