Visual ram position indicator apparatuses and methods

摘要

Apparatuses for providing a visual indication outside a blowout preventer (BOP) relative to a position of ram blocks inside the BOP, and methods of adding such apparatuses to existing blowout preventers are provided. An apparatus has an indicator rod, a detectable portion and a sealing assembly. The indicator rod has an end extending outside an end cap of the BOP, and is configured to engage with a tail rod of a ram block of the BOP, and to switch between a first position when the BOP is in a close state, and a second position when the BOP is in an open state. The detectable portion is located outside the end cap and is configured to provide a visual indication relative to a current position of the indicator rod. The sealing assembly is configured to seal a space inside the end cap from an environment in which the BOP operates.

主权项

1. An apparatus for providing a visual indication outside a ram blowout preventer, the apparatus comprising:
an indicator rod having an end extending outside an end cap of the BOP, and configured to engage with a tail rod inside the BOP, and to travel a predetermined distance between a first position when the BOP is in an open state, and a second position when the BOP is in a closed state, the predetermined distance being less than the distance traveled by the tail rod when the BOP changes between an open state and a closed state; a detectable portion located outside the end cap and configured to provide a visual indication relative to a current position of the indicator rod; and a sealing assembly configured to seal a space inside the end cap from an environment in which the BOP operates.