Other

Sequal Technologies, Inc.

Scott C Honkonen

Charles C Hill

Theodore B Hill

Graham Walker

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.

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.

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.

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San Diego, CA, United States of America

Scott C Honkonen