Flow indicator and apparatus for monitoring particles in air

Abstract

A flow indicator is disclosed and includes a horizontally disposed housing including a lower inlet port drawing in an air sample, an interior space passing the air sample, an upper outlet port exhausting the air sample, and a transparent window allowing visual observation of at least a portion of the interior space. The flow indicator also includes a floater disposed within the housing and moving vertically in response to the flow of the air sample to indicate a flow rate for the air sample, wherein the housing further comprises a plurality of rails protruding from an inner surface of the housing and extending vertically to guide movement of the floater.

1 . A flow indicator comprising: 
 a horizontally disposed housing comprising: 
 a lower inlet port drawing in an air sample;  
 an interior space passing the air sample;  
 an upper outlet port exhausting the air sample; and,  
 a transparent window allowing visual observation of at least a portion of the interior space; and,  
   a floater disposed within the housing and moving vertically in response to the flow of the air sample to indicate a flow rate for the air sample,    wherein the housing further comprises a plurality of rails protruding from an inner surface of the housing and extending vertically to guide movement of the floater.    
   
   
       2 . The flow indicator of  claim 1 , wherein the lower inlet port is disposed in a lower central portion of the housing.  
   
   
       3 . The flow indicator of  claim 1 , wherein the lower inlet port comprises a plurality of lower inlet ports disposed radially around a center of the lower portion of the housing.  
   
   
       4 . The flow indicator of  claim 1 , wherein an outer surface of the floater is separated from the inner surface of the housing, the outer surface of the floater comprises a plurality of guide grooves, and the plurality of guide grooves engage with the plurality of rails.  
   
   
       5 . The flow indicator of  claim 1 , wherein the floater comprises: 
 an inner panel having a plurality of holes passing the air sample; and,    an outer tube extending downward from an outer edge portion of the inner panel and having a plurality of guide grooves, wherein the plurality of guide grooves engage with the plurality of rails.