Radon detection
US5281824A · kind A · utility
Assignee
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | Apr 7, 1992 |
| Grant date | Jan 25, 1994 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Apr 7, 2012 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC Y)Emerging Cross-Sectional Technologies
- CPC primaryY10S250/02
- WIPO fieldEnvironmental technology
- WIPO sectorChemistry
Abstract
A detector for atmospheric radon using a long range alpha detector as its sensing element. An electrostatic filter removes ions from ambient air, while allowing radon atoms to pass into a decay cavity. Here, radon atoms are allowed to decay, creating air ions. These air ions are drawn by a fan through a second electrostatic filter which can be activated or deactivated, and into the long range alpha detector. With the second electrostatic filter activated, no air ions are allowed to pass, and the signal output from the long range alpha detector consists of only the electronic background. With the second electrostatic filter deactivated, air ions and cosmic rays will be detected. The cosmic ray contribution can be minimized by shielding.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.