Portable oxygen enrichment and concentration system

An oxygen enrichment and concentration system draws air from the ambient atmosphere and includes a set of primary adsorption beds and a set of secondary adsorption beds to adsorb components of the air other than oxygen. A blower and valves connected between the primary adsorption beds and the secondary adsorption beds alternatively direct the flow of air through one or the other bed of each set of adsorption beds. The enriched and concentrated oxygen product is stored in a storage vessel. A purge conduit connects the outlet of each of the secondary adsorption beds with the outlet of another secondary adsorption bed and the outlet of one of the primary adsorption beds so a small portion of the purified product from one adsorption bed is directed in a reverse direction through the other adsorption bed of the secondary set and the adsorption bed of the primary set to cleanse the adsorption material. Following such cleansing the purge gas is exhausted to the atmosphere and the cleansed adsorption bed is ready to again adsorb nonoxygen components of air.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
This invention relates generally to fractionation of air by selective 
adsorption, and particularly to apparatus and processes using gas 
permeable membranes and adsorbent materials for increasing the 
concentration of oxygen of atmospheric air and decreasing the 
concentration of nitrogen. 
Patients suffering from respiratory ailments such as emphysema and 
pneumonia, which severely restrict the patient's lung capacity, are 
commonly provided with a source of oxygen-enriched air. 
A common source for enriched oxygen is a metal cylinder containing oxygen 
under a high pressure. The oxygen is supplied through suitable tubing and 
pressure regulators to the patient. The cylinders are heavy and cumbersome 
and present a danger of fire and explosion. Additionally, relying on 
oxygen cylinders requires that the user have enough oxygen in the cylindrs 
to last the time between available refillings. The oxygen cylinders are 
also quite limited in the amount of oxygen they can hold. This requires 
either maintaining a large supply of oxygen cylinders or frequent trips to 
a recharging station to replenish the oxygen. 
Another source of enriched oxygen is a metal cylinder storing liquid 
oxygen. This is in many ways similar to the storing of oxygen gas under 
high pressure. However, the liquid oxygen storage does not present the 
dangers associated with the high pressure of storing the oxygen gas. 
Nevertheless, the liquid oxygen is hazardous because it must be kept at an 
extremely low temperature, which will cause severe burns to the skin if 
the liquid oxygen contacts a person's skin. Again, sufficient oxygen must 
be kept on hand to supply the user between times when the storage 
cylinders can be refilled. 
Systems for taking room air, which is 21% oxygen, and concentrating the 
oxygen to obtain a much higher percentage of oxygen are useful in that 
they do not require the refilling of oxygen cylinders, and can supply a 
virtually continuous flow of oxygen. However, the plumbing of these 
continuous supply systems is typically complicated and subject to leaks, 
and requires a large amount of power to drive the gasses through the 
system. These systems therefore generally use components that require a 
110 volt AC power source, making these systems large and heavy. Thus, 
these systems are not portable, and the user is limited in his mobility if 
he needs frequent or continuous oxygen supply. 
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
According to the present invention, a system for concentrating and 
enriching the oxygen content of air to provide a continuous supply of 
oxygen uses simplified plumbing and valves to permit the system to operate 
with low power requirements, and with a minimum of adsorption material so 
the system can be made small, light weight, and portable. A system 
constructed according to the invention makes efficient use of the 
adsorption material so a minimum amount of air is required to be processed 
to obtain a given amount of oxygen. 
According to the invention, the gas concentration and enricher includes a 
primary adsorption bed and a pair of secondary adsorption beds with a 
blower and valving means connected between the primary adsorption bed and 
the secondary adsorption beds. The valving means alternatively directs gas 
flow through the first secondary adsorption bed or through the second 
secondary adsorption bed. A purge conduit connecting the outlets of the 
first and second secondary adsorption beds allows the secondary adsorption 
bed not being used to be purged of the components of the gas adsorbed 
during another stage of the operational cycle. 
Positioning the valving means and the blower between the primary adsorption 
bed and the secondary adsorption beds permits the use of fewer valves than 
in prior devices, simplifying the plumbing arrangements so the system is 
less prone to leaks and pressure losses. Additionally, the arrangement of 
the invention allows a smaller blower to be used, which blower may require 
less power to drive the air through the system than prior systems. 
An oxygen concentrator and enricher constructed according to the invention 
is lighter and more portable than the prior art devices, and additionally 
is quieter and uses less power than prior concentration and enrichment 
systems. Further, the system constructed according to the invention is 
less hazardous than the prior systems since it stores less oxygen at any 
given time.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS 
The Embodiment of FIGS. 1 and 2 
Referring to FIG. 1, a portable oxygen enrichment and concentration system 
10 constructed according to the invention draws air through a gross 
particle filter 12 into a membrane stack 14, or filter. The gross particle 
filter 12 removes dust, soot, and other particulate matter from the air as 
it is drawn into the system. This particulate matter would seriously 
interfere with the efficient operation of the remaining elements of the 
system. The membrane stack 14, which is of a type well known in the art, 
partially absorbs gas molecules in the air other than oxygen and argon. 
