Water Well Seal

Description

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

The subject patent application claims priority to, and all the benefits of, United States Provisional Patent Application № 63/693,858, filed on September 12, 2024, the entire contents of which are incorporated by reference herein.

TECHNICAL FIELD

The present disclosure relates, generally, to a water well seal, and in particular, to a water well seal with an expandable seal component configured for selectively sealing against an inner wall of a water well.

BACKGROUND

Water wells include a shaft drilled into the ground through which water may be pumped to be used above ground. A pump, for example, an electrically powered water pump may be disposed within the well. The pump may be submerged within ground water or an aquifer at or near the bottom of the well, water may be drawn into the pump through a pump inlet or intake, and electrical power may be utilized to pump the water through a pump outlet. A water supply pipe may be connected to the pump outlet and may extend upwardly within a bore of the well to outside of the well. An electric power line may extend from outside the well, downwardly within the bore of the well, and may be connected to the pump to supply power to the pump. The pump may be controlled or selectively activated by selectively providing power through the electric power line.

A water well may include a bore which extends from a well opening at ground level to a bottom of the well. The well casing and/or the well bottom may be configured to enable water to enter the bore of the well. A level of the water within the well may equalize with or be affected with an aquifer level outside of the well. The sides of the well may include the well casing or a wall material configured to prevent the well from caving in upon itself.

SUMMARY

A seal for use within a water well is provided. The seal includes a rigid body including a lumen extending vertically through the rigid body and configured to enable connection of a water supply line therethrough, a cylindrically-shaped expandable seal membrane connected to the rigid body, and a bladder defined by and between the rigid body and the expandable seal membrane. The seal further includes a bladder fill port connecting and enabling flow of water between the bladder and lumen. The expandable seal membrane is configured to expand outwardly when head pressure within the bladder is elevated as compared to an ambient air pressure. Expansion of the expandable seal membrane is configured to force the expandable seal membrane outward against an interior surface of a well casing of the water well.

In some embodiments, the rigid body includes two disc-shaped ends.

In some embodiments, the rigid body includes a cylindrically-shaped rigid body.

In some embodiments, the bladder and the lumen are connected such that a head pressure within the bladder is the same as the head pressure within the lumen.

In some embodiments, the bladder fill port includes a valve configured to, when the bladder is filled to an expanded state, prevent pressurized water from exiting the bladder through the valve.

In some embodiments, the valve is adjustable.

In some embodiments, the seal further includes a pressure release valve.

In some embodiments, the pressure release valve is configured to selectively release pressurized water from within the bladder.

In some embodiments, the pressure release valve is activated by an electrical signal.

In some embodiments, the pressure release valve is activated by tension applied to the pressure release valve.

In some embodiments, the cylindrically-shaped expandable seal membrane is sealingly affixed to the rigid body by two constriction bands, a first of the constriction bands being disposed about a circumference of a top portion of the seal and a second of the constriction bands being disposed about a circumference of a bottom portion of the seal.

According to one alternative embodiment, a water well system is provided. The system includes a well casing configured to extend vertically downward below a ground level, a water supply line, and a water pump configured to connect to the water supply line, draw in a flow of water from a volume of aquifer water within the well casing, and supply the flow of water to the water supply line. The system further includes an electrical power line configured to be connected to the water pump and a seal configured for use within the well casing. The seal includes a rigid body including a lumen extending vertically through the rigid body and configured to enable connection of a water supply line therethrough and a cylindrically-shaped expandable seal membrane connected to the rigid body. The seal further includes a bladder defined by and between the rigid body and the expandable seal membrane and a bladder fill port connecting and enabling flow of water between the bladder and lumen. The expandable seal membrane is configured to expand outwardly when head pressure within the bladder is elevated as compared to an ambient air pressure. Expansion of the expandable seal membrane is configured to force the expandable seal membrane outward against an interior surface of the well casing of the water well.

In some embodiments, the seal further includes a fitting attached to one of a top of the seal or a bottom of the seal and configured for the electrical power line to pass through a center of the fitting. In some embodiments, the seal further includes a shrink wrap coating applied to the fitting and the electrical power line passing through the fitting configured to prevent water from passing through the fitting.

In some embodiments, the rigid body includes two disc-shaped ends.

