US 6,296,451 B1Granted

Process and installation for the regulation of a central unit for the production of medical vacuum

AssigneeAir Liquide Sante (International)

InventorsEmmanuel Guillet-Belaud, Robert Montausier, Didier Beauvois

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Abstract

A process and installation for the regulation of the vacuum level prevailing in a network of vacuum conduits in a hospital building comprises one or several vacuum pumps connected pneumatically to the vacuum conduits (CV); elements (C2) for determining the pressure to determine the underpressure prevailing in the vacuum conduits (CV); a pilot device (MP) controlling at least one vacuum pump, at least one line for connection to the atmosphere (L1, L2) having a first end connected pneumatically to the vacuum conduits and having a second free end; and control elements (EV1, EV2) for the flow of fluid arranged in the line for connection to the atmosphere (L1, L2) to permit controlling the passage of air in the line connecting to the atmosphere.

Claims11

Dependent claims

Process for regulating the level of underpressure prevailing in at least one portion of at least one vacuum conduit, in which said level of underpressure is susceptible of variation with time, which comprises:

(a) determining an underpressure value (VD) prevailing in at least one portion of the vacuum conduit, (b) comparing the value of underpressure (VC) determined in step (a) with a predetermined maximum value of underpressure (VDmax) wherein VDmax<105 Pa,
(c) when in step (b) VD>VDmax, causing a decrease in pressure in said vacuum conduit by pneumatic pumping by means of several vacuum pumps connected pneumatically to at least one portion of said vacuum conduit,
(d) when the value of the underpressure (VD) prevailing in at least one portion of the vacuum conduit subjected to pumping in step (c) is such that VD≦VDmini, wherein VDmini is a predetermined minimum value of underpressure wherein VDmini<VDmax<105 Pa,
(i) stopping at least one vacuum pump that has operated for a predetermined duration (dt);
and
(ii) placing at least a portion of said vacuum conduit in pneumatic communication with a source of gas having a compensation pressure (Pc) such that Pc>VDmax, while continuing to operate pneumatic pumping by means of at least one vacuum pump connected pneumatically to at least one portion of said vacuum conduit.

3 more elements

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.

Facts

Application: 09/484,274Filed 18 Jan 2000
Priority: FR 99 011642 Feb 1999
Granted: 2 Oct 2001
Term ends: Not estimatedThe source records don’t support an estimate.

Classification5 codes

G05D 16/2026
Using throttling means as controlling means: with a plurality of throttling means
F04D 19/04
Multi-stage pumps: specially adapted to the production of a high vacuum, e.g. molecular pumps
F04D 27/02
Control, e.g. regulation, of pumps, pumping installations or pumping systems specially adapted for elastic fluids: surge control
G05D
Systems for controlling or regulating non-electric variables

Family

No related US applications are recorded in the indexed filing history.

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