Abstract: A re-usable and interchangeable nozzle for delivering cooling gas into the work chamber of a heat treating furnace, provided in the form of any of various keyed tube and mounting base combinations which allows assembly from within the furnace by an axial movement followed by a rotary motion. The preferred embodiment consists of a cylindrical tube made of any suitable material (including but not limited to molybdenum, graphite, or ceramic) having a keyed slot in its lower end and a matching base made of any suitable material which has a mating pin in it. The base is firmly fixed in place by welding or any suitable means and the tube can be removed from the base without damage by first rotating it then pulling it along its axis.

Abstract: A vacuum furnace has a heating chamber heated by metal strip electric heater elements. The elements have insulated mechanical support between their ends to hold them in position in the furnace. Support is provided by assemblies having spaced apart mounting assemblies with a rigid bridge compliantly mounted therebetween. The heater strip is compliantly connected to the bridge. Each mounting assembly has a metal post connected to the furnace heating chamber and surrounded by a ceramic sleeve. The ceramic sleeve is surrounded by two ceramic tubes which hold an end of the bridge therebetween.