Flexible seal for high voltage switch

An high voltage electrical switch, comprising:

• a housing having a fixed end, an intermediate interface, and an operating end opposite the fixed end,
• wherein the housing includes a first bore extending axially therethrough;
• an operating buttress mounted within the bore proximate the intermediate interface,
• wherein the operating buttress is electrically coupled to the intermediate interface and includes a second bore extending axially therethrough;
• a fixed contact electrically coupled to the fixed end;
• a moveable contact electrically coupled to the operating buttress via the second bore, wherein the moveable contact is moveable between a first position contacting the fixed contact and a second position separated from the fixed contact;
• an insulative operating rod coupled to the moveable contact,
• wherein axial movement of the operating rod causes corresponding movement of the moveable contact between the first position and the second position;
• and
• a diaphragm sealingly positioned in the housing between the operating buttress and the operating end to prevent voltage from the interface from arcing to the operating end,
• wherein the diaphragm includes a bore therethrough for sealingly receiving the operating rod,
• wherein the diaphragm includes a first tubular portion and a second tubular portion having an outside diameter smaller than an outside diameter of the first tubular portion to create a shoulder portion between the first tubular portion and the second tubular portion, and
• wherein the first tubular portion is frictionally engaged with an inside of the housing and the second tubular portion is frictionally engaged with the operating rod.