Patent ID: 9119923
Filing Date: 2015-09-01
Classification: A61M,F04B,G01R,H02K,H02P

Abstract:
1. A method of detecting developing faults in a flow generator having an impeller powered by a motor under servo-control during therapeutic use of the flow generator, the method comprising: supplying a flow of pressurized breathable gas generated by the flow generator; measuring, with a first transducer, a motor current supplied to the motor when the flow generator is generating the flow of pressurized breathable gas; determining, with a controller having a processor, an input motor torque value generated by the motor, the input motor torque value based at least in part on the motor current measured by the first transducer; measuring, with a second transducer, at least one output from a turbine of the motor; determining, with the controller, a load motor torque value, the load motor torque value based at least in part on the at least one measured output measured by the second transducer; calculating, with the controller, a difference between the load motor torque value and the input motor torque value, the difference being associated with losses in the motor; and assessing, with the controller, whether a fault is developing in the flow generator based at least in part on the difference by comparing the difference to a predetermined threshold.