Pressure swing adsorption oxygen generator

• US 10,046,134 B2
• Filed: 04/24/2015
• Issued: 08/14/2018
• Est. Priority Date: 03/24/2015
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Ventec Life Systems, Inc.
• Original Assignee: Ventec Life Systems, Inc.
• Inventors: DeVries, Douglas F., Marquardt, Brian
• Primary Examiner(s): Jones, Christopher P
• Application Number:
  US14/695,708
• Publication Number:
  US 20160279372A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,208 Days
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 16/0009 with sub-atmospheric pressure, e.g. during expiration
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 16/0051 with alarm devices
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 16/0057 Pumps therefor
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 16/0063 Compressors
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 16/0069 the speed thereof being controlled by respiratory parameters, e.g. by inhalation
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 16/024 including calculation means, e.g. using a processor
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 16/0808 Condensation traps
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 16/0816 Joints or connectors
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 16/0858 Pressure sampling ports
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 16/0875 Connecting tubes
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 16/0883 Circuit type
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 16/101 using an oxygen concentrator
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 16/1055 bacterial
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 16/107 in the inspiratory path
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 16/20 Valves specially adapted to medical respiratory devices
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 16/201 Controlled valves
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 16/202 electrically actuated
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 16/207 Membrane valves with pneumatic amplification stage, i.e. having master and slave membranes
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 16/208 Non-controlled one-way valves, e.g. exhalation, check, pop-off non-rebreathing valves
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 2016/0027 pressure meter
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 2016/0036 : in the breathing tube and used in both inspiratory and expiratory phase
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 2016/0039 : in the inspiratory circuit
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 2016/1025 : the O2 concentration
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 2202/0007 : introduced into the body
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 2202/0208 : Oxygen
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 2205/0272 : Electro-active or magneto-active materials
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 2205/3334 : Measuring or controlling the flow rate
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 2205/3358 : Measuring barometric pressure, e.g. for compensation
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 2205/42 : Reducing noise
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 2205/502 : User interfaces, e.g. screens or keyboards
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 2205/52 : with memories providing a history of measured variating parameters of apparatus or patient
• CPC Class Codes: B01D 2256/12 : Oxygen
• CPC Class Codes: B01D 2257/102 : Nitrogen
• CPC Class Codes: B01D 2259/40009 : using sensors or gas analysers
• CPC Class Codes: B01D 2259/401 : using a single bed
• CPC Class Codes: B01D 2259/4533 : for medical purposes
• CPC Class Codes: B01D 53/0476 : Vacuum pressure swing adsorption
• CPC Class Codes: B01D 53/053 : with storage or buffer vessel

Abstract

A pressure swing adsorption oxygen generator to separate oxygen from air for use with a pressure source generating a high pressure and a low pressure. The pressure swing adsorption oxygen generator includes an adsorption bed having a bed of nitrogen absorbent material; and a multi-position rotary valve for controlling pressure swing adsorption of the adsorption bed, and being couplable to the pressure source for fluid communication therewith and in fluid communication with the adsorption bed. The rotary valve includes a cam having first and second rotary positions, in the first rotary position of the cam the rotary valve communicating high pressure generated by the pressure source to the adsorption bed and in the second rotary position of the cam the rotary valve communicating low pressure generated by the pressure source to the adsorption bed.

Claims

1. A pressure swing adsorption oxygen generator to separate oxygen from air, comprising:

a single pump providing both a high-pressure and a low-pressure;

an adsorption bed having a bed of nitrogen absorbent material; and

a multi-position rotary valve for controlling pressure swing adsorption of the adsorption bed, and being coupled to the single pump for fluid communication therewith and in fluid communication with the adsorption bed, the rotary valve including a cam having first and second rotary positions, in the first rotary position of the cam the rotary valve communicating high pressure generated by the single pump to the adsorption bed and in the second rotary position of the cam the rotary valve communicating low pressure generated by the single pump to the adsorption bed.

