U.S. patent application number 15/700831 was filed with the patent office on 2019-03-14 for reducing environmental radon.
The applicant listed for this patent is INTERNATIONAL BUSINESS MACHINES CORPORATION. Invention is credited to Charles L. Arvin, Michael S. Gordon.
Application Number | 20190080809 15/700831 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 65631978 |
Filed Date | 2019-03-14 |
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United States Patent
Application |
20190080809 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Arvin; Charles L. ; et
al. |
March 14, 2019 |
REDUCING ENVIRONMENTAL RADON
Abstract
A method is presented for collecting and removing radon from a
confined area, a storage box or articles of clothing. The method
includes collecting radon from the confined area or around a
storage box via at least one collector, connecting each of a
plurality of radon adsorbers to a corresponding power supply or
power source such as a battery, capacitor, fuel cell, etc.
diverting, via a plurality of valves, the collected radon or radon
daughters through one or more of the plurality of radon adsorbers,
and receiving, via a plurality of radon storage units, radon or
radon daughters held by the plurality of radon adsorbers for a
predetermined period of time.
Inventors: |
Arvin; Charles L.;
(Poughkeepsie, NY) ; Gordon; Michael S.; (Yorktown
Heights, NY) |
|
Applicant: |
Name |
City |
State |
Country |
Type |
INTERNATIONAL BUSINESS MACHINES CORPORATION |
Armonk |
NY |
US |
|
|
Family ID: |
65631978 |
Appl. No.: |
15/700831 |
Filed: |
September 11, 2017 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
1/1 |
Current CPC
Class: |
B01D 53/0407 20130101;
B01D 2258/06 20130101; G21F 1/12 20130101; G21F 9/02 20130101; B01D
49/00 20130101; G21F 5/06 20130101; B01D 2257/11 20130101; B01D
2259/4508 20130101; G21F 3/02 20130101 |
International
Class: |
G21F 5/06 20060101
G21F005/06; G21F 1/12 20060101 G21F001/12; G21F 3/02 20060101
G21F003/02 |
Claims
1. A system or storage box for collecting and removing radon
daughters from a confined area, the system comprising: at least one
collector for collecting radon daughters from the confined area; a
plurality of radon adsorbers each connected to a corresponding
power supply; a plurality of valves for diverting the collected
radon daughters through one or more of the plurality of radon
adsorbers; and a plurality of radon storage units for receiving
radon daughters held by the plurality of radon adsorbers for a
predetermined period of time.
2. The system in claim 1, wherein the radon adsorbers are mesh
layers.
3. The system of claim 2, wherein the mesh layers are any materials
capable of carrying a charge, such as, but not limited to metals,
conductive oxides, and semiconductors.
4. The system of claim 3, wherein each of the mesh layers are
biased by the corresponding power supply.
5. The system of claim 3, wherein at least one of the mesh layers
is negatively biased to attract the collected radon daughters and
in the case of the storage container, at one additional mesh layer
surrounding top and sides of the box is positively biased to
repulse the radon daughters from the contents stored inside.
6. The system of claim 1, wherein the plurality of radon storage
units are zeolite chambers.
7. The system of claim 6, wherein the zeolite chambers include a
first zeolite chamber and a second zeolite chamber.
8. The system of claim 1, wherein the radon daughters held by the
plurality of radon adsorbers are transferred to zeolite chambers by
reversing polarity of the corresponding power supply.
9-14. (canceled)
15. A wearable article for repelling radon, the wearable article
comprising: an inner protective layer having an inner surface and
an outer surface, the inner surface configured to contact a user;
and an outer protective layer configured to contact at least a
portion of the outer surface of the inner protective layer; wherein
the outer protective layer repels radon.
16. The wearable article of claim 15, wherein the outer protective
layer is one or more materials capable of conducting current mesh
layers, such as, but not limited to metals, semiconductors, and
conductive oxides.
17. The wearable article of claim 16, wherein the one or more metal
mesh layers create a positive charge on an outer surface of the
outer protective layer.
18. The wearable article of claim 17, wherein the one or more metal
mesh layers are constructed by cladding a metal so that a core
metal pulls electrons to create the positive charge on the outer
surface of the outer protective layer.
