Slotted cylinder transducer with sealing boot and method of making same

A method of forming a slotted cylinder transducer, said method comprising the steps of:

• attaching a pair of end caps proximate each end of a dummy insert;
• wrapping a boot material around said dummy insert and said pair of end caps;
• fusing said boot material to said end caps;
• removing a section of said boot material to form an open region in said boot material;
• removing said dummy insert from said end caps and through said open region in said boot material;
• placing an active transducer assembly between said end caps;
• and
• adhering said boot material to said active transducer assembly adjacent said end caps and to a location adjacent to each side of at least one slot in said active transducer assembly.

A system for fusing a boot material to end caps of a slotted cylinder transducer, the system comprising:

• a dummy insert possessing a mold release surface of polytetrafluoroethylene;
• a spacer for being received within said dummy insert for spacing said end caps in relation to said dummy insert, wherein said boot material is wrapped around said dummy insert and said end caps forming an assembly;
• and
• a mold having first and second mold members for receiving said assembly, wherein said mold fuses said boot material to said end caps.

A sealed slotted cylinder transducer comprising:

• an active transducer assembly having first and second ends and at least one slot extending between said first and second ends;
• a pair of end caps disposed proximate said first and second ends;
• and
• a boot fused to said end caps and adhered to said active transducer assembly proximate said end caps and said at least one slot, wherein said boot includes circumferential boot roll seals engaged with said first and second ends of said active transducer assembly.