In some embodiments, the rigid body includes a cylindrically-shaped rigid body.

In some embodiments, the bladder fill port includes a valve configured to, when the bladder is filled to an expanded state, prevent pressurized water from exiting the bladder through the valve.

In some embodiments, the valve of the bladder fill port enables pressurized water to be retained within the bladder when the water pump is no longer operational.

In some embodiments, the system further includes a check valve connected to the water supply line and configured to prevent water from flowing backward to the water pump.

According to one alternative embodiment, a method for utilizing a seal within a water well is provided. The method includes disposing an assembly within a well casing of the water well. The assembly includes a water supply line and a water pump connected to the water supply line and configured to draw in a flow of water from a volume of aquifer water within the well casing and supply the flow of water to the water supply line. The assembly further includes an electrical power line connected to the water pump and the seal. The seal includes a rigid body including a lumen extending vertically through the rigid body and configured to enable connection of a water supply line therethrough and a cylindrically-shaped expandable seal membrane connected to the rigid body. The seal further includes a bladder defined by and between the rigid body and the expandable seal membrane and a bladder fill port connecting and enabling flow of water between the bladder and lumen. The expandable seal membrane is configured to expand outwardly when head pressure within the bladder is elevated as compared to an ambient air pressure. Expansion of the expandable seal membrane is configured to force the expandable seal membrane outward against an interior surface of a well casing of the water well. The method further includes positioning the assembly within the well casing at a desired vertical location, activating the water pump to expand the expandable seal membrane against the well casing, and utilizing the water pump to provide the flow of water through the water supply line.

In some embodiments, the method further includes deactivating the water pump, releasing head pressure from the bladder such that the expandable seal membrane retracts from the well casing, and removing the assembly from the well casing.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The present disclosure will become more fully understood from the detailed description and the accompanying drawings.

FIG. 1 is a side view in cross-section of an exemplary water well including a water pump, a water supply pipe, an electrical power line, and a seal disposed within the well configured to prevent occurrence of a drawdown condition, in accordance with the present disclosure.

FIG. 2 is a side view in cross-section of the water well of FIG. 1 in magnified scale, including a side view of the seal, in accordance with the present disclosure.

FIG. 3 is a side view in cross-section of the water well of FIG. 2, including a side sectional view of the seal, in accordance with the present disclosure.

FIG. 4 is a side view in cross-section of the water well of FIG. 2, with the seal being in an unexpanded state and being configured to enable movement of the seal and the attached water supply line and water pump vertically through the illustrated well bore, in accordance with the present disclosure.

FIG. 5 is a side view in cross-section of the water well of FIG. 3, wherein the pump is providing a flow of water through the water supply line, such that an internal bladder of the seal is being filled and the seal is transitioning to an expanded state, in accordance with the present disclosure.

FIG. 6 is a side view in cross-section of the water well of FIG. 5, wherein the seal is in the expanded state, in accordance with the present disclosure.

FIG. 7 is a side view in cross-section of the water well of FIG. 3, wherein the water pump is in a deactivated state, and wherein water is illustrated exiting the internal bladder of the seal, thereby enabling the seal to transition to the unexpanded state, in accordance with the present disclosure.

FIG. 8 is a perspective view of the seal of FIG. 1, in accordance with the present disclosure.

FIG. 9 is schematic view of a control system configured for operation of the water pump of FIG. 3, in accordance with the present disclosure.

FIG. 10 is a flowchart illustrating an exemplary method to use the seal of FIG. 1 within a water well, in accordance with the present disclosure.

FIG. 11 is a side view of an alternative implementation of a seal for use within a water well, in accordance with the present disclosure.

FIG. 12 is a side view in cross-section of an alternative implementation of a rigid body of the seal of FIG. 11, including implementation of an alternative bladder fill port, in accordance with the present disclosure.

FIG. 13 is a perspective view of a seal including the rigid body of FIG. 12, in accordance with the present disclosure.

FIG. 14 is a side view in cross-section of an alternative implementation of the seal of FIG. 11 within a water well, with the seal being in an unexpanded state, in accordance with the present disclosure.

FIG. 15 is a side view in cross-section of the seal within the water well of FIG. 14, with an internal bladder of the seal being filled and the seal transitioning to an expanded state, in accordance with the present disclosure.

