US4038980A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Air humidifiers
Assignee: Individual
•
Filing: 1974-11-08
•
Granted: 1977-08-02
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Expires: 1994-11-08
Abstract
Abstract An air humidifier for a surgical breathing machine has an evaporating chamber containing a temperature regulated low thermal mass heater. A water drip feed unit drips water onto a sheath of porous material of the heater at a predetermined rate. The water is substantially completely and instantaneously evaporated in the manner of a flash boiler to create an air temperature and relative humidity within predetermined limits. The heater temperature and water supply rate have manual adjustment means coupled together so that the predetermined limits are not exceeded. The evaporating chamber is tubular and of similar cross section to interconnecting conduits so as not unduly to interfere with pressure waves from the breathing machine.
Inventors
- 👤 Imre Fodor
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-23 23:30
CPC Classifications
A; A61; A61M; A61M16/00; A61M16/10; A61M16/1075; A61M16/109; A61M16/14; A61M16/16; A61M16/161; A61M16/162; A61M16/105; A61M16/1055; A61M16/106; A61M16/107; A61M16/164; A61M16/165
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 12
Claim 1
Independent Claim
241 words
A surgical breathing machine incorporation an air humidifier, said machine including an air flow generator and conduit means connecting said generator to said humidifier, said humidifier comprising a body member defining an air heating and water evaporating chamber, an air inlet to said chamber an and an air outlet from said chamber provided in said body member, said air inlet being in communication with said conduit means, a heater disposed in said chamber, means for adjusting the temperature of the heater, a source of water, water inlet means in said body member for directing a supply of water from said source into said chamber and towards said heater, a member of porous material disposed adjacent said heater, whereby to intercept said water supply and bring water into a heat exchange relationship with said heater, means for adjusting the rate of supply of water from said water source to said water inlet means, and coupling means coupling said temperature adjusting means to said water supply rate adjusting means so that one adjusting means is varied when the other adjusting means is varied, whereby in operation regulation of the heater temperature and water supply rate can be obtained to cause substantially complete and instantaneous evaporation of the water by the heater in the manner of a flash boiler, the vaporized water passing into the air flowing through and heated within the chamber to create an air temperature and relative humidity within predetermined limits.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
241 words
A surgical breathing machine incorporation an air humidifier, said machine including an air flow generator and conduit means connecting said generator to said humidifier, said humidifier comprising a body member defining an air heating and water evaporating chamber, an air inlet to said chamber an and an air outlet from said chamber provided in said body member, said air inlet being in communication with said conduit means, a heater disposed in said chamber, means for adjusting the temperature of the heater, a source of water, water inlet means in said body member for directing a supply of water from said source into said chamber and towards said heater, a member of porous material disposed adjacent said heater, whereby to intercept said water supply and bring water into a heat exchange relationship with said heater, means for adjusting the rate of supply of water from said water source to said water inlet means, and coupling means coupling said temperature adjusting means to said water supply rate adjusting means so that one adjusting means is varied when the other adjusting means is varied, whereby in operation regulation of the heater temperature and water supply rate can be obtained to cause substantially complete and instantaneous evaporation of the water by the heater in the manner of a flash boiler, the vaporized water passing into the air flowing through and heated within the chamber to create an air temperature and relative humidity within predetermined limits.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
18 words
The combination of claim 1 wherein said water supply rate adjusting means comprises a manually adjustable needle valve.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
58 words
The combination of claim 1 wherein said water source comprises a water container, the container having an air inlet and a water outlet and including a source of air connected to said air inlet for pressurizing the container to force the water through said water outlet, said water outlet communicating with said water inlet in the body member.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
70 words
The combination of claim 1 wherein said air inlet and air outlet are disposed in spaced apart relationship, and said water inlet means is disposed intermediate said air inlet and air outlet, and said heater extends between said air inlet and said water inlet means so that air from the air inlet passes over at least a portion of the heater before reaching a zone in which evaporation takes place.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
33 words
The combination of claim 1 wherein the temperature adjusting means includes a thermostat control arranged to sense the temperature of said heater and connected to control the supply of power to said heater.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
24 words
The combination of claim 1 wherein said evaporating chamber is tubular with said air inlet and outlet at opposite ends of the tubular chamber.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
22 words
The combination of claim 6 wherein the cross-sectional size of the chamber is generally the same as said air inlet and outlet.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
21 words
The combination of claim 6 wherein said heater extends centrally within said chamber between said air inlet and said air outlet.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
22 words
The combination of claim 8 wherein said water inlet means is disposed adjacent the end of the chamber including the air outlet.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
24 words
The combination of claim 8 wherein said member of porous material adjacent said heater is a tubular sheath of porous material surrounding the heater.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
21 words
The combination of claim 1 wherein the evaporating chamber is a hollow cavity having internal walls provided with thermal insulation thereon.
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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) | 1980-08-01 | 1981-01-31 | 1981-08-02 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1984-08-01 | 1985-01-31 | 1985-08-02 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1988-08-01 | 1989-01-31 | 1989-08-02 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |