I-flow Corporation Inc.

Other

Bear Medical Systems, Inc.

Bourns Incorporated

Stanley E Fry

Roger Dillard Massengale

Charles J McPhee

Claude C Hurd

Bill Porter

Charles J Mcphee

A variable device for regulating the outlet pressure of a fluid from a valve body, includes a pressure-sensing chamber having a wall formed by a resilient self-restoring diaphragm which is responsive to pressure in the chamber. A valve element connected to the diaphragm controls flow into the chamber. Increased pressure in the chamber decreases the flow into the chamber and decreasing pressure increases flow whereby fluid flow out from the chamber is maintained at a desired pressure. The outlet pressure is adjusted by deflecting the diaphragm in a direction to open the valve while permitting a section of the diaphragm connected to the valve member to remain responsive to the pressure in the chamber. An adjustment cover is provided to adjustably deflect the diaphragm and includes a catch mechanism to allow adjustment of the fluid outlet pressures and also retain the device at a desired value. An indicator arrangement may be provided to visually indicate the fluid outlet pressure.

Pressure regulator

A variable pressure regulator control device comprising a valve body having a fluid inlet, a fluid outlet, a fluid pressure-sensing chamber, and a valve seat in fluid communication with said inlet and defining an opening into said chamber, a resilient member having an outer edge and a self-restoring wall of the chamber which is responsive to pressure in said chamber, a valve stem extending through said chamber towards the valve seat, a valve element cooperating with said valve seat, said valve element being located between the valve seat and said fluid inlet, an adjuster mounted to said valve body in a position to deflect said resilient member, thereby moving the valve element away from the valve seat while said member flexes in response to pressure changes within said chamber to control the position of the valve element with respect to the valve seat, wherein said valve body includes a base incorporating said inlet, said outlet, and said valve seat, a retainer mounted atop said base, said retainer having an aperture for receiving said adjuster, and a cover fixing said adjuster for rotation therewith such that deflection of said resilient member is capable of being adjusted by rotation of said cover.

A valve for draining liquid from a pressurized gas system having a time-varying pressure comprises a housing defining an internal cavity communicating with (a) an inlet adapted to receive the time-varying pressure from the gas system, and (b) an outlet subject to ambient or subambient pressure. An inlet valve is movable in the housing between a first position that seals the inlet from the cavity and a second position that opens the inlet to the cavity in response to a predetermined pressure value. An outlet valve is movable in the housing between a first position that seals the outlet from the cavity and a second position that opens the cavity to the outlet. The inlet and outlet valves are biased so that the outlet valve is closed when the inlet valve is open, and the outlet valve is open for at least a substantial part of the time that the inlet valve is closed when the inlet pressure decreases below the predetermined value. In several embodiments, the inlet and outlet valves are separate valving elements that are movable axially relative to each other. In one embodiment, a single valving element has an upstream portion that serves as the inlet valve and a downstream portion that serves as the outlet valve, the outlet valving portion being open when the inlet valving portion is closed, and the outlet valving portion being closed when the inlet valving portion is open.

Drain valve for pressurized gas system

An apparatus for selectively varying air resistance on a land transport vehicle to optimize reduction of drag except when drag is desirable as a speed reduction aid. The vehicle typically includes a cab and at least one trailing cargo container. First and second wings are mounted on respective vertical axes on opposite sides of the cab adjacent the rear. Means are provided for moving the wings when desired between a first, relatively low drag position wherein the wings lie substantially flush with the sides of the cab and a second, relatively high drag position wherein the wings project outwardly beyond the sides of the cab and into the air system moving past the cab to increase drag and reduce the braking distance of the vehicle. An air deflector is mounted on the roof of the cab to normally deflect air over the top of the cargo container. The air deflector includes a relatively large opening therein for allowing air to freely pass therethrough and a door positioned in the opening and mounted for movement relative to the door. Means move the door between a first, relatively low drag position wherein the door covers the opening and air is deflected up and over the cargo container and a second, relatively high drag position wherein the door is retracted away from the opening and air is permitted to flow directly through the opening and against the forward end and top of the cargo container.

Apparatus for selectively varying air resistance on a land transport

A mechanism is provided for a respiratory ventilator by which the gas-delivery mechanism of the ventilator can be caused to deliver gas to the patient either at a predetermined flow rate or at a rate directly controlled by the patient's instantaneous demand. The mechanism includes a pressure-responsive device adapted to produce an analog signal indicative of the difference between a reference pressure and the patient's airway proximal pressure. The analog signal has a first polarity when the proximal pressure is less than the reference pressure in response to an inhalation effort, and a second polarity when the proximal pressure is greater than the reference pressure in response to an exhalation effort. A first control mechanism is provided which causes the gas-delivery system to deliver gas at a rate which is proportional to the absolute value of the analog signal when the signal has the first polarity and an absolute value at least equal to a predetermined threshold value. The control mechanism responds to the second polarity of the analog signal by causing the gas-delivery system to recharge itself with a fresh supply of gas. The same gas-delivery mechanism can also be operated in an assist mode to deliver gas at a predetermined flow rate by a second control mechanism responsive to the analog signal.

Servo-controlled demand regulator for respiratory ventilator

A gas flow rate control device for a medical ventilator includes a variable-orifice valve for adjustment of the peak flow rate, and a waveform regulator which supplies controlled gas pressure to the orifice. The regulator maintains a fixed pressure differential between the upstream side of the orifice and a reference pressure. The reference pressure is variable between atmospheric pressure and a pressure which is essentially patient airway proximal pressure. When the reference pressure is patient airway proximal pressure, a constant pressure differential is maintained across the orifice so that a uniform flow rate is maintained. When the reference pressure is atmospheric pressure, a constant pressure is supplied to the upstream side of the orifice, so that the flow rate from the orifice decreases as patient airway proximal pressure on the downstream side of the orifice increases. In one embodiment, the invention uses a pneumatic switch to supply, as the reference pressure, either airway proximal pressure, whereby a uniform flow rate or 'square wave' is obtained, or atmospheric pressure, whereby a fixed flow rate deceleration or 'taper wave' is obtained for any given peak flow rate setting of the variable orifice. In another embodiment, a valve is used to vary the reference pressure between atmospheric pressure and airway proximal pressure to obtain adjustable values of flow rate deceleration for any given setting of the peak flow orifice.

Gas flow rate control device for medical ventilator

A compensator valve for use with a respirator/ventilator system having means for permitting patient assisted breathing and also permitting selection of a positive and expiratory pressure (PEEP). The system incorporating the advantages of the present invention generally incorporates an inhalation phase and an exhalation phase in its operative cycle. An exhalation valve assembly coupled into the system is operable between open and closed positions. This exhalation valve is maintained in a closed position during the time that breathing gas is being supplied to a patient. Operation of the compensator valve of the invention limits the exhalation/exhaustory pressure to a reference positive and expiratory pressure, thus affecting the patient's breathing effort. In practice, the difference between a reference positive and expiratory pressure and patient instantaneous exhaustory pressure causes the operation of the compensator valve of the invention so as to regulate the pressure applied to the exhaustion valve.

Growing community of inventors

Riverside, CA, United States of America

Stanley E Fry