FIG. 16 is a side view in cross-section of the seal within the water well of FIG. 14, with a pressure release valve being opened, thereby releasing pressurized water from within the bladder of the seal and causing the seal to transition from the expanded state to the unexpanded state, in accordance with the present disclosure.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

With reference to FIG. 1, a system including an exemplary water well 10 is provided. including a well casing 20 defining a well bore 24, a water pump 30, a water supply pipe 40, an electrical power line 50, and a seal 60 disposed within the well 10 configured to prevent a drawdown condition from occurring within the well 10 and to improve performance of the water pump 30. Aquifer water 22 is illustrated filling a bottom portion of the well 10 up to a water level 26. The seal 60 and the water pump 30 are illustrated below the water level 26, with the water pump 30 including a pump inlet 32. When the water pump is activated, the aquifer water 22 is drawn into the water pump 30 through the pump inlet 32 and is pumped upwardly through the water supply pipe 40. The water supply pipe 40 extends upwardly through a top-of-well seal 70 disposed at or near ground level 15 and is connected to an above ground pipe 46. During exemplary operation of the water well 10, a flow of water may be provided through the above ground pipe 46 through operation of the water pump 30.

The seal 60 is illustrated attached to the water supply line 40 above the water pump 30. The seal 60 includes an expandable seal membrane 62 disposed around a circumference of the seal 60 and configured to seal against a round internal wall of the well casing 20. When the expandable seal membrane 62 is forced outwardly against the well casing 20, the deformable material of the expandable seal membrane 62, which may be constructed with a rubber, polymer, or otherwise elastic material, presses against and creates a watertight seal against the well casing 20, thereby preventing the water and air from being drawn into the pump 30 from above the seal 60 and thereby preventing occurrence of a drawdown condition. The form of the expandable seal membrane 62 may include any expandable material connected to the seal 60 and capable of containing pressurized water for the purpose of expanding and sealing against the well casing 20. The disclosure is not intended to limit to the specific examples of the expandable seal membrane 62 provided herein.

The water supply line 40 may pass through the seal 60. The water supply line 40 may be a solid, one-piece or monolithic pipe extending from ground level 15 to the pump 30. In another implementation, the water supply line 40 may include a first or upper portion 42, which connects to the seal 60 and a second or lower portion 44 which connects to the seal 60 and also to the pump 30. The electrical power line 50 may be a single length of electrical power line, for example, including two distinct strands of electrical wire encased within a rubberized insulator, such as are commonly used in alternating current power lines, extending from ground level 15 to the pump 30. In another implementation, a first length 52 of the electrical power line 50 may extend from a first side of the seal 60 and a second length 54 of the electrical power line 50 may extend from a second side of the seal 60 to the pump 30. In one implementation, the seal 60, the lower portion 44 of the water supply line 40, an optional check valve 80, a pressure switch 88, and the second length of electrical power line 54 may be provided as a single unit to the consumer. In another implementation, the seal 60, the lower portion 44 of the water supply line 40, the check valve 80, the pressure switch 88, the second length of electrical power line 54, and the pump 30 may be provided as a single unit to the consumer. A top portion 56 of the electrical power line 50 may extend from a top of the water well 10 and may connect to a pump controller. Wherein the electrical power line 50 is segmented into two or more sections, an electrical junction or electrical plug may be utilized to functionally joint the sections.

The pump 30 is configured to draw in water and provide pressurized water within the water supply line 40. The check valve 80 is illustrated above the pump 30. The check valve 80 is configured to permit water to flow past the check valve 80 in an upward direction but prevent or check water from flowing in a downward direction back towards the pump 30. The check valve 80 permits the pump 30 to pressurize water within the water supply line 40 above the check valve 80, and further permits the pump 30 to shut off once pressure within the water supply line 40 above the check valve 80 reaches a certain level. The pressure switch 88 is further illustrated connected to the water supply line 40 above the check valve 80. The pressure switch 88 is electronically connected to and/or provides data which enables controlled operation of the pump 30. In one implementation, the pressure switch may be described as a 40/60 pressure switch, for example, activating the pump 30 when the head pressure within the water supply line 40 above the check valve 80 goes below 40 pounds per square inch (PSI) and turning off the pump 30 when the head pressure within the water supply line 40 above the check valve 80 goes above 60 PSI. A method may be described as including disposing an assembly of the components illustrated in FIG. 1 down the well casing 20.

