Nutating probe for gas analysis

Claim 1

A probe immersible in a liquid having a gas dissolved therein and adapted to continuously and accurately measure the concentration of the gas, said probe comprising: A. a hollow casing provided with an upper motor chamber and a lower chamber having an open mouth, the casing being supported in a vertical position for immersion in the liquid by a flexible coupling attached to the upper end thereof, whereby the probe is deflectable from its normal vertical axis; B. a noble metal measuring electrode disposed in said electrolyte chamber adjacent said open mouth; C. a diffusing membrane covering said open mouth, said membrane being permeable to the gas to be measured; D. an oxidizable metal counter-electrode disposed in said electrolytic chamber, the chamber being filled with an electrolyte which bridges the electrodes to form a gas-sensitive electro chemical cell generating a current which is a function of the dissolved gas diffusing through said membrane; and E. a motor mounted in said motor chamber and having a shaft to which is attached an unbalanced rotor mass, whereby when the motor is energized, the rotating mass causes the probe to nutate relative to its normal vertical axis to simulate the effect of a rapid flow of the liquid relative to the membrane.