Compact oxygen concentrator

A compact PSA machine housing having a first space separated from a second space, motor and compressor means in said first space, insulation means for said first space, means to flow a stream of ambient air through said first space to carry the heat generated by said motor and compressor means out of said first space, means to connect the intake side of said compressor to process air intake means, and heat exchange means connected to the output end of said compressor and prior to operating portions of said PSA machine located in said flow of ambient air to extract at least some of the heat in the compressed process air before said air undergoes the PSA process of said machine.

A PSA machine comprising at least one adsorbent bed, a closed vessel housing each such bed, said vessel comprising a predetermined length of imperforate rectilinear cross-section pipe as its body, means to close the ends of said length of pipe, adsorbent bed material substantially completely filling said vessel, means to permit the flow of gas through said end closing means, whereby a plurality of said vessels may be arranged in closely spaced relation to each other to thereby permit said machine to be contained in a compact housing, at least one solenoid valve to control the flow of gas into and out of said vessel, a compact housing for said machine, said husing comprising first and second spaces, means to mount said at least one vessel in said first space, means to locate said at least one solenoid valve in said second space, and manifold means interconnecting said at least one solenoid valve to said at least one vessel.

A PSA machine comprising at least one adsorbent bed, a closed vessel housing each such bed, said vessel comprising a predetermined length of imperforate rectilinear cross-section pipe as its body, means to close the ends of said length of pipe, adsorbent bed material substantially completely filling said vessel, means to permit the flow of gas through said end closing means, whereby a plurality of said vessels may be arranged in closely spaced relation to each other to thereby permit said machine to be contained in a compact housing, said machine comprising a PSA oxygen concentrator, an electric motor and an air compressor supplying process air for the PSA cycle therein, an electrical control circuit for said machine to permit said motor to be connected in driving and output relation to said compressor only after said motor is at substantially full operating speed, motor speed responsive unloading means in circuit with said motor, and said unloading means comprising a portion operatively cooperative with said compressor and adapted to unload said compressor until said motor is up to substantially full operating speed and to thereafter apply compressor load to said motor.