CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

[0001] This application claims the benefit of U.S. Application No. 17/964419, filed on October 12, 2022, which is incorporated herein by reference in its entirety.

BACKGROUND

[0002] In the resource recovery industry and fluid sequestration industry, valves are ubiquitously used. Different constructions of valves have greater utility for different uses. As there are infinite situations potentially encountered in the downhole environment, there is always a need for novel structures and methods for controlling fluid flow.

SUMMARY

[0003] An embodiment of 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.

[0004] An embodiment of 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 and reducing a dimension of a flow path within a flexible tube.

[0005] An embodiment of a borehole system including a borehole in a subsurface formation, a valve disposed in the borehole.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0006] The following descriptions should not be considered limiting in any way. With reference to the accompanying drawings, like elements are numbered alike:

[0007] Figure 1 is a cross section view of a valve as disclosed herein in an open position;

[0008] Figure 2 is the valve illustrated in Figure 1 in a fully closed position;

[0009] Figure 3 is a perspective view of a portion of the valve 10;

[0010] Figure 4A-4C are views illustrating a number of different mesh geometries;

[OOH] Figure 5 is a view of a borehole system including the valve as disclosed herein. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0012] A detailed description of one or more embodiments of the disclosed apparatus and method are presented herein by way of exemplification and not limitation with reference to the Figures.

[0013] Referring to Figures 1 and 2, a valve 10 is illustrated in a fully open position (Fig. 1) and a fully closed position (Fig. 2). It is to be appreciated that there are also infinite degrees of closure of this valve 10 between fully open and fully closed. The valve 10 includes a housing 12, within which is positioned a flexible tube 14. The flexible tube 14, in an embodiment is anchored on one longitudinal end 16 to a first structure 18 and on an opposite longitudinal end 20 to a second structure 22. One of the first and second structures may include a drive gear 24. As illustrated this gear 24 is a part of the second structure. The housing 12 is configured to allow for the geared structure (either the first or second structures) to move longitudinally of the housing as well as rotationally of the housing. The longitudinal movement is important to allow the geared structure to accommodate changing axial length of the tube 14 when it is twisted for flow reduction or elimination or untwisted for flow facilitation. This can be seen in Figure 2 where the second structure 22 is no longer fully seated in the bore 28 of the housing 12 where it is fully seated in Figure 1. In order to avoid fluid moving through the housing at the interface of the first and second structures and the housing, seals 26, such as O-rings, bonded seals, etc. are employed.

[0014] To move the geared structure (first or second but as illustrated, the second 22) electric, hydraulic motors are contemplated. A motor 30 is illustrated in Figures 1 and 2 and is intended to be representative of each type of motor.

[0015] The flexible tube 14 may comprise a soft resilient material such as rubber, nitrile, etc. The tube 14 may also be reinforced with a reinforcer 32 that is bonded thereto or embedded therein. The reinforcer 32 may be configured as a mesh or as a wire or plurality of wires either individually laid or in a cable form. Where a mesh is used, the mesh may have a number of geometries (see Fig. 4A-4C) including, square (4A), circular, polygonal (4B and 4C) and including other polygonal shapes such as(, triangular, rectangular, pentagonal, hexagonal, other numerical side counts for polygonal geometries, etc.). The material of the reinforcer may be metallic or plastic such as a polymer or perhaps a monomer. Shape memory material is also contemplated for its ability to return to a set position. This could be of assistance with reopening the tube 14.

[0016] In use, one need merely drive the geared structure 18 or 22 relative to the other of the two to cause the tube 14 to twist along its longitudinal axis. The flow area defined within the tube 14 will reduce until the tube 14 actually twists on itself whereafter the flow is halted. Reversing the direction of the drive allows the tube 14 to recover its ID flow area.

[0017] Referring to Figure 5, a borehole system 50 is illustrated. The system 50 comprises a borehole 52 in a subsurface formation 54. A valve 10 as disclosed herein is disposed within the borehole.

[0018] Set forth below are some embodiments of the foregoing disclosure:

[0019] Embodiment 1: 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.

