Sensor element suspension

A method comprising:

• forming a one-piece housing configured to house a sensor element therein by an additive manufacturing process using solely a single metal or a single alloy chosen from titanium, aluminum and stainless steel, wherein forming the one-piece housing comprises
• forming a cavity configured to suspend a sensor element therein, wherein the cavity is defined by a continuous inner surface,
• forming a first end cap within a first end of the housing, the first end cap including a concave surface,
• forming a first plurality of V-shaped suspension elements within the concave surface of the first end cap, each suspension element of the first plurality of V-shaped suspension elements arranged to project at a first end from the concave surface of the first end cap at a first end toward the cavity, wherein a second end of each of the first plurality of V-shaped suspension elements is configured to directly contact and provide axial suspension to the sensor element as the sensor element translates within the cavity, and
• forming a second plurality of suspension elements extending from the continuous inner surface of the housing;
• and
• affixing a second end cap to a second end of the housing.

A system comprising:

• a one-piece sensor housing formed solely from a single metal or a single alloy chosen from titanium, aluminum stainless steel configured to receive a sensor element therein, the one- piece sensor housing comprising
• a cavity defined by a continuous inner surface,
• a first end cap formed within a first end of the housing, the first end cap including a concave surface,
• a first plurality of V-shaped suspension elements formed within the concave surface of the first end cap, each suspension element of the first plurality of V-shaped suspension elements arranged to project at a first end from the concave surface of the first end cap toward the cavity, wherein a second end of each of the first plurality of V-shaped suspension elements is configured to directly contact and provide axial suspension to the sensor element as the sensor element translates within the cavity, and
• a second plurality of suspension elements formed on and extending from the continuous inner surface of the housing;
• a second end cap affixed to a second end of the housing;
• the sensor element disposed within the housing;
• a photomultiplier tube coupled to the one-piece sensor housing;
• and
• a computing device communicatively coupled to the photomultiplier tube, the computing device including at least one data processor configured to receive data generated by the photomultiplier tube.