Systems and Methods for Concentrating Gas

Patent metadata

Field	Value
Publication number	US-2022016566-A1
Application number	US-202117376202-A
Country	US
Kind code	A1
Filing date	Jul 15, 2021
Priority date	Jul 16, 2020
Publication date	Jan 20, 2022
Grant date	—

Abstract

Systems and methods are provided that obtain the same or better level of performance by using lower operating flow rates, pressures and/or optimized flow distributions within the system. This extends the life of system components and lower energy consumption. In one embodiment, gas separation (or sieve) beds that are used to separate gaseous components are provided that have lower flow and pressure requirements compared to conventional beds. The sieve beds include, for example, a diffuser having low solid area in cross-section and maximum open area for flow while providing adequate mechanical properties to contain sieve material and support filter media. In another embodiment, systems and methods are provided having an indicator when a component has been serviced or repaired. This provides an indication whether the component has been tampered with in any manner. This allows the manufacturer to determine if the component was serviced, repaired, or tampered with outside the manufacturer's domain.

First claim

What is claimed:

1 . An input interface for a sieve bed comprising:
a body having:
at least one gas feed port;
a chamber receiving gas from the port; and
at least one flow modifying structure extending from a chamber wall into the chamber, the flow modifying structure positioned appositional to the gas feed port.

2 . The interface of claim 1 , wherein the at least one flow modifying structure comprises a baffle.

3 . The interface of claim 1 , wherein the at least one flow modifying structure comprises a rib.

4 . The interface of claim 1 , wherein the at least one flow modifying structure comprises a gap.

5 . The interface of claim 1 , wherein the at least one flow modifying structure comprises first and second baffles and a gap therebetween.

6 . The interface of claim 1 , wherein the at least one flow modifying structure comprises first and second rows of baffles.

7 . The interface of claim 1 , wherein the at least one flow modifying structure comprises first, second and third rows of baffles.

8 . The interface of claim 1 , wherein the at least one flow modifying structure comprises first and second rows of baffles and gaps between the baffles of each row.

9 . The interface of claim 1 , wherein the at least one flow modifying structure comprises first baffles and second baffles and wherein the second baffles have curved bodies.

10 . The interface of claim 1 , wherein the at least one flow modifying structure comprises first baffles and second baffles and wherein the first and second baffles have substantially planar bodies.

11 . A sieve bed comprising:
a vessel for housing a separation media and having a vessel wall; a cap having a body including:
at least one gas feed port;
a chamber receiving gas from the port; and
at least one flow modifying structure extending from a chamber wall into the chamber, the flow modifying structure positioned appositional to the gas feed port.

12 . The interface of claim 11 , wherein the at least one flow modifying structure comprises a baffle.

13 . The interface of claim 11 , wherein the at least one flow modifying structure comprises a rib.

14 . The interface of claim 11 , wherein the at least one flow modifying structure comprises a gap.

15 . The interface of claim 11 , wherein the at least one flow modifying structure comprises first and second baffles and a gap therebetween.

16 . The interface of claim 11 , wherein the at least one flow modifying structure comprises first and second rows of baffles.

17 . The interface of claim 11 , wherein the at least one flow modifying structure comprises first, second and third rows of baffles.

18 . The interface of claim 11 , wherein the at least one flow modifying structure comprises first and second rows of baffles and gaps between the baffles of each row.

19 . The interface of claim 11 , wherein the at least one flow modifying structure comprises first baffles and second baffles and wherein the second baffles have curved bodies.

20 . An oxygen concentrator comprising:
a pressure source; at least one sieve bed having:
a vessel for housing a separation media and having a vessel wall;
a cap having a body including:
at least one gas feed port;
a chamber receiving gas from the port; and
at least one flow modifying structure extending from a chamber wall into the chamber, the flow modifying structure positioned appositional to the gas feed port;

a plurality of valves; and a patient output.

Assignees

• Invacare Corp

Inventors

• Monaghan Matthew E
• Patil Pankaj
• Null William A

Classifications

• B01D53/0446 Primary

  Means for feeding or distributing gases · CPC title

• B01D53/0407

  Constructional details of adsorbing systems · CPC title

• B01D71/0281

  Zeolites · CPC title

• B01D39/06

  Inorganic material, e.g. asbestos fibres, glass beads or fibres · CPC title

• A61M16/101

  using an oxygen concentrator · CPC title