US4378982A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Compact oxygen concentrator
Assignee: John Bunn Co
•
Filing: 1981-08-28
•
Granted: 1983-04-05
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Expires: 2001-08-28
Abstract
Abstract A machine for concentrating the oxygen in air, especially for medical purposes utilizing a pressure swing adsorption (PSA) technique. The machine includes a combination of features to provide an extremely light weight reliable and compact device, which operates at a low noise level, and is especially suited for home use.
Inventors
- 👤 Norman R. McCombs
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-24 02:44
CPC Classifications
B; B01; B01D; B01D53/00; B01D53/02; B01D53/04; B01D53/0407; B01D2253/00; B01D2253/10; B01D2253/102; B01D2253/106; B01D2256/00; B01D2256/12; B01D2259/00; B01D2259/40; B01D2259/402; B01D2259/403; B01D2259/45; B01D2259/4533; B01D2259/455; B01D53/047
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 71
Claim 1
Independent Claim
195 words
A vessel for an adsorbent bed for use in a PSA machine comprising a first pipe of predetermined length, comprising the body of said vessel, a second pipe of a predetermined length shorter than said first pipe and positioned within said first pipe to create an annular space between said first and second pipes, means to close both ends of said first pipe, one of said end closing means for said first pipe also closing one end of said second pipe, said one end closing means comprising a cap member having a shape corresponding to the cross-sectional shape of said first pipe, means to sealingly mount said cap members on both of said one ends of said first and second pipes, and means to permit a flow of gas in and out of said vessel through said cap member communicating separately and directly with each of said annular space and the space inside said second pipe, whereby the functional length of an adsorbent bed in said vessel is substantially equal to twice the length of said first pipe and the physical length of said vessel is substantially equal to the length of said first pipe.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
195 words
A vessel for an adsorbent bed for use in a PSA machine comprising a first pipe of predetermined length, comprising the body of said vessel, a second pipe of a predetermined length shorter than said first pipe and positioned within said first pipe to create an annular space between said first and second pipes, means to close both ends of said first pipe, one of said end closing means for said first pipe also closing one end of said second pipe, said one end closing means comprising a cap member having a shape corresponding to the cross-sectional shape of said first pipe, means to sealingly mount said cap members on both of said one ends of said first and second pipes, and means to permit a flow of gas in and out of said vessel through said cap member communicating separately and directly with each of said annular space and the space inside said second pipe, whereby the functional length of an adsorbent bed in said vessel is substantially equal to twice the length of said first pipe and the physical length of said vessel is substantially equal to the length of said first pipe.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
35 words
The combination of claim 1, wherein a plurality of said vessels are joined together along their lengths to thereby produce a pre-fabricated adsorbent bed module for use in a compact housing for said PSA machine.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
55 words
The combination of claim 2, wherein said module comprises two of said vessels each having a first pipe of substantially equal length and a third vessel substantially shorter than said first two vessels, and plate means to join said three vessels together in a side by side relationship to thereby from said adsorbent bed module.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
17 words
The combination of claim 1, and adsorbent material filling the space within said first and second pipes.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
13 words
The combination of claim 1, both of said pipes being of circular cross-section.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
76 words
The combination of claim 1, said vessel being mounted in a machine for separating a component gas out of a mixture of gases using a PSA technique, said machine including a gas compressor, means for deadening the sound of the gas intake to said compressor, and said sound deadening means comprising an intake hose having a predetermined length and a predetermined diameter both selected to minimize said sound of said gas being taken into said compressor.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
75 words
The combination of claim 6, said machine comprising a compact housing, said compressor and said intake hose being mounted within said housing, said machine comprising means defining at least one relatively small space within said housing, and means to locate the intake end of said compressor intake hose in said relatively small space, whereby the sound deadening effect of said intake hose is further enhanced by locating said intake end in said relatively small space.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
30 words
The combination of claim 7, said relatively small space defining means comprising an adsorbent bed module comprising at least one of said vessel for containing a bed of adsorbent material.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
72 words
The combination of claim 8, said bed module comprising at least two bed vessels of circular cross-sectional shape and plate means joining said at least two vessels together longitudinally in side-by-side relationship, said plate means thereby defining a generally triangular shaped space between itself and the crotch between said at least two vessels, and said generally triangular space including said relatively small space for said intake end of said compressor intake hose.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
