System and method for concentrating gas
Inventors
Valentine, Alex P. • Null, William A. • Monaghan, Matthew E.
Assignees
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Publication Number
US-12172121-B2
Publication Date
2024-12-24
Expiration Date
Abstract
Gas concentrating systems and methods are provided. In one embodiment, a gas concentrating system and method is provided that includes component heat management. The heat management system can include, for example, one or more air cooling paths. The air cooling paths direct cooling air into and out of component spaces having heat-generating mechanisms. In other embodiments, the heat management system can also include component spaces that are insulated against the heat of heat-generating components. By cooling heat-generating components and insulating other components from heat, reduced wear and extended component life can be achieved. This reduces component failure and costly service to repair or replace failed or worn components. Also, gas concentrating systems and methods are provided for mounting system components with or without the use fasteners and in combination with or without component heat management.
Core Innovation
A gas concentrating system includes a compressor space and provides cooling air into the compressor space through first and second spaced apart air inlets. A first air cooling path is generated for cooling an external portion of a compressor head portion through the first inlet, and a second air cooling path is generated for cooling a compressor motor portion through the second inlet. Cooling air is exhausted away from the compressor head and motor portions.
The system further generates a third air cooling path for cooling a compressor output duct portion via a third air inlet. The cooling air is exhausted away from the compressor head and motor portions, and the air cooling is routed through defined passages and openings and an exhaust space configured to remove cooling air away from the compressor head and motor portions.
The gas concentrating system is also cooled by providing an internal mounting body and an external housing, and providing passageways between the internal mounting body and external housing. An airstream is routed into first and second passageways and directed into inlets of the mounting body, including directing a portion into a first inlet and directing another portion into a second inlet. Portions of the airstream are exhausted from the mounting body, and passageway routing can include directing portions toward a compressor output duct space and isolating an output duct space from a compressor space.
Claims Coverage
The independently claimed subject matter comprises three independent methods. Across these independent claims, the inventive features focus on partitioned cooling paths and structured exhaust and outlet routing relative to a compressor head, compressor motor, and compressor output duct or duct space.
Spaced apart cooling air inlets and separate cooling paths for compressor sub-portions with exhaust away from head and motor
Providing cooling air into a compressor space through first and second spaced apart air inlets; generating a first air cooling path for cooling an external portion of a compressor head portion through the first inlet; generating a second air cooling path for cooling a compressor motor portion through the second inlet; generating a third air cooling path for cooling a compressor output duct portion via a third air inlet; and exhausting the cooling air away from the compressor head and motor portions.
Cooling airstream split into first, second, and third portions directed to head, motor, and compressor output duct space with exhaust away from head and motor
Providing a cooling airstream from at least one air intake; directing at least a first portion of the cooling airstream into at least a first inlet of a compressor space and to an external portion of a head portion of a compressor; directing at least a second portion of the cooling airstream into at least a second inlet of the compressor space and to a motor portion of the compressor; directing at least a third portion of the cooling airstream into at least a third inlet of the compressor space and to a compressor output duct space; and exhausting the first and second portions of the cooling airstream away from the head and motor portions of the compressor.
Internal mounting body and external housing passageways with airstream inlet routing and exhaust from mounting body
Providing an internal mounting body and an external housing; providing an airstream from at least one air intake and into first and second passageways between the internal mounting body and external housing; directing a portion of the airstream in the first passageway into at least a first inlet of the mounting body and into the second passageway; directing another portion of the airstream in the second passageway into at least a second inlet of the mounting body; directing portions of the airstream in the second passageway into at least a third passageway and a third inlet of the mounting body; and exhausting portions of the airstream from the mounting body.
Across the independent claims, the cooling architecture is defined by partitioning a cooling air or airstream into distinct inlets and paths or portions that are directed to a compressor head portion, a compressor motor portion, and a compressor output duct portion or duct space, while exhausting cooling air away from the compressor head and motor portions and using structured internal passageways between an internal mounting body and an external housing to route and exhaust the airstream.
Stated Advantages
Not explicitly described in patent.
Documented Applications
Not explicitly described in patent.
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