19. The wearable article of claim 15, wherein the wearable article
is clothing.
20. The wearable article of claim 15, wherein the wearable article
is equipment or gear.
Description
BACKGROUND
Technical Field
[0001] The present invention relates generally to a system and
method for removing radon from the environment.
Description of the Related Art
[0002] Radon gas is a naturally occurring radioactive noble gas. It
has long been recognized that exposure to radon gas (and radon gas
"daughters" that occur as a result of radon gas decay) can pose a
significant health hazard. Although testing for radon gas has been
performed for many years, until recently, concern over exposure to
radon gas was primarily associated with workers in the uranium
mining industry or others whose work brought them in contact with
uranium ore. In recent years, it has been recognized that radon gas
can seep out of the ground through building foundations and can
accumulate inside buildings. When radon gas accumulates in a human
environment, it can be inhaled, thereby exposing the lungs to
radioactivity.
SUMMARY
[0003] In accordance with an embodiment, a system is provided for
collecting and removing radon from a confined area. The system
includes at least one collector for collecting radon from the
confined area, a plurality of radon adsorbers each connected to a
corresponding power supply, a plurality of valves for diverting the
collected radon through one or more of the plurality of radon
adsorbers, and a plurality of radon storage units for receiving
radon held by the plurality of radon adsorbers for a predetermined
period of time.
[0004] In accordance with an embodiment, a method is provided for
collecting and removing radon from a confined area. The method
includes collecting radon from the confined area via at least one
collector, connecting each of a plurality of radon adsorbers to a
corresponding power supply, diverting, via a plurality of valves,
the collected radon through one or more of the plurality of radon
adsorbers, and receiving, via a plurality of radon storage units,
radon held by the plurality of radon adsorbers for a predetermined
period of time.
[0005] In accordance with another embodiment, a method is provided
for collecting and removing radon from a confined area. The method
includes incorporating a plurality of radon adsorbers within a
structure of the confined area, negatively biasing the plurality of
radon adsorbers within the structure, and attracting the radon on
surfaces of the plurality of radon adsorbers.
[0006] In accordance with another embodiment, a wearable article
for repelling radon is presented. The wearable article includes an
inner protective layer having an inner surface and an outer
surface, the inner surface configured to contact a user and an
outer protective layer configured to contact at least a portion of
the outer surface of the inner protective layer. The outer
protective layer repels radon.
[0007] It should be noted that the exemplary embodiments are
described with reference to different subject-matters. In
particular, some embodiments are described with reference to method
type claims whereas other embodiments have been described with
reference to apparatus type claims. However, a person skilled in
the art will gather from the above and the following description
that, unless otherwise notified, in addition to any combination of
features belonging to one type of subject-matter, also any
combination between features relating to different subject-matters,
in particular, between features of the method type claims, and
features of the apparatus type claims, is considered as to be
described within this document.
[0008] These and other features and advantages will become apparent
from the following detailed description of illustrative embodiments
thereof, which is to be read in connection with the accompanying
drawings.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE SEVERAL VIEWS OF THE DRAWINGS
[0009] The invention will provide details in the following
description of preferred embodiments with reference to the
following figures wherein:
[0010] FIG. 1 is a filtration system for collecting and removing
radon from a confined area, in accordance with an embodiment of the
present invention;
[0011] FIG. 2 is a biased metal mesh to be used in clothing,
equipment, and gear, in accordance with another embodiment of the
present invention;
[0012] FIG. 3 is a metal mesh incorporated in concrete structures
and connected to at least one power supply for adsorbing radon, in
accordance with another embodiment of the present invention;
[0013] FIG. 4 is a metal mesh incorporated in concrete structures
and coated with a metal for adsorbing radon, in accordance with
another embodiment of the present invention; and
[0014] FIG. 5 is a block/flow diagram of an exemplary method for
collecting and removing radon from a confined area, in accordance
with an embodiment of the present invention.
