Flow indicator and apparatus for monitoring particles in air

Abstract

A flow indicator is disclosed and includes a horizontally disposed housing having a lower cap with a lower inlet port drawing in an air sample, an interior space passing the air sample, an upper cap having an upper outlet port exhausting the air sample, and a transparent tube coupled between the lower and upper caps and functioning as 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.

1 . A flow indicator comprising: 
 a horizontally disposed housing comprising: 
 a lower cap having a lower inlet port drawing in an air sample;  
 an interior space passing the air sample;  
 an upper cap having an upper outlet port exhausting the air sample; and,  
 a transparent tube coupled between the lower and upper caps and functioning as 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.    
   
   
       2 . The flow indicator of  claim 1 , wherein the lower cap comprises a lower panel having the lower inlet port, and a lower tube of first length extending upwardly from the lower panel in a direction perpendicular to the lower panel; 
 the upper cap comprises an upper panel having the upper outlet port, and an upper tube of second length extending downwardly from the upper panel in a direction perpendicular to the upper panel; and,    the transparent tube has a third length longer than the sum of the first and second lengths.    
   
   
       3 . The flow indicator of  claim 2 , wherein the transparent tube is coupled to the lower cap and the upper cap with an interference fit.