(under the class definition) Subject matter to visually or photoelectrically inspect or measure the atmospheric scattering of light, or the scattering by molecules of a gas or liquid media or by particles entrained in a flowing or static medium, which includes support means for the media or medium capable of transmitting light into and out of the support means, lighting means to direct light into and through a flowing or static gas or liquid with or without the entrained particles, and means to visually examine and measure or photoelectrically detect and indicate the intensity of the light scattered from the medium or from the particles in the medium at some angle other than the direction of the inspection light.
(1) Note. In this subclass, the scattering is by reflection of light from discrete particles within a medium, as opposed to mere diffusion by scattering from an irregular surface in subclass 372.
(2) Note. See subclasses 437+ and 441+ where suspended particles are not viewed for scattered light reflected from suspended particles, but for the reduction in the light intensity, and wherein light and the observation point lie in a direct line with the observed fluid between the light source and the observation point.
(3) Note. Tyndallometers, nephelometers, and devices to measure the Rayleich ratio are included in this section.
(4) Note. The light used in the test may be monochromatic, polarized, or white light.
(5) Note. Where particles in a fluid are counted one by one, see Class 377, subclass 10. Where the number of particles in a fluid is found by sensing the overall radiation reflected by light scattering from the particles within the medium, the claims will be classified here in subclass 337.
SEE OR SEARCH THIS CLASS, SUBCLASS:
301, for detection of light scattering of the Raman type. 335+, for the determination of the size and number of particles in a test medium by statistical methods.
437+, see (2) Note above.
441, see (2) Note above.
446, for scattered light tests caused by the reflection of light from a surface which causes a diffused light rather than a specular light condition.
SEE OR SEARCH CLASS
250, Radiant Energy, for photocell circuits or preoptical systems, which may sense fluent material in the optical path, which is responsive to scattered light from the fluent material.
340, Communications: Electrical,
627+, for signal systems responsive to fluent or pulverized material which may respond to scattered light reflected from the fluent or pulverized material.