2. A pressure swing adsorption oxygen generator to separate oxygen from air for use with a pressure source generating a high pressure and a low pressure, comprising:

an adsorption bed having a bed of nitrogen absorbent material; and

a multi-position rotary valve for controlling pressure swing adsorption of the adsorption bed, and being couplable to the pressure source for fluid communication therewith and in fluid communication with the adsorption bed, the rotary valve including a cam having a first and second rotary positions, in the first rotary position of the cam the rotary valve communicating high pressure generated by the pressure source to the adsorption bed and in the second rotary position of the cam to rotary valve communicating low pressure generated by the pressure source to the adsorption bed;

an oxygen storage unit connected to the adsorption bed;

a first regulator which upon a sensed first condition when the cam is in the first rotary position permits oxygen generated within the adsorption bed to pass to the oxygen storage unit; and

a second regulator which upon a sense second condition when the cam is in the second rotary position permits a portion of the oxygen in the oxygen storage unit to enter the adsorption bed to assist in purging nitrogen from the adsorption bed.

3. A pressure swing adsorption oxygen generator to separate oxygen from air for use with a pressure source generating a high pressure and a low pressure, comprising:

an adsorption bed having a bed of nitrogen absorbent material; and

a multi-position rotary valve for controlling pressure swing adsorption of the adsorption bed, and being couplable to the pressure source for fluid communication therewith and in fluid communication with the adsorption bed, the rotary valve including a cam having a first and second rotary positions, in the first rotary position of the cam the rotary valve communicating high pressure generated by the pressure source to the adsorption bed and in the second rotary position of the cam to rotary valve communicating low pressure generated by the pressure source to the adsorption bed;

an oxygen storage unit;

a first pressure regulator connected to the adsorption bed and to the oxygen storage unit, and in response to pressure in the adsorption bed rising to a preselected first pressure, the first pressure regulator regulating the pressure in the adsorption bed to the preselected first pressure and permitting oxygen generated within the adsorption bed to pass through the first pressure regulator to the oxygen storage unit; and

a second pressure regulator connected to the adsorption bed and to the oxygen storage unit, and in response to pressure in the adsorption bed falling to a preselected second pressure that is lower than the preselected first pressure, the pressure regulator regulating the pressure in the adsorption bed to the preselected second pressure and permitting stored oxygen within the oxygen storage unit to pass through the second pressure regulator to the adsorption bed.

4. The pressure swing adsorption oxygen generator of claim 3, wherein the first pressure regulator prevents fluid communication through the first pressure regulator between the adsorption bed and the oxygen storage unit when the pressure in the adsorption bed is below the preselected first pressure, and the second pressure regulator prevents fluid communication through the second pressure regulator between the oxygen storage unit and the adsorption bed when the pressure in the adsorption bed is above the preselected second pressure.

5. A pressure swing adsorption oxygen generator to separate oxygen from air, comprising:

a single pump providing a high pressure and a low pressure;

an adsorption bed having a bed of nitrogen absorbent material; and

a multi-position rotary valve for controlling pressure swing adsorption of the adsorption bed, and being in fluid communication with the single pump and the adsorption bed, the rotary valve including a cam having first and second rotary positions, in the first rotary position of the cam the rotary valve communicating high pressure generated by the single pump to the adsorption bed and in the second rotary position of the cam the rotary valve communicating low pressure generated by the single pump to the adsorption bed.

6. The pressure swing adsorption oxygen generator of claim 5, wherein the single pump is a compressor, and the high pressure generated is a positive pressure and the low pressure generated is a negative pressure.

7. A pressure swing adsorption oxygen generator to separate oxygen from air, comprising:

a single pump providing both a high-pressure and a low-pressure;

an adsorption bed having a bed of nitrogen absorbent material; and

a multi-position rotary valve for controlling pressure swing adsorption of the adsorption bed, and being coupled to the single pump for fluid communication therewith and in fluid communication with the adsorption bed, the rotary valve having;

a cam having at least first and second rotary positions;

a rotary actuator configured to rotate the cam; and

a plurality of valves operative in response to the rotary position of the cam, in the first rotary position of the cam at least one of the valves communicating high pressure generated by the single pump to the adsorption bed and in the second rotary position of the cam at least one of the valves communicating low pressure generated by the single pump to the adsorption bed.

