Abstract: An exchange system whereby a sample to be tested in a chamber, such as a vacuum chamber, may be entered and withdrawn with a minimum of loss of vacuum. The sample is mounted on a circular platen having six wedge shaped ramps in the periphery. A sample fork, in an anti-chamber that is connected to the chamber by a sealable door and can be maneuvered axially and rotationally about that axis, has three spring fingers that can be locked into the wedges to secure the platen. a sample dock, located in the main chamber, is axially aligned with the fork and has three fingers that engage the remaining three ramps when the platen enters the chamber. Rotation of the fork and the platen will cause the dock fingers to grasp the platen while the fork fingers release it, thereby transferring the platen into the chamber. Varied tests may then be performed under hot and cold vacuum conditions. Removal of the platen is done by reversing the procedure.

Abstract: A magnetic feedthrough manipulator adapted to be sealed to a chamber for inserting a manipulator shaft capable of rotational and longitudinal movement. The shaft is axially coupled to a ferromagnetic armature having an even number of longitudinal surface splines freely movable within a nonmagnetic tubular housing and which is controlled by alternately polarized magnets in a frame that slides and rotates on the outer surface of the housing. Two or more manipulator shafts may be controlled independently by a like number of armatures in the same housing.

Abstract: A cap quickly sealing a distribution pipe of a vacuum chamber having a flange includes a cup shaped body that fits over the flange and contains a sealing disc with O-ring that presses against the flange surface. The cap is locked to the flange by steel balls that partially pass through holes in the body and wedge under the inserted flange, the balls being held or released by an outer sleeve with two interior ball races of a large and a smaller diameter so that drawing up the sleeve will permit the balls to enter the large diameter race and fall back to release a flange in the body.