Systems and methods for concentrating gas

Inventors

Monaghan, Matthew E. • Patil, Pankaj • Null, William A.

Assignees

Ventec Life Systems Inc

Abstract

Systems and methods are provided that obtain the same or better level of performance by using lower operating flow rates, pressures and/or optimized flow distributions within the system. This extends the life of system components and lower energy consumption. In one embodiment, gas separation (or sieve) beds that are used to separate gaseous components are provided that have lower flow and pressure requirements compared to conventional beds. The sieve beds include, for example, a diffuser having low solid area in cross-section and maximum open area for flow while providing adequate mechanical properties to contain sieve material and support filter media. In another embodiment, systems and methods are provided having an indicator when a component has been serviced or repaired. This provides an indication whether the component has been tampered with in any manner. This allows the manufacturer to determine if the component was serviced, repaired, or tampered with outside the manufacturer's domain.

Core Innovation

The invention relates to a system for a sieve bed used in gas concentrating systems such as an oxygen concentrator employing pressure swing adsorption (PSA). A body having at least one gas input defines a chamber that receives gas from the input, and a domed chamber wall extends into the chamber by at least one flow modifying structure. The flow modifying structure disperses gas over an area prior to the gas entering sieve bed material or separation media.

The problem addressed is that peak gas velocity entering the sieve bed can contribute to wear, dusting, fluidization, pressure loss, energy consumption, and noise, and can reduce sieve material longevity. By configuring diffuser structures that extend from a domed chamber wall into the chamber to disperse gas over a dispersed area, the system aims to lower peak gas velocity and reduce adverse effects while improving sieve bed longevity.

The disclosed approach further includes cap and vessel anti-tamper and servicing indicators that provide visual damage upon unauthorized opening or cap removal. In addition, flow modifying structures adjacent to the sieve face include internal flow-modifying structures such as baffles, ribs, and related geometries intended to create more uniform gas flow distribution, targeting a substantially uniform distribution over a large portion of the area near the sieve face.

Claims Coverage

The document provides three independent claims for a sieve bed system, a sieve bed, and an oxygen concentrator, centered on dispersing gas in a chamber using flow modifying structures extending from a domed chamber wall into the chamber. Across the claims, the core inventive theme is a domed chamber wall with flow modifying structures that disperse gas over an area prior to entering sieve bed material or separation media.

Overall claim coverage focuses on sieve bed gas introduction where flow modifying structures extending from a domed chamber wall disperse gas over an area prior to entry into sieve bed material or separation media.

Stated Advantages

Documented Applications