Product gas concentrator and method associated therewith

US8562723B2 · kind B2 · utility

Assignee

• INVACARE CORPORATION · US

Inventors

• Thomas Sprinkle · Rocky River, US
• William J. Daniels · Kansas City, US
• Thomas A. Drobnak · North Olmsted, US
• David G. Felty · Parma, US
• Valentine A. Hodos · Cleveland, US
• Martin J. Fabian · Bay Village, US
• Samuel J. Shelnutt · North Ridgeville, US
• Jonathon Randall Olszewski · Elyria, US

Key dates

• Filing date: Apr 21, 2008
• Grant date: Oct 22, 2013
• Expiry date: Sep 30, 2029

Classification

• Technology area (CPC —): General

Abstract

Various equipment and methods associated with providing a concentrated product gas are provided. In one embodiment, the equipment includes an input device first and second sieve tanks, a variable restrictor, and a controller. In one embodiment, the method includes: a) selecting a desired output setting for the concentrated product gas from a plurality of output settings, b) separating one or more adsorbable components from a pressurized source gaseous mixture via first and second sieve tanks in alternating and opposing pressurization and purging cycles to form the concentrated product gas, and c) selectively controlling a variable restrictor based at least in part on the desired output setting to selectively provide flow between the first and second sieve tanks such that the flow for at least one output setting is different from the flow for at least one other output setting in relation to corresponding pressurization cycles.