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US 2004/0068801 A1Published application
Pressure equalization apparatus
AssigneeMPL, Inc.
InventorJohn W. Wilkinson
Life of this patent
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Abstract
An equalizing pressure control system for connection to at least two pressure zones of a body support. The equalizing pressure control system ensures that an object will be slowly and safely lowered to a static position in the event of a sudden failure of an external pump or a supply pressure to the at least two pressure zones.
Claims27
A body support comprising:
- a plurality of fluid cells;
- a manifold system, with an interconnected group of fluid cells;
- an equalizing pressure control system including at least one flow restrictor for controlling the fluid pressure in the manifold.
An apparatus comprising:
- at least two manifold systems, each with an interconnected set of fluid cells;
- a supply apparatus for supplying pressurized fluid to at least one interconnected set of fluid cells;
- and
- an equalizing pressure control system operatively connected with the at least two manifold systems for equalizing the fluid pressure in each fluid cell.
1 more element
An apparatus comprising:
- a first flow restrictor operatively positioned between at least two pressure zones for restricting a flow of fluid between the at least two pressure zones;
- a second flow restrictor connecting the first flow restrictor with a pressure relief valve, and wherein the second flow restrictor provides a greater flow resistance to the fluid than the first flow restrictor.
A body support comprising:
- a plurality of bladders;
- a supply apparatus for supplying a pressurized fluid to each bladder;
- an equalizing pressure control system for controlling the pressurized fluid in the plurality of bladders when the supply apparatus is removed or shut off, wherein the equalizing pressure control system equalizes the fluid pressure in each bladder to a selected pressure level.
A method comprising the steps of:
- providing a first fluid cell filled with a fluid at a first fluid pressure level;
- providing a second fluid cell filled with the fluid at a second fluid pressure level;
- equalizing the fluid pressure between the first fluid cell and the second fluid cell to a third pressure level;
- and
- adjusting the third pressure level to a fourth pressure level.
2 more elements
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.