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Radon gas measurement apparatus having alpha particle-detecting photovoltaic photodiode surrounded by porous pressed metal daughter filter electrically charged as PO-218 ion accelerator

  • US 5,489,780 A
  • Filed: 11/02/1994
  • Issued: 02/06/1996
  • Est. Priority Date: 11/02/1994
  • Status: Expired due to Term
First Claim
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1. A device for detecting the presence of radon in a monitored gas comprising:

  • an electrically conductive filter enclosure comprised of an electrically conductive material that is physically configured to allow radon-containing gas to pass therethrough, while preventing the entry of light and radon daughter products into an interior portion of said electrically conductive filter enclosure;

    an alpha particle detector element supported within said interior portion of said electrically conductive filter enclosure, said alpha particle detector being operative to generate electrical signals in response to the incidence thereon of alpha particles emitted from daughter products into which said radon-containing gas that has entered into said interior portion of said electrically conductive filter enclosure has decayed;

    a signal processing circuit coupled to process said electrical signals generated by said alpha particle detector element and to produce an output signal representative of the presence of radon gas; and

    wherein said electrically conductive filter enclosure is positively charged, establishing an electric field between said electrically conductive filter enclosure and said alpha particle detector element, thereby causing radon daughter products present within said electrically conductive filter enclosure to be directed upon said alpha particle detector element.

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