Martin Chad Foster, 431012 Cascade Ave, Hood River, OR 97031

4482247, Nov 13, 1984

Jul 8, 1983

6/512311

Gerald Meltz - Avon CT
Leon A. Newman - South Windsor CT
James R. Dunphy - Manchester CT
Martin C. Foster - Plantsville CT

United Technologies Corporation - Hartford CT

G01N 2100

356343

A sensor employs a laser to obtain a collimated light beam for transmission across the gas effluent of a catalytic cracking process. Particulate matter entrained in the gas flow forward scatters light energy to a collecting aperture which, in turn focuses the scattered light on a first photodetector. A second photodetector receives directly transmitted light energy. A ratio between the output signals of the two photodetectors is derived and presented to a threshold level detector. If the magnitude of the scatter exceeds a predetermined level it is concluded that a catalyst load dump has occurred. The optical system is carefully selected to ensure that only light energy scattered from a sample volume within the entrained gas flow reaches the first photodetector. This is important because it prevents particulate matter on the surfaces of the transparent windows from affecting the operating of the sensor.

4606639, Aug 19, 1986

Dec 17, 1984

6/682721

Francois M. Mottier - West Hartford CT
Martin C. Foster - Plantsville CT

United Technologies Corporation - Hartford CT

G01B 902

356358

An optical gauging system comprises a fixture for rotating a workpiece to provide registration of the workpiece surfaces with a measurement optical path and optical interference apparatus for reflecting a measurement optical beam off said surfaces to provide an optical interference signal indicative of the distance between successive surfaces.