Patent ID: 6895825

Claim:
An ultrasonic transducer assembly for helping monitor a fluid flowing through a duct, said ultrasonic transducer assembly comprising: a piezoelectric transducer element having a first contact surface electroplated with a first metallic film layer and an opposite second contact surface electroplated with a second metallic film layer; a housing, configured on and at least partially conterminous with the outer surface of said duct, having a chamber in which said piezoelectric transducer element is situated and thereby substantially enclosed; and means for conducting electrical signals between said electroplated first contact surface of said piezoelectric transducer element and the outside of said housing; wherein said electroplated second contact surface of said piezoelectric transducer element is solder-mounted within said housing such that said piezoelectric transducer element is thereby coupled to said outer surface of said duct in a substantially conterminous fashion.