US3674022A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Integrated system for generating oxygen and controlling carbon dioxide concentration in closed circuit breathing apparatus
Assignee: General Electric Co
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Filing: 1967-08-31
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Granted: 1972-07-04
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Expires: 1987-08-31
Abstract
Abstract A particularly effective permselective membrane gas separation device employing an immobilized liquid film, which must be retained in damp condition, is coupled with a solid polymer electrolyte fuel cell apparatus to which electrical energy and moist air are supplied. The fuel cell preferentially transports essentially pure oxygen across the solid electrolyte for ultimate, or immediate, use in a closed circuit breathing system as the make-up oxygen gas for purified exhaled air, which has been circulated over one side of the permselective liquid membrane area of the gas separation device. Moist gaseous exhaust of controlled relative humidity from the cell is used to ''''scrub'''' and dampen the opposite side of this same permselective liquid membrane area optimizing the performance and, in the case of un-encased liquid membranes, extending the useful life thereof and thereby eliminating the need for a separate humidifying device.
Inventors
- 👤 Angelo Dounoucos
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-24 19:02
CPC Classifications
B; B64; B64D; B64D10/00
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 7
Claim 1
Independent Claim
27 words
The improvement substantially as recited in claim 1 wherein the immobilized liquid film is an aqueous solution saturated with cesium bicarbonate and totally enclosed silicone rubber encasement.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
27 words
The improvement substantially as recited in claim 1 wherein the immobilized liquid film is a porous cellulose acetate membrane saturated with an aqueous solution of cesium bicarbonate.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
165 words
In a closed circuit breathing system for the distribution of oxygen to, and waste gases from, the respiratory organs of a vertebrate, wherein a closed volume from which the vertebrate inhales is connected to and is in communication with a container holding a supply of high oxygen content gas, said vertebrate exhaling in the same or a different closed volume, the closed volume which receives the exhaled breath being in communication with an enclosure defined by both impermeable wall area and permeable, non-porous wall area for the conduct of the exhaled breath thereto, said enclosure also being connected to and in communication with said container to complete the closed breathing circuit and said closed circuit being adapted to be selectively placed in communication with a source of high oxygen content gas for the replenishment of oxygen gas used in and lost from said closed circuit breathing system, the improvement comprising: a. the permeable, non-porous membrane separating the above-recited enclosure from a second enclosure contiguous therewith,
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
25 words
The improvement substantially as recited in claim 4 wherein the immobilized aqueous film is saturated with cesium bicarbonate and totally enclosed in silicone rubber encasement.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
27 words
The improvement substantially as recited in claim 4 wherein the immobilized aqueous film is a porous cellulose acetate membrane saturated with an aqueous solution of cesium bicarbonate.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
165 words
In a closed circuit breathing system for the distribution of oxygen to, and waste gases from, the respiratory organs of a vertebrate, wherein a closed volume from which the vertebrate inhales is connected to and is in communication with a container holding a supply of high oxygen content gas, said vertebrate exhaling in the same or a different closed volume, the closed volume which receives the exhaled breath being in communication with an enclosure defined by both impermeable wall area and permeable, non-porous wall area for the conduct of the exhaled breath thereto, said enclosure also being connected to and in communication with said container to complete the closed breathing circuit and said closed circuit being adapted to be selectively placed in communication with a source of high oxygen content gas for the replenishment of oxygen gas used in and lost from said closed circuit breathing system, the improvement comprising: a. the permeable, non-porous membrane separating the above-recited enclosure from a second enclosure contiguous therewith,
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
27 words
The improvement substantially as recited in claim 7 wherein the first means is an oxygen concentrator of the type employing ion exchange membrane as the electrolyte medium.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
US3403612A
Cited
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1975-07-04 | 1976-01-03 | 1976-07-04 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1979-07-04 | 1980-01-03 | 1980-07-04 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1983-07-04 | 1984-01-03 | 1984-07-04 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |