Patent ID: 8844347
Filing Date: 2014-09-30
Classification: G01F,Y10T

Abstract:
1. An apparatus including a transducer assembly in a sensor port of a flow cell comprising: an insert body configured for insertion into the sensor port, the insert body comprises a cavity having an opening at a first end of the insert body and an ultrasonic buffer forming a second end of the insert body opposite the first end of the insert body; a transducer assembly configured for insertion through the opening and into the cavity of the insert body, the transducer assembly comprising: a housing having a first end and a second end opposite the first end of the housing, an exterior surface of the second end of the housing adjacent the ultrasonic buffer when the transducer assembly is inserted into the cavity, and a piezoelectric crystal disposed inside the housing and abutting an interior surface of the second end of the housing; a coupling material in fluid form abutting both the exterior surface of the second end of the housing and the ultrasonic buffer for ultrasonically coupling the piezoelectric crystal to the ultrasonic buffer; a holding nut located in the cavity proximate to the first end of the housing for applying a compressive force to the housing to keep the exterior surface of the second end of the housing compressed against the coupling material; and a first o-ring located in the cavity and abutting both the housing and the insert body to assist in preventing the leakage of the coupling material from between the exterior surface of the second end of the housing and the ultrasonic buffer.