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US 2013/0074271 A1Published application
Systems, methods, and devices for fluidizing a fluidizable medium
OwnerKristopher Klink, Frank Sauser +3inventors
InventorsKristopher Klink, Frank Sauser, Charles A. Lachenbruch, John Murphy, Irvin J. Vanderpohl
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Abstract
Systems, methods, and devices for optimizing a level of fluidization of a fluidizable medium in a fluidized person support apparatus.
Claims36
A fluidized person support structure, comprising:
- a fluidizable medium;
- a fluid supply configured to supply fluid that flows through the fluidizable medium;
- a sensor;
- and
- a controller electrically coupled to the fluid supply and the sensor and configured to calculate a desirable flow rate as a function of at least one input from the sensor as the rate at which fluid flows through the fluidizable medium is changed, the controller causing the fluid supply to supply fluid at the desirable flow rate.
2 more elements
A fluidized person support structure, comprising:
- a fluidizable medium;
- a fluid supply configured to supply fluid that flows through the fluidizable medium;
- an input device;
- and
- a controller configured to receive an input from the input device and calculate a fluidization threshold as a function of the input, the controller controlling the fluid supply as a function of the fluidization threshold.
2 more elements
A fluidized person support structure, comprising:
- a fluidizable medium;
- a fluid supply configured to supply fluid that flows through the fluidizable medium;
- a sensor configured generate a signal indicative of a level of fluidization of the fluidizable medium, a physical property of the sensor changing as the fluidizable medium is fluidized by the fluid;
- and
- a controller configured to receive an input from the sensor and control the fluid supply as a function of the input.
2 more elements
A method of fluidizing a fluidizable medium, comprising the steps of:
- identifying a fluidization threshold of the fluidizable medium;
- and
- increasing a rate at which fluid flows through the fluidizable medium as a function of the fluidization threshold.
A method of fluidizing a fluidizable medium, comprising the steps of:
- changing a rate at which fluid flows through the fluidizable medium;
- sensing a parameter indicative of a level of fluidization of the fluidizable medium;
- determining a desirable flow rate as a function of the sensed parameter;
- and
- controlling a fluid supply as a function of the desirable flow rate.
2 more elements
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.