Transducer having a robust electrical connection to a piezoelectric crystal
AssigneeDaniel Measurement and Control, Inc.
InventorsHenry Charles Straub, Jr., Charles Wayne Melvin
Life of this patent
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Abstract
An embodiment of a piezoelectric assembly for an ultrasonic flow meter comprises a piezoelectric element including a first face and a second face. In addition, the piezoelectric assembly comprises a first electrode engaging the first face. Further, the piezoelectric assembly comprises a second electrode engaging the second face. Still further, the piezoelectric assembly comprises an electrically conductive shim connector attached to the first electrode. Moreover, the piezoelectric assembly comprises a first wire electrically coupled to the shim connector.
Claims22
A piezoelectric assembly for an ultrasonic flow meter, comprising:
- a piezoelectric element including a first face and a second face;
- a first electrode engaging the first face;
- a second electrode engaging the second face;
- an electrically conductive shim connector attached to the first electrode;
- and
- a first wire electrically coupled to the shim connector;
- wherein the conductive shim comprises a base attached to the first electrode and a tab extending away from the first electrode and the first face;
- wherein the tab comprises an aperture extending through the tab, and wherein an end of the wire extends through the aperture.
An ultrasonic flow meter for measuring the flow of a fluid through a pipeline, comprising:
- a spool piece including a throughbore and a transducer port extending from the outer surface of the spool piece to the throughbore;
- a transducer assembly disposed in the transducer port, wherein the transducer assembly comprises:
- a case having a central axis, a first end, and a second end opposite the first end, wherein the case includes a throughbore extending axially between the first end and the second end, and wherein the second end comprises an opening to the throughbore of the case;
- a crystal holder at least partially disposed in the throughbore of the case and extending axially from through the opening, wherein the crystal holder is coaxially aligned with the case and has a first end disposed in the throughbore of the case and a second end distal the case;
- a piezoelectric assembly coupled to the second end of the crystal holder, wherein the piezoelectric assembly includes:
- a piezoelectric element extending along a central axis from a first face distal the throughbore of the spool piece to a second face proximal the throughbore of the spool piece;
- a first electrode disposed on the first face;
- a second electrode disposed on the second face;
- a shim connector attached to the first electrode;
- a first wire electrically coupled to the shim connector and the first electrode;
- and
- a second wire electrically coupled to the second electrode.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.