초록 ▼

A liquid separator for a respiratory gas sample analyzer includes a closed container having a liquid trap filter chamber integral with the container. The liquid trap filter chamber includes an inlet compartment and an outlet compartment. The inlet compartment is interposed between a sample inlet por

A liquid separator for a respiratory gas sample analyzer includes a closed container having a liquid trap filter chamber integral with the container. The liquid trap filter chamber includes an inlet compartment and an outlet compartment. The inlet compartment is interposed between a sample inlet port and a sample outlet port and includes a gas permeable, liquid impermeable filter element for separating liquid from a gas sample, the liquid separated from the gas sample passing to a collection chamber. The outlet compartment includes a further gas permeable, liquid impermeable trap filter element which is interposed between the collection chamber and a low pressure port, for preventing the flow of liquid through the output compartment to the low pressure port.

대표청구항 ▼

What is claimed is: 1. A liquid separator for a gas analyzer, said liquid separator comprising: a closed container including a sample inlet port having an axis, a sample outlet port, and a low pressure port; said container defining a liquid collection chamber and a liquid trap filter chamber, said

What is claimed is: 1. A liquid separator for a gas analyzer, said liquid separator comprising: a closed container including a sample inlet port having an axis, a sample outlet port, and a low pressure port; said container defining a liquid collection chamber and a liquid trap filter chamber, said liquid trap filter chamber including an inlet compartment interposed between said sample inlet port and said sample outlet port for receiving a gas sample introduced into said sample inlet port, said inlet compartment having an upper outlet communicated with said sample outlet port and a lower outlet communicated with said liquid collection chamber; said inlet compartment having an inner wall extending perpendicular to the axis of said sample inlet port, said inner wall defining said upper outlet, and a liquid trap filter element contained in said inlet compartment, interposed between said sample inlet port and said sample outlet port, for separating liquid from the gas sample, said filter element being a generally flat membrane member extending generally parallel to said inner wall of said inlet compartment and overlying said inner wall of said inlet compartment, interposed between said sample inlet port and said upper outlet; and a support on said inner wall, supporting a center portion of said flat membrane member within said inlet compartment, spaced apart from said inner wall and providing an active area through which gas can flow; liquid separated from the gas sample passing through said lower outlet to said collection chamber. 2. The liquid separator according to claim 1, wherein inner wall of said inlet compartment is interposed between said filter element and said sample outlet port, said inner wall defining said upper outlet, said filter element overlying said inner wall. 3. The liquid separator according to claim 1, wherein said liquid trap filter chamber includes a cover which encloses said filter element within said inlet compartment. 4. The liquid separator according to claim 3, wherein said cover includes at least one concave filter engaging surface engaging said filter element to trap said filter element between said cover and said inner wall. 5. The liquid separator according to claim 1, wherein said filter element comprises a membrane bearing a polytetrafluoroethylene laminate. 6. The liquid separator according to claim 1, wherein said liquid trap filter chamber includes an outlet compartment interposed between said collection chamber and said low pressure port, said outlet compartment having an inner wall defining said upper outlet, said outlet compartment having an inlet communicated with said collection chamber and an outlet communicated with said low pressure port, and a further liquid trap filter element contained in said outlet compartment, said further filter element being a generally flat member overlying said inner wall of said outlet compartment, interposed between said inlet and said outlet of said outlet compartment. 7. The liquid separator according to claim 6, wherein inner wall of said outlet compartment defines said outlet port of said outlet compartment. 8. The liquid separator according to claim 6, wherein said further filter element comprises a membrane bearing a polytetrafluoroethylene laminate. 9. The liquid separator according to claim 1, and including a self-sealing filter in at least one of said sample outlet port and said low pressure port. 10. A liquid separator for a gas analyzer, said liquid separator comprising: a sample inlet port having an axis; a sample outlet port; an inlet compartment having an inlet in fluid communication with said sample inlet port for receiving a gas sample introduced into said sample inlet port, said inlet compartment having an upper outlet communicated with said sample outlet port, said inlet compartment having an inner wall extending perpendicular to the axis of said sample inlet port, said inner wall defining said upper outlet; a liquid collection chamber in fluid communication with said inlet compartment for receiving liquid from said inlet compartment; a low pressure port; an outlet compartment interposed between said collection chamber and said low pressure port, said outlet compartment having an inlet communicated with said collection chamber and an outlet communicated with said low pressure port; and a gas permeable, liquid impermeable filter element contained in said inlet compartment, said filter element being a generally flat membrane member extending generally parallel to said inner wall of said inlet compartment and overlying said inner wall, interposed between said inlet and outlet of said inlet compartment for substantially preventing flow of liquid while allowing the flow of gas from said inlet to said outlet of said inlet compartment; a support on said inner wall of said inlet compartment supporting a center portion of said flat membrane member within said inlet compartment, spaced apart from said inner wall and providing an active area through which gas can flow. 11. The liquid separator according to claim 10, and including a further filter element contained in said outlet compartment interposed between said inlet of said outlet compartment and said outlet of said outlet compartment for substantially preventing the passage of liquid through said outlet compartment to said low pressure port. 12. The liquid separator according to claim 10, and including a cover separating said inlet and outlet compartments. 13. A liquid separator according to claim 10, wherein said filter element comprises a membrane bearing a polytetrafluoroethylene laminate. 14. The liquid separator according to claim 10, including a self-sealing filter in at least one of said sample outlet port and said low pressure port. 15. A liquid separator for a gas analyzer, said liquid separator comprising: a sample inlet port having an axis; a sample outlet port; a liquid collection chamber; an inlet compartment for receiving a gas sample introduced into said sample inlet port, said inlet compartment having an upper outlet communicated with said sample outlet port and a lower outlet communicated with said liquid collection chamber, said inlet compartment having an inner wall extending perpendicular to the axis of said sample inlet port, said inner wall of said inlet compartment defining said upper outlet; a first gas permeable, liquid impermeable filter element contained in said inlet compartment interposed between said sample inlet port and said upper outlet for separating liquid from the gas sample, said first filter element being a first generally flat membrane member extending generally parallel to said inner wall of said inlet compartment and overlying said inner wall; a support on said inner wall of said inlet compartment, supporting a center portion of said first flat membrane member within said inlet compartments, spaced apart from said inner wall of said inlet compartment and providing an active area through which gas can flow; said liquid collection chamber receiving liquid passed through said lower outlet of said inlet trap filter compartment; a low pressure port; an outlet compartment interposed between said liquid collection chamber and said low pressure port, said outlet compartment having an inlet communicated with said collection chamber and an outlet communicated with said low pressure port, said outlet compartment having an inner wall defining said outlet of said outlet compartment; a second gas permeable, liquid impermeable filter element contained in said outlet compartment interposed between said inlet and said outlet of said outlet compartment, said second filter element being a second generally flat membrane member extending generally parallel to said inner wall of said outlet compartment and overlying said inner wall of said outlet compartment; and a support on said inner wall of said outlet compartment, supporting a center portion of said second filter element within said outlet compartments, spaced apart from said inner wall of said outlet compartment and providing an active area through which gas can flow.