Suitable for the membrane stack 14 are filters heavily implanted with an 
inorganic silicate material, held together with a clay base, and shaped in 
a granular form with a minimum of two flat sides to give maximum surface 
or molecule adsorption area. 
The membrane stack 14 has an outlet funnel 16 connected to a tube 18 
leading to a water trap 20. The water trap 20 removes moisture from the 
air by using centripetal force to drive water molecules into a water 
collection chamber 22. The collected water can be removed through a drain 
23. A second tube 24 leads the partially purified air from the water trap 
20 past a gas flow sensor 26, which monitors the vacuum in the pneumatic 
system to sense vacuum changes that may indicate a leak in the system or 
other problem. The gas then flows into a compressor 28. 
The compressor 28 is preferrably operable when connected to a 12-volt 
direct current electrical power source (not shown). The compressor 28 can 
be a standard reciprocating piston air compressor motor capable of a flow 
between 60 liters per minute and 150 liters per minute at a pressure of 
between 5 pounds per square inch and 80 pounds per square inch. 
Optionally, a rotary compressor having the same specifications can be 
used. A rotary compressor has a lower level of friction, a lower 
temperature, and a lower noise level. A carbon vane rotary compressor may 
also be used to provide longer life for the compressor and the ability to 
produce higher pressures. 
A third tube 30 carries the air from the compressor 28 through a start 
solenoid 32 into a heat exchanger 34. The start solenoid 32 closes when 
the system is turned off so contaminants do not flow through the system 
when the device is not being used. The heat exchanger 34 can be one of a 
number of commonly available types of heat exchangers. The heat exchanger 
34 is preferably made of aluminum for maximum heat conductivity. Among the 
designs suitable for use in the system is a fin design in which a 
plurality of aluminum fins are attached to the exterior of the air 
conduit. The fin design of heat exchanger gives the maximum thermal 
conductivity and cooling ability. Alternatively, the aluminum pipe forming 
the gas conduit can be formed in a circular or spiral configuration to 
provide conduit contact with the air for cooling. A second alternative is 
to form a part of the conduit into a pan-shaped aluminum chamber. These 
two alternative heat exchanger designs have a lesser degree of thermal 
conductivity than the fin design, but the level of conductivity may be 
sufficient for particular systems. A fan (not shown) can be installed to 
blow air across the heat exchanger to increase the efficiency of the heat 
exchanger. 
The partially purified air emerges from the heat exchanger 34 to a 
secondary water trap 35. Vaporized water in the gas tends to condense in 
the heat exchanger, so the secondary water trap can efficiently remove the 
water and the water does not contaminate the sieve beds 56,58. 
The gas then flows to a pressure compensator 36. The pressure compensator 
36 supplies air through a pressure gauge 38 to an input port 40 of a 
four-way solenoid valve 42 and also provides air to the exhaust 43, which 
includes a check valve 44 and an exhaust muffler 46. 
The four-way solenoid valve 42 has a pair of primary output ports 48, 50, 
which supply air through a pair of corresponding tubes 52, 54 to a pair of 
molecular sieve beds 56, 58, respectively. The four-way solenoid valve 42 
has a pair of secondary output ports 60, 62, which selectively duct 
exhaust gasses to the exhaust 43 through a pair of tubes 64, 66, 
respectively. 
The four-way solenoid valve 42 operates so when the first primary output 
port 48 is connected to the input port 40, the second primary output port 
50 and the second secondary output port 62 are open to each other to 
couple the second tube 54 to the exhaust 43. When the second primary 
output port 50 is coupled to the input port 40, the first secondary output 
port 60 is coupled to the first primary output port 48 to connect the 
first tube 52 to the exhaust 43. 
The four-way solenoid valve 42 can be either a single solenoid action type 
or a dual solenoid action type. The dual solenoid action valve gives more 
reliable setting of the valve, and has a longer operating life than the 
single solenoid type, but is larger and needs a greater amount of power to 
operate it. 
The first and second sieve beds 56, 58 contain a suitable sieve material 68 
that adsorbs molecules other than oxygen and argon from the air. It is 
well-known that air is approximately 21% oxygen and 78% nitrogen. 
Therefore, increasing the oxygen content of air primarily involves 
removing nitrogen from the air to reduce the nitrogen content below that 
of normal atmospheric air. Adsorbent materials for adsorbing nitrogen are 
known in the art. Inorganic silicates have been found to make good sieve 
material, and are well known in the art. One inorganic silicate found to 
be particularly effective is MG3.TM., manufactured by Linde-Union Carbide. 
Each of the sieve beds 56, 58 can be of the known types of sieve beds, 
including single chamber and double chamber types. The preferred 
construction is of the double chamber type, in which the incoming air 
passes through one chamber before passing through the second chamber and 
then out of the sieve bed. Whether of the single chamber or double chamber 
type, a size of approximately 12 inches in length, 2 inches in width, and 
2 inches in depth has been found to give satisfactory adsorption qualities 
for the quantity of oxygen a system such as this is to produce. 