[0015] Throughout the drawings, same or similar reference numerals
represent the same or similar elements.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION
[0016] Embodiments in accordance with the present invention provide
methods and devices for collecting and removing a noble gas from a
confined area. The noble gas can be, e.g., radon. Radon is a
chemical element with symbol Rn and atomic number 86. It is a
radioactive, colorless, odorless, tasteless noble gas, occurring
naturally as a decay product of radium. Radon's most long-lived
isotope, .sup.222Rn has a half-life of 3.8 days. This isotope of
radon is formed as one intermediate step in the normal radioactive
decay chain through which uranium slowly decays into a stable
isotope of lead, .sup.206Pb. Unlike all the other intermediate
elements, radon is gaseous and easily inhaled. Thus,
naturally-occurring radon is responsible for the majority of public
exposure to ionizing radiation. Radon is often the single largest
contributor to an individual's background radiation dose, and is
most variable from location to location. Despite its short
lifetime, some radon gas from natural sources can accumulate to far
higher than normal concentrations in buildings, especially in low
areas such as basements and crawl spaces due to its heavy nature.
As radon itself decays, it produces new radioactive isotopes called
radon daughters or decay products or radon progeny. Unlike gaseous
radon itself, radon daughters are solids and stick to surfaces,
such as dust particles in air. If such contaminated dust is
inhaled, these particles can stick to airways of the lung and
increase a risk of developing lung cancer.
[0017] Embodiments in accordance with the present invention provide
methods and devices for collecting and removing or sequestering
radon. If radon is sequestered for a number of days, then radon
could be converted to a solid which results in a 10,000 volume
reduction.
[0018] Embodiments in accordance with the present invention provide
methods and devices for implementing air handling filters for
collecting and removing or sequestering radon from a structure,
such as a building. A series of biased metal meshes, gas flow
collectors, and diverting valves can be used to divert gas or radon
from a building or home by electrodes where they are negatively
biased to collect the radon (Rn). This enables collection of Rn as
opposed to simply venting it to the outdoors.
[0019] Embodiments in accordance with the present invention provide
methods and devices for creating a biased mesh to be incorporated
or embedded within clothing, sports equipment, and first
responders' gear to prevent Rn from adsorbing to the surface of
such wearable articles and/or items. The majority of Radon daughter
isotopes have a positive electrical charge. Thus, devices can be
used to repel or attach the daughters based on their electrical
charge. As a result, toxic species are not adhered to outer
surfaces of clothing, equipment, and/or gear that would easily be
breathed in immediately after, e.g., a fire. The biased mesh can be
used in clothing or equipment or gear related to a number of
recreational or sports activities, as well as in compression bonds,
breathing apparatuses, where the metal mesh is positively biased to
repel Rn.
[0020] Embodiments in accordance with the present invention provide
methods and devices for implementing metal mesh in concrete
structures. For example, metal meshes can be negatively biased, to
attract the radon daughters, and can be incorporated or embedded
within concrete structures. Rn in the atmosphere or environment can
be adsorbed onto or in proximity to the metal mesh. The
polarization of the metal mesh can be maintained negatively for
weeks, months, or years at a time. The half-life of .sup.222Rn is
3.8 days. The decay products are solids. Thus, it is only necessary
to maintain the Rn long enough to allow the decay process to
convert radon gas to solid materials that can no longer cause a
threat.
[0021] Embodiments in accordance with the present invention provide
methods and devices for implementing radon detectors that are made
with biased meshes to collect and allow Rn to form a solid. After
enough time, the meshes could either be sent to a lab to test or
measured locally.
[0022] It is to be understood that the present invention will be
described in terms of a given illustrative architecture; however,
other architectures, structures, substrate materials and process
features and steps/blocks can be varied within the scope of the
present invention. It should be noted that certain features cannot
be shown in all figures for the sake of clarity. This is not
intended to be interpreted as a limitation of any particular
embodiment, or illustration, or scope of the claims.
[0023] Various illustrative embodiments of the invention are
described below. In the interest of clarity, not all features of an
actual implementation are described in this specification. It will
of course be appreciated that in the development of any such actual
embodiment, numerous implementation-specific decisions must be made
to achieve the developers' specific goals, such as compliance with
system-related and business-related constraints, which will vary
from one implementation to another. Moreover, it will be
appreciated that such a development effort might be complex and
time-consuming, but would nevertheless be a routine undertaking for
those of ordinary skill in the art having the benefit of this
invention.