90 words
The combination of claim 9, said means to locate said intake end of said hose in said triangular space comprising spaced apart upper and lower cut-outs formed in said plate means and extending into said triangular space, said upper cut-out being formed with an opening to snuggly receive said intake end of said hose, said lower cut-out comprising a stop for said hose when inserted through said opening in said upper cut-out, and said upper and lower cut-outs essentially defining the upper and lower ends of said relatively small space.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
139 words
The combination of claim 1, said vessel being part of a compact PSA machine, a cabinet housing said machine, a front handle module for a cabinet for a compact PSA machine, said machine being adapted to stand on the floor in use, said cabinet comprising a front wall positioned substantially vertically, means to mount said handle module in said front wall, said handle module comprising a pair of walls recessed inwardly into the cabinet space and located at substantially 90 degrees to each other and at substantially 45 degrees to said front wall of said cabinet and with one of said walls upwardly facing and the other of said walls downwardly facing, and means to mount substantially all of the controls of said machine in said upwardly facing wall when said machine is positioned on the floor for use.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
53 words
The combination of claim 11, the downwardly facing one of said walls of said handle module comprising the entrance for cooling air to the inside of said cabinet, and a filter member mounted in said downwardly facing wall such as to be readily mounted and dismounted from the outside of said handle module.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
27 words
The combination of claim 11, said controls including a main on/off switch, a flow meter for the outlet oxygen enriched air, a pilot light and a fuse.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
29 words
The combination of claim 13, and means to mount the main oxygen enriched air outlet on said vertical wall of said cabinet closely adjacent to said front handle module.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
78 words
The combination of claim 11, and a rear handle module mounted on said cabinet substantially opposite said front handle, whereby said machine can be picked up by said front and rear handle modules, each of said front and rear handle modules including an uppermost horizontal portion by which a users fingers can lift the weight of said machine, and said horizontal portions comprising portions of the material of said cabinet bent in towards the space within said cabinet.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
174 words
The combination of claim 1, and a cabinet for a a compact PSA machine comprising said vessel, means dividing the space within said cabinet into at least a first space and a second space, motor/compressor means mounted in said first space, insulating means lining substantially all of the inside surfaces of said cabinet defining said first and second spaces, means to permit the entry of a stream of ambient air into said second space, said means defining said first and second spaces including an opening to permit the flow of said stream of ambient air from said first space into said second space, fan means in said second space to drive said stream of ambient air out of said first space, and said motor/compressor being located in said first space with respect to the opening between said first and second spaces and with respect to said air inlet opening means in said second space such that the sound of said motor/compressor must take a torturous path before being able to exit from said cabinet.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
36 words
The combination of claim 16, said air entry means comprising a front handle module mounted on said cabinet and said front handle module including filter means for filtering the stream of ambient air entering said cabinet.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
75 words
The combination of claim 16, said second space including wall means for mounting said fan means, said wall means defining a chamber in which said fan means are mounted, said chamber being defined by said wall means in combination with the adjacent portions of the outside wall of said cabinet, and said adjacent portion of said cabinet being formed with louvers to permit the exit of the stream of ambient air flowing through said machine.
Claim 20
Dependent Claim
123 words
The combination of claim 1, said vessel comprising part of a prefabricated adsorbent bed module used in a system of fabricating a compact machine for separating a gas out of a mixture of gases utilizing a PSA technique, the combination comprising a plurality of said prefabricated modules to fabricate said machine; said modules including a cabinet module, adsorbent bed module, an electrical deck module on which are mounted a substantial number of components needed to carry out the PSA cycle performed by said machine, and a front handle module in which is mounted substantially all of the user operated controls needed to operate said machine; and means to assemble all of said various modules together to thereby simplify the manufacture of said machine.
Claim 21
Dependent Claim
38 words
The combination of claim 19, said electrical deck module dividing the space within said cabinet into upper and lower sections, said machine also comprising a motor/compressor unit, and means to mount said motor/compressor unit in said lower section.
