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A method of operating an isolation valve can include transmitting a signal to a detector section of the isolation valve, and a control system of the isolation valve operating an actuator of the isolation valve in response to detection of the signal by the detector section. An isolation valve can inc

A method of operating an isolation valve can include transmitting a signal to a detector section of the isolation valve, and a control system of the isolation valve operating an actuator of the isolation valve in response to detection of the signal by the detector section. An isolation valve can include a detector section which detects a presence of an object in the isolation valve, and a control system which operates an actuator of the isolation valve in response to an object presence indication received from the detector section. A well system can include an isolation valve which selectively permits and prevents fluid communication between sections of a wellbore, the isolation valve including a detector section which detects a signal, and the isolation valve further including a control system which operates an actuator of the isolation valve in response to detection of the signal by the detector section.

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1. A method of operating an isolation valve in a subterranean well, the method comprising: transmitting a signal to a detector section of the isolation valve;operating an actuator of the isolation valve in response to detection of the signal by the detector section, the actuator including an actuato

1. A method of operating an isolation valve in a subterranean well, the method comprising: transmitting a signal to a detector section of the isolation valve;operating an actuator of the isolation valve in response to detection of the signal by the detector section, the actuator including an actuator valve which selectively permits and prevents fluid communication between high and low pressure sources and first and second piston chambers of a piston of the actuator;operating the actuator valve so that fluid communication is permitted between the high pressure source and the first piston chamber and between the low pressure source and the second piston chamber, thereby displacing the piston in a first direction;operating the actuator valve so that fluid communication is permitted between the low pressure source and the first piston chamber and between the high pressure source and the second piston chamber, thereby displacing the piston in a second direction opposite the first direction; andoperating the actuator valve so that fluid communication is permitted between the first and second piston chambers and the high and low pressure sources, thereby permitting the high pressure source to be recharged downhole. 2. The method of claim 1, wherein the signal is transmitted from a remote location. 3. The method of claim 2, wherein the signal is transmitted via at least one line extending to the remote location. 4. The method of claim 3, wherein the line is incorporated into a sidewall of a tubular string in the well. 5. The method of claim 3, wherein the line is disposed external to a tubular string which forms a protective lining for a wellbore. 6. The method of claim 2, wherein the signal comprises a pressure pulse generated by restricting flow through a flow control device. 7. The method of claim 1, wherein the signal is transmitted from an object positioned within an internal flow passage of the isolation valve. 8. The method of claim 1, wherein the signal comprises an acoustic signal. 9. The method of claim 1, wherein the signal comprises an electromagnetic signal. 10. The method of claim 1, wherein the signal comprises a radio frequency identification signal. 11. The method of claim 1, wherein the signal comprises a magnetic field. 12. The method of claim 1, wherein the signal comprises a vibration. 13. The method of claim 1, wherein the high pressure source includes a pressurized fluid chamber which expands as the isolation valve is actuated, and wherein the high pressure source is recharged downhole by compressing the fluid chamber. 14. The method of claim 1, further comprising securing the isolation valve to a tubular string in the well by setting a releasable anchor in the tubular string. 15. The method of claim 14, wherein setting the releasable anchor further comprises connecting the isolation valve to at least one line extending along the tubular string. 16. The method of claim 14, further comprising retrieving the isolation valve from the well by releasing the releasable anchor. 17. The method of claim 1, further comprising the detector section detecting a presence of an object in an inner flow passage of the isolation valve by detecting a reflection of the signal transmitted from an acoustic signal transmitter to an acoustic signal receiver, the signal being reflected off of the object in the inner flow passage. 18. The method of claim 1, further comprising recharging a battery of the isolation valve downhole. 19. The method of claim 18, wherein the recharging is performed via an inductive coupling. 20. The method of claim 1, wherein electrical power for operating the actuator is supplied via an inductive coupling, without use of any battery in the isolation valve. 21. The method of claim 1, further comprising flowing fluid through a tubular string disposed in an internal flow passage of the isolation valve, thereby generating electrical power from a generator interconnected in the tubular string, and the electrical power being used for operating the actuator. 22. The method of claim 21, wherein the electrical power is transmitted from the generator to the isolation valve via an inductive coupling. 23. The method of claim 1, wherein a position of the isolation valve does not change during recharging of the high pressure source, and wherein the high pressure source can be recharged when the isolation valve is in an open position and when the isolation valve is in a closed position. 24. A method of operating an isolation valve in a subterranean well, the method comprising: transmitting a signal to a detector section of the isolation valve, the detector section detecting a presence of an object in an inner flow passage of the isolation valve by detecting an interruption in the signal transmitted from an acoustic signal transmitter to an acoustic signal receiver, the interruption being caused by the presence of the object in the inner flow passage; anda control system of the isolation valve operating an actuator of the isolation valve in response to detection of the signal by the detector section. 25. An isolation valve for use in a subterranean well, the isolation valve comprising: a detector section which detects a presence of an object in the isolation valve; anda control system which operates an actuator of the isolation valve in response to an object presence indication received from the detector section, the actuator including a rotary valve which selectively permits and prevents fluid communication between high and low pressure sources and first and second piston chambers of a piston of the actuator,wherein a first position of the rotary valve permits fluid communication between the high pressure source and the first piston chamber and between the low pressure source and the second piston chamber, thereby displacing the piston in a first direction, wherein a second position of the rotary valve permits fluid communication between the low pressure source and the first piston chamber and between the high pressure source and the second piston chamber, thereby displacing the piston in a second direction opposite the first direction, andwherein a third position of the rotary valve permits fluid communication between the first and second piston chambers and the high and low pressure sources, thereby permitting the high pressure source to be recharged downhole. 