Vacuum sample introduction unit
AssigneeUltra High Vacuum Instruments Ltd.
InventorsJames E. Robinson, Aniket Pant, Roger C. Legg
Life of this patent
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Abstract
A sample loading device for loading samples into and unloading samples from an ultra high vacuum analysis chamber without the necessity to raise and lower pressure each time a sample loading or unloading is effected, is described. The sample is initially positioned in a chamber of comparatively small volume which can be rapidly and simply evacuated to a vacuum approximating that of the analysis chamber. A gate valve between the small volume chamber and the analysis chamber then is opened and the sample introduced to the analysis chamber by a simple rack-and-pinion mechanism. Fine positioning of the sample and release of the carrier from the insertion fork is achieved by external X- and Y-axis adjustments.
Claims9
A sample loading apparatus for loading samples into and unloading samples from an ultra high vacuum environment while maintaining the ultra high vacuum environment during such action, which comprises:
- an elongate rigid frame member,
- a housing member rigidly mounted on said frame member and having a hollow chamber defined therein,
- selectively openable and normally closed sample introduction post means communicating with said chamber for the introduction of sample carrier means to and removal of sample carrier means from said chamber,
- vaccum application port means communicating with said chamber for the application of vacuum to said chamber,
- a pair of axially-aligned port means communicating with said chamber and extending generally axially of said frame member from opposite sides of said chamber,
- a hollow tubular member extending generally axially of said frame member from a closed end to an open end communicating with one of said pair of axially-aligned port means said tubular member being mounted to said housing member for pivotal movement of said tubular member about a vertical axis and about a horizontal axis relative to said housing member,
- means for effecting said pivotal movement of said tubular member about said horizontal axis,
- means for effecting said pivotal movement of said tubular member about said vertical axis,
- rack means slidably mounted in said tubular member and fixed location pinion means in said tubular member in operable engagement with said rack means for effecting longitudinal movement thereof,
- actuation means located externally of said housing member for rotating said pinion means to effect said longitudinal movement of said rack means, and
- sample transfer means located at one end of said rack means for receiving and supporting said sample carrier means,
- said rack means being positioned to be movable between a first position wherein said rack means extends into said chamber through said one of said pair of axially-aligned port means to locate said sample transfer means in a position accessible to said sample introduction port means and a second position wherein said rack means extends through the chamber and out through the other of said pair of axially-aligned port means for effecting transfer to and from an ultra high vacuum environment.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.