Gas valve for ventilation, a circuit for a ventilation system and a method for determining a releasing gas flow
Inventors
Varga, Christopher M. • HESS, Martin Björn • VAN DER STAAY, Matthias
Assignees
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Publication Number
US-12246134-B2
Publication Date
2025-03-11
Expiration Date
Abstract
A gas valve (11) for ventilation which comprises a main body (12) having a first gas chamber (13), a second gas chamber (15) and at least an inlet duct (14) for supplying a gas to the first gas chamber (13). The gas valve (11) further comprises a proportional valve (24) for temporally sealing the first gas chamber (13) from the second gas chamber (15). The second gas chamber (15) comprises at least a second passage opening (22) for releasing the gas from the second gas chamber (15) and the second gas chamber (15) comprises a port (30) for connecting a pressure measurement apparatus for measuring the gas pressure in the second gas chamber (15). A circuit with a ventilation limb which comprises a gas valve (11) and a method for determining a releasing gas flow of a gas valve are also disclosed.
Core Innovation
The invention relates to a pressure release valve for ventilation that includes a main body with a first gas chamber and a second gas chamber. The first gas chamber and the second gas chamber are connected at least by a first passage opening, and the first gas chamber comprises an inlet duct for supplying a gas and an outlet duct for releasing the gas. A proportional valve temporally seals the first gas chamber from the second gas chamber, while the second gas chamber comprises at least a second passage opening for releasing gas from the second gas chamber.
The second gas chamber comprises a port for connecting a pressure measurement apparatus for measuring the gas pressure in the second gas chamber. The measured gas pressure in the second gas chamber is used to determine the releasing gas flow, including differential gas pressure measurement and computation. The document further describes pressure measurement stability using chamber geometry, including an intermediate gas chamber and vertically separated passage openings.
The valve construction includes dividing elements and ribs in at least one gas chamber for stabilizing pressure measurement and promoting laminar flow, and it describes specific passage-opening cross-sectional area relationships between openings. It additionally discloses configurations with an adjustment mechanism to vary effective cross-section area, releasable lids or caps for maintenance and access, and optional filtering.
Claims Coverage
The document presents one independent claim directed to a pressure release valve for ventilation that temporally seals first and second gas chambers with a proportional valve and includes a port for connecting a pressure measurement apparatus, plus several dependent claims that refine the proportional valve control and the flow/pressure-measurement structure. The main inventive coverage is a proportional chamber-sealing pressure release valve with integrated pressure-measurement connectivity for determining releasing gas flow.
Temporally sealing proportional valve with two gas chambers and passage opening connection
A main body having a first gas chamber and a second gas chamber connected at least by a first passage opening, where a proportional valve temporally seals the first gas chamber from the second gas chamber and the second gas chamber comprises at least a second passage opening for releasing the gas from the second gas chamber.
Port for connecting a pressure measurement apparatus in the second gas chamber
The second gas chamber comprises a port for connecting a pressure measurement apparatus for measuring the gas pressure in the second gas chamber.
Membrane control mechanism switching between inactive and active states
A proportional pressure release valve using a membrane, where the membrane control mechanism switches the membrane operation configuration between at least an inactive state and an active state.
Cross-sectional area ratio between first and second passage openings
The first passage opening has a smaller cross-sectional area than the second passage opening, with the area ratio between 0.3 and 0.99.
Intermediate gas chamber with first and third passage openings
The pressure release valve includes an intermediate chamber between the first and second gas chambers, where the intermediate chamber has a first passage opening and a third passage opening.
Dividing element in the second gas chamber for stabilizing pressure measurement
The second gas chamber contains at least one dividing element to stabilize pressure measurement in that chamber.
Releasing gas flow determined from measured pressure using active/inactive proportional-valve configurations
The method determines the releasing gas flow by supplying gas to a first gas chamber through inlet and outlet ducts under proportional-valve active and inactive configurations, measuring gas pressure in a second gas chamber, and determining the releasing gas flow from the measured pressure.
Overall, the claims cover a ventilation pressure release valve in which a proportional valve temporally seals a first gas chamber from a second gas chamber connected by passage openings, and the second gas chamber provides a port to connect a pressure measurement apparatus. Dependent claim refinements include membrane operation switching between inactive/active configurations, constrained passage-opening cross-sectional area ratios, an intermediate chamber, dividing elements to stabilize pressure measurement, and a method that determines releasing gas flow from measured second-chamber pressure under active and inactive proportional-valve configurations.
Stated Advantages
Stable, compact pressure measurement based on chamber geometry and dividing elements.
Laminar flow promotion via dividing elements/ribs.
Configurable variation of effective flow area via an adjustment mechanism.
Documented Applications
Integration into a ventilation circuit for patient artificial respiration, including use with a respiration mask.
Optional carbon dioxide measurement using a colorimetric carbon dioxide indicator in the ventilation context.
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