Oxygen enrichment of indoor human environments

Abstract

This invention provides systems and methods of supplying oxygen-enriched air to an enclosed space or compartment. The systems and methods may distill oxygen from ambient air by a molecular sieve pressure cycle mechanism, such as a pressure swing absorption, may generate oxygen from water using electricity or may use oxygen enriched air produced by membrane filtration. The invention helps people improve their wellness, productivity and comfort, improve performance of mental and / or physical tasks, increase their alertness, quality of life and pleasure, reduce their drowsiness, and aid in curing and preventing disease by increasing the percentage of oxygen in the enclosed space to a beneficial and safe level.

Description

RELATED APPLICATIONS [0001] This application is a continuation of U.S. Ser. No. 10 / 394,624, filed Mar. 21, 2003, which is a continuation in part of U.S. Ser. No. 10 / 305,297, filed Nov. 26, 2002, now U.S. Pat. No. 6,726,558. These references are herein incorporated by reference in their entireties.FIELD OF THE INVENTION [0002] This invention relates generally to systems and methods for supplying oxygen enriched air to an enclosed space and generally controlling air quality and composition. The systems and methods may distill oxygen from ambient air by a molecular sieve pressure cycle mechanism, may generate oxygen from water using electricity or may use oxygen enriched air produced by membrane filtration. They may also remove unwanted gases or contaminants to maintain desirable air quality. The system may include a sensor and regulator for controlling or regulating the oxygen or oxygen-enriched air to maintain the oxygen content of the air in the enclosed space within an optimum rang...

AI Technical Summary

Benefits of technology

"The present invention is an oxygen-enrichment system that uses various methods to increase the amount of oxygen in enclosed spaces. This system can improve alertness, productivity, comfort, and overall well-being of people breathing the air. It can also reduce the need for constant replacement and dilution of internal air with fresh outside air, which can help to minimize the thermal load on the heating or cooling system. The invention can provide a small increase in the oxygen content of air in enclosed spaces, which can help people increase their alertness, improve their productivity and comfort, reduce their drowsiness, and increase their overall well-being. It can also help prevent disease and reduce the risk of fire hazard or oxygen toxicity in the enclosed space."

Problems solved by technology

There is little doubt that lower oxygen levels impair physical and mental function.

Humans are not very good at compensating for low or high oxygen levels by breathing more or less.

While this helps dilute internal contaminants, it represents an additional thermal load and in some cases may also introduce external pollution.

It also may dilute away desirable components of air whose concentration has been elevated, such as humidity or oxygen.