26. The isolation valve of claim 25, wherein the detector section includes a radio frequency identification sensor. 27. The isolation valve of claim 25, wherein the detector section includes an acoustic sensor. 28. The isolation valve of claim 25, wherein the detector section includes an electromagnetic signal receiver. 29. The isolation valve of claim 25, wherein the detector section includes a magnetic field sensor. 30. The isolation valve of claim 25, wherein the detector section includes a Hall effect sensor. 31. The isolation valve of claim 25, wherein the detector section detects an acoustic signal transmitted from a remote location via a tubular string. 32. The isolation valve of claim 25, wherein the detector section detects an acoustic signal transmitted from a remote location via fluid in the well. 33. The isolation valve of claim 25, wherein the detector section includes an accelerometer. 34. An isolation valve for use in a subterranean well, the isolation valve comprising: a detector section which detects a presence of an object in the isolation valve; anda control system which operates an actuator of the isolation valve in response to an object presence indication received from the detector section, wherein the detector section includes an acoustic signal transmitter, and an acoustic signal receiver, the transmitter being spaced apart from the receiver, whereby the presence of the object between the transmitter and receiver may be detected. 35. A well system, comprising: an isolation valve which selectively permits and prevents fluid communication between sections of a wellbore;the isolation valve including a detector section which detects a signal; andthe isolation valve further including a control system which operates an actuator of the isolation valve in response to detection of the signal by the detector section,wherein the actuator includes a rotary valve which selectively permits and prevents fluid communication between high and low pressure sources and first and second piston chambers of a piston of the actuator,wherein a first position of the rotary valve permits fluid communication between the high pressure source and the first piston chamber and between the low pressure source and the second piston chamber, thereby displacing the piston in a first direction, wherein a second position of the rotary valve permits fluid communication between the low pressure source and the first piston chamber and between the high pressure source and the second piston chamber, thereby displacing the piston in a second direction opposite the first direction, andwherein a third position of the rotary valve permits fluid communication between the first and second piston chambers and the high and low pressure sources, thereby permitting the high pressure source to be recharged downhole. 36. The well system of claim 35, wherein the signal is transmitted from a remote location. 37. The well system of claim 36, wherein the signal is transmitted via at least one line extending to the remote location. 38. The well system of claim 37, wherein the line is incorporated into a sidewall of a tubular string in the well. 39. The well system of claim 37, wherein the line is disposed external to a tubular string which forms a protective lining for the wellbore. 40. The well system of claim 36, wherein the signal comprises a pressure pulse generated by restricting flow through a flow control device. 41. The well system of claim 35, wherein the signal is transmitted from an object positioned within an internal flow passage of the isolation valve. 42. The well system of claim 35, wherein the signal comprises an acoustic signal. 43. The well system of claim 35, wherein the signal comprises an electromagnetic signal. 44. The well system of claim 35, wherein the signal comprises a radio frequency identification signal. 45. The well system of claim 35, wherein the signal comprises a magnetic field. 46. The well system of claim 35, wherein the signal comprises a vibration. 47. The well system of claim 35, wherein the high pressure source includes a pressurized fluid chamber which expands as the isolation valve is actuated, and wherein the high pressure source is recharged downhole via compression of the fluid chamber. 48. The well system of claim 35, wherein the isolation valve is secured to a tubular string in the well by a releasable anchor set in the tubular string. 49. The well system of claim 48, wherein the releasable anchor comprises a connection between the isolation valve and at least one line extending along the tubular string. 50. The well system of claim 48, wherein the isolation valve is retrievable from the well upon release of the releasable anchor. 51. The well system of claim 35, wherein the detector section detects a presence of an object in an inner flow passage of the isolation valve via detection of a reflection of the signal transmitted from an acoustic signal transmitter to an acoustic signal receiver, the signal being reflected off of the object in the inner flow passage. 52. The well system of claim 35, wherein a battery of the isolation valve is recharged downhole. 53. The well system of claim 52, wherein the battery is recharged via an inductive coupling. 54. The well system of claim 35, wherein electrical power for operation of the actuator is supplied via an inductive coupling, without use of any battery in the isolation valve. 55. The well system of claim 35, wherein fluid flows through a tubular string disposed in an internal flow passage of the isolation valve, whereby electrical power is generated by a generator interconnected in the tubular string, and the electrical power is used for operation of the actuator. 56. The well system of claim 55, wherein the electrical power is transmitted from the generator to the isolation valve via an inductive coupling. 57. The well system of claim 35, wherein the isolation valve selectively prevents fluid communication between the sections of the wellbore, with the isolation valve preventing fluid flow in each of first and second opposite directions through a flow passage extending longitudinally through the isolation valve. 58. A well system, comprising: an isolation valve which selectively permits and prevents fluid communication between sections of a wellbore;the isolation valve including a detector section which detects a signal; andthe isolation valve further including a control system which operates an actuator of the isolation valve in response to detection of the signal by the detector section, wherein the detector section detects a presence of an object in an inner flow passage of the isolation valve via detection of an interruption in the signal transmitted from an acoustic signal transmitter to an acoustic signal receiver, the interruption being caused by the presence of the object in the inner flow passage.