Apparatus and method for forming oxygen-enriched gas and compression thereof for high-pressure mobile storage utilization

A process for filling a portable container having an oxygen-enriched gas under high pressure, comprising the steps of;

• enriching atmospheric air in an oxygen concentrator to a concentration of at least about 50 percent oxygen;
• transferring said oxygen-enriched gas to a piston compressor at an initial pressure level;
• compressing said oxygen-enriched gas admitted to said compressor to a high-pressure;
• and
• transferring said high-pressure, oxygen enriched gas to a portable container for subsequent use by a patient.

An apparatus for collecting and storing or distributing an oxygen-enriched gas, comprising;

• a first compressor for providing a source of low pressure air;
• a first storage vessel having an inlet and an outlet;
• an oxygen concentration device having an inlet which receives said low pressure air from said source and an outlet which provides a source of oxygen-enriched gas at a relatively low pressure to said first storage vessel inlet;
• a pressure control device which receives a first component of said low pressure oxygen-enriched gas and outputs said oxygen-enriched gas at a reduced set pressure for use by a patient;
• a buffer tank having an outlet and an inlet adapted to receive a second component of said oxygen-enriched gas at said low pressure from said first storage tank outlet;
• a second storage vessel having an inlet and an outlet;
• a second compressor connected to said buffer tank outlet which further compresses said oxygen-enriched gas and outputs oxygen-enriched gas at a relatively high pressure to said inlet of said second storage vessel;
• prioritizing apparatus connected between the outlet of said first storage vessel and said second compressor and which interrupts the flow of said second component of oxygen-enriched gas to said second compressor when the pressure of said second component of oxygen-enriched gas falls below a preset amount to ensure that said first component is sufficient to ensure the output of said pressure control device is at said reduced set pressure.

An apparatus for collecting and storing or distributing an oxygen-enriched gas, comprising;

• a first compressor for providing a source of low pressure air;
• a first storage vessel having an inlet and an outlet;
• an oxygen concentration device having an inlet which receives said low pressure air from said source and an outlet which provides a source of oxygen-enriched gas at a relatively low pressure to said first storage vessel inlet;
• a pressure control device which receives a first component of said low pressure oxygen-enriched gas and outputs said oxygen-enriched gas at a reduced set pressure for use by a patient;
• a buffer tank having an outlet and an inlet adapted to receive a second component of said oxygen-enriched gas at said low pressure from said first storage tank outlet;
• a second storage vessel having an inlet and an outlet;
• a second compressor connected to said buffer tank outlet which further compresses said oxygen-enriched gas and outputs oxygen-enriched gas at a relatively high pressure to said inlet of said second storage vessel;
• a valve element connected between the outlet of said first storage vessel and said second compressor;
• and
• an oxygen concentration detector operatively connected to said valve element which monitors said first component of said low pressure oxygen-enriched gas and which operates said valve element to interrupt the flow of said second component of oxygen-enriched gas to said second compressor when the concentration of said second component of oxygen-enriched gas reaches a set low limit.

An apparatus for collecting and storing or distributing an oxygen-enriched gas, comprising;

• a first compressor for providing a source of low pressure air;
• an oxygen concentration device having an inlet which receives said low pressure air from said source and an outlet which provides a source of oxygen-enriched gas at a relatively low pressure to a buffer tank;
• a pressure control device which receives a first component of said low pressure oxygen-enriched gas and outputs said oxygen-enriched gas at a reduced set pressure for use by a patient;
• said buffer tank having an outlet and an inlet adapted to receive a second component of said oxygen-enriched gas at said low pressure from said oxygen concentration device;
• a second storage vessel having an inlet and an outlet;
• a second compressor connected to said buffer tank outlet which further compresses said oxygen-enriched gas and outputs oxygen-enriched gas at a relatively high pressure to said inlet of said second storage vessel;
• prioritizing apparatus connected between said oxygen concentrator and said second compressor and which interrupts the flow of said second component of oxygen-enriched gas to said second compressor when the pressure of said second component of oxygen-enriched gas falls below a preset amount to ensure that said first component is sufficient to ensure the output of said pressure control device is at said reduced set pressure.

An apparatus for collecting and storing or distributing an oxygen-enriched gas, comprising;

• a first compressor for providing a source of low pressure air;
• an oxygen concentration device having an inlet which receives said low pressure air from said source and an outlet which provides a source of oxygen-enriched gas at a relatively low pressure to a buffer tank;
• a pressure control device which receives a first component of said low pressure oxygen-enriched gas and outputs said oxygen-enriched gas at a reduced set pressure for use by a patient;
• said buffer tank having an outlet and an inlet adapted to receive a second component of said oxygen-enriched gas at said low pressure from said oxygen concentration device;
• a second storage vessel having an inlet and an outlet;
• a second compressor connected to said buffer tank outlet which further compresses said oxygen-enriched gas and outputs oxygen-enriched gas at a relatively high pressure to said inlet of said second storage vessel;
• a valve element connected between said oxygen concentration device and said second compressor;
• and
• an oxygen concentration detector operatively connected to said valve element which monitors said first component of said low pressure oxygen-enriched gas and which operates said valve element to interrupt the flow of said second component of oxygen-enriched gas to said second compressor when the concentration of said second component of oxygen-enriched gas reaches a set low limit.