US 2020/0269281 A1 · High Temperature Ultrasonic Transducers and Signal Connectors

Abstract

Pressure vessels that operate at elevated temperatures and pressures (e.g., 600° F./316° C., 20000 psig), and ultrasonic transducers and signal connectors for use therein, are described. The pressure vessels include a housing defining a cavity. The housing includes a cylindrical body with plugs positioned within openings of the cylindrical body. Each plug has a recess extending from an external surface to a location ultrasonically adjacent the cavity. The pressure vessels additionally include transducer assemblies positioned within respective plug recesses. Each transducer assembly includes a signal connector positioned within the recess adjacent the external surface, a transducer having a piezoceramic element positioned within the recess at the location ultrasonically adjacent the cavity, and a metallic interconnection spring interconnecting the transducer to the signal connector.

Claims22

Dependent claims

A pressure vessel assembly comprising:

a housing defining a cavity, the housing including a cylindrical body having a first opening and a second opening, a first plug positioned within the first opening, and a second plug positioned within the second opening, each plug having a recess extending from an external surface of a respective one of the first or second plugs to a location ultrasonically adjacent the cavity;
a pair of transducer assemblies, each transducer assembly positioned within the recess of the respective one of the first or second plugs, each transducer assembly including;
a signal connector positioned within the recess adjacent the external surface,
a transducer having a piezoceramic element positioned within the recess at the location ultrasonically adjacent the cavity, and
a metallic interconnection spring interconnecting the transducer to the signal connector.

2 more elements

A transducer assembly comprising:

a signal connector,
a transducer having a piezoceramic element, and
a metallic interconnection spring interconnecting the transducer to the signal connector,
wherein the transducer further comprises:
a metallic contact disk having a first surface and a second surface, the first surface configured to engage the metallic interconnection spring,
an inner ceramic cylinder defining a cylindrical passage, the inner ceramic cylinder supporting the piezoceramic element at one end of the cylindrical passage and the metallic contact disk at the other end of the cylindrical passage;
an internal connection spring positioned within the cylindrical passage and interconnecting the piezoceramic element to the second surface of the metallic contact disk;
and
an outer metallic cylinder adjacent an outer surface of the inner ceramic cylinder.

6 more elements

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.

High Temperature Ultrasonic Transducers and Signal Connectors

Life of this patent

High Temperature Ultrasonic Transducers and Signal Connectors

Life of this patent

Abstract

Claims22