Abstract: A high vacuum sealing flange is formed of an outer housing with an insert which has, around its periphery, a blade formed on a inward-upward slant that cooperates with the inner wall of the housing to plastically deform a soft metal gasket when it is clamped between a similar flange. While designed primarily for rectangular flanges, the claimed invention may be used to make flanges of any desired shape.

Abstract: Each of a pair of annular, especially non-circular, apertured flanges for vacuum joints are formed by machining an outer groove spaced in from the outer edge, an inner groove extending inward from the inner margin of the joint and an outward slanted side interconnecting the two grooves resulting in a sharp corner on the inner edge of the inner groove. A flange spacer, apertured to receive the bolts which draw the flanges together is positioned in the outer groove of both flanges. A soft metal (e.g., copper) gasket overlies the inner grooves. When the bolts are tightened, the gasket deforms outwardly under the pressure of the sharp corners to seal against both slanted surfaces to form an ultra-high vacuum joint which is "bakeable." For temporary testing of joints a portion of the gasket immediately overlying the corners may be replaced with an elastomeric ring.

Abstract: Each of a pair of annular, especially non-circular, apertured flanges for vacuum joints are formed by machining an outer groove spaced in from the outer edge, an inner groove extending inward from the inner margin of the joint and an outward slanted side interconnecting the two grooves resulting in a sharp corner on the inner edge of the inner groove. A flange spacer, apertured to receive the bolts which draw the flanges together is positioned in the outer groove of both flanges. A soft metal (e.g., copper) gasket overlies the inner grooves. When the bolts are tightened, the gasket deforms outwardly under the pressure of the sharp corners to seal against both slanted surfaces to form an ultra-high vacuum joint which is "bakeable." For temporary testing of joints a portion of the gasket immediately overlying the corners may be replaced with an elastomeric ring.

Abstract: Gate valve having in-line ports has a closure member which slides in an elongated casing between an operative position between the ports to a retracted position remote from the ports. When in operative position, the closure has a seated or expanded position against the ports and a collapsed position out of contact with the ports. Movement between collapsed and expanded positions is accomplished by oscillation of a portion of the closure member relative to plates which seat against the ports as balls which are seated in detent depressions in the plates are forced out of the depressions. The same actuator linkage which moves the closure linearly also casues oscillation.