Patent ID: 7246532

Claim:
A particle monitoring apparatus comprising: a sampling probe disposed substantially horizontally and adapted to draw a first air sample, wherein the sampling probe is disposed in a clean room adapted for use in the manufacture of a semiconductor device; a flow indicator coupled to a lower portion of the sampling probe in a substantially vertical direction and adapted to draw a second air sample to indicate a flow rate for the second air sample; and, a particle counter connected to the sampling probe and adapted to count particles contained in the first and second air samples, wherein the flow indicator comprises: a housing arranged substantially in a vertical manner and having: a lower inlet port adapted to draw an air sample; an interior space adapted to pass the air sample; an upper outlet port adapted to exhaust the air sample; and, a transparent window adapted to allow visual observation of at least a portion of the interior space; and, a floater disposed within the housing and adapted to move substantially vertically in response to the flow of the air sample to indicate a flow rate for the air sample.