Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 9
Claim 1
Independent Claim
216 words
Apparatus for fractionating a gaseous mixture having at least two components comprising: a vessel containing a bed having an adsorbent capable of adsorbing one of said at least two components under high pressure and of desorbing said one component when the pressure is decreased; a compressor comprising a cylinder having a reciprocatingly moveable piston mounted therein for alternately moving towards a first, compression, limit position for forcing a gaseous mixture into the bed and a second, suction, limit position for removing gas from the bed by suction, and means for admitting a gaseous mixture into said cylinder at a location between said first and second limit positions; conduit means for conveying compressed gas from said compressor to said bed; a collection chamber in fluid communication with said vessel for collecting gas which passes from said compressor through said bed and into said collection chamber; outlet means comprising a controllable outlet valve for removal of gas from said collection chamber; and controllable venting valve means in fluid communication with compressed air in the end of the cylinder adjacent said first limit position of said piston for venting gas under pressure from said collection chamber and bed through the conduit means when said piston is in said first limit position and said controllable venting valve means is opened.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
216 words
Apparatus for fractionating a gaseous mixture having at least two components comprising: a vessel containing a bed having an adsorbent capable of adsorbing one of said at least two components under high pressure and of desorbing said one component when the pressure is decreased; a compressor comprising a cylinder having a reciprocatingly moveable piston mounted therein for alternately moving towards a first, compression, limit position for forcing a gaseous mixture into the bed and a second, suction, limit position for removing gas from the bed by suction, and means for admitting a gaseous mixture into said cylinder at a location between said first and second limit positions; conduit means for conveying compressed gas from said compressor to said bed; a collection chamber in fluid communication with said vessel for collecting gas which passes from said compressor through said bed and into said collection chamber; outlet means comprising a controllable outlet valve for removal of gas from said collection chamber; and controllable venting valve means in fluid communication with compressed air in the end of the cylinder adjacent said first limit position of said piston for venting gas under pressure from said collection chamber and bed through the conduit means when said piston is in said first limit position and said controllable venting valve means is opened.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
41 words
Apparatus according to claim 1 further comprising control means responsive to pressure in said collection chamber for opening said outlet valve at a pre-determined elevated pressure and for closing said controllable outlet valve when the pressure falls below a pre-determined level.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
49 words
Apparatus according to claim 1 further comprising control means for opening said venting valve means when said piston is positioned at said end of said cylinder to decrease the pressure in said bed to effect desorption and to blow out the component of the gaseous mixture released by desorption.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
51 words
Apparatus according to claim 3 further comprising a further controllable venting valve means in fluid communication with a portion of said cylinder between said first limit position and said gaseous mixture admitting means, control means for opening said further venting valve means as said piston moves towards said first limit position.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
26 words
Apparatus according to claim 4 wherein said controllable venting valve means each comprise plate valves actuated through push rods by cams mounted on a cam shaft.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
18 words
Apparatus according to claim 5 wherein said piston and said cam shaft are driven by a crank shaft.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
21 words
Apparatus according to claim 6 further comprising means for driving said crank shaft at a speed of 0.1 to 10 r.p.m.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
31 words
Apparatus according to claim 1 wherein said collection chamber comprises a portion of said vessel, the volume of said collection chamber being approximately one third of the volume of said bed.