FIG. 2 is a side view in cross-section of the water well 10 of FIG. 1 in magnified scale, including a side view of the seal 60. The well casing 20 is illustrated including a cylindrical hollow pipe disposed within the ground and protecting the well bore 24 from the sides of the water well 10 caving in. The seal 60 is illustrated including the expandable seal membrane 62 in contact with the well casing 20. The upper portion 42 and the lower portion 44 of the water supply line 40 are illustrated, connected to the pump 30, enabling water to be pumped in through the pump inlet 32 out of the well through the water supply line 40 out of the water well 10. The check valve 80 and the pressure switch 88 are additionally illustrated.

FIG. 3 is a side view in cross-section of the water well 10 of FIG. 2, including a side sectional view of the seal 60. The seal 60 includes a generally cylindrical profile, with cylindrical constriction bands 65 being disposed about circumferences of a top portion of the seal 60 and a bottom portion of the seal 60. The constriction bands 65 hold a cylindrically-shaped elastomeric band 63 with a hollow center about a rigid body 61 of the seal 60. The rigid body 61 may be cylindrically-shaped or it may include two disc-shaped ends, wherein the rigid body 61 provides structure or is configured to provide structure to the elastomeric band 63 such that the elastomeric band may be expanded and forced outwardly to create a seal against an interior wall of the well casing. The rigid body 61 of FIG. 3 includes two disc-shaped ends 72. The seal 60 includes a bladder 82 that is defined by a ring-shaped space between the rigid body 61 and the elastomeric band 63. The elastomeric band 63 formed around the bladder 82 forms the expandable seal membrane 62 which may be expanded by water filling the bladder 82 or may be unexpanded when water is not filling and pressing outwardly upon the expandable seal membrane 62. The provided construction of the seal 60 is exemplary, a number of alternative constructions are envisioned, and the disclosure is not intended to be limited to the examples provided herein.

The water supply pipe 40 may take different forms. In the implementation of FIG. 3, the upper portion 42 includes a threaded end 48 which mates and fastens with a first corresponding threaded portion 69 of the rigid body 61. Similarly, the lower portion 44 includes a threaded end 49 which mates and fastens with a second corresponding threaded portion 69 of the rigid body 61. The rigid body includes a central lumen 68 or cavity which acts as a portion or a segment of the water supply pipe 40. The electrical power line 50 including the first length 52 and the second length 54 are illustrated. The electrical power line 50 passes through two through-holes 67 formed in the rigid body 61.

A bladder fill port 64 is illustrated formed in the rigid body 61. The bladder fill port 64 may include an open channel between the bladder 82 and the lumen 68, such that water may flow through the bladder fill port 64 and may equalize head pressure between the bladder 82 and the lumen 68. The bladder fill port 64 may alternatively be described as an internal fill pipe. As a result, when the pump 30 activates and creates an exemplary 60 PSI head pressure in excess of an atmospheric pressure within the water supply line 40, 60 PSI head pressure as compared to the atmospheric pressure is applied to the bladder and to the expandable seal membrane 62, thereby forcing the expandable seal membrane 62 to expand outwardly and press against the well casing 20. When the pump 30 is deactivated, for example, by removing power from the control circuitry connected to the pump 30 so that the pump 30 may not start, opening a valve connected to the above ground pipe 46 of FIG. 1 will cause the head pressure within the water supply line 40, the lumen 68, and the bladder 82 to lower and will cause the expandable seal membrane to retract or shrink, such that force between the seal 60 and well casing 20 is released.

FIG. 4 is a side view in cross-section of the water well 10 of FIG. 2, with the seal 60 being in an unexpanded state and being configured to enable movement of the seal 60 and the attached water supply line 40 and water pump 30 vertically through the illustrated well bore 24. The bladder 82 of FIG. 3 within the seal 60 is in an unfilled state or water within the bladder 82 has been released, such that the expandable seal membrane 62 is retracted inwardly, away from the well casing 20. As a result, the water supply line 40, the seal 60, and the pump 30 may move up or down within the well bore 24, as indicated by the arrow 98.