Claim 22
Dependent Claim
205 words
The combination of claim 1, said vessel comprising part of a PSA machine, said machine comprising an electrical control circuit and a compressor, at least one said vessel containing a bed of adsorbent material, and plurality of solenoid valves to control the gas flows into and out of said at least one vessel; means to connect at least one of said solenoid valves into said machine in such a manner that a gas flow through said at least one absorbent bed and said solenoid valve will exhaust to atmosphere in one position of said solenoid valve, a time delay means connected in saeries circuit with the electrical portion of said at least one solenoid valve and said time delay means being so arranged that said solenoid valve vents the output of said compressor for a period of time equal to the time delay built into said time delay means when said compressor is first started up, whereby said compressor is permitted to reach operating speed under a no load condition, and whereby said at least one solenoid valve is then normally controlled by other portions of said control circuit during continuing operation of said machine after said time delay at start up has timed out.
Claim 23
Dependent Claim
151 words
The combination of claim 1, said vessel comprising part of a PSA machine, a system for mounting a motor/compressor in a compact cabinet for said PSA machine and for safely securing said motor/compressor for shipment, means defining a space within said cabinet to house said motor/compressor, a layer of foam plastic insulating material on the lowermost wall of said cabinet defining said motor/compressor space, plate means secured to the underside of said motor/compressor, said motor/compressor via said plate means normally resting of its own weight only on said layer of foam plastic material, said system comprising bolt means mounted on said lowermost wall of said cabinet defining said motor/compressor space and extending through a suitably formed opening in said plate means, and manually operated securing means cooperable with said bolt means for securing said plate with said compressor mounted thereof in position in said motor/compressor space in said cabinet for shipment.
Claim 24
Dependent Claim
67 words
In a machine for separating a component gas out of a mixture of gases using a PSA technique, said machine including a gas compressor, means for deadening the sound of the gas intake to said compressor, and said sound deadening means comprising an intake hose having a predetermined length and a predetermined diameter both selected to minimize said sound of said gas being taken into said compressor.
Claim 25
Dependent Claim
67 words
In a machine for separating a component gas out of a mixture of gases using a PSA technique, said machine including a gas compressor, means for deadening the sound of the gas intake to said compressor, and said sound deadening means comprising an intake hose having a predetermined length and a predetermined diameter both selected to minimize said sound of said gas being taken into said compressor.
Claim 26
Dependent Claim
75 words
The combination of claim 23, said machine comprising a compact housing, said compressor and said intake hose being mounted within said housing, said machine comprising means defining at least one relatively small space within said housing, and means to locate the intake end of said compressor intake hose in said relatively small space, whereby the sound deadening effect of said intake hose is further enhanced by locating said intake end in said relatively small space.
Claim 27
Dependent Claim
28 words
The combination of claim 24, said relatively small space defining means comprising an adsorbent bed module comprising at least one vessel for containing a bed of adsorbent material.
Claim 28
Dependent Claim
72 words
The combination of claim 25, said bed module comprising at least two bed vessels of circular cross-sectional shape and plate means joining said at least two vessels together longitudinally in side-by-side relationship, said plate means thereby defining a generally triangular shaped space between itself and the crotch between said at least two vessels, and said generally triangular space including said relatively small space for said intake end of said compressor intake hose.
Claim 29
Dependent Claim
90 words
The combination of claim 26, said means to locate said intake end of said hose in said triangular space comprising spaced apart upper and lower cut-outs formed in said plate means and extending into said triangular space, said upper cut-out being formed with an opening to snuggly receive said intake end of said hose, said lower cut-out comprising a stop for said hose when inserted through said opening in said upper cut-out, and said upper and lower cut-outs essentially defining the upper and lower ends of said relatively small space.
Claim 30
Dependent Claim
128 words
The combination of claim 23, said machine being housed in a compact cabinet, a front handle module for said cabinet, said machine being adapted to stand on the floor in use, said cabinet comprising a front wall positioned substantially vertically, means to mount said handle module in said front wall, said handle module comprising a pair of walls recessed inwardly into the cabinet space and located at substantially 90 degrees to each other and at substantially 45 degrees to said front wall of said cabinet and with one of said walls upwardly facing and the other of said walls downwardly facing, and means to mount substantially all of the controls of said machine in said upwardly facing wall when said machine is positioned on the floor for use.
Claim 31
Dependent Claim
53 words
The combination of claim 28, the downwardly facing one of said walls of said handle module comprising the entrance for cooling air to the inside of said cabinet, and a filter member mounted in said downwardly facing wall such as to be readily mounted and dismounted from the outside of said handle module.
