Blowout preventer packer insert

A blow-out preventer (BOP) packer, comprising:

• an elastomeric body disposed at least partially about a longitudinal axis and adapted to be compressively displaced inwardly towards the longitudinal axis upon energization of the BOP packer;
• and
• a plurality of metallic inserts embedded in the elastomeric body in substantially circumferentially spaced fashion in respective radial planes extending from the longitudinal axis of the elastomeric body, each of the metallic inserts having a form substantially symmetrical about a plane parallel to the longitudinal axis, and embedded in the elastomeric body with the elastomeric body adhered to the metallic insert to reduce extrusion of the elastomeric body when the BOP packer is energized, each of the metallic inserts comprising:
• an upper flange and a lower flange, each of the upper flange and the lower flange having a substantially wedge shaped configuration that expands from a relatively narrow portion of the flange at the end of the flange nearest the longitudinal axis to a relatively wide portion of the flange at an opposite end away from the longitudinal axis;
• a web element extending between the upper flange and the lower flange, the web element defining a substantially elongated aperture through which a portion of the elastomeric body passes to help maintain the position of the insert relative to the elastomeric body as the BOP packer is energized, and to reduce shear forces between the metallic insert and the elastomeric body along surfaces where the elastomeric body is adhered to the metallic insert.