Electro-optic monitor for fluid spray pattern

An apparatus for monitoring a fluid spray pattern of fluid sprayed from a nozzle, the apparatus comprising:

• a light source positioned to illuminate fluid sprayed by a nozzle in a pattern P so that light emitted by the light source is scattered by the fluid;
• a plurality of photodetectors positioned adjacent to the volume occupied by the fluid spray pattern P so that each photodetector develops an electrical signal in response to receipt of such light prior to impact of said fluid on a surface;
• and
• comparison means for comparing the electrical signals developed by each photodetector with reference signals that represent a desired fluid spray pattern P.sub.0.

A method of monitoring a fluid spray pattern of fluid sprayed from the nozzle, the method comprising:

• illuminating a fluid spray pattern P with a light source such that light emitted by said light source is scattered by fluid in the spray pattern P;
• detecting the light scattered by the fluid in the flowing spray pattern P by a photodetector positioned adjacent to the volume occupied by the fluid spray pattern P so that said photodetector develops an electrical signal in response to receipt of the scattered light prior to impact of said fluid on a surface;
• and
• analyzing said electrical signal issued by said photodetector and comparing said electrical signal with a corresponding reference signal that represents a desired fluid spray pattern P.sub.0.

An apparatus for monitoring a fluid spray pattern of fluid sprayed from a nozzle, the apparatus comprising:

• a light source positioned to illuminate fluid sprayed by a nozzle in a fluid spray pattern P so that light emitted by the light source is scattered by the fluid;
• a photodetector positioned adjacent to the volume occupied by the fluid spray pattern P so that said photodetector develops an electrical signal in response to receipt of such light before said fluid impacts a surface;
• and
• comparison means for comparing said electrical signal issued by said photodetector and comparing said electrical signal with a corresponding reference signal that represents a desired fluid spray pattern P.sub.0.