Debris barrier for downhole valve in well

Abstract

An apparatus has a housing with an internal passage. When deployed, a barrier positions in an upward direction in an annular space between a sleeve and the housing and folds towards one of its sides to conform to the annular space. When debris collection is desired, operators lift the sleeve with a tool, the barrier rotates down and positions across the internal passage, and the tool releases the sleeve. In this stage, the barrier can collect debris to protect a downhole valve. In further stages, operators open the downhole valve, and flow moves the barrier, cage body, and sleeve together in upward direction. Eventually, the sleeve is biased downward again, and the barrier positions within the annular space by reversibly folding towards its opposing side. In this position, barrier points in a downward direction and folds towards its opposing side to conform to the annular space.

1 . A well apparatus, comprising:
 a housing having an internal passage therethrough; and   a barrier having one end movably connected adjacent the internal passage, the barrier being movable to a first position adjacent the internal passage, the barrier being movable to a second position across the internal passage, the barrier in the first position conforming to a profile of the internal passage, the barrier in the second position at least partially obstructing the internal passage to collect debris.   
   
   
       2 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein the barrier has first and second opposing sides, and wherein the barrier is foldable towards at least one of the opposing sides to conform to the profile of the internal passage. 
   
   
       3 . The apparatus of  claim 2 , wherein the barrier comprises:
 a central member having one end rotatably connected adjacent the internal passage and having two edges;   at least one first member rotatably connected to one of the edges; and   at least one second member rotatably connected to the other of the edges.   
   
   
       4 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , further comprising a sleeve having an axial passage therethrough and being axially movable within the internal passage. 
   
   
       5 . The apparatus of  claim 4 , further comprising a biasing member biasing the sleeve within the housing. 
   
   
       6 . The apparatus of  claim 4 , further comprising a body being axially movable in an annular space between the sleeve and the housing, the barrier being rotatably connected to the body. 
   
   
       7 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein the barrier is movable to a third position adjacent the internal passage opposite to the first position, the barrier in the third direction conforming to the profile of the internal passage. 
   
   
       8 . A well debris barrier apparatus, comprising:
 a housing having a first axial passage therethrough and a shoulder;   a sleeve having a second axial passage therethrough and being axially movable within the first axial passage;   a biasing member biasing an end of the sleeve towards the shoulder in the housing;   a body being axially movable in an annular space between the housing and the sleeve; and   a barrier movably connected to the body, the barrier being movable to a first position within the annular space and being movable to a second position across the first axial passage to at least partially obstruct the first axial passage.   
   
   
       9 . The apparatus of  claim 8 , wherein the barrier has first and second opposing sides, and wherein the barrier is foldable towards at least one of the opposing sides to conform to the annular space. 
   
   
       10 . The apparatus of  claim 9 , wherein the barrier comprises:
 a first member having one end rotatably connected to the body and having two edges;   at least one second member rotatably connected to one of the edges; and   at least one third member rotatably connected to the other of the edges.   
   
   
       11 . The apparatus of  claim 8 , wherein the biasing member comprises a spring having one end engaging the housing and having another end engaging the sleeve. 
   
   
       12 . The apparatus of  claim 8 , wherein the body comprises a ring slideably positioned within the housing. 
   
   
       13 . The apparatus of  claim 8 , wherein in a first operational arrangement, the biasing member biases the end of the sleeve toward the shoulder, the body positions adjacent the shoulder, and the barrier positions within the annular space in the first position. 
   
   
       14 . The apparatus of  claim 13 , wherein in a second operational arrangement, the sleeve is moved axially away from the shoulder, and the barrier is rotated from the first position to the second position. 
   
   
       15 . The apparatus of  claim 14 , wherein in a third operational arrangement, the sleeve is moved axially toward the shoulder, and the barrier is positioned in the second position with a portion of the barrier engaging the shoulder. 
   
   
       16 . The apparatus of  claim 15 , wherein in a fourth operational arrangement, the barrier is positioned in the second position against the end of the sleeve, the body is positioned adjacent the end of the sleeve, and the body, the barrier, and the sleeve are moved axially in the housing against the bias of the biasing member. 
   
   
       17 . The apparatus of  claim 8 , wherein the barrier is movable to a third position within the annular space, the third position being opposite to the first position. 
   
   
       18 . The apparatus of  claim 17 , wherein in one operational arrangement, the biasing member biases the end of the sleeve toward the shoulder, the body is positioned away from the shoulder, and the barrier is positioned in the third position with the barrier folded towards one of its sides to fit within the annular space. 
   
   
       19 . A debris barrier apparatus, comprising:
 barrier means for forming a debris barrier across an internal passage of a housing;   first means for positioning the barrier means in a first axial direction within the internal passage; and   first means for folding the barrier means to a profile of the internal passage when in the first axial direction.   
   
   
       20 . The apparatus of  claim 19 , wherein the barrier means comprise means for permitting at least some fluid communication therethrough when across the internal passage. 
   
   
       21 . The apparatus of  claim 19 , further comprising:
 second means for positioning the barrier means in a second axial direction within the internal passage, the second axial direction opposite to the first axial direction; and   second means for folding the barrier means to the profile when in the second axial direction.   
   
   
       22 . A downhole valve debris protection method, comprising:
 connecting a housing having an internal passage to tubing;   deploying the housing downhole with an internal barrier in a first position adjacent the internal passage;   at least partially obstructing the internal passage by positioning the internal barrier in a second position across the internal passage; and   permitting debris to collect temporarily on the barrier in the second position.   
   
   
       23 . The method of  claim 22 , further comprising permitting well conditions to erode the barrier in the second position. 
   
   
       24 . The method of  claim 22 , further comprising positioning the barrier in a third position adjacent the internal passage after temporarily collecting debris, the third position being opposite the first position. 
   
   
       25 . The method of  claim 22 , further comprising conforming the barrier to a profile of the internal passage by folding the barrier towards at least one of its two opposing sides.