US3922149A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Oxygen air enrichment method
Assignee: Garrett Corp
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Filing: 1974-01-30
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Granted: 1975-11-25
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Expires: 1994-01-30
Abstract
Abstract Inlet air under pressure is supplied to a container having a bed of sorbent material wherein all gaseous air components are adsorbed in varying amounts by the sorbent material, with oxygen being the least adsorbed. Oxygen enriched air flowing from the container is stored and can be utilized at the same time for breathing purposes. Supply of the pressurized inlet air to the container is inversely controlled in accordance with pressure variations of the stored enriched air to limit production of enriched air to demand. Periodically the container is opened to the outside atmosphere, which is at a lower pressure than the inlet air pressure, and some of the stored enriched air is passed through the container to remove adsorbed gases from the sorbent bed and purge them to the outside atmosphere. The sorbent bed is thus cleansed of adsorbed gases and prepared to receive more inlet air under pressure from which gaseous components can be further adsorbed and inlet air enriched.
Inventors
- 👤 Joseph M Ruder
- 👤 Thomas L Iles
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-24 13:33
CPC Classifications
B; B01; B01D; B01D53/00; B01D53/02; B01D53/04; B01D53/0454; B01D2253/00; B01D2253/10; B01D2253/106; B01D2253/108; B01D2253/30; B01D2253/302; B01D2253/304; B01D2256/00; B01D2256/12; B01D2259/00; B01D2259/40; B01D2259/40003; B01D2259/40083; B01D2259/40086; B01D2259/45; B01D2259/4533; B01D2259/4566; B01D2259/4575
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 6
Claim 1
Independent Claim
74 words
AN AIR ENRICHMENT METHOD COMPRISING THE STEPS OF: SUPPLYING PRESSURIZED INLET AIR TO A CONTAINER HAVING A SORBENT BED; STORING INLET AIR ENRICHED WITH ONE OF ITS CONSTITUENT GASES FLOWING FROM THE CONTAINER; INVERSELY CONTROLLING THE STEP OF SYPPLYING PRESSURIZED INLET AIR IN ACCORDANCE WITH PRESSURE VARIATIONS OF THE STORED ENRICHED INLET AIR; AND CYCLICALLY PURGING THE SORBENT BED BY A TIMER MEANS THAT PERIODICALLY EXPOSES THE SORBENT BED TO A LOW PRESSURE ZONE.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
74 words
AN AIR ENRICHMENT METHOD COMPRISING THE STEPS OF: SUPPLYING PRESSURIZED INLET AIR TO A CONTAINER HAVING A SORBENT BED; STORING INLET AIR ENRICHED WITH ONE OF ITS CONSTITUENT GASES FLOWING FROM THE CONTAINER; INVERSELY CONTROLLING THE STEP OF SYPPLYING PRESSURIZED INLET AIR IN ACCORDANCE WITH PRESSURE VARIATIONS OF THE STORED ENRICHED INLET AIR; AND CYCLICALLY PURGING THE SORBENT BED BY A TIMER MEANS THAT PERIODICALLY EXPOSES THE SORBENT BED TO A LOW PRESSURE ZONE.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
26 words
The method of claim 1 further comprising: simultaneously conducting a portion of ennriched air from the container for use and another portion to the storage tank.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
38 words
The method of claim 1 further comprising: periodically passing some of the stored enriched inlet air through the container at a pressure lower than the pressure of the pressurized inlet air to purge the bed of adsorbed gases.
Claim 5
Independent Claim
184 words
A method of enriching air by passing air through a chamber containing material capable of adsorbing nitrogen from the air while allowing oxygen to pass through the chamber comprising the steps of: supplying air from a source at high pressure to the chamber through an inlet conduit during a first time interval; conducting air from the chamber to a low pressure zone during a second time interval; conducting enriched air through a supply conduit to a tank during a portion of the first time interval when the pressure in the chamber is substantially at its maximum valve, the supply conduit means including flow control valve means for conducting enriched air from said tank to said chamber during the portion of said second interval when the fluid pressure in said chamber is substantially at its minumum value; inversely controlling the step of supplying pressurized inlet air in accordance with pressure variations of enriched air in the tank; and shutting off flow of enriched air through said supply conduit during the intermediate portions of said first and second intervals; whereby purging of said chamber occurs periodically.
Claim 6
Independent Claim
184 words
A method of enriching air by passing air through a chamber containing material capable of adsorbing nitrogen from the air while allowing oxygen to pass through the chamber comprising the steps of: supplying air from a source at high pressure to the chamber through an inlet conduit during a first time interval; conducting air from the chamber to a low pressure zone during a second time interval; conducting enriched air through a supply conduit to a tank during a portion of the first time interval when the pressure in the chamber is substantially at its maximum valve, the supply conduit means including flow control valve means for conducting enriched air from said tank to said chamber during the portion of said second interval when the fluid pressure in said chamber is substantially at its minumum value; inversely controlling the step of supplying pressurized inlet air in accordance with pressure variations of enriched air in the tank; and shutting off flow of enriched air through said supply conduit during the intermediate portions of said first and second intervals; whereby purging of said chamber occurs periodically.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1978-11-24 | 1979-05-26 | 1979-11-25 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1982-11-24 | 1983-05-26 | 1983-11-25 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1986-11-24 | 1987-05-26 | 1987-11-25 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |