초록

An oxygen separator for separating oxygen from ambient air utilizing a vacuum swing adsorption process has a mass of less than 2.3 kg. A carrier is mountable on a person to support the oxygen separator for ambulatory use.

대표청구항 ▼

The invention claimed is: 1. An oxygen concentrator comprising: a portable power pack; a vacuum swing adsorption (VSA) oxygen separator powered by the power source and having a plurality of nitrogen-selective adsorbent beds, each operating in VSA cycles including feed, evacuation and repressurizati

The invention claimed is: 1. An oxygen concentrator comprising: a portable power pack; a vacuum swing adsorption (VSA) oxygen separator powered by the power source and having a plurality of nitrogen-selective adsorbent beds, each operating in VSA cycles including feed, evacuation and repressurization phases, the VSA cycles operating in a range between about 0.1 atm and about 1.0 atm; wherein the VSA oxygen separator comprises: an ambient air inlet; a vacuum pump; a product control pump; and a valve for selectively connecting the ambient air inlet, the vacuum pump and the product control pump to the adsorbent beds during different phases of the VSA cycles; a reservoir for storing oxygen-rich product gas produced by the VSA oxygen separator; and wherein the VSA oxygen separator is contained within a plurality of modules connected to a carrier mounted on a person. 2. The oxygen concentrator of claim 1 wherein the VSA oxygen concentrator further comprises: a motor for driving the valve and the vacuum pump, wherein the motor is contained within a control module. 3. The oxygen concentrator of claim 1 wherein the plurality of modules are connected by a belt. 4. The oxygen concentrator of claim 3 wherein the belt contains a series of the pathways which contain electrical and pneumatic connections of the VSA oxygen separator contained within the plurality of modules. 5. The oxygen concentrator of claim 3 wherein each of the plurality of modules is attached to the belt with a quick disconnect mechanism. 6. The oxygen concentrator of claim 1 wherein the carrier comprises a belt which includes a plurality of connected segments to allow manipulation of the carrier.