Patent ID: 6702880
Filing Date: 2004-03-09
Classification: B01D

Abstract:
An inlet silencer/filter for an oxygen concentrator, comprising:a housing with an inlet and an outlet; a first chamber in said housing disposed adjacent to said inlet and being in fluid communication with said inlet; a HEPA filter disposed inside said housing and adjacent to said first chamber, said HEPA filter being in fluid communication with said first chamber; a second chamber disposed inside said housing and adjacent said HEPA filter, said second chamber having a top and a bottom, and sides connected between said top and said bottom, and being in fluid communication with said HEPA filter; a sound damping layer disposed inside said housing and adjacent said second chamber, said sound damping layer being in fluid communication with said second chamber; an additional sound damping layer disposed around at least three sides of said second chamber, separating said second chamber from said housing to minimize noise from said inlet filter/silencer; a lower chamber in said housing, said lower chamber being disposed adjacent said sound absorbing material, on the side opposing said second chamber, and said lower chamber being in fluid communication with said sound absorbing layer; a flow restrictor plate disposed inside said housing and adjacent said HEPA filter and said sound absorbing layer, said flow restrictor plate being positioned to force air to flow from said inlet through said first chamber, said HEPA filter, said second chamber, said sound absorbing layer and said lower chamber; and a bottom chamber in said housing, said bottom chamber being in fluid communication with said lower chamber and said outlet, to allow air to exit from said inlet filter/silencer.