[0024] FIG. 1 is a filtration system for collecting and removing
radon from a confined area, in accordance with an embodiment of the
present invention.
[0025] The filtration system 10 includes a plurality of collectors
12, 14, 16. The plurality of collectors 12, 14, 16 are configured
to collect radon, from the atmosphere or environment. The
filtration system 10 further includes a plurality of diverting
valves 20, 22, 24. The filtration system 10 also includes a first
metal mesh 40 and a second metal mesh 42. The first metal mesh 40
is connected to a first power supply 30 via cables 31 and the
second metal mesh 42 is connected to a second power supply 32 via
cables 33. The first metal mesh 40 is connected between the first
diverting valve 20 and the second diverting valve 22, whereas the
second metal mesh 42 is connected between the first diverting valve
20 and the third diverting valve 24. Radon can flow from the first
diverting valve 20, via channel 5, to the first metal mesh 40 and
radon can flow from the first diverting valve 20, via channel 7, to
the second metal mesh 42.
[0026] The filtration system 10 also includes a plurality of radon
storage units 50, 52. The storage units can be, e.g., zeolite
chambers 50, 52. The first zeolite chamber 50 is connected between
the radon collector 14 and the second diverting valve 22, whereas
the second zeolite chamber 52 is connected between the radon
collector 16 and the third diverting valve 24. The zeolite chambers
50, 52 are configured to store radon 11.
[0027] The filtration system 10 also includes a main air handler 60
through which air is output 62 without radon since the radon has
been either attracted to the first and second metal meshes 40, 42
or sequestered within the zeolite chambers 50, 52.
[0028] In operation, in a first stage, the diverting valves 20, 22,
24 are configured such that air flows through the channel 5. Thus,
the collector 12 collects air with radon and supplies it to the
first metal mesh 40 via channel 5. The first metal mesh 40 is
biased via the first power supply 30. For example, the first metal
mesh 40 is negatively biased in order to collect or attract any
radon daughters detected within the air collected by the collector
12. The remainder of the air flows to the main air handler 60 and
is output 62.
[0029] In operation, in a second stage, the diverting valves 20,
22, 24 are configured such that air flows through channel 7. Thus,
the collector 12 collects air with radon and supplies it to the
second metal mesh 42 via channel 7. The second metal mesh 42 is
biased via the second power supply 32. For example, the second
metal mesh 42 is negatively biased in order to collect or attract
any radon daughters detected within the air collected by the
collector 12. The remainder of the air flows to the main air
handler 60 and is output 62. In the meantime, the first power
supply 30 is reverse biased (to be regenerated). For example, the
first power supply 30 is positively biased such that the collected
radon daughters is now repelled from the first metal mesh 40. The
collector 14 causes the repelled radon daughters to travel to the
first zeolite chamber 50 where it is stored. The radon daughters 11
travel to the first zeolite chamber 50 via channel 15. The radon
daughters 11 are sequestered in the first zeolite chamber 50. After
all the radon daughters 11 are repelled from the first metal mesh
40 and stored in the first zeolite chamber 50, the diverting valves
20, 22, 24 can be configured back to their original
configuration.
[0030] In operation, in a third stage, the diverting valves 20, 22,
24 are configured such that air flows back through channel 5 (and
air supply through channel 7 is cut off). Thus, the collector 12
collects air with radon and supplies it to the first metal mesh 40
via channel 5. The first metal mesh 40 is biased via the first
power supply 30. For example, the first metal mesh 40 is once again
negatively biased (switched back from the positive change in the
second stage) in order to one again collect or attract any radon
daughters detected within the air collected by the collector 12.
The remainder of the air flows to the main air handler 60 and is
output 62.
[0031] Of course, it is contemplated that the reverse is true. For
example, the first stage can involve diverting valves 20, 22, 24 to
be configured such that air flows through the channel 7. Thus, the
collector 12 collects air with radon and supplies it to the second
metal mesh 42 via channel 7. The second metal mesh 42 is biased via
the second power supply 32. For example, the second metal mesh 42
is negatively biased in order to collect or attract any radon
daughters detected within the air collected by the collector 12.
