A variable bore ram packer including a ram body, a top seal and a packer member
designed for use in a standard ram-type blowout preventer used in oil and gas drilling
operations is disclosed. The packer member is molded of an elastomeric material
having a central semi-elliptical opening with a plurality of packer inserts molded
within the elastomeric material in a semi-circular pattern around the central semi-elliptical
opening of the elastomeric material. The semi-circular pattern of the packer inserts
and the semi-elliptical opening of the elastomeric material share a common axis.
The packer member and the plurality of packer inserts are molded into a unitary
structure allowing the plurality of packer inserts to move and seat against different
diameter tubular members to prevent extrusion of the elastomeric material between
the packer inserts and the tubular member.