Abstract: A structural support or connecting member for window frames achieves an improved transmission of forces effective on a window frame, a simplified and less expensive manufacture and installation, an improved reliable sealing against infiltration of water and air, and an improved thermal insulation. In the system a window frame component to be connected to the connecting member has at least one lengthwise extending slot on its side facing support member. The support member or connecting member is assembled of two similar or mirror-symmetrical essentially flat sectional elements (9, 9') attached to each other in a mirror-symmetrical fashion to form two hollow chambers (7a, 8a) which extend in parallel to and at a spacing from each other, and which are open laterally through open lengthwise channels (6, 6').

Abstract: A machine for applying a twist-type tie to the neck of a bag has a path and sets of endless belts which come together at a nip along the path to propel a bag neck which passes into the nip forwardly to a typing zone in the path. Here a twist-type ribbon crosses the path and is secured at its end in a holder. An endless chain carries a pusher tab up to the tying zone behind the bag neck, causing the bag neck to gather behind and deflect the ribbon, then pauses, and thereafter resumes its forward motion to drive the bag neck out of the machine. During the pause a bag clamp secures the bag neck against a surface that is along the path and a needle lifts a portion of the ribbon upwardly behind the gathered bag neck and brings that portion of the ribbon to the holder so that the ribbon loops below the bag neck in the form of leading and trailing segments. While the needle is so extended, a twister hook gathers its leading and trailing segments and twists them together.

Abstract: A packaging method includes the steps of supplying auxiliary bags, adding an adhesive layer to one of the surfaces of each auxiliary bag, feeding a continuous sheet-like wrapping material to a forming and filling assembly, attaching the auxiliary bags by the adhesive layer to the wrapping material during travel thereof, at an interval corresponding to a length required for forming each package and each at a portion thereof which becomes an inner surface of the package other than sealed portions thereof, forming the wrapping material into a tubular shape with the auxiliary bags inside, supplying articles into the tubular wrapping material and sealing the same to form the packages.

Abstract: For the purpose of producing filled foil-containers adapted to stand upon their bases, container-parts having tubular parts are initially deep-drawn, in a strip of foil, on each side of centerline running in the direction of travel, the said tubular parts running towards the edges of the foil but terminating at a distance therefrom. Thereafter, the foil-parts lying on each side of the centerline are heated and are folded up about the said centerline, which thereby becomes a fold-line to form open containers which are then sealed, at a first sealing station around their peripheries, except for the perpheries of the upwardly projecting tubular parts. The edges of the foil are then spread apart in the vicinity of the said tubular parts, through which the containers are filled. The spreading is released and the containers are sealed, in a second sealing station in such a manner as to close the peripheries of the said tubular parts also.

Abstract: A system for packaging disposable endoscope sheaths so that they do not become contaminated prior to use during shipment, storage and installation on an endoscope. The packaging system also prevents the spread of contamination after use while the sheath is being removed from the endoscope and then discarded. The sheath is shipped in an elongated, flexible bag having a length substantially equal to the length of the insertion tube of the endoscope and a diameter substantially larger than the diameter of the insertion tube. The sheath and bag may be shipped in a sterile tray having a spiral recess containing the sheath, bag and funnel-like container or bag holding the tubing of the air, water, and suction channels. Installation of the sheath on the endoscope is accomplished by inflating the sheath while it is in the bag so that the sheath expands until it contacts the wall of the bag.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for packaging citrus fruit or discrete articles in a tightly packed pattern or arrangement closely resembling that of a hand packed box. A two-part telescoped box is conveyed in inverted position to a box filling and counting station, the box including an box inner part in which the side and end flaps are in open relation at the box filling station. At the counting station, fruit is being oscillated transversely of their path of travel so as to singulate the fruit into a plurality of counting stations arranged in a row and in a valley. When the row count has been satisfied, all of the fruit in the row are lifted upwardly for discharge into the open box. When the full count is satisfied, the filled box with fruit extending above the top of the outer box is moved to a box handling station in which the inner box is lifted to a height where the side and end flaps of the inner box may be folded over the top fruit.

Abstract: An apparatus and process for packing a box with a plurality of groups of pouches or other flexible containers and inserting a support shelf between the groups. A conveyor is used to support and convey boxes such that means for inserting a first group of pouches into a box inserts a group of pouches into the top portion of a box. The boxes are then positioned such that means for inserting a suport shelf into the box inserts a shelf into the box before means for inserting a second group of pouches inserts a second group of pouches into the box. The support shelf is inserted from the bottom of the box such that the first group of pouches is supported above the second group of pouches and the support legs of the support shelf rest on the bottom of the box.

Abstract: To load products, particularly lipsticks or glue sticks, delivered upright from a packing unit, into a plurality of receiving trays, the products are grouped in at least two rows in a segregating station, conveyed in spaced groups to a transfer station, and moved to a filling station into a prepared tray by means of a handling unit equipped with a gripper means. Each tray, filled with products, is removed from the filling station by an output conveyor and is replaced with a similar empty tray while another group of products is formed and moved into the transfer station.

Abstract: A band-shaped film of a suitable plastic material is conveyed and is formed into a tubular shape during its travel, articles to be packed are conveyed and transferred into the tubular film at intervals and the tubular film is sealed at a predetermined pitch into individual bags. The tubular film is fed at a substantially constant speed and each article is conveyed at about the same speed as that of the tubular film during at least a period in which the article is transferred into the tubular film.

Abstract: The disclosure relates to an agricultural mower having a cutter mechanism for cutting the crop and a reel for guiding the crop into the cutter bar and lifting the crop after it is cut. The machine includes a pair of parallel swing arms on each side of the cutter bar for permitting the cutter mechanism when it strikes an obstacle to swing primarily rearwardly initially and then upwardly to a clearing height as the arms swing pendulum-like. The side support arms for the reel are connected to the cutter bar assembly by lift links constructed and arranged to raise the reel upon initial rearward movement of the cutter mechanism so that the real assembly will also clear the obstruction without damage.

Abstract: A transmission casing (3) having a wheel axle (6) extending leftwards and rightwards therefrom is supported by a machine frame (1) rotatably about the axle for providing a main clutch (9) which is engaged and disengaged by a selective tightening and loosening of an input belt (8) for the transmission casing as a result of a selective rotational displacement of the casing. An auxiliary clutch (10) is disposed within the casing and between a speed-change mechanism (7) and the axle. These clutches (9, 10) are normally kept disengaged by individual spring means (12, 13).A rotatable clutch-control arm (11; 116) is provided which is operated by a clutch lever (14) so as to engage the auxiliary clutch (10). Upon completion of an engagement of this clutch, the control arm is engaged to a stop means (15) on the transmission casing such that further rotational displacement of this arm causes a rotational displacement of the casing towards a direction of engaging the main clutch (9).

Abstract: An unloading chute for a combine which may be swiveled so as to discharge crop outside the combine to a loading vehicle which may be operated to receive crop from the unloading chute on either side of the combine.

Abstract: An improved grass mower and attachment which employs a sling for holding a disposable bag is disclosed. The sling is open to one side so that full bags can be unloaded without lifting. The sling is mounted to a frame which receives the margin of the bag and this frame is mounted so that it can both pivot downward (when unlatched) and slide rearward relative to a housing from which clippings are delivered to the bag during grass cutting. When the bag is desired to be unloaded, the frame is unlatched and the sling, which is otherwise held above the ground, pivots its open side down to the ground. The housing can slide from over the frame by advancing the mower. The filled bag can be then tied and rolled out of the sling onto the ground without lifting it. A new bag can be fitted to the frame, inside the sling, and the lightweight frame, sling and empty bag returned and relatched under the housing and the mower used to fill the new bag.

Abstract: A cutting arrangement for grass is releaseably mountable or attachable to a vehicle. For cutting the grass, a rotatable wheel is used. The wheel extends outwardly from one side of the housing and has a cutting disc. The position of the wheel is adjustable.

Abstract: A process which effectively uses steam produced by a cogeneration facility to cool gas wherein the steam is passed through an absorption chiller to cool water which in turn is used to cool the gas.

Abstract: A combined gas turbine plant comprises an air compressor, a combustor including a combustion chamber, a gas turbine, a steam turbine, and an exhaust heat recovery device having a denitration device and arranged at a location through which an exhaust gas passage for leading exhaust gas from the gas turbine to the atmosphere extends. An air extraction pipe equipped with a valve is provided for extracting a part of the air from the air compressor to prevent surging of the air compressor during starting of the plant, and another air extraction pipe equipped with a valve is provided for extracting a part of the air from an air passage extending from the compressor to the combustion chamber to improve stability of a flame and combustibility in the combustion chamber during the plant starting. The extraction pipes extend to and hence lead the extracted air into a portion of the exhaust gas passage located downstream of the denitration device.

