FLOW GENERATOR

• US 20150023782A1
• Filed: 12/20/2012
• Published: 01/22/2015
• Est. Priority Date: 03/06/2012
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Resmed Motor Technologies Inc. (ResMed Incorporated)
• Original Assignee: Resmed Motor Technologies Inc. (ResMed Incorporated)
• Inventors: Velzy, Allan Freas, Mebasser, Samuel Aziz, Vinokur, Roman, McCulloh, Kevin Gene, Iwahashi, Karl Yutaka, Sears, David Brent, Thomas, Peter Jeffrey, Hsia, Yeu-chuan, Suzuki, Hiroshi, Bednar, Michael David, Chao, Benjamin An Shing
• Granted Patent: US 10,092,716 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 415/119
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 16/0066 Blowers or centrifugal pumps
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 16/0069 the speed thereof being controlled by respiratory parameters, e.g. by inhalation
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 16/0666 Nasal cannulas or tubing devices for improving normal breathing through the nose A61F5/08; nose filters A62B23/06; outside holding devices A61M25/02
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 16/0683 Holding devices therefor
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 16/0875 Connecting tubes
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 16/107 in the inspiratory path
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 2205/21 insensitive to tilting or inclination, e.g. spill-over prevention
• 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 2205/75 with filters
• CPC Class Codes: F04D 29/403 especially adapted for elastic fluid pumps
• CPC Class Codes: F04D 29/667 by influencing the flow pattern, e.g. suppression of turbulence
• CPC Class Codes: F04D 29/701 especially adapted for elastic fluid pumps

Abstract

A flow generator includes a housing, a blower structured to generate a flow of pressurized breathable air, and a suspension device to support the blower within the housing and provide a pressure seal between low and high pressure sides of the blower. The suspension device includes a bellows-like portion provided along the perimeter of the blower to absorb shock applied at least radially to the blower and one or more cones provided along upper and/or lower sides of the blower to absorb shock applied at least axially to the blower.

Claims

1. A flow generator, comprising:

a housing;

a blower structured to generate a flow of pressurized breathable air to be provided to an air flow path; and

a suspension device to support the blower within the housing and provide a pressure seal between low and high pressure sides of the blower,

wherein the suspension device includes a bellows-like portion provided along a perimeter of the blower to absorb shock applied at least radially to the blower and one or more cones provided along upper and/or lower sides of the blower to absorb shock applied at least axially to the blower.

2. A flow generator according to claim 1, wherein the suspension device is constructed of an elastomeric material.

3. A flow generator according to claim 1, wherein the suspension device includes an overall exterior shape that substantially matches the shape of the blower.

4. A flow generator according to claim 3, wherein the suspension device includes a generally cylindrical shape.

5. A flow generator according to claim 1, wherein the suspension device includes opposing walls that support the blower therebetween and an annular support member extending from the walls.

6. A flow generator according to claim 5, wherein the support member includes the bellows-like portion and an end portion supported by the housing.

7. A flow generator according to claim 5, wherein each wall includes the one or more cones.

8. A flow generator according to claim 1, wherein the cones are arranged concentrically.

9. A flow generator according to claim 1, wherein the housing includes a blower chamber to retain the blower and suspension device within the housing.

10. A flow generator according to claim 9, wherein the blower chamber includes at least one opening to allow air to enter the blower on the low pressure side thereof and at least one aperture to allow air to exit the blower chamber on the high pressure side thereof.

11. A flow generator according claim 1, wherein the housing is structured to receive and support a PCB outside the air flow path.

12. A flow generator according to claim 1, wherein the housing includes an air flow inlet and air flow outlet provided on opposite sides thereof.

13. A flow generator according to claim 12, further comprising an air filter provided to the air flow inlet.

14. A flow generator according to claim 1, wherein the housing includes one or more wall ribs along a perimeter of its side wall.

15. A flow generator according to claim 1, further comprising a PCB to control the blower, wherein the PCB is supported within the housing and includes a power lead wire for power that extends directly from the PCB to outside the housing.

16. A flow generator according to claim 1, further comprising a PCB to control the blower, wherein the blower includes magnet wire directly connected to the PCB.

17. A flow generator according to claim 1, further comprising one or more pieces of acoustic foam along the air flow path to direct air and provide sound absorption.

18. A flow generator, comprising:

a housing including an air flow inlet and an air flow outlet; and

a blower provided to the housing and structured to generate a flow of pressurized breathable air,

wherein the housing includes an air flow path from the air flow inlet to the air flow outlet providing cross-sectional areas along its length of a sufficient size to prevent turbulent airflow.

19. A flow generator according to claim 18, wherein the cross-sectional areas are of sufficient size to provide a flow rate less than 10 m/s.

20. A flow generator according to claim 18, wherein the cross-sectional areas are of sufficient size to provide a flow rate of about 5-6 m/s.

21. A flow generator, comprising:

a housing including an air flow inlet and an air flow outlet; and

a blower provided to the housing and structured to generate a flow of pressurized breathable air,

wherein the housing includes an air flow path from the air flow inlet to the air flow outlet providing one or more reflective surfaces along its length to reduce noise.

22. A flow generator according to claim 21, wherein the housing includes one or more air flow vanes including the reflective surfaces to provide a noise barrier for the blower and/or reflect noise from the blower so as to prevent noise emitted back through the air flow inlet.

23. A flow generator according to claim 22, wherein the one or more air flow vanes are provided adjacent the inlet to direct incoming air flow from the inlet.

24-39. -39. (canceled)