Claim 32
Dependent Claim
27 words
The combination of claim 28, said controls including a main on/off switch, a flow meter for the outlet oxygen enriched air, a pilot light and a fuse.
Claim 33
Dependent Claim
29 words
The combination of claim 30, and means to mount the main oxygen enriched air outlet on said vertical wall of said cabinet closely adjacent to said front handle module.
Claim 34
Dependent Claim
78 words
The combination of claim 28, and a rear handle module mounted on said cabinet substantially opposite said front handle, whereby said machine can be picked up by said front and rear handle modules, each of said front and rear handle modules including an uppermost horizontal portion by which a users fingers can lift the weight of said machine, and said horizontal portions comprising portions of the material of said cabinet bent in towards the space within said cabinet.
Claim 35
Dependent Claim
173 words
The combination of claim 23, a compact cabinet for said machine comprising means dividing the space within said cabinet into at least a first space and a second space, said gas compressor comprising motor/compressor means mounted in said first space, insulating means lining substantially all of the inside surfaces of said cabinet defining said first and second spaces, means to permit the entry of a stream of ambient air into said second space, said means defining said first and second spaces including an opening to permit the flow of said stream of ambient air from said first space into said second space, fan means in said second space to drive said stream of ambient air out of said first space, and said motor/compressor being located in said first space with respect to the opening between said first and second spaces and with respect to said air inlet opening means in said second space such that the sound of said motor/compressor must take a torturous path before being able to exit from said cabinet.
Claim 36
Dependent Claim
36 words
The combination of claim 33, said air entry means comprising a front handle module mounted on said cabinet, and said front handle module including filter means for filtering the stream of ambient air entering said cabinet.
Claim 37
Dependent Claim
75 words
The combination of claim 33, said second space including wall means for mounting said fan means, said wall means defining a chamber in which said fan means are mounted, said chamber being defined by said wall means in combination with the adjacent portions of the outside wall of said cabinet, and said adjacent portion of said cabinet being formed with louvers to permit the exit of the stream of ambient air flowing through said machine.
Claim 38
Dependent Claim
108 words
The combination of claim 23, and a system of fabricating said machine so that it is compact and of relatively low weight, the combination comprising a plurality of prefabricated modules to fabricate said machine; said modules including a cabinet module, an adsorbent bed module, an electrical deck module on which are mounted a substantial number of the components needed to carry out the PSA cycle performed by said machine, and a front handle module in which is mounted substantially all of the user operated controls needed to operate said machine; and means to assemble all of said various modules together to thereby simplify the manufacture of said machine.
Claim 39
Dependent Claim
31 words
The combination of claim 36, said electrical deck module dividing the space within said cabinet into upper and lower sections, and means to mount said gas compressor in said lower section.
Claim 40
Dependent Claim
197 words
The combination of claim 23, and an electrical control circuit for said PSA machine which comprises at least one vessel containing a bed of adsorbent material, and a plurality of solenoid valves to control the gas flows into and out of said at least one vessel; means to connect at least one of said solenoid valves into said machine in such a manner that a gas flow through said at least one absorbent bed and solenoid valve will exhaust to atmosphere in one position of said solenoid valve, a time display means connected in series circuit with the electrical portion of said at least one solenoid valve and said time delay means being so arranged that said solenoid valve vents the output of said compressor for a period of time equal to the time delay built into said time delay means when said compressor is first started up, whereby said compressor is permitted to reach operating speed under a no load condition, and whereby said at least one solenoid valve is then normally controlled by other portions of said control circuit during continuing operation of said machine after said time delay at start up has timed out.
Claim 41
Dependent Claim
149 words
The combination of claim 23, said gas compressor comprising a motor/compressor, a system for mounting said motor/compressor in a compact cabinet for a PSA machine, and for safely securing said motor/compressor for shipment, means defining a space within said cabinet to house said motor/compressor, a layer of foam plastic insulating material on the lowermost wall of said cabinet defining said motor/compressor space, plate means secured to the underside of said motor/compressor, said motor/compressor via said plate means normally resting of its own weight only on said layer of foam plastic material, said system comprising bolt means mounted on said lowermost wall of said cabinet defining said motor/compressor space and extending through a suitably formed opening in said plate means, and manually operated securing means cooperable with said bolt means for securing said plate with said compressor mounted thereof in position in said motor/compressor space in said cabinet for shipment.
