Patent ID: 6547851
Filing Date: 2003-04-15
Classification: A61M,B01D

Abstract:
In an oxygen concentrator including:an air compressor, an air-tight first container in fluid communication with said compressor, through a first gas conduit, an air-tight second container in fluid communication with said first container through a second gas conduit, wherein said first container contains a molecular sieve bed, a gas flow controller controlling actuation of valves mounted to said gas conduits, a gas flow splitter mounted to said second gas conduit for diverting a portion of said packet of incrementally oxygen-enriched air into a gas line for delivery of oxygen-enriched air to an end use downstream along said gas line, said valves regulating air flow through said conduits, a method of oxygen enrichment comprising the sequential steps, in repeating cycles, of: (a) preventing gas flow between said first and second containers and allowing compressed gas from said compressor into said first container during a first gas pressurization phase, whereby said first container is pressurized to a threshold pressure level to create a packet of incrementally oxygen-enriched air; (b) preventing gas flow into said first container from said compressor and allowing gas flow from said first container into said second container during an air packet transfer phase, wherein said packet of incrementally oxygen-enriched air is transferred to said second container; (c) preventing gas flow into said second container from said first container and allowing gas to vent to atmosphere out from said first container through a vent valve of said first container; (d) allowing gas flow between said first and second containers from said second container into said first container during an air packet counter-flow phase, wherein said packet of incrementally oxygen-enriched air flows from said second container to said first container; and, (e) preventing gas flow venting from said first container through said vent valve of said first container.