초록 ▼

A control system for sequentially communicating a source of pressurized fluid mixture to first and second beds of adsorption material to separate at least one component from the fluid mixture and produce a product fluid. A pressure transducer connected to a supply conduit develops a switching signal

A control system for sequentially communicating a source of pressurized fluid mixture to first and second beds of adsorption material to separate at least one component from the fluid mixture and produce a product fluid. A pressure transducer connected to a supply conduit develops a switching signal corresponding to a predetermined fluid pressure in the fluid mixture communicated to the first and second beds of adsorption material. An electronic controller responds to the switching signal to sequentially develop first and second electrical signals. The electronic controller allows the first and second electrical signals to overlap for a predetermined controlled time period. Valve mechanisms sequentially respond to the first and second electrical signal to prevent communication of the fluid mixture to one of the first and second chambers while allowing communication to the second chamber. A first branch of an outlet conduit connects the first bed of adsorpton material to a storage chamber while a second branch of the outlet conduit connects the second bed of adsorption material to the storage chamber. An equalizer valve located in an intermediate conduit between the first and second branches of the outlet conduit, reacts to first and second overlap of the electrical signals to allow the fluid pressure in the first and second beds of adsorption material to equalize when the communication of fluid mixture to the first and second beds of adsorption material is interrupted to complete a cycle of operation.

대표청구항 ▼

In a breathing system wherein a breathable fluid is separated from a source of fluid mixture through the retention of at least one element in the fluid mixture by an adsorption material located in first and second chambers, control means for regulating the sequential communication of the fluid mixtu

In a breathing system wherein a breathable fluid is separated from a source of fluid mixture through the retention of at least one element in the fluid mixture by an adsorption material located in first and second chambers, control means for regulating the sequential communication of the fluid mixture to the first and second chambers comprising: a supply conduit for communicating the fluid mixture from the source to said first and second chambers, the pressure of the fluid mixture in said supply conduit varying with the rate of flow and adsorption of the element of the fluid mixture in said first and second chambers; first transducer means connected to said supply conduit and responsive to a predetermined fluid pressure in the fluid mixture for establishing a switching signal; electronic means connected to said first transducer means and responsive to said switching signal for sequentially developing a first electrical signal and a second electrical signal, said electronic means permitting said first and second electrical signals to overlap for a predetermined time period; first valve means connected to said supply conduit and responsive to said first electrical signal for preventing communication of the fluid mixture to the first chamber and allowing communication of the fluid mixture to the second chamber during a first mode in a cycle of operation; and second valve means connected to said supply conduit and responsive to said second electrical signal for preventing communication of the fluid mixture to the second chamber and allowing communication of fluid to the first chamber during a second mode in a cycle of operation, said overlap of the communication of the first and second electrical signals allowing the fluid pressure of the fluid mixture in the first and second chambers to equalize before proceeding to the first and second modes in a cycle of operation.