Pressure transducer assembly having an integral back-up ring

Abstract

A pressure transducer assembly, and a method of making the same, comprising a header having a first connection portion; a port having a corresponding second connection portion, wherein the first connection portion of the header is attached to the second connection portion of the port to create a header-port interface; and an integral back up ring defined in one of the header and port, wherein the integral back up ring is separated from the header-port interface by a cavity. The first connection portion of the header is attached to the second connection portion of the port by a full penetration weld and the integral back up ring is adapted to block the full penetration weld from damaging the header and thus minimize, if not eliminate, crack propagation.

1 . A pressure transducer assembly, comprising:
 a header having a first connection portion;   a port having a corresponding second connection portion, wherein the first connection portion of the header is attached to the second connection portion of the port to create a header-port interface; and   an integral back up ring defined in one of the header and port, wherein the integral back up ring is separated from the header-port interface by a cavity.   
     
     
         2 . The pressure transducer assembly of  claim 1 , wherein the first connection portion of the header is attached to the second connection portion of the port by a full penetration weld. 
     
     
         3 . The pressure transducer assembly of  claim 2 , wherein the full penetration weld extends radially inward towards the cavity. 
     
     
         4 . The pressure transducer assembly of  claim 2 , wherein the integral back up ring is adapted to block the full penetration weld from damaging the header and minimize crack propagation. 
     
     
         5 . The pressure transducer assembly of  claim 4 , wherein crack propagation is eliminated. 
     
     
         6 . The pressure transducer assembly of  claim 1 , wherein the first connection portion of the header and the second connection portion of the port have mating circular cross-sections. 
     
     
         7 . The pressure transducer assembly of  claim 1 , wherein the header comprises a sensing element. 
     
     
         8 . The pressure transducer assembly of  claim 7 , wherein the sensing element is a pressure sensor. 
     
     
         9 . A method of manufacturing a pressure transducer assembly, comprising:
 defining an integral back up ring in a header, wherein the header has a first connection portion;   attaching the first connection portion of the header to a corresponding second connection portion of a port thereby creating a header-port interface; and   wherein the integral back up ring is separated from the header-port interface by a cavity.   
     
     
         10 . The method of  claim 9 , further comprising welding the first connection portion of the header to the second connection portion of the port. 
     
     
         11 . The method of  claim 9 , wherein the integral back up ring is adapted to block full penetration welds from damaging the header and minimize crack propagation. 
     
     
         12 . The method of  claim 9 , wherein the header comprises a sensing element. 
     
     
         13 . The method of  claim 12 , wherein the sensing element is a pressure sensor. 
     
     
         14 . The method of  claim 9 , wherein the first connection portion, the second connection portion, and the integral back up ring are coaxial. 
     
     
         15 . A method of manufacturing a pressure transducer assembly, comprising:
 defining an integral back up ring in a port, wherein the port has a first connection portion;   attaching the first connection portion of the port to a corresponding second connection portion of a header thereby creating a header-port interface; and   wherein the integral back up ring is separated from the header-port interface by a cavity.   
     
     
         16 . The method of  claim 15 , further comprising welding the first connection portion of the port to the second connection portion of the header. 
     
     
         17 . The method of  claim 15 , wherein the integral back up ring is adapted to block full penetration welds from damaging the header and minimize crack propagation. 
     
     
         18 . The method of  claim 15 , wherein the header assembly comprises a sensing element. 
     
     
         19 . The method of  claim 18 , wherein the sensing element is a pressure sensor. 
     
     
         20 . The method of  claim 15 , wherein the first connection portion, the second connection portion, and the integral back up ring are coaxial.