The remainder of the air flows to the main air handler 60 and is
output 62.
[0032] Thereafter, in the second stage, the diverting valves 20,
22, 24 can be configured such that air flows through channel 5.
Thus, the collector 12 collects air with radon and supplies it to
the first metal mesh 40 via channel 5. The first metal mesh 40 is
biased via the first power supply 30. For example, the first metal
mesh 40 is negatively biased in order to collect or attract any
radon detected within the air collected by the collector 12. The
remainder of the air flows to the main air handler 60 and is output
62. In the meantime, the second power supply 32 is reverse biased
(to be regenerated). For example, the second power supply 32 is
positively biased such that the collected radon daughters are now
repelled from the second metal mesh 42. The collector 16 causes the
repelled radon daughters to travel to the second zeolite chamber 52
where it is stored. The radon daughters 11 travel to the second
zeolite chamber 52 via channel 17. The radon daughters 11 are
sequestered in the second zeolite chamber 52. After all the radon
daughters 11 are repelled from the second metal mesh 42 and stored
in the second zeolite chamber 52, the diverting valves 20, 22, 24
can be configured back to their original configuration.
[0033] In one exemplary embodiment, a monitoring system or a
detecting device can be positioned at the output of the first and
second zeolite chambers 50, 52 that periodically charge another
metal mesh negatively (not shown) to monitor, e.g., alpha particle
emissions. In this way, it can be determined whether the zeolite of
the zeolite chambers 50, 52 is full and needs to be replaced.
[0034] In another exemplary embodiment, the radon daughters can be
held by the metals meshes 40, 42 or the zeolite chambers 50, 52 for
example for 30 days (approximately seven 1/2-lives). The zeolite
chambers 50, 52 can be replaced every 30 days or 60 days or 90
days, etc. One skilled in the art can contemplate a plurality of
different scenarios for replacing the zeolite chambers 50, 52. In
another exemplary embodiment, the metal meshes 40, 42 can simply be
discarded from this configuration.
[0035] FIG. 2 is a biased metal mesh to be used in clothing,
equipment, and gear, in accordance with another embodiment of the
present invention.
[0036] The metal fibers 70 can include a core 72 and a casing 74.
The core 72 can be constructed from a first metal, whereas the
casing 74 can be constructed from a second metal, where the first
and second metals are different. When two conductors are placed
together, the electrons are free to move and cause the stack to
come to a same Fermi level. This leads to one of the metals being
positively biased and the other negatively biased. Thus, by placing
the metal with a lower Fermi level in the core 72, it leads to the
metal on the outer casing 74 to become positively biased. The core
metal 72 can be, e.g., a variety of different steel or steel
alloys. The casing metal 74 can be, e.g., zinc (Zn). The thickness
of the casing 74 can be from about 5 nm to about 100 nm.
[0037] These metal fibers 70 can be combined to form a metal mesh
70'. The metal mesh 70' can be constructed as a fabric as shown in
70''. The fabric 70'' can be used in clothing or equipment or gear.
The equipment can be, e.g., recreational equipment or sports
equipment or camping equipment. The gear can be, e.g., military
gear or first responder gear. Of course, one skilled in the art can
contemplate incorporating the biased mesh into any type of
clothing, garments, articles, apparel, outfits, equipment, gear,
accessories, fixtures, appliances, machinery, tools, supplies, etc.
The biased mesh would prevent radon daughters from adsorbing to the
surface of such items by creating a positive charge via the casing
74. This is especially important if the equipment or gear is stored
for any great length of time.
[0038] FIG. 3 is a metal mesh incorporated in concrete structures
and connected to at least one power supply for adsorbing radon
daughters, in accordance with another embodiment of the present
invention.