11. The pressure swing adsorption oxygen generator of claim 7, wherein each of the valves includes:

a poppet member;

a seat having a seat aperture; and

a pushrod member having a cam follower abutting the cam for movement of the pushrod in response to rotation of the cam between the first and second rotary positions of the cam, the poppet member being coupled to the pushrod member for movement therewith to move the poppet member into and out of seated arrangement with the seat to close and open the seat aperture in response to rotation of the cam.

12. The pressure swing adsorption oxygen generator of claim 11, wherein each of the valves further includes a housing with an end opening toward the cam, the poppet member and seat being positioned in the housing with the pushrod extending through the housing end opening, and further includes a flexible diaphragm positioned between the seat and the cam and having an opening through which the pushrod extends, the diaphragm closing the housing end opening, and having a peripheral portion coupled to the housing and a central portion coupled to the pushrod for movement therewith, the diaphragm having an effective area and the poppet valve having a closure area closing the seat aperture, the effective area of the diaphragm and the closure area of the poppet valve being sized to offset the force on the pushrod resulting from the pressure within the chamber between the seat and the diaphragm when the poppet valve is in seated arrangement with the seat, thereby reducing the force on the cam follower of the pushrod member.

8. A pressure swing adsorption oxygen generator to separate oxygen from air for use with a pressure source generating a high pressure and a low pressure, comprising:

an adsorption bed having a bed of nitrogen absorbent material; and

a multi-position rotary valve for controlling pressure swing adsorption of the adsorption bed, and being couplable to the pressure source for fluid communication therewith and in fluid communication with the adsorption bed, the rotary valve having;

a cam having at least first and second rotary positions;

a rotary actuator configured to rotate the cam; and

a plurality of valves operative in response to the rotary position of the cam, in the first rotary position of the cam at least one of the valves communicating high pressure generated by the pressure source to the adsorption bed and in the second rotary position of the cam at least one of the valves communicating low pressure generated by the pressure source to the adsorption bed;

wherein the pressure source is a compressor with the high pressure being at an output port and the low pressure being at an input port, wherein the plurality of valves includes first, second, third and fourth valves, each having a first port and a second port which are in fluid communication with each other in a first state and out of fluid communication with each other in a second state, and selectively movable between the first and second states,

the first port of the first valve being in fluid communication with the compressor output port and the second port of the first valve being in fluid communication with atmosphere,

the first port of the second valve being in fluid communication with the adsorption bed and the second port of the second valve being in fluid communication with the compressor output port,

the first port of the third valve being in fluid communication with the adsorption bed and the second port of the third valve being in fluid communication with the compressor input port,

the first port of the fourth valve being in fluid communication with the compressor input port and the second port of the fourth valve being in fluid communication with a supply of air from which oxygen is to be separated,

the first, second, third and fourth valves being moved between the first and second states in a repeated sequence in response to rotation of the cam, wherein when the cam is in the first rotary position the second and fourth valves are in the first state and the first and third valves are in the second state, and when the cam is in the second rotary position the first and third valves are in the first state and the second and fourth valves are in the second state.

9. The pressure swing adsorption oxygen generator of claim 8, wherein the first and third valves are moved by the cam between the first and second states in unison, and the second and fourth valves are moved by the cam between the first and second states in unison.

10. The pressure swing adsorption oxygen generator of claim 8, wherein the cam has first and second cam lobes, and further has third and fourth rotary positions, wherein when the cam is moved to the first rotary position the first cam lobe moves the fourth valve to the first state and the second cam lobe moves the second valve to the first state, and the first and third valves are in the second state, when the cam is moved to the second rotary position the first cam lobe moves the first valve to the first state and the second cam lobe moves the third valves to the first state, and the second and fourth valves are in the second state, when the cam is moved to the third rotary position the first cam lobe moves the second valve to the first state and the second cam lobe moves the fourth valve to the first state, and the first and third valves are in the second state, and when the cam is moved to the fourth rotary position the first cam lobe moves the third valve to the first state and the second cam lobe moves the first valves to the first state, and the second and fourth valves are in the second state.

