US3747598A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Flow conditioner
Assignee: Individual
•
Filing: 1970-05-04
•
Granted: 1973-07-24
•
Expires: 1990-05-04
Abstract
Abstract A respiratory gas flow conditioner for providing biologically required heat and moisture to gas flows for a respiring user has high thermal efficiency and low resistance to respiratory flow. The flow conditioner comprises a cylindrically shaped, hollow, high surface area heat and moisture regenerator having a relatively large orifice at one longitudinal end. Exhaled gases having relatively high heat and moisture content pass into the orifice, expand omnidirectionally, pass uniformly through the regenerative material comprising the sides of the cylinder and give out heat and moisture thereto; inspiratory gases at relatively low humidity and temperature take up the moisture and heat retained by the regenerator and pass to the respiratory organs of the user at biologically desirable humidity and temperature levels.
Inventors
- 👤 K Cowans
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-24 02:03
CPC Classifications
A; A61; A61M; A61M16/00; A61M16/10; A61M16/1045; A62; A62B; A62B9/00; A62B9/003; B; B63; B63C; B63C11/00; B63C11/02; B63C11/18; B63C11/22; B63C11/24; A61M2202/00; A61M2202/02; A61M2202/0208; A61M2202/03
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 6
Claim 1
Independent Claim
147 words
Apparatus for adjusting the temperature and humidity levels of respiratory gas flows for a respiring user successively expelling expiratory gases and inspiring inspiratory gases, said apparatus comprising: a housing having a fluid sealing connection adapted to be connected to a user and defining an orifice for passage of said respiratory gases to and from said user; and a flow conditioner comprising at least one thermal regenerator matrix comprised of a permeable material, said matrix defining at least one cylinder having a central cavity and defining an orifice at one longitudinal end thereof and including means providing a transverse seal at the other longitudinal end thereof, said cylinder being disposed axially and internally with respect to the housing, said cylinder and said seal being spaced from said housing whereby gas is allowed to flow through said matrix along the inner walls of said housing and past said seal.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
147 words
Apparatus for adjusting the temperature and humidity levels of respiratory gas flows for a respiring user successively expelling expiratory gases and inspiring inspiratory gases, said apparatus comprising: a housing having a fluid sealing connection adapted to be connected to a user and defining an orifice for passage of said respiratory gases to and from said user; and a flow conditioner comprising at least one thermal regenerator matrix comprised of a permeable material, said matrix defining at least one cylinder having a central cavity and defining an orifice at one longitudinal end thereof and including means providing a transverse seal at the other longitudinal end thereof, said cylinder being disposed axially and internally with respect to the housing, said cylinder and said seal being spaced from said housing whereby gas is allowed to flow through said matrix along the inner walls of said housing and past said seal.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
36 words
The invention as set forth in claim 1 wherein said at least one matrix comprises a plurality of adjacently disposed layers of highly heat conductive filaments configured in a peripherally multi-fluted cylinder having a central cavity.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
53 words
The invention as set forth in claim 2 wherein said at least one matrix has a total volume of approximately 10-100 cc and wherein the thickness of said plurality of layers comprises approximately 0.040 inch, and said layers comprise copper wire screen of approximately 200 mesh, there being at least 10 layers thereof.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
41 words
The invention as set forth in claim 3 including hygroscopic means having an extended surface for moisture exchange with said gas flows, said hygroscopic means comprising an activated molecular sieve material coating upon at least one of said plurality of layers.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
100 words
The invention as set forth in claim 4 wherein said flow conditioner comprises a pair of like adjacent cylinders disposed axially with respect to the gas flows, and including an open end adjacent said orifice and a closed interior end, such that gas flows pass substantially radially through the layers thereof with respect to the central axis of each cylinder, and substantially uniformly across the entire surface area of each cylinder, and wherein in addition said hygroscopic means is substantially uniformly disposed on all said layers and comprises activated charcoal powder and means adhesively binding said powder to said layers.
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USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1976-07-23 | 1977-01-22 | 1977-07-24 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1980-07-23 | 1981-01-22 | 1981-07-24 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1984-07-23 | 1985-01-22 | 1985-07-24 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |