The present invention is directed to a much safer and less expensive way of providing portable oxygen from a gas concentrator for patients who do not want to be tied to a stationary machine or restricted by present oxygen technology. In one preferred embodiment, the present invention splits off some of the excess capacity gas flow from a gas concentrator which is then stored via liquefaction. The stored gas can then be used as a portable supply. A portion of the oxygen gas flow generated by the oxygen concentrator is channeled to a condenser which receives and liquefies the oxygen gas using cryocooler. A storage dewar is used for storing the oxygen liquefied by the condenser. Liquid is then selectively transferred to a smaller portable dewar. A controller can be used for monitoring the parameters of liquefaction, including oxygen concentration, the amount of liquid oxygen in the dewar, and for controlling the parameters of liquid oxygen generation and transfer. In one embodiment, the flow rate into the condenser is chosen to exceed the capacity of the condenser to minimize the liquefaction of argon, nitrogen and trace gases, and to purge the system.
A oxygen-production device includes a pulse-tube cryocooler for cooling air to liquefy oxygen, and a main container for obtaining and retaining liquefied oxygen. The main container has a heat regenerator, a cold head, and a pulse tube of the pulse-tube cryocooler therein. A temperature sensor measures a temperature of the liquefied oxygen, and a control device controls an output of the pulse-tube cryocooler according to the temperature measured by the temperature sensor.
A portable apparatus for domiciliary and ambulatory oxygen therapy intended for people suffering from respiratory insufficiencies and treated by administering gaseous oxygen so as to correct the gas contents in their blood, in particular the carbon dioxide and oxygen contents. The system includes an air compression device; a concentrator device allowing gaseous oxygen having a purity of 50 to 99% to be produced; an oxygen liquefaction device; an accumulation and storage device for the oxygen liquefied by the liquefaction device; a liquefied-oxygen warming and vaporizing device; and a gas transport section for conveying the oxygen warmed and vaporized by the warming/vaporizing device to a gas delivery interface connected to the upper airways of a user.
An apparatus and method for producing products using a fluid, which enables one to control the quality of the fluid from the point of production to the point of use, monitored on a microbiological, physical, and chemical basis. At least one sensor for the acquisition of purity information and a system for storing such purity information is included.
A cryogenic gas is liquefied using a refrigeration system [101] thermally coupled at an evaporator [125] to a cold end of a gas supply system [103] within a dewar [116]. The refrigerator has a minimum temperature at an evaporator [125] above the boiling point of the gas at atmospheric pressure but below the boiling point of the gas at a high pressure. Thus, the gas is compressed [128] to high pressure so it condenses when cooled by the evaporator [125]. As it expands at a flow restrictor [148], a portion evaporates and cools a fraction to the temperature of the boiling point of the gas at atmospheric pressure, producing liquefied gas. Opening a purge valve [142] sends warm gas upward through heat exchange section [146] and out through a three-way valve [138] for defrosting. To reduce clogging, the gas supply valve [138] is controlled by a gas purity sensor [158].
Apparatus for use with a medical oxygen concentrator for supplying oxygen enriched air to a patient and to a cylinder filler. The apparatus includes a flow control valve which is controlled by a control circuit to deliver doses of oxygen enriched air to a patient during at least a portion of the patient's inhalation and to deliver oxygen enriched air to a circuit for filling a portable oxygen cylinder during the remainder of the time. In the event of a failure of the control circuit, the flow control valve delivers a continuous flow of oxygen enriched air to the patient. In the event of a failure of the oxygen concentrator, oxygen enriched air stored in the oxygen cylinder may be delivered to the patient.
