Patent ID: 7417732
Filing Date: 2008-08-26
Classification: G01N

Abstract:
1. A particle monitoring apparatus comprising: a light source configured to emit plural light fluxes in at least a one-dimensional array having a given intensity; a projecting optical system configured to convert the plural light fluxes in the at least one-dimensional array emitted from the light source into a band-shaped light flux, to lead the light flux into a flow passage of a given gas stream so that the given gas stream passes the band-shaped light flux, and to partially superpose the plural light fluxes in the at least one-dimensional array emitted from the light source to form a substantially uniform light intensity distribution of the band-shaped light flux in a widthwise direction; a light detector configured to detect intensity of light; a detecting optical system configured to lead light scattered by particles contained in the gas stream and passing the light flux to the light detector; and a particle detector configured to determine sizes of the particles passing the light flux based on intensities of the scattered lights detected by the light detector and to count the number of the particles passing the light flux for a given period.