Abstract: An arcjet thruster has an anode body forming a constrictor and a nozzle which define an arc chamber. The thruster also has a cathode in the form of a rod having a tip and being spaced upstream from the constrictor. The thruster employs several features which reduce anode and cathode erosion and increase the operational life of the thruster. One set of features relate to the employment of cathode and anode shaping. Another feature relates to the use of a propellant injector having a series of radially and tangentially arranged passages for providing direct injection of propellant gas into the arc chamber and enhanced convective cooling of the anode.

Abstract: A bidirectional hydraulic servomotor system includes a variable-displacement motor which may impel or brake movement of a load member that either resists or assits movement by the servomotor, respectively. The direction of load movement is under control of a directional control valve with motor displacement and function (impelling or braking) being effected automatically to achieve controlled load movemement with minimal consumption of hydraulic fluid.

Abstract: A method of controlling supercharging pressure in an internal combustion engine having a supercharger with an increase rate-varying device for varying the rate of increase of the supercharging pressure. The supercharging pressure is controlled to a desired value in response to the difference between the actual value of the supercharging pressure and the desired value. The increase rate-varying device is held in a position for obtaining the maximum rate of increase of the supercharging pressure while the actual value of the supercharging pressure is below a predetermined value which is lower than the desired value. The predetermined value is set to a lower value as the rate of increase of the supercharging pressure increases, or when a transmission of the engine is in a lower of two or more speed positions of the transmission. Also, the predetermined value of the supercharging pressure is set to a lower value as the actual intake air temperature decreases.

Abstract: A method of utilizing the thermal energy of environmental fluids to produce mechanical work or electricity by an energy conversion system wherein: the source fluid gives heat to the working fluid of a prime mover through a first heat exchange means and is cooled thereby; the cooled source fluid effluent from the said first heat exchange means is further cooled by passing it through a further cooling system which includes either a turbine or an expansion device or both; the further cooled source fluid is employed to cool the expanded working fluid of the prime mover, and the source fluid effluent from the energy conversion system may be used for other cooling and refrigeration processes, such as desalination of seawater, cooling of superconductors, etc.

Abstract: A combustion chamber arrangement for gas turbine propulsion units with a flame tube of ceramic material which is surrounded by a metallic wall while leaving free an intermediate space; the flame tube is composed of ring-shaped parts whereby sheet metal mounting members are so arranged between the outer walls of which and the metallic walls, especially of a housing without heat contact to the parts of the flame tube that a first and a second intermediate space for peripheral partial flows of cooling air is formed.

Abstract: A refrigerator includes a working space which is in fluid communication with a vessel of the volume-variable type with a capillary acting as a flow resistance. Each time change of the average cycle pressure in the working space is occurs, the volume of the vessel is varied so as to cancel the pressure-change. Thus, the average cycle pressure in the working space may be kept at a set value.

Abstract: A regenerable cryosorption pump with a movable physical barrier in which the barrier includes a cylindrical body closed at one end and having a circumferential baffle around the open end. The baffle engages a flange on the hydrogen isotope condensing and pumping surface to require all gases entering the pump during normal operation to pass through the hydrogen isotope condensing and pumping surface, thus avoiding bypass of that surface. The barrier is advanced by a bellows system to isolate the hydrogen isotope condensing and pumping surface from the sorbent surface during regeneration and thus ensuring separation of hydrogen isotopes such as tritium from helium which is sorbed onto the sorbent surface.

Abstract: In a low side hermetic compressor, a small portion of the compressed refrigerant gas is diverted and discharged into the oil sump through an orifice into the upper level of the oil in the sump. This results in a supersaturated solution of refrigerant in oil in the upper level which drives the refrigerant out of the oil, thereby creating froth which provides sound reduction without disturbing the lower level which remains stratified.

Abstract: The invention provides apparatus and a method for making slush ice. A liquid is directed to flow over a hot exchanger to cool the liquid and form slush. By selecting the constituents of the liquid such that the adhesion and cohesion forces are controlled to permit harvesting the slush while substantially all of the energy required by conventional harvesting cycles is saved.