[0020] Embodiment 2: The valve as in any prior embodiment further comprising a housing.

[0021] Embodiment 3: The valve as in any prior embodiment wherein the housing allows longitudinal movement of one of the first and second structures relative to the other of the first and second structures.

[0022] Embodiment 4: The valve as in any prior embodiment wherein the first and second structures include seals that seal the first and second structures to the housing.

[0023] Embodiment 5: The valve as in any prior embodiment, wherein one of the first structure and the second structure is configured to be driven by a motor.

[0024] Embodiment 6: The valve as in any prior embodiment, wherein the motor is an electric motor.

[0025] Embodiment 7: The valve as in any prior embodiment, wherein the one of the first structure and the second structure includes gear teeth thereon.

[0026] Embodiment 8: The valve as in any prior embodiment, further comprising a housing and where the other of the first structure and the second structure is anchored to the housing.

[0027] Embodiment 9: The valve as in any prior embodiment, wherein the flexible tube includes rubber.

[0028] Embodiment 10: The valve as in any prior embodiment, wherein the flexible tube includes a reinforcement.

[0029] Embodiment 11: The valve as in any prior embodiment, wherein the reinforcement is a mesh.

[0030] Embodiment 12: The valve as in any prior embodiment, wherein the reinforcement comprises metallic material. [0031] Embodiment 13: The valve as in any prior embodiment, wherein the reinforcement comprises polymeric material.

[0032] Embodiment 14: The valve as in any prior embodiment wherein the reinforcement includes a wire.

[0033] Embodiment 15: 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 as in any prior embodiment and reducing a dimension of a flow path within a flexible tube.

[0034] Embodiment 16: The method as in any prior embodiment wherein the rotating is twisting of the tube about itself.

[0035] Embodiment 17: The method as in any prior embodiment wherein the reducing is closing the flow path.

[0036] Embodiment 18: A borehole system including a borehole in a subsurface formation, a valve as in any prior embodiment disposed in the borehole.

[0037] The use of the terms “a” and “an” and “the” and similar referents in the context of describing the invention (especially in the context of the following claims) are to be construed to cover both the singular and the plural, unless otherwise indicated herein or clearly contradicted by context. Further, it should be noted that the terms “first,” “second,” and the like herein do not denote any order, quantity, or importance, but rather are used to distinguish one element from another. The terms “about”, “substantially” and “generally” are intended to include the degree of error associated with measurement of the particular quantity based upon the equipment available at the time of filing the application. For example, “about” and/or “substantially” and/or “generally” includes a range of ± 8% of a given value.

[0038] The teachings of the present disclosure may be used in a variety of well operations. These operations may involve using one or more treatment agents to treat a formation, the fluids resident in a formation, a borehole, and I or equipment in the borehole, such as production tubing. The treatment agents may be in the form of liquids, gases, solids, semi-solids, and mixtures thereof. Illustrative treatment agents include, but are not limited to, fracturing fluids, acids, steam, water, brine, anti-corrosion agents, cement, permeability modifiers, drilling muds, emulsifiers, demulsifiers, tracers, flow improvers etc. Illustrative well operations include, but are not limited to, hydraulic fracturing, stimulation, tracer injection, cleaning, acidizing, steam injection, water flooding, cementing, etc. [0039] While the invention has been described with reference to an exemplary embodiment or embodiments, it will be understood by those skilled in the art that various changes may be made and equivalents may be substituted for elements thereof without departing from the scope of the invention. In addition, many modifications may be made to adapt a particular situation or material to the teachings of the invention without departing from the essential scope thereof. Therefore, it is intended that the invention not be limited to the particular embodiment disclosed as the best mode contemplated for carrying out this invention, but that the invention will include all embodiments falling within the scope of the claims. Also, in the drawings and the description, there have been disclosed exemplary embodiments of the invention and, although specific terms may have been employed, they are unless otherwise stated used in a generic and descriptive sense only and not for purposes of limitation, the scope of the invention therefore not being so limited.