Portable gas fractionalization system

#1. Field of the Invention

#This invention relates generally to a portable gas fractionalization system, more particularly, to a compact oxygen concentrator that is suitable for both in-home and ambulatory use so as to provide users greater ease of mobility.

#2. Description of the Related Art

#FIG. 1 is a block diagram of a portable gas fractionalization system of one preferred embodiment of the present invention;

#FIG. 2 is a perspective view of a portable gas fractionalization apparatus of another preferred embodiment, which is shown in the form of an oxygen concentrator;

#FIG. 3 is a perspective view of the apparatus of FIG. 2 as seen with the shell removed;

#FIG. 1 schematically illustrates a portable gas fractionalization system 100 of one preferred embodiment of the present invention. As shown in FIG. 1, the system 100 generally comprises an intake 102 through which ambient air is drawn into the system, a filter 104 for removing particulate from the intake air, a compressor assembly 106 for pressurizing the intake air to provide a feed gas, a pressure swing adsorption (PSA) unit 108 which receives and processes the feed gas to produce a product gas having a higher oxygen content than the ambient air, and a gas delivery system 110 for delivering the product gas to a patient.

#Ambient air is drawn through the intake 102 at a relatively low flow rate, preferably no greater than about 15 standard liters per minute (slpm), so as to reduce noise due to airflow through the system. The system 100 further includes a fan 112 that produces an air stream across the compressor assembly 106 also preferably at a relatively low flow rate so as to provide cooling for the compressor assembly 106 without generating excessive noise.

#As also shown in FIG. 1, the compressor assembly 106 includes a compressor 114 and heat exchanger 116. The compressor 114 is preferably a non-reciprocating compressor, more preferably a scroll compressor described in U.S. Pat. Nos. 5,759,020 and 5,632,612, which are hereby incorporated by reference in their entirety. It is generally understood that a scroll compressor operates by moving a plate such that it orbits in a single plane relative to a fixed plate. Thus, the use of a scroll compressor advantageously eliminates reciprocating motion that tends to generate the excessive noise and vibration associated with many conventional piston compressors. In one embodiment, the scroll compressor 114 delivers an air flow of between about 4 to 9 slpm at a pressure of about 35 psia, while generating a noise level of less than about 35 dB external to the compressor. The scroll compressor 114 does not require lubricating oil and thus operates in a substantially oil-free environment, which advantageously reduces the likelihood of introducing oil contaminants into the compressed air. As FIG. 1 further shows, the compressor 114 works in conjunction with the heat exchanger 116 to provide cooled feed gas to the PSA unit 108. In one embodiment, the heat exchanger 116 has a large thermally conductive surface that is in direct contact with the air stream produced by the fan 112 such that pressurized air traveling through the heat exchanger 116 can be cooled to a temperature close to ambient prior to being supplied to the PSA unit 108.