Abstract: An allergen particle detecting apparatus has a sample area through which environmental air is directed. A light beam is directed through the air sample so that portions of the beam will be scattered if any particles are present in the path of the beam. A beam blocking device on the opposite side of the air sample is arranged to block all light except light scattered in a predetermined angular range corresponding to a predetermined allergen particle size range. Light transmitted through the blocking device is detected by a light detector and an alarm output signal is produced if the detected amount of light is above a predetermined level.

Abstract: The present invention relates to an arrangement for a multiple light path, which may be used for a wireless optical audio and/or video communication system.Known systems use a direct wireless infrared connection. It has been found that such a connection is not reliable enough. It is the object of this invention to realise a reliable infrared connection between different devices. This is realised by a two path connection. A first path is realised by a wireless connection and a second path is realised by a transmission at least partially through an optical fiber. Furthermore this invention presents a special lens and a special photo light emitting diode for the realisation of the two path infrared connection.The invention can used e.g. for the connection between a television set and a video cassette recorder.

Abstract: A bottle retaining mechanism holds a culture bottle in place in a cell in an incubating apparatus which agitates the culture bottle and detects the growth of microorganisms in the culture bottle. When a bottle is not present in the cell of the apparatus, the retaining mechanism moves to a position which reflects light from the light emitter to the light detector in an amount greater than the amount of light reflected off of a bottle when present, so as to indicate when a bottle is not present in a cavity of the bottle holder. The retaining mechanism/reflectance flag also is capable of providing a reference signal for auto-calibration purposes. The amount of light reflected from the retaining mechanism/reflectance flag to the light detector in a cell when no bottle is present can be monitored in order to detect changes in the cell. By monitoring such changes in the empty cell, drift from the original cell calibration can be monitored.

Abstract: Disclosed herein is a method and an apparatus for applying a coating liquid to an object from a liquid-applying member at a first prescribed position, thereby forming a film on the object. Before the coating liquid at the first position, the coating liquid is applied at a second predetermined position. An impurity-detecting device detects the impurities contained in the coating liquid applied at the second position. A particle-counting device is provided, and a switching device is provided on a liquid-supplying pipe extending from a source of the coating liquid to the liquid-applying member. The switching device switches the supply of the coating liquid between the liquid-applying member and the impurity-detecting device. The impurities in the coating liquid can thereby monitored.

Abstract: An improved photo detector assembly for a particle size distribution measuring equipment provides a unitary opaque coating deposited above a photo detector layer with a plurality of concentric apertures that can be defined with high precision about a concentric center. The masking can be applied in a production environment to ensure high accuracy and a compact size.

Abstract: A self-contained smoke detector system has internal self-diagnostic capabilities and accepts a replacement smoke intake canopy (14) without a need for recalibration. The system includes a microprocessor-based self-diagnostic circuit (200) that periodically checks sensitivity of the optical sensor electronics (24, 28) to smoke obscuration level. By setting tolerance limits on the amount of change in voltage measured in clean air, the system can provide an indication of when it has become either under-sensitive or over-sensitive to the ambient smoke obscuration level. An algorithm implemented in software stored in system memory (204) determines whether and provides an indication that for a time (such as 27 hours) the clean air voltage has strayed outside established sensitivity tolerance limits. The replaceable canopy is specially designed with multiple pegs (80) having multi-faceted surfaces (110, 112, 114).

Abstract: Light emitted from a light emitting element is converted into parallel light by a lens, and a light receiving element detects scattered light occurring due to particulate existent in a fan-shaped field pattern spreading along the optical path of the parallel light. Since parallel light is used, stray light can be processed within a limited space. Furthermore, since the scattered light of parallel light which occurs due to the particulate is detected using the fan-shaped field pattern, particulate detection can be performed on volumes of air at a high signal-to-noise ratio.

Abstract: Apparatus and methods for measuring the quantity and size distribution of nep-like entities in a fiber sample. An individualizer presents entities, such as fibers and neps, to a laterally elongated acceleration/deceleration gas flow nozzle having a laterally-extending sensing volume defined within the nozzle perpendicular to gas flow through the nozzle. The feed rate is such that multiple individualized entities are simultaneously presented to the sensing volume. A sensor output device produces a signal indicating the total amount of material within the sensing volume at any given point in time, such that the sensor output signal has a background resulting from fibers, and occasional signal pulses representing neps. An analyzer samples the signal at a sampling rate at least approximating the transit time of a nep-like entity through the sensing volume, and employs pre-sample and post-sample averaging background suppression to recognize a signal amplitude indicative of a nep-like entity.

Abstract: The pulse width of a light reception pulse signal a from a light receiving device is detected, and the smoke density is detected based on a total pulse width of pulse widths per unit time period. Alternatively, the smoke density may be detected based on an integrated value of the light reception pulse signal a from the light receiving device per unit time period. Even if the flow rate of the sucked air is varied, the total light reception pulse width value per unit time period is not varied, so that the smoke density can be accurately detected.

Abstract: An optical-signal transmitting apparatus performs predetermined digital modulation on a digital signal to be transmitted. The modulated digital signal is then converted into a light signal which is output. The output light signal is scattered and radiated to external space. The wavelength of the radiated light is preferably between 1.4 and 1.6 microns. Modulation is preferably performed based on a duration of a symbol to obtain not less than a predetermined ratio, e.g., 3, of a carrier wave to an interference wave. The scattered light signal is received and is preferably converged by a hemispherical lens mounted to a light receiving device. The received light signal is converted to an electrical signal and digital demodulation is performed.

Abstract: In order to render it possible to give a forecast relating to the quality of a coating layer applied to a substrate by a thermal coating apparatus, an apparatus is provided, comprising a plurality of sensors and/or comprises optical means, in order to separately monitor the radiation emitted by the heated particles entrained by the coating jet in particular areas along a section of the coating jet extending crosswise to the direction of the coating jet. The apparatus further comprises electronic circuitry connected to the outputs of the sensors for further processing the measured values. By means of such an apparatus, the coating jet can be systematically and representatively scanned and monitored. On the basis of the signals supplied by the sensors, the spatial distribution of the intensity of the electromagnetic radiation emitted by the heated particles can be determined and can be used as a relevant parameter for qualitatively judging the coating layer or for regulating the coating process.

Abstract: The smoke detecting apparatus of the present invention comprises a detection space (52) into which generated smoke is to be introduced; light-emitting means (2) for emitting a predetermined coded light pulse train into the detection space (52); light-detecting means (3) for detecting scattered light which is generated when the light emitted from the light-emitting means (2) is scattered by the smoke and generating an electric signal corresponding to the detected light; and control means (4) for generating a burst code signal composed of a pulse train coded with a reference pulse to the light-emitting means (2) and judging that the smoke exists in the detection space (52) when the pulse patterns of thus compared signals coincide with each other. According to this configuration, the apparatus can securely operate at the time of smoking and cannot detect when there is no smoke.

Abstract: A compact moisture sensor for mounting on the inner surface of a windshield to detect moisture, such as rain, on the outer surface of the windshield and control the windshield wipers accordingly includes a coupler having a collimator and focuser and a housing for detachably covering the coupler. A planar circuit board disposed within the housing includes emitters and detectors mounted such that the axes of emission and detection are perpendicular to the windshield when the housing is secured to the coupler. The collimator and focuser are disposed adjacent the emitter and detector respectively such that the optical axes of the collimator and focuser form oblique angles with respect to the emission and detection axes. Two emitters and two detectors are used to form four optical paths of equal length and optical efficiency.

Abstract: A method for detecting dimethylaluminumhydride (DMAH) comprises sensing the aluminum oxide particles produced by the reaction of the DMAH with air (or with a small amount of oxygen). This is accomplished using a particle-sensing device, such as those commonly used to detect smoke, particularly an ionization-type detector.

Abstract: The invention relates to an apparatus and method for measuring visibility and present weather. The apparatus includes a light source (1) for directing a light ray toward the object (9) to be measured, a detector (3) for measurement of light which is forward scattered from the object (9), and computing elements (12-15) adapted to differentiate the signal representing the forward scattered light from signals representing stray or ambient light. The apparatus may include a pulsed light source, a receiver (19) for receiving directly backward reflected/scattered light pulses, and computing elements (11) for computing the propagation delays of the different backward reflected components in the received pulse-shaped optical signal.

Abstract: Apparatus for heating, disinfecting and sterilizing materials through exposure to microwave radiation; includes a treatment chamber which houses a container filled with material to be treated. An injector is in fluid communication with the container for introducing a liquid to the material and includes a dome which is tightly placed on top of the container, and a nozzle which is secured interiorly of the dome and projects through an opening of the container for injecting liquid into the treatment chamber. An exhaust conduit further projects into the dome for discharge of exhaust fluid from within the container directly to an area outside of the treatment chamber.

Abstract: A turbidimeter is described for measuring the turbidity of a liquid. The turbidimeter includes (a) a sample cell for the liquid to be tested, (b) an optical source such as a light-emitting diode (LED) for producing a light beam directed at the sample cell; (c) an optical detector, and (d) non-imaging optical concentrator located between the sample cell and the optical detector for concentrating light scattered by the liquid in the sample cell. The optical concentrator is preferably integral with the sample cell holder and it exhibits a sharp field of view which minimizes the effect of stray light in the instrument. The optical detector means produces a signal in response to the amount of scattered light it detects. The signal is converted to a turbidity value which is displayed. The turbidimeter can be battery powered and is small and compact.

Abstract: A fire detector capable of readily and accurately adjusting the sensitivity thereof and of not erroneously outputting any fire signal is provided with a first-stage amplifying circuit having an output adjusting variable resistor and a fire discriminating section having a reference voltage adjusting variable resistor. As a result, it is possible to adjust the amplified output to a predetermined value by the switching level of the fire discriminating section to a predetermined value by the reference voltage adjusting variable resistor.

Abstract: The device for detecting the presence of smoke includes a dark chamber which receives the smoke to be detected, a source suitable for emitting into said chamber a light pencil made up of short duration pulses spaced apart from one another by identical much longer periods, a detector suitable for generating response signals associated with the smoke reflecting part of the successive light pulses, and means for comparing said signals with a threshold and for triggering an alarm in the event of said threshold being exceeded by a plurality of said successive signals. The device further comprises means for automatically increasing the frequency at which said pulses are emitted from the first occasion on which a signal exceeding said threshold is detected, the alarm then possibly being triggered, as a function of the signals generated by the detector in response to a plurality of successive pulses emitted at the higher frequency.

Abstract: A drive pulse for emitting and turning-off a light emitting element is output, the level difference or the level ratio between the light emission zero point detection signal from a light receiving element having received the light from the light emitting element and a putting-off zero point detection signal from the light receiving element when the light emitting element is put off is calculated, and the level difference or the level ratio is compared with a preset level to thereby determine the abnormality of the light emitting element, the light receiving element and a peripheral circuit. With this arrangement, even if the ratio of noise light occupied in the zero point output is reduced, whether detecting elements and the peripheral circuit are good or bad and whether the elements are abnormally polluted or not can be reliably tested without the effect of the dispersion of the detecting elements and the change of an ambient temperature, whereby the reliability of a smoke detector is improved.

Abstract: Apparatus for determining flowability of a powder by sensing powder avalanching includes a sample drum having a generally cylindrical sample chamber for holding a powder sample, a support frame including a drum shaft for supporting the sample drum for rotation, a drive motor and a drive mechanism coupled between the drive motor and the drum shaft such that the drum rotates when the drive motor is energized. The apparatus further includes an avalanche sensor for sensing avalanching of the powder sample within the sample chamber as the sample drum rotates. The avalanche sensor may be implemented as a backlash sensor for sensing intermittent reverse angular displacement of the sample drum caused by avalanching of the powder sample. A torque loading sensor may also be used to sense avalanching of the powder sample. A controlled gas may be circulated through the sample chamber by a gas conditioning system. The gas in the sample chamber can be measured and/or controlled.

Abstract: A compact medium scanner (100) scans a surface (132) of a medium (134) with a beam of light (106). A medium transport mechanism (202, 206) advances the surface along a medium transport path through a scanning station. A light source (104) produces a collimated beam of light (106) that impinges upon a mirror plate (112) of a micromachined torsional scanner (108). A pair of coaxially aligned torsion bars (304) support the mirror plate (112) within the torsional scanner (108). A mirror-surface drive means (306, 312) rotates the mirror plate (112) about the torsion bars (304). A single reciprocation of the mirror plate (112) by the drive means (306, 312) deflects the beam of light (106) over a fan-shaped region having a virtually fixed vertex (128) on the mirror plate (112). Scanner optics (116, 122) direct the fan-shaped region beam of light (106) onto the surface (132) of the medium (134) then present in the scanning station to thereby scan across the medium (134) with the beam of light (106).

Abstract: A device is disclosed for measuring light scatter by particles (3) suspended in a carrier medium with a view to ascertaining the density, size or size distribution of the particles. The device comprises: at least one light source (8) which directs light onto a light-scattering center (2) in the carrier medium with the suspended particles (3); a receiver (4) to pick up a portion of the scattered light from the light-scattering center; and an evaluating device connected downstream of the receiver (4). The invention provides for an elongated detection chamber bounded radially around its central axis by the wall of a housing (1) which also acts as a duct for the through-flowing carrier medium with the suspended particles (3). Each light source (8) is mounted on the wall of the housing (1) and points toward the central axis of the detection chamber.

Abstract: An improved method of monitoring particulates in stacks or ducts utilizes transmissometer/particulate monitor of the type which has an optical assembly containing a solid state light source of visible light such as a light-emitting diode or a solid-state laser. The light source emits a collimated beam that is split, part of which is focused onto a reference detector that monitors the intensity of the light source, while the other part is directed to a beam-steering apparatus that causes the beam to accurately pass through a gaseous sample to a desired location such as a retro-reflector. A position-sensing detector is used in a closed-loop manner to control the beam-steering apparatus. The ratio of the total energy of the detected light beam, relative to the reference detector output, is used to determine the opacity of the gaseous sample for the purpose of providing a basis for correlation to particulate loading of that portion of the particulates that are of a size comparable to the wavelength of light.

Abstract: A self-contained smoke detector system has internal self-diagnostic capabilities and accepts a replacement smoke intake canopy (14) without a need for recalibration. The system includes a microprocessor-based self-diagnostic circuit (200) that periodically checks sensitivity of the optical sensor electronics (24, 28) to smoke obscuration level. By setting tolerance limits on the amount of change in voltage measured in clean air, the system can provide an indication of when it has become either under-sensitive or over-sensitive to the ambient smoke obscuration level. An algorithm implemented in software stored in system memory (204) determines whether and provides an indication that for a time (such as 27 hours) the clean air voltage has strayed outside established sensitivity tolerance limits. The replaceable canopy is specially designed with multiple pegs (80) having multi-faceted surfaces (110, 112, 114).

Abstract: For simplifying the optical measurement of a particle flow in a fluid and in particular for eliminating errors, in a device for measuring a particle flow in a fluid with at least one illumination system having a diaphragm and at least one receiver system having a diaphragm, the invention provides for a diaphragm (6a, 11a) to have an aperture (6, 11) with an edge (6b, 11b) constructed convexly towards the interior of the diaphragm aperture (6, 11). According to a method, the particle flow is illuminated and/or observed through a diaphragm aperture with an edge constructed convexly towards its interior and the maximum intensity of the particle flying through a first optical measuring range is measured and account is only taken of the particle if the intensity on flowing through a second measuring range exceeds a specific minimum percentage of the maximum intensity measured for this particle.

Abstract: An in-situ imaging system suitable for analyzing particles or droplets contained in process reactor vessels or pipelines at full process concentrations is disclosed. The system includes a light source capable of high peak power output operated in a pulsed mode that is located inside of a probe. The light from the light source is coupled into an optical fiber. The light is carried by the optical fiber to a lens system near the end of the probe which focuses the light through a window to the area which coincides with the field of view in the focal plane of the imaging optics. The imaging optics collect the light which is back-scattered from particles or droplets, magnifying the image and projecting it onto an image detector such as a CCD array.

Abstract: Noise reduction is effected by multiplying together electrical signals that include pulses embedded in noise, with the pulses being indicative of the same event, such as light scattered by particles, occurring at a viewing area, and with the signals being processed prior to multiplication so that the pulses and the variance of the noise in the electrical signals are multiplied by one another. A detector in each of a plurality of channels detects the events occurring at the common viewing area and provides pulses indicative thereof, and the output from each detector is amplified, passed through matched low-pass filters to enhance pulse detection, and then passed through a baseline restorer to remove DC components from the noise then present in the signal, prior to coupling of the signals to a multiplier.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a method and apparatus for measuring road surface conditions. In the method of measuring road surface conditions, the conditions prevailing on the surface of a road are measured by a sensor head mounted in the pavement of the road with the top surface of the sensor head aligned substantially flush with the pavement of the road. According to the invention, an optical signal is impinged from below the road to the top surface of the road, the reflection/backscatter of the optical signal is measured inside the pavement layer of the road, and weather/driving conditions prevailing on the road top surface are determined from the reflected and backscattered signal values.

