Total delivery oxygen concentration system
AssigneeRespironics, Inc.
InventorMichael P. Czabala
Life of this patent
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Abstract
A total delivery oxygen concentration system is provided to supply concentrated oxygen to end users having a variety of oxygen capacity requirements. The system includes a first oxygen concentrating device that may be operated either singularly to produce a first flow of concentrated oxygen or in conjunction with a supplemental oxygen concentrating device. When operating in conjunction with the supplemental oxygen concentrating device, the first oxygen concentrating device serves as a source of compressed air for the supplemental oxygen concentrating device and receives a second flow of concentrated oxygen from the supplemental oxygen concentrating device to provide a combined concentrated oxygen flow to the end user.
Claims36
An oxygen concentration system for providing oxygen enriched gas to an end user comprising:
- a first oxygen concentrating device comprising:
- an air source that provides a first flow of pressurized air derived from ambient environment, the air source having a first pressurized air outlet to direct the first flow of pressurized air,
- a first primary molecular sieve operatively coupled to the air source to receive the first flow of pressurized air from the first pressurized air outlet, the first primary molecular sieve providing a first flow of oxygen enriched gas and having a first oxygen enriched gas outlet,
- a product tank operatively coupled to the first primary molecular sieve to receive the first flow of oxygen enriched gas from the first oxygen enriched gas outlet, and
- a valve operatively coupled to the product tank to regulate delivery of the oxygen enriched gas from the first product tank to an end user;
- a supplemental oxygen concentrating device having a first supplemental molecular sieve for providing a second flow of oxygen enriched gas, the first supplemental molecular sieve having a second oxygen enriched gas outlet;
- and
- a first pneumatic interface operatively coupled to the supplemental oxygen concentrating device so as to receive the second flow of oxygen enriched gas from the second oxygen enriched gas outlet and to communicate the second flow of oxygen enriched gas to the product tank.
An oxygen concentration system for providing oxygen enriched gas to an end user comprising:
- a first oxygen concentration unit comprising:
- first oxygen concentration means for providing a first flow of oxygen enriched gas;
- a first product receiving means for receiving the first flow of oxygen enriched gas;
- and
- means for regulating the flow of oxygen enriched gas from the first product receiving means to an end user;
- and
- a supplemental oxygen concentration unit comprising:
- second oxygen concentration means for providing a second flow of oxygen enriched gas;
- and
- means for directing oxygen enriched gas from the second oxygen concentrating means to the first product receiving means.
A portable oxygen concentrating device capable of operating in conjunction with a supplemental oxygen concentrating device in a total delivery system, the portable oxygen concentrating device comprising:
- an air source adapted to provide a flow of pressurized air derived from ambient environment, the air source having a first outlet for providing a first flow of pressurized air and a second outlet for providing a second flow of pressurized air;
- a first molecular sieve operatively coupled to the first outlet and adapted to receive the first flow of pressurized air from the first outlet, the first molecular sieve providing a first flow of oxygen enriched gas;
- a product tank operatively coupled to the first molecular sieve, the product tank receiving the first flow of oxygen enriched gas from the first molecular sieve;
- a first interface operatively coupled to the second outlet, the first interface directing the second flow of pressurized air from the second outlet to a supplemental oxygen concentrating device;
- a second interface operatively coupled to the product tank, the second interface being adapted to receive a second flow of oxygen enriched gas from such a supplemental oxygen concentrating device and to direct the second flow of oxygen enriched gas to the product tank;
- and
- a valve operatively coupled to the product tank, the valve regulating a flow of oxygen from the product tank to an end user.
A supplemental oxygen concentrating device capable of operating in conjunction with a first oxygen concentrating device in a total delivery system, the supplemental oxygen concentrating device comprising:
- a first molecular sieve adapted to receive a first flow of pressurized air and to provide a flow of oxygen enriched gas;
- and
- a concentrated oxygen interface operatively coupled to the first molecular sieve, the concentrated oxygen interface being adapted to direct the flow of oxygen enriched gas from the first molecular sieve to a first oxygen concentrating device.
A stationary noise reducing housing adapted to muffle noise produced by a portable oxygen concentrating device during stationary use, the noise reducing housing comprising:
- a stationary housing adapted to receive a portable oxygen concentrating device;
- and
- a sound dampener disposed within the housing, the sound dampener reducing operational noise produced by a portable oxygen concentrating device responsive to such a portable oxygen concentrating device being received within the stationary housing.
A method for providing concentrated oxygen to an end user at a range of flow rates, the method comprising the steps of:
- providing a first oxygen concentrating device capable of outputting a first flow of concentrated oxygen;
- providing a supplemental oxygen concentrating device capable of outputting a second flow of concentrated oxygen;
- interfacing the first oxygen concentrating device with the supplemental oxygen concentrating device to combine the first and the second flows of concentrated oxygen as a combined flow of concentrated oxygen;
- and
- directing the combined flow of concentrated oxygen to an end user.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.