Selectively operated two way check valve for subterranean use
A selectively two directional check valve is located on a string with a packer and is either held open for running in so that the string can fill and doesn't become buoyant or includes a closable ported sub to allow string filling for running in that can then be closed. Pressure is applied from the surface to drive an object down to a seat so that a packer can be set. Further pressure increase shifts the object and the seat and locks the seat in the shifted position. A spring return force pushes the object to an upper seat to prevent uphole flow. Flow in the downhole direction is possible by overcoming the spring bias to move the object off the upper seat while preventing the object from moving down far enough to engage the shifted lower seat. Flow downhole just goes around the object.
1. A multidirectional check valve for mounting in a tubular string extending to a subterranean location, comprising:
a valve member in a housing selectively movable for contact in opposed directions while under force of bias of a first and second valve seats, said first and second valve seats being initially spaced at a predetermined distance, said second valve seat selectively moveable to increase said predetermined distance and to lock said second valve seat after moving to increase said predetermined distance such that said housing limits movement of said valve member from contact with said second valve seat
during flow through said housing in a direction through said first and then said second valve seat.
2. The valve of claim 1 , wherein:
said valve seats face each other.
3. The valve of claim 1 , wherein:
said housing has a selectively open port to allow flow into said housing as the tubular string is extended toward the subterranean location.
4. The valve of claim 1 , wherein:
said valve member is selectively retained away from said seats to allow flow into said housing as the tubular string is extended toward the subterranean location.
5. The valve of claim 1 , wherein:
said first valve seat is located uphole from said second seat in said housing;
said bias on said valve member is toward said first valve seat.
6. The valve of claim 5 , wherein:
said valve member is responsive to flow in said housing to move into contact with said second seat.
7. The valve of claim 6 , wherein:
said valve member cutting off flow through said housing to allow pressure to build in said housing when seated against said second valve seat.
8. The valve of claim 7 , wherein:
pressure in said housing to a first level, with said valve member in contact with said second seat, sets a packer, on said housing which is mounted to the tubular string, against a surrounding borehole wall;
pressure in said housing at a second level higher than said first level forces said second valve seat to move.
9. The valve of claim 8 , wherein:
pressure in said housing to said second level breaks a breakable member to allow said second valve seat to move.
10. The valve of claim 1 , wherein:
said housing comprises a travel stop in a direction of movement toward said second valve seat.
11. The valve of claim 10 , wherein:
said valve member is initially retained in said housing away from said first valve seat.
12. The valve of claim 10 , wherein:
said housing comprises a selectively open port to allow fluid into said housing to reach the tubular string with said valve member under said bias in contact with said first valve seat to allow the tubular string to take liquid as the tubular string is extended to the subterranean location.
13. The valve of claim 8 , wherein:
said housing has multiple passages to allow fluid addition to the subterranean location in a first said passage to assist a pump to deliver fluid from the subterranean location in a second said passage.
14. The valve of claim 13 , wherein:
said valve member when against said first valve seat preventing fluid from passing into the tubing string.