Patent ID: 7195028

Claim:
An apparatus which may be used as a self-contained oxygen generator comprising: a) a generator inlet; b) a PSA unit, wherein said unit comprises at least one adsorber; c) an oxygen outlet line; d) a flowmeter, wherein said flowmeter; 1) is located in said outlet line; and 2) provides an electrical flow rate signal representative of the flow rate of oxygen passing through said outlet line; e) an outlet line leakage circuit comprising; 1) a solenoid valve that can be actuated in response to said signal; and 2) a calibrated restriction; and f) an electronics element electrically connected to said flowmeter and said solenoid valve, wherein said electronics element, said flowmeter and said solenoid valve are configured such that: 1) said electronics element receives said electrical flow rate signal from said flowmeter 2) said solenoid valve receives a control signal from said electronics element; 3) said control signal is derived from said electrical flow rate signal; and 4) upon receipt of said electrical flow rate signal from said flowmeter indicating an oxygen flow rate below a predetermined threshold, said solenoid valve is caused to open by said control signal from said electronics element.