Abstract: A smoke detector (10) has internal self-adjustment and self-diagnostic capabilities. It includes a microprocessor-based alarm control circuit (24) that periodically checks the sensitivity of a smoke sensing element (20) to a smoke level in a spatial region (12). The alarm control circuit and the smoke sensor are mounted in a discrete housing (25) that operatively couples the smoke sensor to the region. The microprocessor (30) implements a routine (50) stored in memory (32) by periodically determining a floating adjustment (FLT.sub.-- ADJ) that is used to adjust the output (RAW.sub.-- DATA) of the smoke sensing element and of any sensor electronics (40) to produce an adjusted output (ADJ.sub.-- DATA) for comparison with an alarm threshold. The floating adjustment is not greater than a maximum value (ADJISENS) or less than a minimum value (ADJSENS). Except at power-up or reset, each floating adjustment is within a predetermined slew limit of the immediately preceding floating adjustment.

Abstract: Particle size distribution measuring equipment includes a flow cell that can be illuminated with light so that suspended particles can scatter the light and thereby measure both particle size and frequency. A dispenser unit is connected to the flow cell for delivering a sample. A fractionator unit can pretreat the sample to provide particles over a predetermined size in a sealed chamber resulting from the impact of compressed air. The fractionated sample can be delivered to the dispenser, and a controller can automatically coordinate the preparation of the dispenser unit, the flow cell, the measuring of scattered light, and the release of the fractionated sample from the sealed chamber.

Abstract: A suspended particle concentration monitor includes near and far detector circuits with near and far elements sensing scattered visible or near infrared radiation projected into a fluid volume in which particle concentration is determined. The spacing and characteristics of the light sensitive elements and the gains of the near and far detector circuits are selected to produce generally equal peak signals at separate particle concentrations. A computer contains three tables each containing particle concentrations in respective portions of the particle concentration range being monitored. Based upon analysis of the near and far detector signals, one of the tables is selected and used to find the particle concentration corresponding to one of the near and far detector signals.

Abstract: A system for determining characteristics of objects in wood pulp includes a pulp sampling and dilution system for diluting and dispersing samples of pulp, and an imaging/analysis system for capturing images of pulp objects, including fibers, and analyzing the captured images. Samples of pulp are provided to a dispersion tank where pulp is dispersed within a liquid to form a wood pulp slurry having a consistency in the range of from about 0.01 to about 0.001 percent. The dispersed pulp is conducted to a transparent flow cell for imaging and analysis of pulp objects. Light radiating from a light source is reflected off surfaces of objects within the dispersed pulp, producing scattered light. One or more cameras capture scattered light from objects as the objects pass through a camera's field of view. The output of the cameras are digitized and filtered to eliminate motion blur, and the filtered visual image displayed on a monitor.

Abstract: An optical sensor apparatus for detecting a vapor of an organic solvent is characterized by a simple structure which allows easy manufacture, high reliability, low cost, compactness in size, and portability. The optical sensor apparatus has a light source unit which emits light for irradiating a polymer thin film formed on a flat reflecting substrate of a sensing element. Light reflected by the sensing element is detected by a light detecting unit. The light source unit, the sensing element, and the light detecting unit are integrally supported by a housing. The polymer thin film which comes into contact with a vapor of an organic solvent causes a change in the thickness and a reflective index thereof. This change is utilized to detect the existence and/or concentration of a vapor of an organic solvent.

Abstract: An arrangement is proposed for determining the density and concentration of visible constituents in fluids, particularly for measuring the turbidity of motor vehicle exhaust gases. A measuring chamber (10) which can receive the fluid to be measured is provided at two oppositely disposed points a first light detector (16) and a light source (15) which directs a light beam at the light detector (16). This arrangement allows the opacimetric measuring method in which the light attenuation is evaluated as a function of the turbidity. In addition, a second light detector (19) is arranged outside of and lateral to the radiation path through the measuring chamber (10) for capturing scattered light. This allows use of the scattered light method in which the scattered light portion is captured as a measure for the concentration of the light-scattering particles in the investigated medium. In an evaluation arrangement, the measuring signals (turbidity and scattered light) can be evaluated simultaneously or selectively.

