Self-contained oxygen generator

• US 20050028868A1
• Filed: 08/02/2004
• Published: 02/10/2005
• Est. Priority Date: 08/04/2003
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: L'Air Liquide SA
• Original Assignee: L'Air Liquide SA
• Inventors: Jean, Philippe, Basset, Chrystelle, Schmutz, Nicolas
• Granted Patent: US 7,195,028 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 137/487.500
• CPC Class Codes: B01D 2253/108 Zeolites
• CPC Class Codes: B01D 2256/12 Oxygen
• CPC Class Codes: B01D 2257/102 Nitrogen
• CPC Class Codes: B01D 2259/40003 Methods relating to valve switching
• CPC Class Codes: B01D 2259/402 using two beds
• CPC Class Codes: B01D 2259/4533 for medical purposes
• CPC Class Codes: B01D 2259/4541 for portable use, e.g. gas masks
• CPC Class Codes: B01D 53/053 with storage or buffer vessel
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 137/2572 One inflow supplements another
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 137/2579 Flow rate responsive
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 137/7761 Electrically actuated valve

Abstract

The self-contained oxygen generator, of the type with a PSA unit (3), includes, in the outlet line (5), a flowmeter (13) providing a signal (14) representative of the flow rate of oxygen circulating in the outlet line, the latter being connected to a leakage circuit (15) comprising a calibrated orifice (17) and a solenoid valve (16) actuated in response to a signal (18) derived from the flow rate signal (14) provided by the flowmeter and organizing a calibrated leakage at the outlet from the PSA unit in the case of too low an oxygen consumption.

Claims

1-8. -8. (cancelled).

9. An apparatus which may be used as a self-contained oxygen generator comprising:

a) a generator inlet;

b) a PSA unit, wherein said unit comprises at least one adsorber;

c) an oxygen outlet line;

d) a flowmeter, wherein said flowmeter;

1) is located in said outlet line; and

2) provides an electrical signal representative of the flow rate of oxygen passing through said outlet line; and

e) an outlet line leakage circuit comprising;

1) a solenoid valve that can be actuated in response to said signal; and

2) a calibrated restriction.

10. The apparatus of claim 9, wherein;

a) said inlet is connected to a source of pressurized air; and

b) said outlet line is connected to an airways line supply circuit of a user.

11. The apparatus of claim 9, wherein said solenoid valve and said calibrated restriction are located, with respect to each other, in series.

12. The apparatus of claim 9, wherein said flowmeter comprises a hot-wire mass flowmeter.

13. The apparatus of claim 9, further comprising a switching valve, wherein said switching valve is connected to an auxiliary source of pressurized oxygen and to said outlet line.

14. The apparatus of claim 9, wherein said adsorber comprises a lithium zeolite.

15. The apparatus of claim 14, wherein said lithium zeolite comprises an LiLSX.

16. The apparatus of claim 9, further comprising a pressure-reducing device between said inlet and said PSA unit.

17. The apparatus of claim 9, further comprising a buffer tank connected to said outlet line.

18. The apparatus of claim 17, wherein said buffer tank comprises a structural component of said generator.