Hermetically sealed pressure switch with composite actuation mechanism

A hermetically sealed pressure switch apparatus, said apparatus comprising:

• a metal bellows installed at an inlet port, said metal bellows capable of being extended when an input pressure is applied, wherein said metal bellows provides a hermetic seal with respect to said hermetically sealed pressure switch apparatus;
• a wave spring connected in parallel to said metal bellows, wherein said wave spring and said metal bellows operate as parallel springs and are pre-compressed in order to maintain a switch set point accuracy and a spring stiffness thereof;
• and
• a plunger positionally responsive to said applied pressure and in communication with an electrical switch, wherein said wave spring compresses which in turn transfers a required motion to said plunger in order to actuate said electrical switch when a certain pressure relative to a perfect vacuum is attained, thereby maintaining a vacuum within said apparatus for precise measurement.

A method of configuring a hermetically sealed pressure switch apparatus, said method comprising:

• installing a metal bellows at an inlet port, said metal bellows capable of being extended when an input pressure is applied, wherein said metal bellows provides a hermetic seal with respect to said hermetically sealed pressure switch apparatus;
• connecting a wave spring to said metal bellows, wherein said wave spring and said metal bellows are pre-compressed in order to maintain a switch set point accuracy and a spring stiffness thereof;
• and
• providing a plunger that is positionally responsive to said applied pressure and in communication with an electrical switch, wherein said wave spring compresses which in turn transfers a required motion to said plunger in order to actuate said electrical switch when a certain pressure relative to a perfect vacuum is attained, thereby maintaining a vacuum within said apparatus for precise measurement.