FIG. 5 is a side view in cross-section of the water well 10 of FIG. 3, wherein the pump 30 is providing a flow of water through the water supply line 40, such that an internal bladder 82 of the seal 60 is being filled by water entering though the bladder fill port 64 and the seal 60 is transitioning to an expanded state. The pump 30 is operational, with electrical power being provided through electrical power line 50. A flow of water 90 is being drawn through pump inlet 32. The flow of water 90 is moved by the pump into the lower portion 44, through the valve 80, and then into lumen 68. A portion of the flow of water 90 continues upwardly through the lumen 68 into the upper portion 42 to be pumped out of the well 10. Another portion of the flow of water 90 fills the bladder 82 and thereby causes the expandable seal membrane 62 to expand outwardly against the well casing 20. The pump 30 may continue to operate until head pressure proximate to the pressure switch 88 reaches a high pressure set point, and the pressure switch 88 may provide data or a control signal operable to deactivate the pump 30.

FIG. 6 is a side view in cross-section of the water well 10 of FIG. 5, wherein the seal 60 is in the expanded state. The expansion of the expandable seal membrane 62, as a result of the water retained within the bladder 82 by operation of the check valve 80, causes the seal 60 and components attached thereto to be fixed in place and difficult to move upward or downward within the well bore 24. The expansion of the expandable seal membrane 62 further seals or segments a portion of the well bore 24 above the seal 60 from a portion of the well bore 24 below the seal 60, thereby accomplishing preventing occurrence of the drawdown condition. So long as the water is maintained within the bladder 82 and the outward force upon the well casing 20 by the expandable seal membrane is maintained, the pump 30 may operate according to demands for water in the structure being served by the well 10 while preventing water and air from above the seal 60 from being drawn into the pump 30. Flow of water 90 is illustrated being drawn into the pump 30 through the pump inlet 32 and further flowing upwardly through water supply line 40 as a result of operation of the pump 30. As described herein, operation of pump 30 may be controlled by head pressure readings taken by the pressure switch 88. The seal 60 may be configured to provide an excellent seal against the well casing 20 through the range of head pressures that are present during typical operation of the pump 30 to supply water to the structure being served by the well 10.

FIG. 7 is a side view in cross-section of the water well 10 of FIG. 3, wherein the water pump 60 is in a deactivated state and head pressure within the water supply line 40 is relieved. Water is illustrated exiting the internal bladder 82 of the seal 60 through the bladder fill port 64, thereby enabling the seal 60 to transition to the unexpanded state. Flow of water 90 is illustrated exiting the bladder 82 and entering the lumen 68 and the water supply line 40, thereby relieving pressure within the bladder 82 and reducing outward force upon the expandable seal membrane 62, thereby creating a gap around an outer circumference of the expandable seal membrane 62 between the expandable seal membrane 62 and the well casing 20. As a result, the seal 60, the water supply line 40, and the pump 30 are enabled to move freely in the up and down directions, as indicated by arrow 98.

FIG. 8 is a perspective view of the seal 60 of FIG. 1. The seal 60 is illustrated including the rigid body 61, the constriction bands 65, and the expandable seal membrane 62. A threaded portion 69 of the rigid body 61 is illustrated. Additionally, a plurality of rigid body access points 67 are illustrated. The rigid body access points 67 may include through holes extending through one side (extending from the top surface into the cavity which defines the bladder) or both sides (through the top surface into the cavity which defines the bladder, and a matching through hole is formed through the bottom surface of the rigid body into the cavity, wherein the through holes may be aligned) of the rigid body. In another implementation, the rigid body access points 67 may be provided as capped or incompletely formed holes, for example, only providing a through hole if the user completes the incompletely formed holes with a drill device or other penetrating means. The rigid body access points 67 may provide a path for the electrical power line 50 of FIG. 1 or other power or data line to pass either into the bladder 82 of FIG. 3 or through the seal 60. The rigid body access points 67 may be formed in the top surface of the rigid body 61, the bottom surface of the rigid body 61, or both the top surface and the bottom surface. The rigid body 61, without the elastomeric band 63 and the constriction bands 65 disposed over a top thereof, may appear to include two relatively large disks separated and jointed by a cylinder, for example, taking the generalized shape of a weightlifting dumbbell.

