Radon Detector Using Pressurized Gas Chamber
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing radon detectors with constant volume measurement chambers require significant space and resources, leading to high costs and limited measurement frequency, while smaller chambers are less sensitive and require longer measurement times.
Innovation Solution
A pressurized measurement chamber with two alpha particle detectors and a compressor, allowing for high sensitivity measurements by compressing gas to a range of 1 to 10 barg, with electromagnetic valves for gas tightness and separate power supplies for each sensor, enabling efficient radon detection with a small chamber volume.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If large volume measurement chambers are used, then measurement sensitivity is improved, but device size and cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies parameter changes by pressurizing the gas in the measurement chamber to pressures between 1 to 10 barg using a compressor. This increases the density of radon atoms in the chamber, thereby improving measurement sensitivity without requiring a larger chamber volume. The sensitive element detects alpha particles from radon decay with enhanced efficiency due to the higher concentration of radon atoms achieved through pressurization.
2Measurement precision
If large volume measurement chambers are used, then measurement sensitivity is improved, but measurement frequency is limited
Solution Approach 1:
By pressurizing the gas to 1-10 barg, the patent achieves high measurement sensitivity in a compact chamber that can be rapidly filled and emptied. The compressor enables quick gas exchange between measurements, allowing measurement frequencies of several per hour without requiring large chamber volumes that would take longer to exchange.
3Volume of stationary object
If small volume measurement chambers are used, then device size is reduced, but measurement sensitivity decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent compensates for the small chamber volume by pressurizing the gas to 1-10 barg, which increases the number density of radon atoms. This maintains or even improves measurement sensitivity despite the reduced chamber volume, as the sensitive element detects more alpha particle events per unit time due to the higher concentration of radon atoms in the compressed gas.
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
Achieves high measurement sensitivities of 0.1 mBq/m³ with a compact design, allowing for efficient radon detection and flexible measurement adjustments based on pressure, optimizing detection efficiency and reducing operational costs.
Implementation Method 1
A pressurized measurement chamber with at least one opening for supplying and discharging gas from the environment to the interior of the measurement chamber... The detector is also equipped with a compressor for pressurizing the gas inside the measurement chamber... compressing gas to a range of 1 to 10 barg
Implementation Method 2
detection of alpha particles resulting from radioactive decays of the radon daughters produced in the gas present inside the measurement chamber
Implementation Method 3
Two sensors (alpha particle detectors) are applied for detection of alpha particles
Implementation Method 4
The gas inlet/outlet of the chamber are tightly closed, preferably by electromagnetic valves
Implementation Method 5
For each of the sensors, the detector has a separate power supply system comprising high DC voltage supply for creation of an electric field in the chamber
Data Source
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AI summary
A detector for measuring radon concentration in gases, comprising a pressurised measurement chamber with at least one opening for supplying and discharging gas from the environment to the interior of the measurement chamber; and sensors of alpha particles generated as a result of radioactive decays of radon daughters in the gas present inside the measurement chamber and drifted to the sensor surfaces. The detector further comprises: a compressor (20) for pressurizing the gas inside the measurement chamber (10), wherein each opening (13, 14) of the measurement chamber (10) is equipped with ports that are tightly closed preferably by electromagnetic valves; for each of the sensors (11, 12), a separate power supply system comprising a high DC voltage (HVIN) supply (123) for creating an electric field in the chamber, and a low DC voltage supply (113) from a battery pack (111) for use as a bias voltage; for each of the sensors (11, 12), an amplifying system (115) comprising a charge sensitive pre-amplifier (115A) connected in series with the spectroscopy amplifier (115B), wherein the amplifying system (115) is mounted together with the battery pack (111) in a metal housing preventing penetration of electromagnetic noise from the outside; wherein the signal from each sensor (11, 12) is fed to a corresponding amplifying system (115) via capacitors (121, 122) adapted to filter the output of the sensors from the high DC voltage level (HVIN).