Other

Gunderson, Inc.

Sequal Technologies, Inc.

Hill Engineering, Inc.

Dynotec Corporation

Luther Medical Products, Inc.

Teijin Limited

Charles C Hill

Theodore B Hill

Gregory J Saxton

Graham Walker

Gareth R Thomas

Scott C Honkonen

Gary S Kaleta

Adam C Hansen

Kenneth L Weselake

George Spector

Thomas Gareth R

Carly A Anderson

Fluid movers produce at least predominantly laminar flow internally in an axial or a radial direction in a rotor. A fluid mover rotor comprises a matrix of passages of appropriate size to produce at least predominantly laminar flow spaced circumferentially around the rotor. The passages may provide axial, radial or mixed flow. 'Appropriate' dimensions may be selected for a specified volume flow rate. In a radial embodiment, a matrix of radially extending passages could comprise walls having an axial height projecting from an annular disk. The passages may be offset with respect to the radial direction to provide an angle of attack that minimizes incidence losses. The matrix structure allows the use of thin-walled passages to minimize blockage of entering air.

High efficiency fluid movers

The present invention relates to a rotary valve assembly for a pressure swing adsorption system. The rotary valve assembly includes a first valve member and a second valve member relatively rotatable about a common center of rotation to provide valving action for selectively transferring fluids therethrough. The second valve member has a first fluid section with at least one aperture adapted for transferring a first fluid of a first pressure and composition therethrough and a second fluid section with at least one aperture adapted for transferring a second fluid of a second pressure and composition therethrough. The first valve member has a first fluid section with at least one passage for transferring the first fluid in the valve assembly and a second fluid section with at least one passage for transferring the second fluid in the valve assembly. A vent is located between the first fluid sections and the second fluid sections of the valve assembly and is vented to a pressure lower than the pressures of the first and second fluids so as to vent leakage from either of the sections of the valve assembly. The rotary valve assembly further includes means for effecting relative rotation of the first valve member and second valve member.

Rotary valve assembly for pressure swing adsorption system

The present invention is directed to a much safer and less expensive way of providing portable oxygen from a gas concentrator for patients who do not want to be tied to a stationary machine or restricted by present oxygen technology. The present invention involves a home liquid oxygen ambulatory system for supplying a portable supply of oxygen, where a portion of the gaseous oxygen output obtained from an oxygen concentrator is condensed into liquid oxygen. The system includes an oxygen concentrator which separates oxygen gas from the ambient air, a condenser in communication with the oxygen concentrator for receiving and liquefying the oxygen gas flow, a cryocooler associated with the condenser, and a first storage dewar in fluid communication with the condenser and adapted to store the oxygen liquefied by the condenser, the first storage dewar including means for transferring liquid oxygen from the first dewar to a second dewar for storing a quantity of oxygen suitable for moveable oxygen treatment.

Methods and apparatus to generate liquid ambulatory oxygen from an oxygen concentrator

A control system for a home ambulatory liquid oxygen system having an oxygen concentrator, condenser, cryocooler, a heater and a storage dewar, includes an oxygen concentration sensor which senses the concentration of oxygen gas generated by the oxygen concentrator and generates a first signal in response thereto; a liquid level sensor which senses the liquid level in the dewar and generates a second signal in response thereto; a temperature sensor which senses the temperature in the dewar and generates a third signal in response thereto; and a microprocessor for receiving the first, second and third signals for computing the flow concentration of gaseous oxygen out of the concentrator and into the condenser, the level of liquid oxygen in the dewar, the temperature in the dewar and for controlling the transfer of liquid oxygen from the storage dewar.

Multiple foam-filled cells form a cushioned support surface of a seat or mattress. Individual cells may be collapsed by connection through a manifold and valve to a vacuum source. The collapsed cell essentially removes contact pressure in a localized area of the person supported on the surface and restores localized blood flow. After a pre-determined time interval, atmospheric pressure is readmitted to the cell.