Abstract: A device for counting and measuring the particles provides a precise analysis of the particle characteristics and includes an ellipsoidal mirror system, having two different sizes ellipsoidal concentric mirrors (4) and (5) connected towards to each other by their cross-section lateral areas, and a first ellipsoidal mirror (4) is smaller than a second ellipsoidal mirror (5), includes also a light beam and a particulates flow passing inside the first ellipsoidal mirror (4) through a first focus of the first ellipsoidal mirror (4), concurred with a second focus of the second ellipsoidal mirror (5), also includes a light detector (20), which is placed inside the second ellipsoidal mirror (5) at a first focus of the second ellipsoidal mirror (5), concurred with a second focus of the first ellipsoidal mirror (4). An improved device comprises also an electronic control system, including an analog-digital subsystem (45) and a microprocessor subsystem (32), which provide the signal processing and control functions.

Abstract: A method for the direct reconstruction of the absorption and diffusion images from measurements of the transmitted intensity of the scattered radiation effected by irradiating the object with a time-domain source. The transmitted intensity is related to the absorption and the diffusion coefficients by an integral operator. The images are directly reconstructed by executing a prescribed mathematical algorithm, as determined with reference to the integral operator, on the transmitted intensity.

Abstract: A projected beam-type smoke detector and receiving unit includes in its light receiver data output unit 118 for outputting serially status information and status signal output units 85, 86 for sending the status information to the receiving unit, and in its receiving unit 30 data examining unit 113 for examining sequentially the status information. The light receiver 31 also includes a pulse generator unit 82 for generating pulses having different pulselengths according to the type of alarm information, and photoelectric converter units 83, 84 for sending to the receiving unit 120 the pulses of different pulselengths generated by the pulse generator unit 82. The receiving unit 120 includes a pulselength determining unit 108 for determining the type of alarm information from the pulselength of the pulse sent by the projected beam-type smoke detector and display units 110, 111 for displaying the alarm information type determined by the pulselength determining unit 108.

Abstract: An improved transmissometer/particulate monitor of the type which has an optical assembly containing a solid state light source preferably a solid-state laser. The light source emits a collimated beam that is split, part of which is focused onto a reference detector that monitors the intensity of the light source, while the other part is directed to a beam-steering apparatus that causes the beam to accurately pass through a gaseous sample to a desired location such as a retro-reflector. A position-sensing detector is used in a closed-loop manner to control the beam-steering apparatus. The ratio of the total energy of the detected light beam, relative to the reference detector output, is used to determine the opacity of the gaseous sample or to provide a basis for correlation to particulate loading of the sample or both.

Abstract: The invention provides a method and a system for measuring geometric properties, such as diameter, shape and surface roughness of single rough particles by an optical method. The particle may be immersed in a gaseous or liquid fluid. A volume of the fluid, containing the particles to be measured, is illuminated by a beam of coherent electromagnetic radiation, resulting in a distribution of scattered radiation with a speckle structure. This distribution is detected with a one-dimensional or two-dimensional image detector. An autocorrelation function RI(r) of the detected intensity distribution is calculated, and from the position .delta.r of its first zero the diameter d.sub.P of the scattering particle is evaluated based on I, the wavelength of the electromagnetic radiation, and Z.sub.0, the distance from the particle to the detector.

Abstract: A method for the direct reconstruction of an object from measurements of the transmitted intensity of the scattered radiation effected by irradiating the object. The transmitted intensity is related to the image by an integral operator. The image is directly reconstructed by executing a prescribed mathematical algorithm, as determined with reference to the integral operator, on the transmitted intensity.

Abstract: An optical probe for sensing presence of small moving particles passing through a defined sensing region comprises:i) an emitter optic fiber for transmitting from its tip radiant energy outwardly of the probe;ii) a receptor optic fiber for receiving radiant energy reflected by such particles moving through said sensing region;iii) a lens for focusing radiant energy emitted from the emitter tip into a focal region, spaced outwardly of the probe and which diverges outwardly into a defined high density radiant energy region;iv) the receptor optic fiber defining a diverging viewing region projecting outwardly towards the high density radiant energy region, the receptor optic fiber being positioned relative to the lens to project the viewing region to overlap a useful portion of the high density radiant energy region to define thereby the sensing region. This sensor is particularly useful in monitoring the flow characteristics of catalytic particles in a catalytic reactor for cracking of gasoline constituents.

Abstract: A cytoanalyzer includes a flow cell for aligning cells and permitting the same to pass therethrough, a semiconductor light emitting device for emitting a laser beam to the cells passing through the flow cell, and a light-detecting device having at least two separate photosensing portions capable of sensing two types of light scattered by each of the cells. The alignment of the cytoanalyzer may be achieved by comparing intensities of light on the at least two separate photosensing portions.