Claim 42
Dependent Claim
120 words
A front handle module for a cabinet for a compact PSA machine, said machine being adapted to stand on the floor in use, said cabinet comprising a front wall positioned substantially vertically, means to mount said handle module in said front wall, said handle module comprising a pair of walls recessed inwardly into the cabinet space and located at substantially 90 degrees to each other and at substantially 45 degrees to said front wall of said cabinet and with one of said walls upwardly facing and the other of said walls downwardly facing, and means to mount substantially all of the controls of said machine in said upwardly facing wall when said machine is positioned on the floor for use.
Claim 43
Dependent Claim
120 words
A front handle module for a cabinet for a compact PSA machine, said machine being adapted to stand on the floor in use, said cabinet comprising a front wall positioned substantially vertically, means to mount said handle module in said front wall, said handle module comprising a pair of walls recessed inwardly into the cabinet space and located at substantially 90 degrees to each other and at substantially 45 degrees to said front wall of said cabinet and with one of said walls upwardly facing and the other of said walls downwardly facing, and means to mount substantially all of the controls of said machine in said upwardly facing wall when said machine is positioned on the floor for use.
Claim 44
Dependent Claim
53 words
The combination of claim 40, the downwardly facing one of said walls of said handle module comprising the entrance for cooling air to the inside of said cabinet, and a filter member mounted in said downwardly facing wall such as to be readily mounted and dismounted from the outside of said handle module.
Claim 45
Dependent Claim
27 words
The combination of claim 40, said controls including a main on/off switch, a flow meter for the outlet oxygen enriched air, a pilot light and a fuse.
Claim 46
Dependent Claim
29 words
The combination of claim 42, and means to mount the main oxygen enriched air outlet on said vertical wall of said cabinet closely adjacent to said front handle module.
Claim 47
Dependent Claim
78 words
The combination of claim 40, and a rear handle module mounted on said cabinet substantially opposite said front handle, whereby said machine can be picked up by said front and rear handle modules, each of said front and rear handle modules including an uppermost horizontal portion by which a users fingers can lift the weight of said machine, and said horizontal portions comprising portions of the material of said cabinet bent in towards the space within said cabinet.
Claim 48
Dependent Claim
166 words
The combination of claim 40, said compact cabinet comprising means dividing the space within said cabinet into at least a first space and a second space, motor/compressor means mounted in said first space, insulating means lining substantially all of the inside surfaces of said cabinet defining said first and second spaces, means to permit the entry of a stream of ambient air into said second space, said means defining said first and second spaces including an opening to permit the flow of said stream of ambient air from said first space into said second space, fan means in said second space to drive said stream of ambient air out of said first space, and said motor/compressor being located in said first space with respect to the opening between said first and second spaces and with respect to said air inlet opening means in said second space such that the sound of said motor/compressor must take a torturous path before being able to exit from said cabinet.
Claim 49
Dependent Claim
36 words
The combination of claim 45, said air entry means comprising a front handle module mounted on said cabinet, and said front handle module including filter means for filtering the stream of ambient air entering said cabinet.
Claim 50
Dependent Claim
75 words
The combination of claim 45, said second space including wall means for mounting said fan means, said wall means defining a chamber in which said fan means are mounted, said chamber being defined by said wall means in combination with the adjacent portions of the outside wall of said cabinet, and said adjacent portion of said cabinet being formed with louvers to permit the exit of the stream of ambient air flowing through said machine.
Claim 51
Dependent Claim
107 words
The combination of claim 40, said front handle module being prefabricated for use in a system of fabricating a compact machine for separating a gas out of a mixture of gases utilizing a PSA technique, the combination comprising utilizing a plurality of said prefabricated modules to fabricate said machine; said modules including a cabinet module, and adsorbent bed module, an electric deck module on which are mounted a substantial number of the components needed to carry out the PSA cycle performed by said machine, and said front handle module; and means to assemble all of said various modules together to thereby simplify the manufacture of said machine.
