Patent ID: 6290759
Filing Date: 2001-09-18
Classification: B01D

Abstract:
An apparatus for producing oxygen, comprising:(a) a dual acting air cylinder having a piston member comprising an axial piston rod coupled to a piston slidably mounted in said cylinder;(b) an actuator coupled to said rod for retracting and extending said piston in said cylinders thereby alternately compressing air on a piston side and a rod side of said cylinder;(c) first and second beds containing molecular sieve coupled to said cylinder; and(d) valving coupled to said cylinder and to said first and second beds, said valving being operable in recurring cycles in which said piston member is retracted and extended;so that in each first half cycle of operation in which said piston is being retracted, ambient air flows into said rod side of said cylinder, pressurized air is simultaneously directed from said piston side of said cylinder to said first bed to adsorb nitrogen and provide a flow of oxygen gas from said first bed, and said second bed is simultaneously depressurized and previously adsorbed nitrogen gas is desorbed and exhausted from said second bed;and in each second half cycle of operation in which said piston is being extended, ambient air flows into said piston side of said cylinder, pressurized air is simultaneously directed from said rod side of said cylinder to said second bed to adsorb nitrogen and provide a flow of oxygen gas from said second bed, and said first bed is simultaneously depressurized and previously adsorbed nitrogen gas is desorbed and exhausted from said first bed;whereby by cyclically repeating said operation in which said piston member is retracted and extended, a continuous stream of oxygen is produced.