Abstract: A sampling unit, especially for stratospheric air sampling when carried aloft by balloon or another vehicle, comprises a liquid coolant reservoir within an evacuated vessel and provided with a cryogenically cooled adsorber for maintaining the vacuum. Nozzles in the vessel wall can be selectively opened and closed to allow samples to be drawn over cooled fingers on which components of the sample are frozen or sublimed. A vacuum gate can be connected to the device for removal of the cold fingers for transfer to a spectrometer.

Abstract: A double-wall vessel has its inner walls spaced from the outer wall by a plurality of insulating spacers, each of which includes a thread stud affixed to one of the walls and reaching toward the other, the length of the stud being greater than the spacing tolerance of the vessel. On each thread stud is screwed a support body of thermally insulating material and arranged such that, wherein the body is screwed fully onto its stud, its maximum distance from the wall on which the stud is mounted is not greater than the minimum spacing between the two walls.

Abstract: A nozzle, e.g. for an air sampler, is opened by remote control by the firing of a squib which breaks loose a silicone-sealing body which is normally pressed by spring force against the nozzle orifice. When the body breaks away, a closing frame swings into position and upon the remotely controlled firing of another squib allows a spring biased closing member to engage with its silicone seal the orifice.

Abstract: A sampling unit, especially for stratospheric air sampling when carried aloft by balloon or another vehicle, comprises a liquid coolant reservoir within an evacuated vessel and provided with a cryogenically cooled adsorber for maintaining the vacuum. Nozzles in the vessel wall can be selectively opened and closed to allow samples to be drawn over cooled fingers on which components of the sample are frozen or sublimed. A vacuum gate can be connected to the device for removal of the cold fingers for transfer to a spectrometer.