Abstract: A real-time particle counter apparatus for monitoring contaminant particles in liquids includes a nebulizer, a drying chamber and a counter. The nebulizer provides an aerosol of droplets containing particles to the drying chamber, and the droplets are evaporated leaving solid particles to be counted and sized by the counter. Liquid is recirculated in a closed loop by pumping means that moves the liquid between the liquid source and the nebulizer. A constant air flow containing particles is provided to the counter and the apparatus is self-regulating so that no operator is required to maintain the level of liquid in the nebulizer.

Abstract: An apparatus for monitoring particle fallout incorporates a particle flux monitor and a tubular structure. The tubular structure is positioned over an aperture in the housing of the monitor to provide a still air condition so that the particles that descend to the monitor and pass through the light net of the monitor are precluded from being carried back to the light net, which would result in an erroneous count.

Abstract: A compact particle flux monitor is formed with an enclosure through which a laser beam is directed by a lens. An aperture in the enclosure allows free particles which are to be detected to pass through a sensing area at a limiting acceptance angle thereby providing an indication of direction of particle flow. Photodiodes mounted at the sensing area detect the particles, including relatively small particles, by means of the high intensity beam portion at the region of the focal point of the light beam. The response region along the diverging beam is relatively long so that the response as a function of particle size is above background noise level.