Abstract: An automobile air-conditioner of the type having a variable displacement compressor, wherein a desired degree to which an evaporator is cooled is calculated by a desired cooling degree calculation means, and a desired rotational speed of a blower is calculated by a desired rotational speed calculation means. The results of calculation by both of the calculation means are used for controlling the displacement of the variable displacement compressor. Thus, the displacement of the compressor is corrected in immediate response to a change of thermal loads.

Abstract: A cold drink dispenser and, more particularly a refrigeration system for such a dispenser, is disclosed. The dispenser has a beverage flow path, a first coil or evaporator for prechilling a beverage flowing through the beverage flowpath, and a second or ice bank coil immersed in a liquid bath with the flowpath also immersed in the ice bath. A first modulatable expansion valve (e.g., a pulse modulated solenoid valve) is used to regulate the flow of refrigerant through the first coil and a second modulatable valve is used to regulate the flow of refrigerant through the ice bank coil. A control system (e.g., a microprocessor-based control) monitors certain temperatures and initiates or blocks the flow of refrigerant through one or both of the coils in response to certain pre-established system paramaters so as to insure that the beverage dispensed is below a desired temperature, even under high load operating conditions.

Abstract: A swimming pool heating system includes in sealed tank, a refrigerant cooling coil system contained within the sealed tank and a water flow distribution manifold within the refrigerant cooling coil system. Cool swimming pool water is pumped through the water flow manifold such that is imparts a cyclical flow of water over the refrigerant cooling coil system. The warmth of the warmed refrigerant is imparted to the cool swimming pool water and the warmed swimming pool water then exits the water flow manifold and is returned to the swimming pool.

Abstract: A modular self-contained mechanical refrigeration unit adapted to form one wall of a refrigeration appliance is relatively thin and includes all of the electrical, mechanical and control components of the sealed refrigeration system.

Abstract: An evaporator pan assembly comprises an inner pan having walls defining a pan capable of containing water. An outer pan has walls surrounding at least most of the walls of the inner pan, and there is an air space between the inner pan and outer pan walls. One end wall of the inner pan is movable relative to the adjacent outer pan end wall.

Abstract: Automatic freezer with horizontal refrigerating plates that continuously apply pressure on a product being frozen, in which a series of plates held between a bottom and a top frame linked through rods: with lifting and lowering the above plates in order to position each of them, one after the other, in correspondence with an infeed opening where the product is loaded. The above plates are caught and kept due to double supports, in a proper position corresponding to such opening while maintaining the level of the plate being loaded, even while forces are applied on the plates below it for lowering them. Such forces are applied on the plate below the one being loaded in order to transfer their action on the remaining plates below and also, through the rods, on the plates above the one being loaded, thus obtaining pressure on all product positioned between the plates.

Abstract: An ice making system having a compressor, a condenser and an evaporator, and having freeze and harvest cycles. During the harvest cycle, vaporous refrigerant is circulated from the compressor to the evaporator through a discharge line, and is thereafter returned to the compressor through a supply line. A predetermined amount of refrigerant is condensed in a reservoir during the freeze cycle and expelled therefrom during the harvest cycle to augment the amount of refrigerant circulating in the system.

Abstract: An insulated refrigerated storage container apparatus comprises a plurality of wall members defining a generally rectilinear enclosure and including respective top, bottom, front, rear and opposing side wall members. An access opening is provided in the front wall and an access door mounted to the access opening for selectively closing the same. A refrigerant compartment is located interiorly of the enclosure adjacent the top wall thereof. Channels are provided for directing a flow of refrigerated fluid from the refrigerant compartment over and around top, rear and bottom portions of the interior of the enclosure so as to substantially surround an interior volume defined within the enclosure with refrigerated fluid. An exhaust vent is located at a lower portion of the container for exhausting excess air and spent refrigerated fluid from the enclosure.

Abstract: An earring comprising an upper member for attachment to a pierced ear, and a lower member for removable suspension from the upper member. The lower member is supported by a post on the upper member. In one embodiment, the upper member has an upper post for insertion in a pierced ear, a lower post extending beneath the upper post for supporting the lower member, and a clasp mounted beneath the lower post. The lower member has an opening therein for receiving the lower post. The clasp and lower member preferably cooperate such that the clasp is biased against the lower post when in closed position so as to secure the lower member on the lower post, whereby the lower post also acts as a stop for the clasp to limit pressure on the wearer's earlobe. In a second embodiment, only a single post is provided and the earring is supported on the wearer's ear by a conventional spring-loaded clasp.