[0039] The system 80 depicts a concrete structure 82 including a
plurality of rods or shafts 84 (or connecting members) that are
interconnected to hold and stabilize the metal mesh 86. At least
one power supply 90 can be connected to the metal mesh 86 via
cables 92. When the metal mesh 86 is negatively biased by the at
least one power supply 90, radon daughters 88 are adsorbed or
attracted to the outer surface of the concrete structure 82. The
polarization can be maintained negatively for days or weeks or
months or even years. The radon 88 can be continuously collected on
the outer surface of the concrete structure where it can become
solid after a predetermined time period. It is only necessary to
maintain the Rn long enough to allow the decay process to convert
the gas to a solid that can no longer cause a threat via
inhalation.
[0040] FIG. 4 is a metal mesh incorporated in concrete structures
and coated with a metal for adsorbing radon daughters, in
accordance with another embodiment of the present invention.
[0041] The system 100 depicts a concrete structure 82 including a
plurality of rods or shafts 84 (or connecting members) that are
interconnected to hold and stabilize the metal mesh 86. The metal
mesh 86 can be coated with a plurality of metal fibers 110, where
each metal fiber 110 includes a core 112 and a casing 114. The
metal mesh 86 can be permanently negatively biased by the metal
fibers 110 coated thereon, and thus radon daughters 88 are adsorbed
or attracted to the outer surface of the concrete structure 82. The
polarization can be maintained negatively for days or weeks or
months or even years. The radon daughters 88 can be continuously
collected on the outer surface of the concrete structure where it
can become solid after a predetermined time period. The core 112
can be constructed from a different variety of steel or steel
alloys. The casing metal 114 can be, e.g., iron-nickel (NiFe) alloy
or nickel-phosphorus (NiP) alloy. The thickness of the casing 114
can be from about 5 nm to about 100 nm.
[0042] In another exemplary embodiment, the metal meshes can be
biased by other means, such as a battery or capacitor or galvanic
couples.
[0043] FIG. 5 is a block/flow diagram of an exemplary method for
collecting and removing radon from a confined area, in accordance
with an embodiment of the present invention.
[0044] At block 202, a plurality of radon adsorbers are
incorporated or embedded within a structure of a confined area. The
structure can be, e.g., a building.
[0045] At block 204, the plurality of radon adsorbers are
negatively biased within the structure (via one or more power
supplies or by coating the plurality of radon adsorbers with a
metal having a core (first metal) and a coating (second
metal)).
[0046] At block 206, the radon detected within the confined area on
surfaces of the plurality of radon adsorbers is attracted to the
plurality of radon adsorbers.
[0047] In summary, radon (Rn) daughters adsorb to negatively biased
species, even though it is a neutral species itself. Rn converts to
a solid within 4 days (half-life of 3.8 days). In one exemplary
embodiment, surfaces of metal meshes can be modulated by, e.g., a
power supply connected thereto, to attract radon and convert it to
a solid by holding it biased for a predetermined period of time.
Alternatively, the surfaces of metal meshes can be modulated to
attract radon daughters and to concentrate it by reversing the
charge of the power supply to have the radon daughters flow into
zeolite chambers (or other metal mesh) for long-term storage. Once
all the radon daughters have been transferred to the long-term
storage units or chambers, the power supply can be reversely
connected to the metal mesh so that the metal mesh is negatively
biased to re-collect new Rn by one or more collectors. In another
exemplary embodiment, metal mesh can be incorporated or embedded
within or attached to outer surfaces of clothing or equipment or
gear such that the surface charge is positive to repel Rn. The
metal mesh can be constructed by cladding a metal so that the core
metal pulls electrons within in order to create a positive charge
on the outer surface of the mesh. In yet another exemplary
embodiment, a radon detector can be constructed such that a small
kit that is biased would allow collection of radon daughters and
its subsequent transformation to a solid. The solid could then be
detected with a detector or with a Geiger counter in the field.
[0048] It will also be understood that when an element such as a
layer, region or substrate is referred to as being "on" or "over"
another element, it can be directly on the other element or
intervening elements can also be present. In contrast, when an
element is referred to as being "directly on" or "directly over"
another element, there are no intervening elements present. It will
also be understood that when an element is referred to as being
"connected" or "coupled" to another element, it can be directly
connected or coupled to the other element or intervening elements
can be present. In contrast, when an element is referred to as
being "directly connected" or "directly coupled" to another
element, there are no intervening elements present.
