Radon Detector With Movable Shield Segmentation

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing radon detection systems are unable to effectively record short-term variations in radon gas concentrations, which can be significant due to changes in temperature, wind conditions, and ventilation patterns, particularly in environments like factories or offices with varying activity levels.

Innovation Solution

A radon detector design featuring a base portion and a cover portion with a shield arrangement that allows for the mechanical switching between open and closed positions, enabling time-selective detection by isolating specific areas for nuclear track detector exposure to the radon gas, allowing for separate measurement of radon concentrations during different times.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If a single detector location area is used in prior-art radon detectors, then the device structure remains simple, but the ability to record short-term radon gas concentration variations is lost

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveability to record short-term radon variationsVSAvoiddetector structure complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The detector is divided into multiple detector location areas (first, second, third areas) with separate shields that can be independently opened or closed. This segmentation allows different areas to be exposed to radon gas at different times, enabling the recording of short-term radon concentration variations while maintaining a relatively simple overall structure

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The shields in the detector are made movable between open and closed positions, allowing dynamic control of which detector location areas are exposed to radon gas. This dynamic capability enables time-selective detection of radon concentrations without requiring multiple separate detectors

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

2Measurement precision

If radon detectors are left in rooms for extended periods (2-3 months) as in prior art, then long-term average concentrations can be measured, but fast variations in radon concentrations cannot be recorded

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvedetection of fast radon variationsVSAvoidmeasurement time duration

Core Design Contradiction:

Measurement precisionVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The detector enables periodic exposure of different detector location areas to radon gas by sequentially opening and closing shields. This periodic action allows the detector to capture time-resolved radon concentration data over shorter periods, recording fast variations that would be averaged out in continuous long-term exposure

Inventive Principle:

Principle #19Periodic action

3Productivity

If multiple detector location areas are added to enable time-selective detection, then short-term radon variations can be recorded, but the device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvedetection efficiency for short-term variationsVSAvoidnumber of detector locations and shields

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

Multiple detector location areas share common structural elements including the base portion, cover portion, and contained gas volume. The shields serve multiple functions by controlling exposure for different detector areas while maintaining the integrity of the contained gas volume, reducing overall device complexity

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

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

Enables the detection of short-term radon gas concentration variations by allowing selective exposure of nuclear track detectors to different parts of the contained gas volume, providing more accurate and time-specific measurements of radon levels.

Implementation Method 1

The cover portion and the base portion, when being attached to each other, allow diffusion of gas between a surrounding into the contained gas volume

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectDiffusion: Diffusion

Implementation Method 2

any alpha decay from the radon gas or radon decay products is registered in the film

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectAlpha decay: Radioactive Decay

Data Source

PatentEP3314305B1Radon detector comprising multiple detector location areas

Publication Date: 2020.06.10 RADONOVA LAB AB

Figure 1A~1B
Figure 2~3
Figure 4~5

AI summary

A radon detector (1), comprises a base portion (10), a cover portion (20) and a shield arrangement (30). The cover portion attached to the base portion houses a contained gas volume (5A) and allows diffusion of gas between a surrounding (9) into the contained gas volume. The base portion has at least two detector location areas (11,12,61,62), enabling mechanical arranging of nuclear track detector means (90). The shield arrangement comprises at least one shield (37) and a shield actuator (38) arranged for moving the shield between a closed and an open position, for each of the detector location areas. Thereby, the shield in the closed position prevents a line-of-sight between the contained gas volume and the detector location area. The shield in the open position allows a line-of- sight between the contained gas volume and the detector location area. The shield actuator is controllable from outside the contained gas volume.