Abstract: A machine for washing articles is provided with a turbidity sensor that is activated by an electromechanical timer. When activated, the turbidity sensor determines the magnitude of turbidity of water within the machine for washing articles and decides whether or not to inhibit a subsequent drain operation. If the turbidity of the water is sufficiently low, the drain operation is inhibited and the machine for washing articles is prevented from purging the existing water from its interior. This allows the relatively clean water to be reused at a savings of both water and energy.

Abstract: The present invention provides for a smoke detection chamber and a photoelectric smoke detector containing the smoke detection chamber. The smoke detection chamber has side walls with openings provided therein for ingress and egress of smoke particles, a top and a bottom. A photoemitting diode is mounted in a mounting arrangement in the side wall of the smoke detection chamber to transmit a light beam across the smoke detection chamber without directly impinging upon either the top or the bottom surfaces. The bottom of the smoke detection chamber has an opening with a shielding arrangement thereabout open to the chamber located between the centerline of the smoke detection chamber and the mounting arrangement in the side wall of the chamber.

Abstract: Self-contained smoke detector systems each have internal self-diagnostic capabilities and function as components of an automatic fire alarm communication system implemented with a conventional two-wire alarm initiating circuit. Each system includes a microprocessor-based self-diagnostic circuit that periodically checks sensitivity of radiation sensor electronics to smoke obscuration level. By setting tolerance limits on the amount of change in voltage measured in clean air, the system can provide an indication of when it has become either under-sensitive or over-sensitive to the ambient smoke obscuration level. An algorithm implemented in software stored in system memory determines whether and provides a sensitivity fault condition signal indicating that for a time (such as 27 hours) the clean air voltage has strayed outside established sensitivity tolerance limits.

Abstract: A device for the reliable detection of air or air bubbles in transparent or translucent tubing carrying a fluid which includes a transmitter element for transmitting a light beam to the fluid contained in a large-bore thin-walled transparent tubing, and a pair of first and second light receiver devices for receiving reflected and transmitted light emitted from the transmitter element and which is incident upon the fluid conducting tubing. The light transmitter and receivers are located within a body member around the fluid conducting tubing. Also, an acrylic optical spacer which has a passage for accommodating the tubing is located within the body member. One light receiver is disposed at a 90.degree. angle in relation to the optical axis of the transmitter, while the other receiver is arranged at a 180.degree. angle. Outputs of the light receivers are applied to a processor, which processes the light receivers outputs to detect air in the tubing.

Abstract: An inexpensive smoke detector having excellent general versatility and reliability allows for an increase in a range of selecting light emitting devices used for such smoke detectors and allows for reductions in the number of processes and adjustment equipment, thereby reducing costs and avoiding human adjustment errors. The smoke detector includes an A/D conversion circuit for measuring an output from a photo transistor which receives a light output of at least a light emitting diode used for smoke detection. A MPU generates a signal for driving the light emitting diode, based on a value measured by the A/D conversion circuit. The smoke detector also includes an EEPROM. A D/A conversion circuit adjusts a light emission quantity of the light emitting diode based on a value read from the EEPROM. The smoke detector further includes a voltage/current conversion circuit.

Abstract: An optical detection system for detecting rain or other water droplets on the outer surface of a window and fog on the inner surface with a single photo-detector. The invention measures the accumulation of water droplets on the window by light refraction of a first light beam with droplets to redirect a first light beam to the photo-detector. A masking device prevents light from reaching the photo-detector directly without refraction. As a result the rain measurement output signal of the photo-detector increases with an increasing accumulation of water droplets on the window. The fog accumulation is measured by a second light beam reflected off the inner surface of the window to the photo-detector so that the output signal of the photo-detector decreases with increasing amounts of fog since fog scatters the light to reduce the amount of light reflected to the photo-detector.

Abstract: An apparatus for imaging and analyzing particle components in a sample liquid flow containing particle components such as blood and urine, or fine particles of organic high polymer in suspension or the like. A conventional particle imaging flow cytometer is combined with a light source such as a lamp with small coherence, and an image intensifier with gate function of high response, so that a clear particle image without a deflection or interference fringe is obtained. Thus, in the apparatus having the still imaging function, by using the image intensifier with a high speed gate function, even with a light source of a long luminous time such as a lamp, a clear still image of a particle flowing at high speed is obtained.