When the first primary output port 48 of the solenoid value 42 is open to 
the valve input port 40, the air drawn into the system by the compressor 
28 flows through the first tube 52 and enters the first sieve bed 56. The 
output of the first sieve bed 56 is medical grade oxygen. Since the air 
has been partially purified and the oxygen concentration increased by the 
membrane stack 14, the sieve bed 56 does not need to perform all the 
adsorption of the nitrogen. This dual adsorption of the nitrogen permits 
each of the membrance stacks 14 and the sieve bed 56 to be relatively 
smaller than prior systems, so each can operate more efficiently. 
The majority of the oxygen output of the first sieve bed 56 travels through 
a tube 70 to a product tank 72, while a small portion of the output of the 
first sieve bed 56 is diverted through a purge tube 74 and forced through 
the second sieve bed 58 to purge impurities therefrom. The purge tube 74 
is of a restricted diameter or has a restricted orifice so only a small 
portion of the output of the first sieve bed 56 flows through the purge 
tube 74. 
The oxygen that has entered the second sieve bed 58 through the purge tube 
74 flows through the second sieve bed 58 and absorbs the nitrogen and 
other molecules previously adsorbed by the sieve material 68 during a 
previous cycle of the operation of the system. This purge gas then flows 
through the second tube 54 into the second primary output port 50 of the 
valve 42. Since the second secondary output port 62 is open to the second 
primary port 50, the purge gasses are exhausted through the second 
secondary output tube 66 and through the exhaust 43. 
When the four way solenoid valve 42 opens the second primary output port 50 
to the input port 40 to supply a primary output through the second tube 54 
to the second sieve bed 58, the first primary output port 48 in the 
four-way solenoid valve 42 is opened to the first secondary port 60 and 
closed off from the input port 40. Most of the output of the second sieve 
bed 58 is supplied to the product tank 72, while a portion passes through 
the purge tube 74 into the first sieve bed 56 to remove impurities 
therefrom. As the oxygen flows through the first sieve bed 56 in a reverse 
direction it adsorbs the molecules of gas that had been absorbed by the 
inorganic silicate material 68. This purge gas then flows through the 
first tube 52, through the four-way solenoid valve 42 and out the exhaust 
43. 
The system 10 operates in a two-stage cycle. While the first sieve bed 56 
is providing enriched oxygen to the product tank 72, the second sieve bed 
58 is being purged to prepare the system for the second stage of the 
cycle. In the second stage of the cycle, the second sieve bed 58 supplies 
enriched oxygen to the product tank 72 while the first sieve bed 56 is 
being purged to prepare the system again for the first stage of the cycle. 
This two stage cycle continues indefinitely, alternating each sieve bed 
56, 58 between a production mode and a cleaning mode. 
The product tank 72 is an air tight aluminum or plastic container. The 
product tank 72 preferably has about the same interior volume as one of 
the sieve beds 56, 58, and is capable of storing the oxygen product from 
one cycle of the operation of the system. This product tank is not 
intended for long-term storage of the oxygen product, but is intended for 
maintaining a small reserve to ensure a continuous supply of oxygen in the 
event of a momentary interruption in the operation of the system, or if 
the demands or requirements of the user are momentarily greater than the 
production of the system. The product tank can be formed of the same 
casing as the casing on the sieve beds 56, 58. 
The product tank 72 supplies oxygen-enriched air to a product pressure 
regulator 80 through a tube 82. The product regulator 80 maintains the 
even pressure of the oxygen product flow through the output tube 82,84 so 
the user is supplied with a supply of oxygen at predetermined rate, within 
established tolerances. 
After passing through the product regulator 80, air passes through the 
output tube 84 to a flow limiter 86 and thence to a flow meter 88. The 
flow limiter 86 prevents the user from drawing off more oxygen than 
prescribed by his physician, and also prevents the user from exceeding the 
capacity of system. A product shut-down solenoid 90 is connected to the 
output of the flow meter 88. A bacteria filter 92 removes bacteria from 
the oxygen before the oxygen reaches an oxygen outlet 94 that supplies 
oxygen to a patient. 
It has been found that to provide an oxygen flow of four liters per minute 
to a patient, the system should take in approximately 100 liters/min of 
room air. The 100 liters of room air has about 21 liters of oxygen in it. 
The oxygen produced that is not drawn off by the patient is used in 
purging the sieve beds 56, 58. 
Gasses other than oxygen can be the output from the system by changing the 
sieve material 68 in the adsorbent beds 56, 58 to a material that will 
adsorb molecules other than the desired gas. 
Referring to FIG. 2, a control system 100 that may be used in the system 10 
is shown. The control system 100 includes a direct current power source 
101, such as a 12 volt dry cell battery, having a negative terminal 
connected to an on/off switch 102 and a positive terminal connected to a 
fan 103, a thermostat 104, a vacuum intake monitor 106, a compressor motor 
108 for the compressor 28, and an output monitor 110. The negative output 
of the switch 102 is connected to the fan 103, the thermostat 104, the 
vacuum intake monitor 106, the compressor motor 108, and the output 
monitor 110 so that closing the switch 102 supplies 12 volt electrical 
energy to these components. The thermostat 104, the vacuum intake monitor 
106, and the output monitor 110 each include an indicator lamp 124, 125, 
126, respectively. A thermal switch 109 is connected to the air compressor 
motor 108 so that if the air compressor motor overheats, it is 
automatically shut down to prevent a serious damage to the motor. 
