Passive pressure amplification device

A passive pressure amplification device, comprising:

• a main body having an internal chamber defined therein, the internal chamber extending along a longitudinal axis from an upstream end to a downstream end, the internal chamber being in communication with at least one environment external to the main body at the upstream end and at the downstream end;
• and
• at least one pressure stepping stage disposed within the internal chamber, the pressure stepping stage comprising:
• an upstream subchamber and a downstream subchamber, the downstream subchamber having an effective volume less than an effective volume of the upstream subchamber;
• a valve body disposed between and separating the upstream subchamber and the downstream subchamber, the valve body having a passage defined therethrough connecting the upstream subchamber and downstream subchamber;
• and
• a pressure-responsive valve element cooperating with the valve body and configured to permit gas flow from the upstream subchamber to the downstream subchamber when a pressure within the upstream subchamber exceeds a predetermined threshold.

A method of designing a passive pressure amplification device, comprising:

• determining a desired outlet pressure relative to an inlet pressure for the passive pressure amplification device;
• selecting at least one pressure stepping stage, the pressure stepping stage comprising an upstream subchamber and a downstream subchamber separated by a valve body and a pressure-responsive valve element;
• selecting a target stage pressure ratio for the pressure stepping stage or an effective volume ratio between the upstream subchamber and the downstream subchamber;
• determining an effective upstream subchamber volume and an effective downstream subchamber volume such that the downstream subchamber volume is less than the upstream subchamber volume;
• configuring the valve body and the pressure-responsive valve element such that gas is transferred from the upstream subchamber to the downstream subchamber only when pressure within the upstream subchamber exceeds a predetermined threshold.