Claim 52
Dependent Claim
38 words
The combination of claim 48, said electrical deck module dividing the space within said cabinet into upper and lower sections, said machine also comprising a motor/compressor unit, and means to mount said motor/compressor unit in said lower section.
Claim 53
Dependent Claim
196 words
The combination of claim 40, said machine comprising a compressor and an electrical control circuit, at least one vessel containing a bed of adsorbent material, and a plurality of solenoid valves to control the gas flows into and out of said at least one vessel; means to connect at least one of said solenoid valves into said machine in such a manner that a gas flow through said at least one absorbent bed and solenoid valve will exhaust to atmosphere in one position of said solenoid valve, a time delay means connected in series circuit with the electrical portion of said at least one solenoid valve and said time delay means being so arranged that said solenoid valve vents the output of said compressor for a period of time equal to the time delay built into said time delay means when said compressor is first started up, whereby said compressor is permitted to reach operating speed under a no load condition, and whereby said at least one solenoid valve is then normally controlled by other portions of said control circuit during continuing operation of said machine after said time delay at start up has timed out.
Claim 54
Dependent Claim
145 words
The combination of claim 40, said machine comprising a motor/compressor and a system for mounting said motor/compressor in said compact cabinet, and for safely securing said motor/compressor for shipment, means defining a space within said cabinet to house said motor/compressor, a layer of foam plastic insulating material on the lowermost wall of said cabinet defining said motor/compressor space, plate means secured to the underside of said motor/compressor, said motor/compressor via said plate means normally resting of its own weight only on said layer of foam plastic material, said system comprising bolt means mounted on said lowermost wall of said cabinet defining said motor/compressor space and extending through a suitably formed opening in said plate means, and manually operated securing means cooperable with said bolt means for securing said plate with said compressor mounted thereof in position in said motor/compressor space in said cabinet for shipment.
Claim 55
Dependent Claim
165 words
A cabinet for a compact PSA machine comprising means dividing the space within said cabinet into at least a first space and a second space, motor/compressor means mounted in said first space, insulating means lining substantially all of the inside surfaces of said cabinet defining said first and second spaces, means to permit the entry of a stream of ambient air into said second space, said means defining said first and second spaces including an opening to permit the flow of said stream of ambient air from said first space into said second space, fan means in said second space to drive said stream of ambient air out of said first space, and said motor/compressor being located in said first space with respect to the opening between said first and second spaces and with respect to said air inlet opening means in said second space such that the sound of said motor/compressor must take a torturous path before being able to exit from said cabinet.
Claim 56
Dependent Claim
165 words
A cabinet for a compact PSA machine comprising means dividing the space within said cabinet into at least a first space and a second space, motor/compressor means mounted in said first space, insulating means lining substantially all of the inside surfaces of said cabinet defining said first and second spaces, means to permit the entry of a stream of ambient air into said second space, said means defining said first and second spaces including an opening to permit the flow of said stream of ambient air from said first space into said second space, fan means in said second space to drive said stream of ambient air out of said first space, and said motor/compressor being located in said first space with respect to the opening between said first and second spaces and with respect to said air inlet opening means in said second space such that the sound of said motor/compressor must take a torturous path before being able to exit from said cabinet.
Claim 57
Dependent Claim
36 words
The combination of claim 52, said air entry means comprising a front handle module mounted on said cabinet, and said front handle module including filter means for filtering the stream of ambient air entering said cabinet.
Claim 58
Dependent Claim
75 words
The combination of claim 52, said second space including wall means for mounting said fan means, said wall means defining a chamber in which said fan means are mounted, said chamber being defined by said wall means in combination with the adjacent portions of the outside wall of said cabinet, and said adjacent portion of said cabinet being formed with louvers to permit the exit of the stream of ambient air flowing through said machine.
Claim 59
Dependent Claim
99 words
The combination of claim 52, and a system for fabricating said compact machine comprising a plurality of prefabricated modules to fabricate said machine; said modules including said cabinet as a module, an adsorbent bed module, an electric deck module on which are mounted a substantial number of the components needed to carry out the PSA cycle performed by said machine, and a front handle module in which is mounted substantially all of the user operated controls needed to operate said machine; and means to assemble all of said various modules together to thereby simplify the manufacture of said machine.