FIG. 9 is schematic view of an exemplary control system 300 configured for operation of the water pump 30 and seal 60 of FIG. 3. The control system 300 includes a pump controller 310 selectively providing electrical power to the water pump 30 thought the electrical power line 50. The water pump 30 provides a flow of water to the water supply line 40. The check valve 80 is illustrated retaining head pressure within the water supply line 40 when the pump 30 is not currently operating. The pressure switch 88 controls operation of the pump 30 based upon head pressure within the water supply line 40. An atmospheric pressure valve 330 (which may be embodied by a spigot valve or faucet attached to the above ground water line) is illustrated attached to the water supply line 40 which may be utilized to reduce head pressure within the water supply line 40 and may be useful, in combination with deactivation of the pump 30, to retract the expandable seal membrane 62 of the seal 60.

FIG. 10 is a flowchart illustrating an exemplary method 200 to use the seal 60 within water well 10 of FIG. 1. The method 200 may be utilized with the water well 10 and the corresponding seal 60 illustrated throughout FIGS. 1-8, although the method 200 or variations thereof may similarly be utilized with other water wells and other versions of the seal 60. The method 200 starts at step 202. At step 204, the seal 60, the pump 30 (including the electrical power line 50 attached thereto), and the water supply line 40 may be assembled together into an assembly in preparation for being lowered into a well casing 20. At step 206, the assembly created in the step 204 is positioned at a desired depth or a desired vertical position within the well shaft 24. At step 208, electrical power is applied to the pump 30 to create the flow of water 90 through the water supply line 40 and to expand the seal 60, creating an outward force upon the well casing 20. At step 210, the pump is utilized to provide the flow of water 90 through a period of typical well operation. At step 212, the pump 30 is deactivated and prevented from turning on, and the water supply line 40 is disengaged from above ground plumbing to expose the top of the line to atmospheric pressure which creates a relatively low head pressure within the water supply line 40. The seal 60 returns to an unexpanded state, enabling subsequent removal of the assembly including the seal 60 from the well casing 20. At step 214, the assembly including the seal 60 is removed from the well shaft 24. At step 216, the method 200 ends. The method 200 is provided as an exemplary method to operate a water well seal in accordance with the disclosure. A number of alternative methods including alternative and/or additional method steps are envisioned, and the disclosure is not intended to be limited to the examples provided herein.

In the various illustrated Figures, the seal is illustrated disposed near a lower portion of the water supply line. In other versions of the disclosure, the seal may be disposed upon a middle portion of the water supply line or near a top portion of the water supply line.

Variations of the disclosed well system and seal are envisioned. In one implementation, an enclosed or cylindrical through-hole may extend through the seal from a top surface to a bottom surface, enabling the electrical power line 50 of FIG. 3 to extend through the seal without penetrating or providing a potential leak from the bladder 82. In another implementation, a sealant or sealer may be applied to a junction of the electrical power line 50 and the seal 60, thereby preventing leaks from inside of the seal 60 or leaks spanning across the seal to leak past the junction of the electrical power line 50 and the seal 60. Wherein the electrical power line 50 is enclosed within a through-hole extending from the top surface to the bottom surface, a single sealer at either the top surface or the bottom surface may be utilized.

The disclosed well system and seal are described in association with preventing a drawdown condition. It will be appreciated that the well system and the seal described herein additionally or alternatively provide other benefits, for example, preventing undesirable materials or contaminants that may fall down the well shaft from entering the aquifer water being drawn into the water pump.

FIG. 11 is a side view of an alternative implementation of a seal configuration 400 including a seal 460. The seal 460 is illustrated including a cylindrically-shaped rigid body 461 and an expandable membrane 462 constructed with an elastic band 463 which extends around a circumference of the rigid body 461. In an unexpanded state, a bladder 482 is defined between the elastic band 463 and the rigid body 461. The rigid body 461 includes a pair of grooves 467 which may each be filled with a circular gasket 407 or O-ring which extends around a circumference of the rigid body 461, fills the corresponding groove 467, and extends outward from a face of the rigid body 461. The elastic band 463 seals against the circular gasket 407, and a pair of constriction bands 409 surround the elastic band 463 and press the elastic band 463 against the circular gaskets 407. The elastic band 463, the circular gaskets 407, and the constriction bands 409 are illustrated in cross-section with dashed lines for purposes of clear illustration of the rigid body 461.

