Abstract A hermetically sealed, creep acting pressure switch has a sensor assembly comprising a bulged metallic membrane welded between a port fitting and a support. A switch assembly, attached to the sensor assembly, includes a housing which has a switch chamber in which, in one embodiment, a pair of stationary contacts are mounted. A piston having a force receiving surface at one end is biased into engagement with the membrane with an adjustable calibrated force. An electrically conductive contact bridge is mounted on and is movable with the piston. The switch can be normally open or normally closed depending on which side of the contact bridge the stationary contacts are mounted. In an alternate embodiment a miniature switch is mounted in the switch chamber and is adapted to be actuated by the piston.
A method for making a pressure responsive sensor comprising the steps of taking a metallic fitting having a centrally located bore extending therethrough and having an end defined by a periphery and with a recessed wall portion in communication with the bore, placing a metallic membrane having a periphery generally matching that of the end of the fitting on said end to cover the recessed wall portion, placing a metallic support having a periphery generally matching that of the end of the fitting and of the membrane over the membrane, the support having a bore in alignment with the bore in the fitting, subjecting the membrane to a sufficient force exerted through the bore in the support to cause the membrane to contact the recessed wall portion, and welding the fitting, membrane and support together along their respective peripheries.
Claim 2
Independent Claim
139 words
A method for making a pressure responsive sensor comprising the steps of taking a metallic fitting having a centrally located bore extending therethrough and having an end defined by a periphery and with a recessed wall portion in communication with the bore, placing a metallic membrane having a periphery generally matching that of the end of the fitting on said end to cover the recessed wall portion, placing a metallic support having a periphery generally matching that of the end of the fitting and of the membrane over the membrane, the support having a bore in alignment with the bore in the fitting, subjecting the membrane to a sufficient force exerted through the bore in the support to cause the membrane to contact the recessed wall portion, and welding the fitting, membrane and support together along their respective peripheries.