Claim 60
Dependent Claim
193 words
The combination of claim 52, and an electrical control circuit for said, at least one vessel containing a bed of adsorbent material, and a plurality of solenoid valves to control the gas flows into and out of said at least one vessel; means to connect at least one of said solenoid valves into said machine in such a manner that a gas flow through said at least one absorbent bed and solenoid valve will exhaust to atmosphere in one position of said solenoid valve, a time delay means connected in series circuit with the electrical portion of said at least one solenoid valve and said time delay means being so arranged that said solenoid valve vents the output of said compressor for a period of time equal to the time delay built into said time delay means when said compressor is first started up, whereby said compressor is permitted to reach operating speed under a no load condition, and whereby said at least one solenoid valve is then normally controlled by other portions of said control circuit during continuing operation of said machine after said time delay at start up has timed out.
Claim 61
Dependent Claim
140 words
The combination of claim 52, and a system for mounting said motor/compressor in a compact cabinet for said PSA machine, and for safely securing said motor/compressor into said first space for shipment, a layer of foam plastic insulating material on the lowermost wall of said cabinet defining said motor/compressor first space, plate means secured to the underside of said motor/compressor, said motor/compressor via said plate means normally resting of its own weight only on said layer of foam plastic material, said system comprising bolt means mounted on said lowermost wall of said cabinet defining said motor/compressor first space and extending through a suitably formed opening in said plate means, and manually operated securing means cooperable with said bolt means for securing said plate with said compressor mounted thereof in position in said motor/compressor first space in said cabinet for shipment.
Claim 62
Independent Claim
107 words
A system of fabricating a compact machine for separating a gas out of a mixture of gases utilizing a PSA technique, the combination comprising a plurality of prefabricated modules to fabricate said machine; said modules including a cabinet module, an adsorbent bed module, an electrical deck module on which are mounted a substantial number of the components needed to carry out the PSA cycle performed by said machine, and a front handle module in which is mounted substantially all of the user operated controls needed to operate said machine; and means to assemble all of said various modules together to thereby simplify the manufacture of said machine.
Claim 63
Independent Claim
107 words
A system of fabricating a compact machine for separating a gas out of a mixture of gases utilizing a PSA technique, the combination comprising a plurality of prefabricated modules to fabricate said machine; said modules including a cabinet module, an adsorbent bed module, an electrical deck module on which are mounted a substantial number of the components needed to carry out the PSA cycle performed by said machine, and a front handle module in which is mounted substantially all of the user operated controls needed to operate said machine; and means to assemble all of said various modules together to thereby simplify the manufacture of said machine.
Claim 64
Dependent Claim
38 words
The combination of claim 1, said electrical deck module dividing the space within said cabinet into upper and lower sections, said machine also comprising a motor/compressor unit, and means to mount said motor/compressor unit in said lower section.
Claim 65
Dependent Claim
200 words
The combination of claim 58, and an electrical control circuit for said PSA machine, said machine comprising a compressor, at least one vessel containing a bed of adsorbent material, and a plurality of solenoid valves to control the gas flows into and out of said at least one vessel; means to connect at least one of said solenoid valves into said machine in such a manner that a gas flow through said at least one absorbent bed and solenoid valve will exhaust to atmosphere in one position of said solenoid valve, a time delay means connected in series circuit with the electrical portion of said at least one solenoid valve and said time delay means being so arranged that said solenoid valve vents the output of said compressor for a period of time equal to the time delay built into said time delay means when said compressor is first started up, whereby said compressor is permitted to reach operating speed under a no load condition, and whereby said at least one solenoid valve is then normally controlled by other portions of said control circuit during continuing operation of said machine after said time delay at start up has timed out.
Claim 66
Dependent Claim
148 words
The combination of claim 58, said machine comprising a motor/compressor, a system for mounting said motor/compressor in a compact cabinet for said PSA machine, and for safely securing said motor/compressor for shipment, means defining a space within said cabinet to house said motor/compressor, a layer of foam plastic insulating material on the lowermost wall of said cabinet defining said motor/compressor space, plate means secured to the underside of said motor/compressor, said motor/compressor via said plate means normally resting of its own weight only on said layer of foam plastic material, said system comprising bolt means mounted on said lowermost wall of said cabinet defining said motor/compressor space and extending through a suitably formed opening in said plate means, and manually operated securing means cooperable with said bolt means for securing said plate with said compressor mounted thereof in position in said motor/compressor space in said cabinet for shipment.
