System and Method for Concentrating Gas

Patent metadata

Field	Value
Publication number	US-2022016569-A1
Application number	US-202117376197-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 and pressures 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 . A diffuser for a gas separation system, the diffuser comprising:
a body having a height and an area wherein the area comprises solid areas and an open areas, and wherein the ratio of solid areas to open areas comprises approximately 50% or less.

2 . The diffuser of claim 1 , wherein the ratio of solid areas to open areas is approximately 0.10%.

3 . The diffuser of claim 1 , wherein the ratio of solid areas to open areas is approximately between 0.10% and 50%.

4 . The diffuser of claim 1 , wherein the ratio of solid areas to open areas is approximately 2.46%.

5 . The diffuser of claim 1 , wherein the ratio of solid areas to open areas is approximately 0.41%.

6 . The diffuser of claim 1 , wherein the ratio of solid areas to open areas is approximately 0.17%.

7 . The diffuser of claim 1 , wherein the open areas have at least one polygonal shape.

8 . The diffuser of claim 1 , wherein the open areas have at least one hexagonal shaped area.

9 . The diffuser of claim 1 , wherein the open areas have at least one circular shaped area.

10 . The diffuser of claim 1 , wherein the body has a concave profile.

11 . The diffuser of claim 1 , wherein the body has first and second concave profiles.

12 . The diffuser of claim 1 , wherein the body has a convex profile.

13 . The diffuser of claim 1 , wherein the body has first and second convex profiles.

14 . A system for providing concentrated gas comprising:
at least one sieve bed having:
a separation media for adsorbing one or more components of a mixture of gases; and
at least one diffuser having a body having a height and an area wherein the area comprises solid areas and an open areas, and
wherein the ratio of solid areas to open areas comprises approximately 50% or less.

15 . The system of claim 14 , wherein the ratio of solid areas to open areas is approximately between 0.10% and 50%.

16 . The system of claim 14 , wherein the open areas have at least one polygonal shape.

17 . The diffuser of claim 14 , wherein the open areas have at least one hexagonal shaped area.

18 . The diffuser of claim 14 , wherein the open areas have at least one circular shaped area.

19 . A method for providing a concentrated gas comprising:
directing a gaseous mixture to a diffuser having solid areas and open areas, wherein the ratio of solid to open areas is approximately 0.10% to 50%; and directing the gaseous mixture through the open areas and to a separation media that adsorbs at least component of the gaseous mixture.

20 . The method of claim 19 wherein the step of directing the gaseous mixture through open areas comprises directing the gaseous mixture through open areas having a polygonal shape.

Assignees

• Invacare Corp

Inventors

• Monaghan Matthew E
• Patil Pankaj

Classifications

• B01D53/0446

  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

• A61M2205/276

  preventing unwanted use · CPC title