Flow diverter for controlling the pressure and flow rate in a CPAP device

A ventilatory assistance apparatus, comprising:

• a flow generator;
• and
• a flow diverter valve in communication with the flow generator, the flow diverter valve including a housing defining an inlet port, an outlet port and an exhaust port positioned between the inlet port and the outlet port and configured to exhaust at least one of flow from the inlet port and back flow from the outlet port, and a vane moveable between an open position and a closed position, wherein:
• the vane can selectively protrude into the flow from the inlet port and thereby variably divert the flow from the inlet port to at least one of the exhaust port and the outlet port, and the vane forms a portion of a passage leading to the outlet port when in the closed position, and
• the housing includes a housing bend that extends towards the vane into the flow from the inlet port.

A ventilatory assistance apparatus, comprising:

• a flow generator;
• and
• a flow diverter valve in communication with the flow generator, the flow diverter valve including a housing defining an inlet port, an outlet port and an exhaust port positioned between the inlet port and the outlet port and configured to exhaust at least one of flow from the inlet port and back flow from the outlet port, and a vane moveable between an open position and a closed position, wherein:
• the vane can selectively protrude into the flow from the inlet port and thereby variably divert the flow from the inlet port to at least one of the exhaust port and the outlet port, and the vane forms a portion of a passage leading to the outlet port when in the closed position, and
• the housing includes at least one of a leading housing ledge and a trailing housing ledge that defines a stop for the vane in the closed position.

A ventilatory assistance apparatus, comprising:

• a flow generator;
• and
• a flow diverter valve in communication with the flow generator, the flow diverter valve including a housing defining an inlet port, an outlet port and an exhaust port positioned between the inlet port and the outlet port and configured to exhaust at least one of flow from the inlet port and back flow from the outlet port, and a vane moveable between an open position and a closed position, wherein:
• the vane can selectively protrude into the flow from the inlet port and thereby variably divert the flow from the inlet port to at least one of the exhaust port and the outlet port, and the vane forms a portion of a passage leading to the outlet port when in the closed position, and
• the housing has smooth tangentially curved inside surfaces with a low angle of incidence to the flow from the inlet port.

A ventilatory assistance apparatus, comprising:

• a flow generator;
• a flow diverter valve in communication with the flow generator, the flow diverter valve including a housing defining an inlet port, an outlet port and an exhaust port positioned between the inlet port and the outlet port and configured to exhaust at least one of flow from the inlet port and back flow from the outlet port, and a vane moveable between an open position and a closed position, and
• a flow meter downstream of the flow diverter valve, wherein:
• the vane can selectively protrude into the flow from the inlet port and thereby variably divert the flow from the inlet port to at least one of the exhaust port and the outlet port, and the vane forms a portion of a passage leading to the outlet port when in the closed position.

A flow diverter valve, comprising:

• a housing defining an inlet port and an outlet port;
• an exhaust port positioned between the inlet and outlet ports;
• and
• a vane moveable between an open position and a closed position, wherein:
• the vane can selectively protrude into the flow from the inlet port and thereby variably divert the flow from the inlet port to at least one of the exhaust port and the outlet port,
• the vane forms a portion of a passage leading to the outlet port when in the closed position, and
• the housing includes at least one of a leading housing ledge and a trailing housing ledge that defines a stop for the vane in the closed position.

A flow diverter valve, comprising:

• a housing defining an inlet port and an outlet port;
• an exhaust port positioned between the inlet and outlet ports;
• and
• a vane moveable between an open position and a closed position, wherein:
• the vane can selectively protrude into the flow from the inlet port and thereby variably divert the flow from the inlet port to at least one of the exhaust port and the outlet port,
• the vane forms a portion of a passage leading to the outlet port when in the closed position, and
• the vane is pivotable between the open position and the closed position.

A flow diverter valve, comprising:

• a housing defining an inlet port and an outlet port;
• an exhaust port positioned between the inlet and outlet ports;
• and
• a vane moveable between an open position and a closed position, wherein:
• the vane can selectively protrude into the flow from the inlet port and thereby variably divert the flow from the inlet port to at least one of the exhaust port and the outlet port,
• the vane forms a portion of a passage leading to the outlet port when in the closed position, and
• the vane comprises a flexible material that can bend, the vane being bendable between the open position and the closed position.

A flow diverter valve, comprising:

• a housing defining an inlet port and an outlet port;
• an exhaust port positioned between the inlet and outlet ports;
• and
• a vane moveable between an open position and a closed position, wherein:
• the vane can selectively protrude into the flow from the inlet port and thereby variably divert the flow from the inlet port to at least one of the exhaust port and the outlet port,
• the vane forms a portion of a passage leading to the outlet port when in the closed position, and
• the housing includes a straight inlet port flow path from the inlet port to the outlet port directing a majority of undiverted flow from the inlet port to the outlet port.

A flow diverter valve, comprising:

• a housing defining an inlet port and an outlet port;
• an exhaust port positioned between the inlet and outlet ports;
• and
• a vane moveable between an open position and a closed position, wherein:
• the vane can selectively protrude into the flow from the inlet port and thereby variably divert the flow from the inlet port to at least one of the exhaust port and the outlet port, and
• the vane forms a portion of a passage leading to the outlet port when in the closed position, and
• the vane has a first side surface and a second side surface with a first radius of curvature and a second radius of curvature.