Apparatus and method of providing concentrated product gas
AssigneeInvacare Corporation
InventorThomas Sprinkle
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
Component gas is separated from a gas mixture. Component gas flow rate, or demand, is determined. One or more gas separator operating parameters is changed based on the component gas flow rate. For example, gas flow rate can be approximated by measuring a rate of pressure decay of a product tank during a time period in which the tank is not being replenished by the separating system. When it is determined that the flow rate is relatively low, operating parameters of the separating system are changed to improve system performance with the lower demand. For example, a target product tank pressure at which sieve beds are switched can be lowered when demand is lower.
Claims23
A method of providing a breathing gas comprising:
- separating a component gas from a gas mixture;
- determining a rate of flow of the component gas, wherein this step comprises:
- measuring at least a first and a second pressure associated with the output of a component gas tank, wherein the first and second pressure measurements are made separate in time and when substantially no component gas enters the tank;
- comparing the first and second pressure measurements and correlating the first and second pressure comparison to a rate of flow of component gas;
- and
- adjusting the separation of the component gas from the gas mixture based on the rate of flow of the component gas.
A system for separating a component gas from a gas mixture comprising:
- a gas mixture compressor;
- a component gas separator that separates component gas from the gas mixture;
- a component gas tank having an output;
- a pressure sensor associated with the output of the component gas tank;
- a controller comprising logic configured to:
- measure a first and a second pressure from the pressure sensor wherein the first and second pressure measurements are measured when substantially no component gas enters the tank;
- and
- compare the first and second pressure measurements and correlate the first and second pressure comparison to a rate of flow of component gas;
- and
- wherein the component gas separator adjusts at least one operation parameter based on the rate of flow of component gas.
A method of providing a breathing gas comprising:
- separating a component gas from a gas mixture;
- determining a rate of flow of the component gas, wherein this step comprises:
- measuring at least a first and a second pressure associated with the output of a component gas tank, wherein the first and second pressure measurements are made separate in time and based on the state of a pressure equalization valve;
- comparing the first and second pressure measurements and correlating the first and second pressure comparison to a rate of flow of component gas;
- and
- adjusting the separation of the component gas from the gas mixture based on the rate of flow of the component gas.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.