Constant Low-Flow Air Source Control System And Method
First Claim
1. A person-support apparatus comprisingan inflatable support structure,a variable output pump in fluid communication with the inflatable support structure, wherein the variable output pump provides a flow of fluid to the inflatable support structure,a controller coupled to the variable output pump, the controller including a circuit having an output for controlling the output of the pump, a processor in electrical communication with the circuit and operable to vary an output of the circuit, a memory device including instructions, that when executed by the processor, cause the processor to control the circuit to vary the output of the pump to maintain a constant flow from the pump.
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Accused Products
Abstract
A constant low-flow air source control system and method is used to operate a pump to inflate an inflatable support structure used to support a person.
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Citations
20 Claims
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1. A person-support apparatus comprising
an inflatable support structure, a variable output pump in fluid communication with the inflatable support structure, wherein the variable output pump provides a flow of fluid to the inflatable support structure, a controller coupled to the variable output pump, the controller including a circuit having an output for controlling the output of the pump, a processor in electrical communication with the circuit and operable to vary an output of the circuit, a memory device including instructions, that when executed by the processor, cause the processor to control the circuit to vary the output of the pump to maintain a constant flow from the pump.
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9. A person support apparatus comprising
an inflatable support structure, a variable output pump including an outlet in fluid communication with the inflatable support structure, a first sensor providing a signal indicative of a pressure in the inflatable support structure, a second sensor providing a signal indicative of a pressure at an outlet of the pump, and a controller operable to compare the signal from the first sensor and the signal from the second sensor to vary the output of the pump to maintain a constant flow from the pump.
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16. A person support apparatus comprising
an inflatable support structure, a variable output pump including an outlet in fluid communication with the inflatable support structure, the variable output pump including a driver responsive to a drive signal, a first sensor providing a signal indicative of a pressure in the inflatable support structure, a second sensor providing a signal indicative of a pressure at an outlet of the pump, and a processor operable to provide the drive signal to vary an output of the variable output pump, a memory device including instructions, that when executed by the processor, cause the processor to compare the pressure signal from the first sensor and the pressure signal from the second sensor to determine a pressure gradient and vary the drive signal to maintain a constant flow from the pump.
Specification