A center of the seal 460 includes a lumen 468 formed in a central portion of the rigid body 461 and includes lumen openings 469. A bladder fill port 402 or passage is illustrated in communication with the lumen 468 and is configured to enable pressurized water to selectively fill the bladder 482 and enable the seal 460 to transition between an unexpanded state and an expanded state. The bladder fill port 402 is illustrated within the bladder 482 and including an inlet portion 404 and an outlet 406 emptying into the bladder 482. The seal 460 is further illustrated including a recess 430 in hydraulic communication with the bladder 482 through passage 431 and configured to receive a pressure release valve 410 including a water outlet opening 412. The pressure release valve 410 may be a pressure relief valve, configured to release pressure from within the bladder 482 if a maximum pressure within the bladder is exceeded, for example, to prevent damage to the seal 460. The pressure release valve 410 may be a selective pressure release valve, releasing the pressure within the seal 460 on demand, for example, when a user desires to remove the seal 460 from a well. The pressure release valve 410 may be activated in multiple ways, for example, by an electrical signal or applied voltage applied through wiring 414 activating a solenoid which releases the valve. In another example, the pressure release valve 410 may be configured to receive tension on a wire or cable, and that tension on the wire or cable may cause the valve to release. The pressure release valve 410 may be both a pressure relief valve and a selective pressure release valve. In FIG. 11, the pressure release valve 410 is illustrated above the recess 430 in preparation for being installed thereto.

FIG. 12 is a side view in cross-section of a rigid body 561, including implementation of an alternative bladder fill port 510. The rigid body 561 may be a monolithic body with features cut, drilled, molded, or otherwise formed in the monolithic body. In another embodiment, the rigid body may include multiple portions bolted or otherwise affixed together. A center of the rigid body 561 includes a lumen 468 formed in a central portion of the rigid body 561. A pipe section 430 configured to serve as a portion of a water supply pipe 40 is illustrated installed to the rigid body 561 and the corresponding seal. A bladder fill port 510 is illustrated within the rigid body 561 and connected to the pipe section 430 and configured to receive a flow of pressurized water therethrough. The bladder fill port 510 is configured to enable pressurized water to selectively fill a bladder of the corresponding seal and enable the seal to transition between an unexpanded state and an expanded state. The bladder fill port 510 includes an inlet portion 512 which includes connection 434 to the pipe section 430, an outlet 514 configured to provide a selective flow of pressurized water. The outlet 514 is connected to a pressure valve 516 configured to remain closed until water being supplied to the pressure valve exceeds a minimum bladder fill pressure. When the water pressure exceeds the minimum bladder fill pressure, the valve 516 opens and permits the pressurized water to enter the bladder of the corresponding seal. The valve 516 may be a ball and spring valve and may be described as a one-way check valve. The valve 516 may be adjustable, for example, by adjustment of a set screw 520 which may be exposed outside of the rigid body 561. The valve 516 enables pressurized water to enter the bladder of the valve and be retained within the bladder even if the water pump that provided the pressurized water is no longer operational, for example, during a power outage. Such a valve 516 enables the seal to remain in an expanded state even if pressurized water is no longer available within the water supply pipe 40. An outside surface of the rigid body 561 may include a plug 518 or sealed section enabling installation of the bladder fill port 510. A lower portion 432 of the pipe section 430 may be configured, for example, with threading, for attachment to a water pump.

FIG. 13 is a perspective view of a seal 560 corresponding to the rigid body 561 of FIG. 12. The seal 560 is illustrated including the expandable membrane 462 and elastic band 463 and the pressure release valve 410 attached to a top of the seal 560. A top one of the lumen openings 469 is illustrated. A hole providing access to the set screw 520 is illustrated. A hole 480 configured for permitting a power or control cable for a water pump to pass through the seal 560 is illustrated. The plug 518 is illustrated, covered by the elastic band 463.