Continuous wave cushioned support

The present invention is directed to a much safer and less expensive way of providing portable oxygen from a gas concentrator for patients who do not want to be tied to a stationary machine or restricted by present oxygen technology. In one preferred embodiment, the present invention splits off some of the excess capacity gas flow from a gas concentrator which is then stored via liquefaction. The stored gas can then be used as a portable supply. A portion of the oxygen gas flow generated by the oxygen concentrator is channeled to a condenser which receives and liquefies the oxygen gas using cryocooler. A storage dewar is used for storing the oxygen liquefied by the condenser. Liquid is then selectively transferred to a smaller portable dewar. A controller can be used for monitoring the parameters of liquefaction, including oxygen concentration, the amount of liquid oxygen in the dewar, and for controlling the parameters of liquid oxygen generation and transfer. In one embodiment, the flow rate into the condenser is chosen to exceed the capacity of the condenser to minimize the liquefaction of argon, nitrogen and trace gases, and to purge the system. In another embodiment, condenser parameters are controlled in certain ranges and a unique condenser design is also disclosed. Also disclosed is a representative method for controlling the system using a microprocessor with a database and control functions which senses various parameters relating to the liquefaction, provides the microprocessor with the sensed parameters, calculates optimal conditions, and controls the liquefaction process.

Rotary valve assembly for pressure swing absorption system

The present invention is directed to a much safer and less expensive way of providing portable oxygen from a gas concentrator for patients who do not want to be tied to a stationary machine or restricted by present oxygen technology. In one preferred embodiment, the present invention splits off some of the excess capacity gas flow from a gas concentrator which is then stored via liquefaction. The stored gas can then be used as a portable supply. A portion of the oxygen gas flow generated by the oxygen concentrator is channeled to a condenser which receives and liquefies the oxygen gas using cryocooler. A storage dewar is used for storing the oxygen liquefied by the condenser. Liquid is then selectively transferred to a smaller portable dewar. A controller can be used for monitoring the parameters of liquefaction, including oxygen concentration, the amount of liquid oxygen in the dewar, and for controlling the parameters of liquid oxygen generation and transfer. In one embodiment, the flow rate into the condenser is chosen to exceed the capacity of the condenser to minimize the liquefaction of argon, nitrogen and trace gases, and to purge the system.

Methods and apparatus to generate liquid ambulatory oxygen from an

A rotary valve at the inlets of a plurality of columns cyclically (1) selects first columns on a cyclic basis to receive compressed air, adsorb nitrogen and other components in the compressed air and pass oxygen and argon to a user (e.g. patient), second columns to desorb the adsorbed components in such columns and (3) third columns to equalize pressures where the first columns change progressively to the second columns and vice versa. A compressor having adjustable characteristics and regulated in an open or closed loop introduces the compressed air through the valve to the first columns to provide an adjustable air flow for obtaining a prescribed oxygen flow to the user. An indication may be provided when the compressor characteristics regulated for obtaining the prescribed oxygen flow rate are outside particular limits. The valve may have a variable speed related to the compressor flow variations to regulate the air pressure in the columns in accordance with the air flow rate into the columns. A variable orifice in a valve in each column outlet becomes constricted with decreases in the oxygen flow rate in each column, thereby further regulating the oxygen pressure in such column. A porous plug in a closed chamber receiving the desorbed pressurized components releases such components slowly, without pulsatile noise, to the atmosphere. The equipment accordingly produces the desired oxygen flow rate with minimal power consumption, minimal noise and optimal efficiency, reliability and life span. The equipment may be designed to pass other components than oxygen.

Fluid fractionator

A railroad freight car including a cargo well for carrying optionally either intermodal cargo containers or highway semitrailers has a side sill structure including a deep rectangular top chord and a depending web, supporting a well floor structure. Each side sill has a height above the well floor, and a spacer is connected to the car body by an attachment which permits the spacer to be pivoted between a raised position clear of the well floor and a lowered position upwardly adjacent the well floor. The spacer has a predetermined height sufficient to support a trailer located in the cargo well, with its wheels resting on top of the spacer, high enough to locate lifting points on the trailer above the height of the side sill.

Railroad well car including spacer for supporting a trailer

Improved apparatus for fractionating fluid mixtures by pressure swing molecular adsorption employing a rotary distributor valve and an array of adsorber columns. The columns are, in one embodiment, contained within a product holding tank or, in another embodiment, attached to a product tank. The valve sequences to provide a quasi steady-state flow, allowing optimization of adsorption/desorption cycles, and eliminating most of the valves, switches and plumbing usually required.

A railroad freight car including a cargo well for carrying optionally either intermodal cargo containers or highway semitrailers has a side sill structure including a deep rectangular top chord and a depending web, supporting a well floor structure. The well floor structure includes reinforcing longitudinal and transverse channel members and horizontal top and bottom plates attached to the channels. Large circular openings, aligned with one another, are defined in both the top and bottom plates, and a peripheral ring of vertical material interconnects the margins of the top and bottom plates around the openings, providing a light but stiff floor structure with a small vertical height.

Growing community of inventors

Del Mar, CA, United States of America

Charles C Hill