Abstract: A method of forming a jewelry clutch includes the steps of molding an inner gripping piece from a substantially solid, elastomeric, thermoplastic material and forming a plastic outer casing having an opening at one end thereof around the gripping piece. The method further includes the step of inserting an elongated stud or post into the opening in the casing so that the post penetrates through the gripping piece to form a substantially resealable opening therein. The clutch formed by the method can be installed on the post or stud of a jewelry item so that the stud passes through the opening in the outer casing and is received in the resealable opening in the gripping piece to releasably retain the post in the clutch.

Abstract: A retainer maintains a body of standing washing liquid against the outside surface of a mat, such as a pulp mat. The mat moves on a vacuum screen which draws washing liquid from the body of liquid through the mat to clean it. The retainer pivots to adjust different mat heights and allows clumps of material on the mat to pass underneath the retainer. Clumps on the mat are also smoothed into the mat as the clumps pass underneath the retainer.

Abstract: A steering wheel lock assembly includes a plunger for mating engagement with an opening in a steering wheel shaft or a rack of a rack and pinion steering assembly and an actuating mechanism for selectively applying a force to move the plunger towards mating engagement with the shaft opening. A bi-directional biasing mechanism operatively connected between the actuating mechanism and the plunger biases the plunger towards engagement with the opening when the actuating mechanism applies force thereagainst and the plunger is unaligned with the opening and biasing the plunger out of engagement with the opening when force applied by the actuating mechanism is selectively removed and the opening is applying a torque on the plunger to retain the plunger therein such that release of the torque disengages the plunger. The assembly will prevent subsequent locking and unlocking of the device if an actuating cable to the device is disconnected.

Abstract: A locking arrangement is described that is particularly adapted for use on motorcycles having plural storage containers and that includes a key-actuated locking device and latch release operators disposed in a central location and remote from the container latching mechanisms. The locking device is operative in one position to enable release of the latching mechanisms on the respective storage containers by each associate operator and in another position to prevent such enablement.

Abstract: A remote controlled door lock apparatus is provided for use in connection with a conventional door lock. The apparatus includes a solenoid operated element for mounting on the door and for connection to the door lock, and a remote control element for connection to the solenoid element for remotely locking and unlocking the door lock.

Abstract: The present central control case lock includes a housing, a base plate, an actuating plate pivoted on the base plate, intermediate sleeve pieces rotatably mounted on the base plate and capable of pivoting the actuating plate, numbered wheels respectively attached on the sleeve pieces, and two locking mechanisms slidably mounted on two sides of the housing and capable of being secured to the actuating plate when it is pivoted by the sleeve pieces.

Abstract: An adjustable lock has an adjustment slide arranged in the bottom of a key housing, the slide is situated underneath the bolt element and a number of tumbler devices with teeth engage a blade carried by that slide, the improvement of that lock includes a recess and an oblong slot in the bolt element, a first stationay pin mounted to the housing and traversing the oblong slot; a bolt drive lever has its lower end mounted on the pin and is otherwise situated in the recess for translating key motion into a larger latch motion for the bolt, the bolt drive lever having a projection; in addition to a bearing bore, a central part of the bolt driver lever is provided with a key control curve, and the projection on the drive lever engages a U-shaped indent of the bolt, so that the bolt is moved on turning of the drive lever; hence the tumblers are encoded when a key is inserted and turned oppositely following the taking out of the tumblers of said blade, and the key, possibly a new and different key, then re-encodes t

Abstract: A safety device comprises a laser beam (7) emitted by an emitter located at one side of a press and received by a receiver located at the other side of the press. The beam is directed in parallel with the edge (5) of the punch of the press (1) at a distance from the surface (4) of the metal sheet lying between the thickness of a finger and the stopping distance of the punch at low speed. A device disposed in the diameter of the beam enables actual measurement of the speed of motion of the punch or of any body being carried along by the punch, so as to order interruption of the motion of the punch when the measured speed is higher than a predetermined speed.