In FIG. 14, a system including a water well 600 is illustrated including an alternative implementation of a seal 660. The water well 600 is illustrated including a well casing 20 defining a well bore 24, a water pump 30, a water supply line 40, an electrical power line 484, and the seal 660. The pump 30 or the seal 660 of FIG. 14 may include a check valve built therein, or the illustrated assembly may further include a check valve 80, as is described herein, to prevent water from flowing backwardly through the pump 30. The seal 660 is illustrated including the water release valve 410 installed thereto and including the expandable membrane 462 constructed with the elastic band 463. The seal 660 may include the bladder fill port 402 of FIG. 11, the bladder fill port 510 of FIG. 12, or another similar structure enabling pressurized water from the pump 30 to fill a bladder of the seal 660. The electrical power line 484 is illustrated transiting or being routed through the seal 660. The electrical power line 484 enters the seal 660 through a hole 480, is routed through the rigid body 661 of the seal 660, and exits the seal 660 through a hole 488. Upon a top surface of the seal 660, a hollow fitting 481 is illustrated installed to the hole 480, with the power line 484 going through the fitting 481. In one embodiment, the fitting 481 may be made of brass. A shrink wrap coating 486 is illustrated wrapped around and shrunk upon the fitting 481 and the power line 484 to prevent water from passing through from the top of the seal 660 to the bottom of the seal 660 and vice versa. The hole 488 and the power line 484 passing therethrough may be similarly sealed including an adhesive or glue sealing material 490. The fitting 481, the shrink wrap coating 486, and the adhesive or glue material 490 are exemplary, any construction or method in the art for sealing wires other objects massing through the bladder may be utilized, and the disclosure is not intended to be limited to the examples provided. A pipe section 430 is illustrated passing through the seal 660 and being connected to the water pump 30 below the seal 660. The pipe section 430 is configured to provide pressurized water to the bladder of the seal 660 and selectively cause the seal 660 to transition between an unexpanded state and an expanded state. In the expanded state, the seal 660 seals against the well casing 20 sealing the well 600 in accordance with the disclosure.

FIG. 15 is a side view in cross-section of the seal 660 within the water well of FIG. 14, with an internal bladder of the seal being filled and the seal transitioning to an expanded state. In FIG. 15, the pump 30 is activated, a water flow 690 is drawn in through the pump inlet 32, and pressurized water is supplied through the water supply pipe 40. In one embodiment, under normal operation, the pump 30 may supply a minimum bladder fill pressure during normal operation. In another embodiment, the pump 30 may be operated at a higher than usual setting to reach a minimum bladder fill pressure. In another embodiment, the water supply line 40 may be temporarily capped or blocked to enable the pump 30 to cause water pressure within the seal 660 to reach the minimum bladder fill pressure. Upon the water pressure within the water supply line 40 providing water pressure to bladder 482 at at least the minimum bladder fill pressure, the bladder 482 fills and the expandable membrane 462 expands radially outwardly, such that the expandable membrane 462 presses against and seals against the well casing 20.

FIG. 16 is a side view in cross-section of the seal 660 within the water well 600 of FIG. 14, with a pressure release valve 410 being opened, thereby releasing pressurized water from within the bladder 482 of the seal 660 and causing the seal 660 to transition from the expanded state to the unexpanded state. As the bladder 482 is permitted to empty as a flow of water 692 leaves the pressure release valve 410, the expandable membrane 462 contracts and stops being pressed against the well casing 20, and the seal 660 transitions to the unexpanded state. Seal 460 of FIG. 11, seal 560 of FIG. 13, and seal 660 of FIG. 14 are provided to describe different features and permutations of the disclosed system and method. Various combinations of features upon seals 460, 560, and 660 are envisioned, and the disclosure is not intended to be limited to the particular examples provided herein.

FIG. 3 illustrates the seal 60 wherein the head pressure within the bladder 82 is the same at any given instant as the head pressure within the lumen 68. FIG. 12 illustrates a seal including rigid body 561 wherein, after the associated bladder is filled with pressurized water, the head pressure within the bladder and the head pressure within the lumen 468 are independent of each other. A seal 60, 460, 560, 660 of the disclosure may be either configuration. A user may be able to change from one configuration to the other, for example, by disabling or removing the internal ball and spring valve from the seal 60, 460, 560, 660 and installing appropriate plugs in the seal 60, 460, 560, 660 to prevent leakage from the associated bladder or vice versa.

The foregoing disclosure is not intended to be exhaustive or limit the invention to any particular form. The terminology which has been used is intended to be in the nature of words of description rather than of limitation. Many modifications and variations are possible in light of the above teachings and the invention may be practiced otherwise than as specifically described.