A three-position power source selection switch 120 permits selection of one 
of three different power sources for the air compressor motor 108 and the 
fan 103. The switch 120 includes a rotary switching element 121 for 
connecting the power source D.C. converter 118 to either an A.C. plug 129 
or a D.C. plug 127 suitable for connection to an automobile cigarette 
lighter. As shown in FIG. 2, the switching element 121 is set to connect 
the D.C. plug 127 to the power converter 118 to power the system. 
Rotating the switching element 121 90.degree. clockwise connects the A.C. 
plug 129 to the power source converter 118. This permits the system to be 
run off standard household 110 volt A.C. power. The power source converter 
118 converts the input power to proper voltage level to power the system 
components, which in the embodiment discussed are powered by 12 volt 
direct currect power. 
Rotating the switching element 121 180.degree. C. from the position shown 
in FIG. 2 disconnects both the A.C. plug 129 and the D.C. plug 127 from 
the circuit, so the primary power source 101 powers the system components. 
The alarm circuit 116 is coupled to the system to alert the user to any 
malfunction in the system that may jeopardize the operation of the system 
and the continued supply of oxygen to the user. The alarm 116 is connected 
to its own power source 112, in addition to the system power source 101. 
This separate power source may be a 9 volt dry cell battery or similar 
backup power system. 
The solenoid power drive 128 is connected to a solenoid operator coil 133 
in the four-way solenoid valve 42 (FIG. 1). This coil operates the 
solenoid valve. If a dual solenoid type valve is used for the four-way 
valve 42, then a second solenoid operating coil similar to the operating 
coil 133 would be connected to a second solenoid power drive. 
The cycle time control unit 122 controls the timing of the operation of the 
solenoid power drive to control the operation of the four-way solenoid 
valve 42. As discussed above, the control of this four-way valve 42 
determines the cycles of operation of the system for alternatively 
supplying oxygen through the first and second sieve beds 56, 58. 
The Embodiment of FIGS. 3 and 4 
FIG. 3 illustrates a second embodiment of the invention in which air is 
taken in to the system 10a through a gross particle filter 12 into a pair 
of intake mufflers 130, 132. Air output from the first intake muffler 130 
passes through a primary water trap 134 before entering a first primary 
adsorption bed 136. Similarly, air from the second intake muffler 132 
passes through a second primary water trap 138 and is then input to a 
second primary adsorption bed 140. The gross particle filter 12 removes 
large particulate matter, such as dust, from the intake air. The intake 
mufflers 130, 132 include baffles for reducing noise caused by air flow 
into the system. The primary water traps 134, 138 remove water from the 
intake air. 
The outputs of the primary adsorption beds 136, 140 are input to a primary 
four-way control valve 142. A pair of tubes 144, 146 connect the primary 
four-way control valve 142 to a secondary four-way control valve 148. A 
tube 150 extends between the primary four-way control valve 142 and an air 
blower or compressor 152, which draws air through to primary four-way 
control valve 142 and forces the air through a heat exchanger 154 and a 
second water trap 156 to the secondary four-way control valve 148. A pair 
of tubes 158, 160 connect a pair of secondary adsorption beds 162,164 to 
the output of the secondary four-way control valve 148. A pair of the 
outputs from the secondary four-way control valve 148 each lead to 
secondary adsorption beds 162,164. The primary and secondary adsorption 
beds 136, 140, 162, 164 adsorb the molecules in the air other than oxygen 
and argon, similary to the operation of the first and second adsorption 
beds 56,58 described in the first embodiment of the invention. 
The outputs of the secondary adsorption beds 162,164 control adjustable 
relief valves 166,168, respectively, positioned downstream from the 
secondary adsorption beds 162,164. The primary four-way control valve 142 
and the secondary four-way control valve 148 are controlled by the air 
pressure of the output at the relief valves 166,168 through a pair of 
control tubes 170,172, respectively. When the pressure at the output of 
one of the secondary adsorption beds 162,164 reaches a predetermined 
level, one of the relief valves 166,168 allows the output gas to flow 
through one of the control tubes 170,172 to cause the valves 142,148 to 
shift to a new position. The relief valves 166,168 can be adjusted to open 
at different pressures levels to permit optimum performance of the system. 
The adjustable relief valve 166 supplies oxygen-enriched air to a product 
tank 174 through a first output tube 176, which contains a product check 
valve 178 therein. Similarly, the primary output of the second adjustable 
relief valve 168 passes through a second output tube 180 and a product 
check valve 182 to the product tank 174. The output of the product tank 
174 passes through an output pressure regulator 183, an output limiting 
valve 184, an outlet check valve 186, an outlet flow control valve 188, an 
outlet bacteria filter 190 and out of an oxygen outlet port 192 for supply 
to a patient. 
The primary four-way control valve 142 controls the flow of the intake air 
into the system 10a. During one stage of the cycle of operation of the 
system the primary four-way control valve 142 opens the conduit leading 
from the first primary adsorption bed 136 to the conduit 150 leading to 
the blower 152 to permit the blower 152 to draw air in through the first 
primary adsorption bed 136. When the valve 142 is set this way, the 
conduit leading from the second primary adsorption bed 140 is opened to a 
purge conduit 146. During this first stage of the cycle, the secondary 
four-way control valve 148 is set to direct the air output from the 
secondary water trap 156 to the first secondary bed 162 and to open the 
purge line 146 to the second secondary adsorption bed 164. 
A portion of the output of the first secondary adsorption bed 162 passes 
through a puge tube 194 into the second secondary adsorption bed 164 and 
then through the secondary four-way control valve 148, the purge tube 146, 
and the primary four-way control valve 142 to the secondary primary 
adsorption bed 140. The flow of oxygen-enriched air through the secondary 
adsorption bed 164 and the primary adsorption bed 140 purges impurities 
therefrom to prepare the system 10a for the second phase of its operating 
cycle. 
The pressure of the output from the first secondary adsorption bed 162 is 
transmitted through the control conduit 170 to the first and second 
control valves 142, 148. The relief valve 166 is set so that when the 
pressure at the outlet of the first secondary adsorption bed 162 reaches a 
predetermined level, such as 14.7 pounds per square inch gauge, it allows 
gas into the control conduit 170 to shift the control valves 142,148 to 
begin the second stage of the operating cycle of the system. The pressure 
selected is the adsorption bed output pressure that indicates the 
adsorption material has reached, or is close to reaching, saturation. 
In the second stage of operation, the primary control valve 142 is 
configured so the output of the second primary adsorption bed 140 is 
coupled to the blower conduit 150 so the blower 152 draws air through the 
second primary adsorption bed 140. The control valve is also set so the 
purge tube 144 is open to the first primary adsorption bed 136, but the 
first primary adsorption bed 136 is cut off from the blower conduit 150. 
The secondary four-way control valve 148 is configured so the air output 
from the secondary water trap 156 flows into the second secondary 
adsorption bed 164, and the first secondary adsorption bed 162 is opened 
to the purge tube 144, and closed to the air output of the water trap 156. 
During this second stage of the operating cycle the primary and secondary 
four-way control valves 142,148 route intake air through the second 
primary adsorption bed 140 and the second adsorption bed 164 to supply 
oxygen enriched air to the product tank 174. A portion of the oxygen 
output of the second secondary adsorption bed 164 passes through the purge 
tube 194 into the first secondary adsorption bed 162 and flows through the 
secondary four-way control valve 148, the purge tube 144, the primary 
control valve 142, and to the first primary adsorption bed 136 to purge 
impurities from the second primary and secondary adsorption beds 140, 164. 
Positioning the control valves and the blower or compressor between the 
primary adsorption beds and the secondary adsorption beds permits the use 
of fewer valves than in prior devices, greatly simplifying the plumbing 
arrangements so the system is less prone to leaks and pressure losses. 
Additionally, the arrangement of the invention allows a smaller blower or 
compressor to be used, as the blower or compressor pulls the air through 
one adsorbent stack and pushes it through the adsorption beds, rather than 
pushing the air through two sets of sieve beds, as the prior art systems 
do. Such a smaller blower or compressor is smaller in size and requires 
less power to drive the air through the system, reducing the overall power 
requirements of the system and increasing its portability. 
Referring to FIG. 4, a control system for the second embodiment shown in 
FIG. 3 includes a power source 202, which may be a 9 volt or a 12 volt 
battery, having positive and negative outputs connected to a battery 
charge level indicator 204 and to an on/off switch 206. The connections 
shown with broken lines are optional. The negative terminal of the power 
source is also connected to an alarm control circuit 208. The outputs of 
the on/off switch 206 are optionally connected to a timer 210 and to the 
blower 152, a power converter 214 and the alarm control circuit 208. The 
blower 152 may include a thermal switch 216 to avoid overheating. The 
alarm control circuit 208 receives power from an alarm battery 218. The 
alarm 220 may include a visual alarm indicator and an audible alarm 
buzzer. 
The power converter 214 may include a plug 222 for connecting the power 
converter to a 110 volt AC source, such as is commonly available in a home 
or office. The power converter 214 may further include a 12 volt DC 
connector 224 to permit connection to a 12 volt DC source, such as an 
automobile cigarette lighter. A three position power selection switch 226 
connected to the 110 volt DC plug 222 and the 12 volt DC plug 224, and to 
the output of the converter 214 permits selection on one of three 
different power sources for operating the blower. 
The use of the air-controlled four-way valves 142,148 eliminates the need 
for electrical valves to control the product flow. Thus, the blower 152 is 
the only component of the system 10a requiring electrical power. This 
reduces the power requirements for the system, enabling the system to be 
smaller and lighter. 
The Embodiment of FIG. 5 
In the embodiment of FIG. 5, air is taken in through a gross particle 
filter 302, which removes large particles from the intake air. After 
passing through the gross particle filter 302, the intake air passes 
through an intake muffler 304 and a primary water trap 306. A pair of 
tubes 308,310 lead from the water trap 306 to a pair of primary adsorption 
beds 312,314, as controlled by a Y valve assembly 307. A purge line 316 
connects the tubes 308,310. The output of the purge line 316 passes 
through an exhaust muffler 318. The purge line 316 contains a pair of 
check vales 320,322 for controlling the direction of flow through the 
purge line 316. 
The output of the first primary adsorption bed 312 passes through a line 
324 to a three-way air controlled valve 326. Similarly, the output of the 
second primary adsorption bed 314 passes through a line 332 to the 
three-way valve 326. An output line 338 of the three-way valve 326 leads 
to an air blower 340, a heat exchanger 342 and a secondary water trap 344. 
The primary control valve 326 is configured to alternatively couple the 
line 324 to the output 338 or the line 332 to the output line 338. When 
the output line 338 is coupled to the first line 324, the input air is 
drawn through the first primary adsorption bed 312 by the blower 340. When 
the valve 326 connects the second line 332 to the output line 338, the 
blower 340 draws the input air through the second primary adsorption bed 
314. 
When the primary valve 326 is set to direct air from the first line 324 to 
the blower line 338, the four-way valve 330 is set to direct air from the 
water trap 344 to the secondary adsorption bed line 346 and the first 
secondary adsorption bed 348. At the same time, the four-way valve is set 
so the purge line 334 is open to the second secondary adsorption bed line 
350. 
When the three-way valve 326 is set so the blower 340 draws air from the 
second line 332 through the valve 326, the four-way valve 330 is set so 
the air leaving the secondary water trap 344 is directed into the second 
secondary adsorption bed line 350. At the same time, the four-way valve 
330 opens the first secondary adsorption bed line 346 to the purge line 
328. 
During the first stage of operation, when the air is being drawn through 
the first primary adsorption bed 312 and the first secondary adsorption 
bed 348, an adjustable relief valve 354 connected to the output of the 
first secondary adsorption bed 348 apportions oxygen-enriched air among 
(1) the air-controlled three-way valve 326, (2) the air-controlled 
four-way valve 330, (3) a purge line 356, and (4) a product tank 357. 
When the pressure of the output oxygen at the outlet of the first secondary 
adsorption beds 348 reaches a predetermined level, the relief valve 354 
admits gas to the control line 392 leading to the three-way control valve 
326 and the four-way control valve 330. The valves 326,330 shift so the 
blower 340 draws air through the second primary adsorption bed 314 and the 
second secondary adsorption bed 352. The pressure at which the valves 
354,358 admit gas to the control lines 392,394 to shift the control valves 
326,330 is preset to a selected pressure, such as 14.7 pounds per square 
inch gauge, which pressure is selected as the pressure that the output 
product of the secondary adsorption bed 348 reaches when the adsorption 
material is just about saturated. 
During the first stage of operation, a portion of the product 
oxygen-enriched air flows through the purge tube 356 into the second 
secondary adsorption bed 352, through the four-way valve 330 into the 
purge line 334, through the second primary adsorption bed 314, and out 
through the exhaust muffler 318 on the purge line 316. A valve in the Y 
valve assembly 307 prevents the purge gasses from reentering the system 
through the first line 308. This Y valve assembly 307 is described below. 
The check valve 320 ensures that during the first stage of the operating 
cycle the purge gasses flowing from the second primary adsorption bed 314 
do not re-enter the first primary adsorption bed 312. 
When the pressure in the control line 392 causes the three-way valve 326 
and the four-way valve 330 to shift and begin the second stage of the 
operating cycle, the air is drawn by the blower 340 through the second 
primary adsorption bed 314, and directed through the second secondary 
adsorption bed 352. A portion of the product flows through the purge line 
356 and purges the first secondary adsorption bed 348 and the first 
primary adsorption bed 312 through the purge line 328. 
The check valve 322 on the purge line 316 ensures that during the second 
stage of the operating cycle the purge gasses from the first primary 
adsorption bed 312 do not enter the second primary adsorption bed 314. 
The Y valve assembly 307 adjacent the input of the system controls the 
direction of the flow of the incoming air to the proper primary adsorption 
bed 312,314, and prevents the purge gasses from flowing into the wrong 
section of the system as seen from FIG. 6. 
The valve assembly 307 includes an inlet valve 360 connected to the outlet 
of the primary water trap 306. In the inlet valve is a valve element 362 
that seals with an annular valve seat 368 to control flow through the 
inlet 360. The valve element is mounted on a valve stem 364 and is urged 
into valve closing position by a spring 366 surrounding the stem and 
compressed between the valve element 362 and a support structure 367. 
A first outlet valve 370 leads to the line 308 leading to the first primary 
adsorption bed 312. A second outlet valve 372 leads to the second line 310 
and the second primary adsorption bed 314. Each of these outlet valves is 
substantially identical to the inlet valve 360, with valve elements 
374,376, valve stems 378,380, biasing springs 382,384, and valve seats 
386,388. 
When the three-way valve 326 is connected so the output line 324 from the 
first primary adsorption bed 312 is coupled to the blower line 338, the 
suction drawn on the first line 308 and the first outlet 370 of the Y 
valve assembly 307 causes the first outlet valve element 374 to be drawn 
away from the seat 386 to open the first outlet valve 370. The suction 
then pulls against the inlet valve element 362, to pull it away from the 
inlet seat 368. With the inlet valve 366 and the first outlet valve 370 
open, when the air is drawn in through the gross particle filter 302, the 
intake muffler 304, and the water trap 306, to the first line 308. The 
springs 366, 382 are relatively weak so the valve elements 362, 374 are 
readily unseated. 
When the three-way valve 326 is configured so the line 332 is open to the 
blower line 338, and the blower 340 draws air through the second primary 
adsorption bed 314 and the second line 310, the vacuum on the second 
outlet valve 372 pulls the valve element 376 away from the seat 388, and 
then pulls the inlet valve element 362 away from the seat 368 to draw the 
air into the second line 310. Since during this second stage of the cycle 
of operation, the first primary adsorption bed 312 and the first line 308 
are shut off from the blower 340 by the three-way valve 326, there is no 
suction on the first outlet valve 370, and the biasing caused by the 
spring 382 pushes the valve element 374 against the seat 386 to close the 
first outlet valve 370. Additionally, the vacuum drawn on the second 
output valve 372 assists in pulling the valve element 374 of the first 
outlet closed. 
Thus, operation of the Y valve 307 is automatic during the overall system 
operation. Screw threads 390 on each of the inlet and outlet valves 360, 
370, 372, of the Y valve assembly 307 allow the amount of biasing of the 
springs 366, 382, 384, to be adjusted. 
The electrical control system discussed with reference to the second 
embodiment of the invention and shown in FIG. 4 provides satisfactory 
means for controlling the electrical portions of the third embodiment. 
Again, the only element requiring electrical power is the blower or 
compressor 340. 
The Embodiment of FIGS. 7 and 8 
Air drawn into the system of FIG. 7 passes through a gross particle filter 
402, an intake muffler 404, and a primary water trap 406. The gross 
particle filter 402 eliminates major particulate matter such as dust, 
soot, etc., from the intake air. The intake muffler 404, with its internal 
baffles, reduces the noise associated with the intake of the outside air. 
The primary water trap 406 removes water from the air so it does not 
contaminate the adsorption beds in the system. 
After passing through the gross particle filter 402, the intake muffler 
404, and the primary water trap 406, the intake air passes through an 
electrically controlled solenoid valve 408. The solenoid valve 408 
controls the flow of air through a first line 410 and an intake check 
valve 412 to the first primary adsorption bed 414 and the air flow through 
a second line 416 and a second intake check valve 418 into a second 
primary adsorption bed 420. Operation of the electrical solenoid valve 408 
by turning on the system opens the inlet, allowing air to be drawn into 
the system. When the power is turned off, the valve 408 is closed, sealing 
the intake port to prevent contamination of the system elements when the 
system is not in use. 
A purge line 422 extends between the first and second lines. The purge line 
422 contains a pair of check valves 424,426, which ensure that purged 
material passes through an exhaust muffler 428 rather than into the intake 
of one of the adsorption beds. 
The output of the first and second primary adsorption beds 414,420 are 
input to an air controlled three-way valve 430. A fan 432 is connected to 
the output 434 of the three-way valve 430 to draw air through the system. 
When the blower 432 is turned on and the electrically operated solenoid 
valve 408 opened, air is drawn into the system through the gross particle 
filter 402, the intake muffler 404, the water trap 406, and into one of 
the primary adsorption beds 414,420. The operation of the three-way valve 
430 determines which of the primary adsorption beds 414,420 the air is 
drawn through. 
After passing through the blower 432, the air passes through a heat 
exchanger 436 and a secondary water trap 438 before entering a second 
air-controlled three-way valve 440, which controls the direction of flow 
of the output air to secondary adsorption beds 442,444. The second 
three-way flow control valve 440 has a first output 441 connected to a 
first secondary adsorption bed 442 and a second output 443 connected to a 
second secondary adsorption bed 444. 
The output of the first secondary adsorption bed 442 passes through an 
adjustable relief valve 446, which apportions the output oxygen-enriched 
air among (1) a control line 448, (2) a second purge line 450, and (3) a 
product tank 452. The control line 448 is connected to the first and 
second three-way flow control valves 430, 440 for controlling the 
operation of these valves. 
The output of the second secondary adsorption bed 444 passes through a 
second relief valve 454, which apportions the output oxygen-enriched air 
among (1) a second control line 456, (2) the second purge line 450, and 
(3) the product tank 452. The second control line 456 also provides 
operating air to the first and second three-way control valves 430,440. 
The operation of first and second three-way valves 430,440 is controlled by 
the pressure of the gas in the control lines 448,456. The flow of gas into 
the control lines 448, 456 is controlled by the relief valves 354,358. The 
relief valves 354,358 are adjustable so that a predetermined pressure 
causes gas to enter one of the control lines 448,456 to apply sufficient 
pressure on the valve operators in the control valves 430,440 to shift the 
valve operators to change their direction of flow through the three-way 
valves 430,440. For example, if the valves are initially set so air drawn 
into the system is drawn through the first primary adsorption bed 414 by 
the blower 432, then pushed through the first secondary adsorption bed 442 
when the pressure of the output product from the first secondary 
adsorption bed 442 reaches a certain level indicating that the adsorption 
material has come close to reaching saturation, this pressure, through the 
control line 448, switches the first and second three-way valves 430,440 
to cause the blower 432 to draw the air through the second primary 
adsorption bed 420 and push it on through to the second secondary 
adsorption bed 444. 
As in the previously described embodiments of the system, while the air is 
being drawn through the first primary adsorption bed 414 and the first 
secondary adsorption bed 442, a portion of the product flows through the 
purge line 450, and in a reverse direction through the second secondary 
adsorption bed 444, the second primary adsorption bed 420, and to the 
atmosphere through the exhaust muffler 428. During the purging process the 
purge gas is directed through the direct connection line 458 from the 
second secondary adsorption bed 444 to the second primary adsorption bed 
420, since the second three-way valve 440 has closed off the second output 
443. A check valve 460 on the direct connection ine 458 allows the purge 
gas to flow from the secondary adsorption bed 444 to the primary 
adsorption bed 420, but prevents the flow of air from the primary 
adsorption bed 420 to the secondary adsorption bed 444. 
The check valves 418,424 ensure that the purge gasses from the second 
adsorption beds 420,444 are exhausted through the exhaust muffler 428, and 
are not permitted to enter the first primary adsorption bed 414. 
When the pressure of the output from the first secondary adsorption bed 442 
reaches the predetermined level so the gas in the control line 448 causes 
the first and second three-way valves 430,440 to shut off the flow of air 
through the first adsorption beds 414,442, and opens the valves 430,440 to 
draw the air through the second adsorption beds 420,444, a portion of the 
output of these second secondary adsorption bed 444 is drawn through the 
purge line 450 and used to purge the first adsorption beds 442,414. 
During the purging of the first adsorption beds 414,442, the purge gasses 
flow through the direct connection line 462. The check valve 464 on the 
direct connection line 462 prevents the flow of air through the direct 
connection line 462 when the first adsorption beds are being used to 
concentrate the oxygen. 
The check valves 412 and 426 ensure that the purge gasses from the first 
adsorption beds 414,442 do not enter the second primary adsorption bed 
420, but are exhausted through the exhaust muffler 428. 
FIG. 8 is a schematic diagram of an electrical control system for use in 
connection with the embodiment illustrated in FIG. 7. Again, the dashed 
lines indicate optional connections within the circuit. A primary power 
source 470, which may be a 9 volt or 12 volt battery, has positive and 
negative terminals connected to an on/off switch 472 and to a battery 
charge level indicator 474. The positive and negative outputs of the 
on/off switch 472 are connected to the solenoid valve control 476, which 
controls the solenoid valve 408 (FIG. 7), and to the fan 432, which forces 
air through the system. The fan 432 preferably includes a thermal switch 
478 to prevent overheating. 
An alarm control circuit 480 is connected to the negative terminal of the 
battery 470 and to the negative output of the on/off switch 472 to alert 
the user or other person of a malfunction in the operation of the system. 
A separate alarm power source 482, which may be a 9 volt battery, provides 
power to the alarm control circuit 480 independent of the primary power 
source 470. An alarm buzzer and/or light 484 to give an audible or visible 
indication of alarm conditions. Among the alarm conditions that cause the 
alarm control 480 to actuate the alarm output 484 are a failure of the 
primary power source 470, a failure of the fan 432, or other change in 
conditions that seriously interferes with the oxygen production of the 
system. 
An optional three-way control switch 486 permits the user to select among 
the primary power source 470, a 110 volt AC power source connected to the 
AC plug 488, or a DC voltage source connected to a DC voltage adaptor 490, 
such as an automobile cigarette lighter. An AC to DC converter 492 is 
interposed between the AC plug 488 and the remainder of the circuit to 
convert the input AC power to the DC voltage on which the elements of the 
system operate. A DC voltage converter (not shown) may be interposed 
between the DC voltage connector 490 and the other elements of the circuit 
if the DC adaptor 490 is intended to be connected to a voltage source 
having a different voltage than the primary power source 470. 
Therefore, the system illustrated in FIGS. 7 and 8 has the capability of 
drawing power from either the battery, an automobile cigarette lighter 
outlet, or a 110 volt AC outlet. 
A timer 496 can be connected to the on/off switch 472 to control the 
operation of the system if timed control, rather than demand or continuous 
operation of the system is desired.