Air flow control in a gas fractionalization system and associated method

A method for controlling airflow in a gas fractionalization system comprising:

• providing a multi-positional valve inline with an inlet of a compressor to control a flow of air from an ambient atmosphere into the inlet;
• producing concentrated gas from pressurized gas generated by the compressor and delivering a flow of the concentrated gas to a patient;
• monitoring a parameter indicative of an amount of concentrated gas delivered to such a patient;
• and
• controlling the multi-positional valve based on the parameter indicative of the flow of concentrated gas delivered to such a patient so as to regulate the flow of air from an ambient atmosphere into the inlet of the compressor based on the parameter.

A gas fractionalization system comprising:

• compressor means, receiving a flow of air from an ambient environment, for producing a pressurized flow of such air;
• valve means, disposed at an inlet of the compressor means, for control the flow of air from an ambient atmosphere into the compressor means;
• sieve means for producing concentrated gas from the pressurized flow of air generated by the compressor means;
• means for delivering a flow of the concentrated gas from the sieve means to a patient;
• sensor means for monitoring a parameter indicative of an amount of concentrated gas delivered to such a patient;
• and
• valve control means for controlling the valve means based on the parameter indicative of the flow of concentrated gas delivered to such a patient so as to regulate the flow of air from an ambient atmosphere into the inlet of the compressor means based on the parameter.