[0049] The present embodiments can include a design for an
integrated circuit chip, which can be created in a graphical
computer programming language, and stored in a computer storage
medium (such as a disk, tape, physical hard drive, or virtual hard
drive such as in a storage access network).
[0050] It should also be understood that material compounds will be
described in terms of listed elements, e.g., SiGe. These compounds
include different proportions of the elements within the compound,
e.g., SiGe includes Si.sub.xGe.sub.1-x where x is less than or
equal to 1, etc. In addition, other elements can be included in the
compound and still function in accordance with the present
embodiments. The compounds with additional elements will be
referred to herein as alloys.
[0051] Reference in the specification to "one embodiment" or "an
embodiment" of the present invention, as well as other variations
thereof, means that a particular feature, structure,
characteristic, and so forth described in connection with the
embodiment is included in at least one embodiment of the present
invention. Thus, the appearances of the phrase "in one embodiment"
or "in an embodiment", as well any other variations, appearing in
various places throughout the specification are not necessarily all
referring to the same embodiment.
[0052] It is to be appreciated that the use of any of the following
"/", "and/or", and "at least one of", for example, in the cases of
"A/B", "A and/or B" and "at least one of A and B", is intended to
encompass the selection of the first listed option (A) only, or the
selection of the second listed option (B) only, or the selection of
both options (A and B). As a further example, in the cases of "A,
B, and/or C" and "at least one of A, B, and C", such phrasing is
intended to encompass the selection of the first listed option (A)
only, or the selection of the second listed option (B) only, or the
selection of the third listed option (C) only, or the selection of
the first and the second listed options (A and B) only, or the
selection of the first and third listed options (A and C) only, or
the selection of the second and third listed options (B and C)
only, or the selection of all three options (A and B and C). This
can be extended, as readily apparent by one of ordinary skill in
this and related arts, for as many items listed.
[0053] The terminology used herein is for the purpose of describing
particular embodiments only and is not intended to be limiting of
example embodiments. As used herein, the singular forms "a," "an"
and "the" are intended to include the plural forms as well, unless
the context clearly indicates otherwise. It will be further
understood that the terms "comprises," "comprising," "includes"
and/or "including," when used herein, specify the presence of
stated features, integers, steps, operations, elements and/or
components, but do not preclude the presence or addition of one or
more other features, integers, steps, operations, elements,
components and/or groups thereof.
[0054] Spatially relative terms, such as "beneath," "below,"
"lower," "above," "upper," and the like, can be used herein for
ease of description to describe one element's or feature's
relationship to another element(s) or feature(s) as illustrated in
the FIGS. It will be understood that the spatially relative terms
are intended to encompass different orientations of the device in
use or operation in addition to the orientation depicted in the
FIGS. For example, if the device in the FIGS. is turned over,
elements described as "below" or "beneath" other elements or
features would then be oriented "above" the other elements or
features. Thus, the term "below" can encompass both an orientation
of above and below. The device can be otherwise oriented (rotated
90 degrees or at other orientations), and the spatially relative
descriptors used herein can be interpreted accordingly. In
addition, it will also be understood that when a layer is referred
to as being "between" two layers, it can be the only layer between
the two layers, or one or more intervening layers can also be
present.
[0055] It will be understood that, although the terms first,
second, etc. can be used herein to describe various elements, these
elements should not be limited by these terms. These terms are only
used to distinguish one element from another element. Thus, a first
element discussed below could be termed a second element without
departing from the scope of the present concept.
[0056] Having described preferred embodiments of a system and
method for collecting and removing radon from the atmosphere, the
environment, and or one or more confined areas (which are intended
to be illustrative and not limiting), it is noted that
modifications and variations can be made by persons skilled in the
art in light of the above teachings. It is therefore to be
understood that changes may be made in the particular embodiments
described which are within the scope of the invention as outlined
by the appended claims. Having thus described aspects of the
invention, with the details and particularity required by the
patent laws, what is claimed and desired protected by Letters
Patent is set forth in the appended claims.
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