Abstract: The method of controlling a velocity dependent factor of strip material being processed in a mill includes the steps of simultaneously determining the apparent velocity of material prior to, between and subsequent to spaced apart work rolls. Input slip is determined by comparing the apparent input velocity with the apparent work roll velocity, and output slip is determined by comparing the apparent output velocity with the apparent work roll velocity. A velocity dependent factor is calculated in response to a comparison of input slip and output slip. The calculated factor is compared with a previously calculated factor and a derived factor is calculated when the calculated factor exceeds the previously calculated factor by more than the selected amount and an adaptive factor used to calculate the derived factor is calculated when the calculated factor does not exceed the previously calculated factor by the selected amount.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a method and device for controlling a thickness of a strip in a rolling mill which has a roll gap adjusting device and a rolling speed adjusting device. Rolling environment disturbances received by the mill are classified into a first disturbance for which only the rolling speed should be compensated, a second disturbance for which only the roll gap should be compensated, and a third disturbance for which both the rolling speed and the roll gap should be compensated. The values of the first, second and third disturbances are estimated, based on detected values of a variation of a roll force exerted on the given rolling stand, variations of a thickness of the strip on the downstream and upstream sides of the given rolling stand, and a variation of a tension of the strip on the upstream side of the given rolling stand.

Abstract: A system for monitoring the position of a machine component, provided with an electrohydraulic drive system which, in order to control the forward and backward movements of this machine component, comprises a follow-up adjusting valve that operates with an electrically-controlled indication of the set value and with a mechanical announcement of the actual position. The monitoring system is provided with a mechanical conversion device which converts the deflections of the servocomponent of the follow-up adjusting valve into larger deflections, correlated therewith, of the mechanical operating element of a proximity switch which, seen in the deflection direction of its operating element, is arranged at a defined distance in relation to the position adopted by the operating element when the servocomponent of the follow-up adjusting valve is located in its characteristic basic setting for equivalence of the set and actual value.

Abstract: A forging press comprising a base with a pressure roller mounted in spaced relation to the base and in conjunction with the latter defining a pressure zone, with a mechanism for conveying work between the base and the roller through the zone. The work conveying mechanism includes a plurality of discrete generally relatively movable die segments coacting with a confining frame, for maintaining the die segments in assembled but movable relation relative to one another, and providing for the aforesaid movement responsive to pressure applied to the die segments by the roller and the formation or step forging by the die segments of an associated work blank into a produced part, during passage of the mechanism and the work blank through the zone.

Abstract: Universal rolling stand with horizontal rolling rings supported as cantilevers on the mill stand, to the front of which stand is fitted a universal device (13) that forms a compact unit, pre-assembled and pre-positioned, comprising horizontal rolling rings (12), means (30) to secure the horizontal rings, vertical rolling rings (23) and equipment (33) to guide the rolled stock.

Abstract: A plurality of roll stands are arranged along a planned passage line of a roll material. Each of the roll stands is provided with a pair of rolls each of which is formed, on the outer circumferential surface thereof, with a groove for rolling. The bottom surface formed on each roll is a circular arc in cross section. Both side surfaces of the groove are, in cross section, circular arcs of a radius larger than that of the bottom surface or segments of line.The roll material is transferred along the planned passage line is passed between the grooves on the pair of rolls in each roll stand. Thus, the roll material is rolled. In this case, even is the thickness of the roll material deviates, it can be rolled into a finished material of a prescribed dimension.

Abstract: A roll stand comprises a frame, a pair of upper guide members spaced apart on the frame along an upper axis and a pair of lower guide members spaced apart on the frame along a lower axis parallel to the upper axis. Guide formations between the members and the frame prevent the members from moving axially relative to the frame and permit the members to move vertically in the frame. Respective upper and lower journal blocks on the members are prevented from moving vertically relative to the respective members by respective guide formations between the blocks and the members but can move axially on the members. An upper roller is carried between the upper journal blocks, axially coupled thereto, and rotatable thereon about the upper axis and a lower roller is carried between the lower journal blocks, axially coupled thereto, and rotatable thereon about the lower axis.

Abstract: The invention provides a new immersion head probe for use in apparatus for the determination of the concentration of gas dissolved in a molten metal. Such determinations are needed to facilitate removal of the gas, which can cause bubbles in the solidified metal and subsequent processing difficulties. The apparatus circulates an inert carrier gas through the probe in gas exchange contact with the molten metal to entrain dissolved gas until an equilibrium mixture is obtained; the concentration of the dissolved gas in the mixture then is representative of its concentration in the molten metal. The head consists of a monolithic or integral body of a porous gas-permeable material of sufficient mechanical strength at the temperature of the molten metal and of sufficient porosity, pore size and permeability to permit the necessary gas diffusion in a reasonable period of time.