13. A pressure swing adsorption oxygen generator to separate oxygen from air, comprising:

a compressor having an input port and an output port;

an adsorption bed having a bed of nitrogen absorbent material; and

a multi-position rotary valve for controlling pressure swing adsorption of the adsorption bed, and being in fluid communication with the compressor and the adsorption bed, the rotary valve having;

a cam;

a rotary actuator configured to rotate the cam; and

first, second, third and fourth valves, each having a first port and a second port which are in fluid communication with each other in a first state and out of fluid communication with each other in a second state, and selectively movable between the first and second states in response to the rotary position of the cam,

the first port of the first valve being in fluid communication with the compressor output port and the second port of the first valve being in fluid communication with atmosphere,

the first port of the second valve being in fluid communication with the adsorption bed and the second port of the second valve being in fluid communication with the compressor output port,

the first port of the third valve being in fluid communication with the adsorption bed and the second port of the third valve being in fluid communication with the compressor input port,

the first port of the fourth valve being in fluid communication with the compressor input port and the second port of the fourth valve being in fluid communication with a supply of air from which oxygen is to be separated in the adsorption bed,

the first, second, third and fourth valves being moved between the first and second states in a repeated sequence in response to rotation of the cam, wherein during a first period the second and fourth valves are in the first state and the first and third valves are in the second state, whereby air at high pressure is communicated to the adsorption bed to separate nitrogen from the air and generate oxygen, and during a second period occurring after the first period the first and third valves are in the first state and the second and fourth valves are in the second state, whereby nitrogen is purged from the adsorption bed.

14. The pressure swing adsorption oxygen generator of claim 13, further including:

an oxygen storage unit connected to the adsorption bed;

a first regulator which upon a sensed first condition during the first period permits the generated oxygen within the adsorption bed to pass to the oxygen storage unit; and

a second regulator which upon a sense second condition during the second period permits a portion of the oxygen in the oxygen storage unit to enter the adsorption bed to assist in purging the nitrogen from the adsorption bed.

15. The pressure swing adsorption oxygen generator of claim 13, further including:

an oxygen storage unit;

a first pressure regulator connected to the adsorption bed and to the oxygen storage unit, and in response to pressure in the adsorption bed rising to a preselected first pressure, the first pressure regulator regulating the pressure in the adsorption bed to the preselected first pressure and permitting the generated oxygen within the adsorption bed to pass through the first pressure regulator to the oxygen storage unit; and

a second pressure regulator connected to the adsorption bed and to the oxygen storage unit, and in response to pressure in the adsorption bed falling to a preselected second pressure that is lower than the preselected first pressure, the pressure regulator regulating the pressure in the adsorption bed to the preselected second pressure and permitting stored oxygen within the oxygen storage unit to pass through the second pressure regulator to the adsorption bed.

16. The pressure swing adsorption oxygen generator of claim 15, wherein the first pressure regulator prevents fluid communication through the first pressure regulator between the adsorption bed and the oxygen storage unit when the pressure in the adsorption bed is below the preselected first pressure, and the second pressure regulator prevents fluid communication through the second pressure regulator between the oxygen storage unit and the adsorption bed when the pressure in the adsorption bed is above the preselected second pressure.

17. The pressure swing adsorption oxygen generator of claim 13, wherein during a third period occurring after the second period the second and fourth valves are in the first state and the first and third valves are in the second state, whereby air at high pressure is communicated to the adsorption bed to separate nitrogen from the air and generate oxygen, and during a fourth period occurring after the third period the first and third valves are in the first state and the second and fourth valves are in the second state, whereby nitrogen is purged from the adsorption bed.

18. The pressure swing adsorption oxygen generator of claim 13, wherein the first and third valves are positioned opposite each other on opposing sides of the cam, and the second and fourth valves are positioned opposite each other on opposing sides of the cam.

19. The pressure swing adsorption oxygen generator of claim 18, wherein the cam has first and second cam lobes, and wherein during the first period the first cam lobe moves the fourth valve to the first state and the second cam lobe moves the second valve to the first state, and the first and third valves are in the second state, during the second period the first cam lobe moves the first valve to the first state and the second cam lobe moves the third valves to the first state, and the second and fourth valves are in the second state, during the third period the first cam lobe moves the second valve to the first state and the second cam lobe moves the fourth valve to the first state, and the first and third valves are in the second state, and during the fourth period the first cam lobe moves the third valve to the first state and the second cam lobe moves the first valves to the first state, and the second and fourth valves are in the second state.