Claim 67
Dependent Claim
193 words
An electrical control circuit for a PSA machine which comprises a compressor, at least one vessel containing a bed of adsorbent material, and a plurality of solenoid valves to control the gas flows into and out of said at least one vessel; means to connect at least one of said solenoid valves into said machine in such a manner that a gas flow through said at least one absorbent bed and solenoid valve will exhaust to atmosphere in one position of said solenoid valve, a time delay means connected in series circuit with the electrical portion of said at least one solenoid valve and said time delay means being so arranged that said solenoid valve vents the output of said compressor for a period of time equal to the time delay built into said time delay means when said compressor is first started up, whereby said compressor is permitted to reach operating speed under a no load condition, and whereby said at least one solenoid valve is then normally controlled by other portions of said control circuit during continuing operation of said machine after said time delay at start up has timed out.
Claim 68
Dependent Claim
193 words
An electrical control circuit for a PSA machine which comprises a compressor, at least one vessel containing a bed of adsorbent material, and a plurality of solenoid valves to control the gas flows into and out of said at least one vessel; means to connect at least one of said solenoid valves into said machine in such a manner that a gas flow through said at least one absorbent bed and solenoid valve will exhaust to atmosphere in one position of said solenoid valve, a time delay means connected in series circuit with the electrical portion of said at least one solenoid valve and said time delay means being so arranged that said solenoid valve vents the output of said compressor for a period of time equal to the time delay built into said time delay means when said compressor is first started up, whereby said compressor is permitted to reach operating speed under a no load condition, and whereby said at least one solenoid valve is then normally controlled by other portions of said control circuit during continuing operation of said machine after said time delay at start up has timed out.
Claim 69
Dependent Claim
148 words
The combination of claim 62, said compressor comprising a motor/compressor, a system for mounting said motor/compressor in a compact cabinet for said PSA machine, and for safely securing said motor/compressor for shipment, means defining a space within said cabinet to house said motor/compressor, a layer of foam plastic insulating material on the lowermost wall of said cabinet defining said motor/compressor space, plate means secured to the underside of said motor/compressor, said motor/compressor via said plate means normally resting of its own weight only on said layer of foam plastic material, said system comprising bolt means mounted on said lowermost wall of said cabinet defining said motor/compressor space and extending through a suitably formed opening in said plate means, and manually operated securing means cooperable with said bolt means for securing said plate with said compressor mounted thereof in position in said motor/compressor space in said cabinet for shipment.
Claim 70
Independent Claim
138 words
A system for mounting a motor/compressor in a compact cabinet for a PSA machine, and for safely securing said motor/compressor for shipment, means defining a space within said cabinet to house said motor/compressor, a layer of foam plastic insulating material on the lowermost wall of said cabinet defining said motor/compressor space, plate means secured to the underside of said motor/compressor, said motor/compressor via said plate means normally resting of its own weight only on said layer of foam plastic material, said system comprising bolt means mounted on said lowermost wall of said cabinet defining said motor/compressor space and extending through a suitably formed opening in said plate means, and manually operated securing means cooperable with said bolt means for securing said plate with said compressor mounted thereof in position in said motor/compressor space in said cabinet for shipment.
Claim 71
Independent Claim
138 words
A system for mounting a motor/compressor in a compact cabinet for a PSA machine, and for safely securing said motor/compressor for shipment, means defining a space within said cabinet to house said motor/compressor, a layer of foam plastic insulating material on the lowermost wall of said cabinet defining said motor/compressor space, plate means secured to the underside of said motor/compressor, said motor/compressor via said plate means normally resting of its own weight only on said layer of foam plastic material, said system comprising bolt means mounted on said lowermost wall of said cabinet defining said motor/compressor space and extending through a suitably formed opening in said plate means, and manually operated securing means cooperable with said bolt means for securing said plate with said compressor mounted thereof in position in said motor/compressor space in said cabinet for shipment.
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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) | 1986-04-04 | 1986-10-04 | 1987-04-05 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1990-04-04 | 1990-10-04 | 1991-04-05 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1994-04-04 | 1994-10-04 | 1995-04-05 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |