Patent ID: 8567398

Claim:
A pressure support system comprising: a pressure generator adapted to generate a flow of fluid at a pressure above atmospheric pressure; a conduit having a first end coupled to the output of the pressure generator and a second end; a valve operatively coupled to the conduit, wherein the valve is adapted to control a pressure of fluid delivered to the second end of the conduit and is operable over a range of positions; a valve monitoring sensor adapted to monitor a valve-related characteristic, wherein the valve-related characteristic is electrical energy provided to the valve, a degree of movement of the valve, a current position of the valve, or any combination thereof; and a controller operatively coupled to the pressure generator, the valve, and the valve monitoring sensor, wherein the controller determines a valve parameter based on the valve-related characteristic and is not based on a flow of gas exiting the valve, and wherein the controller compares the valve parameter to a threshold value associated with the valve parameter, and wherein the controller controls an operating speed of the pressure generator based on a result of the comparing of the valve parameter to the threshold value such that the valve operates over a majority of the range of positions during use of the pressure support system.