Apparatus, systems and methods for isolation during multistage hydraulic fracturing

A flow control apparatus comprising:

• a housing including an inlet and a port
• a housing passage disposed within the housing;
• a flow control member, displaceable, relative to the port, from a closed position to an open position, wherein, in the closed position, the flow control member covers the port, and in the open position, the flow control member is disposed relative to the port such that the port is uncovered;
• a plurality of support members extending from the flow control member in an outwardly direction relative to the central longitudinal axis of the housing passage, wherein each one of the support members, independently, includes a respective support surface;
• wherein:
• the housing includes a first housing portion and a second housing portion, wherein the first housing portion partially overlaps with the second housing portion;
• the first housing portion includes:
• an inner surface;
• and
• an external surface disposed, relative to the inner surface, on an opposite side of the first housing portion for communicating with a subterranean formation;
• the second housing portion defines a plurality of receiving spaces, wherein each receiving space, independently, is configured to receive a respective one of the plurality of support members;
• the first housing portion, the second housing portion, the flow control member and the one or more ports are co-operatively configured such that:
• at least a portion of the second housing portion is opposing a first portion of the inner surface of the first housing portion;
• and
• at least while the flow control member is disposed in the closed position, for each one of the support members, independently, the respective support surface is opposing a second portion of the inner surface of the first housing portion;
• and
• the support members and the second housing portion being co-operatively configured such that the displacement of the flow control member from the closed position to the open position is with effect that each one of the plurality of supporting members, independently, is received within a corresponding one of the plurality of receiving spaces.

A flow control apparatus comprising:

• a housing including a port;
• a housing passage disposed within the housing;
• a flow control member that is displaceable relative to the port and includes a fluid responsive surface;
• an actuating fluid communicating passage;
• a sealed interface effecting sealing of the actuating fluid communicating passage;
• a compartment disposed relative to the fluid responsive surface such that, while fluid is disposed within the compartment, fluid pressure is applied to the fluid responsive surface by fluid disposed within the compartment;
• a bleed passage disposed in flow communication with the compartment for effecting discharge of fluid from the compartment;
• wherein:
• while the sealed interface is effecting sealing of the actuating fluid communicating passage, the compartment and the bleed passage are co-operatively configured such that discharging, via the bleed passage, of leaked fluid from the housing passage, that has accumulated within the compartment, is effective to prevent the accumulated fluid from becoming disposed at a sufficient pressure to act on the fluid pressure responsive surface, such that displacement of the flow control member, relative to the port, for effecting opening of the port, is absent;
• the compartment, the actuating fluid communicating passage, and the housing passage are co-operatively configured such that defeating of the sealed interface is with effect that flow communication between the housing passage and the compartment, via the actuating fluid communicating passage, is established, and fluid disposed within the housing passage is communicated to the compartment;
• and
• the bleed passage and the actuating fluid communicating passage are co-operatively configured such that while the sealed interface is defeated such that flow communication between the housing passage and the compartment, via the actuating fluid passage, is established, and fluid disposed within the housing passage is communicated to the compartment, discharging, via the bleed passage, of the communicated fluid, that has accumulated within the compartment, is ineffective to prevent the accumulated fluid from becoming disposed at a sufficient pressure to act on the fluid pressure responsive surface with effect that the flow control member is displaced, relative to the port, for effecting opening of the port.