Setting tool and method

Abstract

A setting tool can include a hydraulic setting mechanism that actuates in response to a level of a pressure differential between a central flow passage and an exterior of the setting tool, and a check valve assembly that permits flow between sections of the central flow passage in one direction but prevents flow in an opposite direction. One of the sections is in fluid communication with an exterior of the setting tool. A method of setting a well tool can include deploying the well tool and a setting tool into a well, and applying a pressure differential across a check valve assembly of the setting tool, thereby setting the well tool. In the deploying step, the setting tool includes the check valve assembly.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A setting tool for use in a subterranean well, the setting tool comprising:
 a hydraulic setting mechanism that actuates in response to a level of a pressure differential between: a) a central flow passage extending longitudinally through the hydraulic setting mechanism, and b) an exterior of the setting tool; and   a check valve assembly that prevents flow from a first section of the central flow passage to a second section of the central flow passage but permits flow from the second section to the first section,   in which flow is permitted between the second section and the exterior of the setting tool.   
     
     
         2 . The setting tool of  claim 1 , in which the check valve assembly is displaceable between first and second positions:
 in the first position, the check valve assembly permits flow from the exterior of the setting tool to the first section, and the check valve assembly prevents flow from the first section to the exterior of the setting tool, and   in the second position, the check valve assembly permits flow from the first section to the exterior of the setting tool.   
     
     
         3 . The setting tool of  claim 2 , in which, in the second position, the check valve assembly permits flow from the exterior of the setting tool to the first section. 
     
     
         4 . The setting tool of  claim 2 , in which :
 the hydraulic setting mechanism is operable to set a well tool in response to application of a first level of the pressure differential across the check valve assembly, and   in which the check valve assembly displaces from the first position to the second position in response to application of a second level of the pressure differential across the check valve assembly, the second pressure differential level being greater than the first pressure differential level.   
     
     
         5 . The setting tool of  claim 4 , in which the hydraulic setting mechanism comprises a release member configured to releasably couple the setting tool to the well tool, and in which the release member releases the setting tool in response to application of a third level of the pressure differential across the check valve assembly, the third level being greater than the first level and less than the second level. 
     
     
         6 . The setting tool of  claim 1 , in which the check valve assembly includes a seat, a closure, and a bias member that biases the closure toward sealing engagement with the seat. 
     
     
         7 . The setting tool of  claim 1 , in which the check valve assembly is releasably secured against displacement relative to the central flow passage. 
     
     
         8 . A setting tool for use in a subterranean well, the setting tool comprising:
 a flow path between an interior of the setting tool and an exterior of the setting tool; and   a check valve assembly positionable in first and second positions:
 a) in the first position, the check valve assembly permits flow through the flow path from the exterior to the interior of the setting tool, and the check valve assembly prevents flow from the interior to the exterior of the setting tool, and 
 b) in the second position, the check valve assembly permits flow through the flow path from the interior to the exterior of the setting tool. 
   
     
     
         9 . The setting tool of  claim 8 , in which, in the second position, the check valve assembly permits flow from the exterior to the interior of the setting tool. 
     
     
         10 . The setting tool of  claim 8 , in which the check valve assembly includes a seat, a closure, and a bias member that biases the closure toward sealing engagement with the seat. 
     
     
         11 . The setting tool of  claim 8 , further comprising:
 a hydraulic setting mechanism operable to set a well tool in response to application of a first pressure differential across the check valve assembly, and   in which the check valve assembly displaces from the first position to the second position in response to application of a second pressure differential across the check valve assembly, the second pressure differential being greater than the first pressure differential.   
     
     
         12 . The setting tool of  claim 11 , in which the hydraulic setting mechanism comprises a release member configured to releasably couple the setting tool to the well tool, and in which the release member releases the setting tool in response to application of a third pressure differential across the check valve assembly, the third pressure differential being greater than the first pressure differential and less than the second pressure differential. 
     
     
         13 . The setting tool of  claim 8 , in which the check valve assembly in the first position blocks flow between first and second sections of an interior flow passage of the setting tool and blocks flow between the first section and an opening that permits flow between the second section and the exterior of the setting tool. 
     
     
         14 . The setting tool of  claim 13 , in which the check valve assembly in the second position permits flow between the first section and the opening. 
     
     
         15 . A method of setting a well tool in a subterranean well, the method comprising:
 deploying the well tool and a setting tool into the well; and   applying a first pressure differential across a check valve assembly of the setting tool, thereby setting the well tool,   in which, in the deploying, the setting tool includes the check valve assembly.   
     
     
         16 . The method of  claim 15 , further comprising applying a second pressure differential across the check valve assembly, thereby opening a flow path between an interior of the setting tool and an exterior of the setting tool, the second pressure differential being greater than the first pressure differential. 
     
     
         17 . The method of  claim 16 , in which the opening comprises displacing the check valve assembly from a first position in which the check valve assembly blocks flow through the flow path to a second position in which the check valve assembly does not block the flow through the flow path. 
     
     
         18 . The method of  claim 15 , in which the deploying comprises permitting flow through the check valve assembly in a first direction from an exterior of the setting tool to an interior of the setting tool. 
     
     
         19 . The method of  claim 18 , in which the setting comprises preventing flow through the check valve assembly in a second direction opposite to the first direction, the second direction being from the interior to the exterior of the setting tool. 
     
     
         20 . The method of  claim 19 , further comprising flowing a substance from the interior to the exterior of the setting tool after the setting.