Nitrous oxide based oxygen supply system
AssigneePioneer Inventions, Inc.
InventorsBrian M. Frankie, Robert M. Zubrin, Scott E. Lowther
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Abstract
A self-contained system which converts nitrous oxide to a breathable gas mixture of nitrogen and oxygen. In the preferred embodiment of the present invention, a portable system is disclosed wherein liquefied nitrous oxide is converted to a breathable gas mixture of nitrogen and oxygen. The decomposition occurs over a catalyst bed which is all contained in a small reactor. The invention is useful for underwater, fire fighting and outer space applications.
Claims47
A system to provide breathing gas to a user by decomposing nitrous oxide to a breathable mixture of oxygen and nitrogen, said system comprising the following components:
- (a) a first storage tank adapted for storing liquid nitrous oxide;
- (b) a first throttling device in line with said tank, said throttling device adapted for feeding vaporized N2O in a controlled manner;
- (c) a thermal reactor in line with said throttling device, said reactor including means for creating a self sustaining decomposition of the vaporized N2O to a mixture of breathable gas of approximately one-third oxygen and two thirds nitrogen;
- (d) a second throttling device receiving said breathable gas mixture, said second device feeding the breathable gas mixture in a regulated manner to the user of said system.
A portable system to provide breathing gas to a user by decomposing nitrous oxide to a breathable mixture of oxygen and nitrogen, said system comprising the following components:
- (a) a first storage tank adapted for storing liquid nitrous oxide;
- (b) a first throttling device in line with said tank, said valve adapted for feeding vaporized N2O in a controlled manner;
- (c) a thermal catalytic reactor in line with said valve, said catalytic reactor comprising a means for heating and a catalyst, which causes a self sustaining decomposition of the vaporized N2O into a mixture of approximately one-third oxygen and two thirds nitrogen;
- said catalyst selected from the group consisting of a noble metal or transition metal, on alumina, zirconia, yttria, or a substituted crystalline zeolite support, said catalyst
- (d) a second storage tank in line with said reactor, said second storage tank for storing a small surge volume of the resultant breathable gas mixture in a pressure vessel;
- (e) a second throttling device receiving said breathable gas mixture, said valve feeding the breathable gas mixture in a regulated manner to the user of said system;
- and
- (f) a control system in communication with said retainer and said valve for insuring that minimum flow is maintained to sustain reactor temperature and which serves to increase flow to the reservoir when required.
A method for providing breathing gas in a system, said method comprising the following steps:
- (a) storing liquid nitrous oxide in a first tank having an outlet and providing a thermal reactor;
- (b) feeding nitrous oxide from the outlet of said tank in a controlled manner to the thermal reactor;
- (c) decomposing the nitrous oxide by heating said reactor to a temperature above about 150-250° C.;
- (d) continuing the decomposition of the nitrous oxide in said reactor and producing a breathable gas of approximately one-third oxygen and two-thirds nitrogen;
- and
- (e) delivering the breathable gas mixture in a regulated manner to a user.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.