US Patent 9857305 Fluorometer with multiple detection channels

An optical sensor may have multiple detection channels to detect different characteristics of a fluid. For example, an optical sensor used in industrial cleaning and sanitizing applications may have multiple detection channels to detect when a system is both clean and properly sanitized. In one example, an optical sensor includes an optical emitter that directs light into a fluid, a first optical detector that detects light transmitted through the fluid, a second optical detector that detects light scattered by the fluid, and a third optical detector that detects fluorescent emissions emitted by the fluid. The optical emitter and optical detectors can be positioned around an optical analysis area. The optical sensor may include filters that control the characteristics of light detected by each of the optical detectors.