Portable oxygen storage cartridge

Abstract

Title of the Invention: Portable Oxygen Storage Cartridge. The invention relates to a portable oxygen storage cartridge (1) comprising a tubular body (13) closed at two opposite ends (13A, 13B) by a first and a second lid (18, 19), and defining an internal volume (12) for oxygen storage. A gas flow control valve (2, 3) is arranged on each of said first and second lids (18, 19). The internal volume (12) comprises a central chamber (124) containing at least one bed of adsorbent (14), located between a first gas collection chamber (121) and a second gas collection chamber (122). Each gas flow control valve (2, 3) controls the inflow and outflow of gas from the internal volume (12) during the user's inspiratory and expiratory phases. Abstract Figure: Fig. 1

Description

Description Title of the invention: Portable oxygen storage cartridge

[0001] — The present invention relates to a portable oxygen storage cartridge allowing the supply of oxygen (O-) to a user for a sufficient period of time, in a particular situation creating a harmful, hypoxic and / or loaded with harmful compounds, particularly in the presence of fumes generated by a fire.

[0002] =— The administration of gaseous O₂ normally serves to correct a hy- poxemic, that is, when the saturation of oxyhemoglobin in the blood is in- lower than a normal value, for example less than 90%, in a person human beings, regardless of age, i.e. newborns, children, adolescents, adults, elderly people or others, suffering from a respiratory condition such as Bronchopneum- Chronic Obstructive Disease (COPD), Acute Respiratory Distress Syndrome (ARDS) or other.

[0003] — In this case, medical-grade oxygen is provided to the "hypoxic" person either within a hospital, or outside a hospital, for example in a rescue unit mobile (SAMU, ambulances…) or at the patient's home.

[0004] — Depending on the case, the oxygen supplied to the patient may come either from a gas pipeline (e.g., hospital network), or from a pressurized gas cylinder containing by Example of 400 to 1000 L of oz (gas volume) compressed to 200 bar absolute or more (measured at 1 atm).

[0005] However, there are specific situations in which an O- contribution is generated necessary, even before a person shows signs of hypoxemia. This is in This is particularly the case when a person is exposed to a gaseous atmosphere. "unbreathable", for example in the presence of smoke from a fire or in case of leakage of volatile chemical compounds within a room or building.

[0006] In such a particular situation, the ambient air is often laden with compounds harmful substances, such as fine particles, carbon monoxide (CO) and others volatile organic particles, more or less toxic to a person who would led to inhaling them.

[0007] — Moreover, the air often has an insufficient oxygen content, that is to say, in- lower than the amount of oxygen normally present in ambient air (i.e. <21%) vol.), resulting for example from the combustion of various materials in the event of a fire. This explains why more than 80% of fire victims succumb to their injuries. focalizations due to the inhalation of an "unbreathable" atmosphere, and not of burns caused by the flames.

[0008] — However, conventional emergency oxygen sources (i.e., gas pipeline or cylinder) gas) are not usable or not suitable for such particular situations. Thus, it is easy to understand why it is not possible to equip many buildings with oxygen pipes. Furthermore, in theory, emergency oxygen cylinders could be placed in buildings or equipped with them for rescue workers, such as firefighters, to allow them to provide sufficient respiratory autonomy to victims, enabling them to escape from the scene of a fire or other emergency. However, this solution is not realistic and / or difficult to implement in practice. Firstly, high-pressure oxygen containers (i.e., 200 bar or more), such as oxygen cylinders, cannot be freely left in places accessible to the public for regulatory reasons, particularly due to the risks of theft, explosion and misuse of the gas by third parties not trained in gas distribution, including the victims themselves. Furthermore, a gas cylinder full of oxygen and equipped with a gas regulator, or even a protective cover, is relatively bulky and weighs several kg, typically at least 5 to 10 kg, which limits their mobility and the ability of a rescuer to transport several in order to distribute them to all the victims of a fire or other. US-A-20210121649 proposes a gas supply system consisting of a high-pressure oxygen cylinder equipped with a gas regulator, tubing feeding a gas reservoir, and a module containing lime to purify exhaled gases, thus creating a closed gas circuit. However, such a system is not ideal either, as it faces the same limitations as described above. A problem is therefore to be able to provide emergency oxygen to a person facing a particular situation generating a harmful hypoxic atmosphere (i.e. <21% Oz) and / or laden with harmful compounds, such as smoke in case of fire or similar, and to do so in a simple and effective way, to allow them to avoid breathing this harmful atmosphere and without encountering the aforementioned disadvantages and constraints, so as to be able to provide them with oxygen for a period of several tens of minutes. One solution of the invention relates to a portable oxygen storage cartridge comprising a tubular body closed at two opposite ends by a first and a second lid, said tubular body and the first and second lids delimiting an internal volume used for oxygen storage. Moreover : at least one gas flow control valve is fitted to each of said first and second lids, and the internal volume includes a central chamber containing at least one bed of adsorbent, a first gas collection chamber and a second chamber gas collection chamber, the central chamber being located between the first and second gas collection chambers. Depending on the embodiment considered, the invention may include one or more of the following features: the central chamber is separated from the first and second chambers of gas collection by a first and second sieve structure, respec- tively. The first and second sieve structures include grids or analogous. The grids are disc-shaped. The tubular body has an internal cross-section and the sieve structures are arranged radially within the internal volume, i.e. perpendicular to the main axis (XX), so as to extend over the entire internal section of the tubular body. The tubular body is cylindrical. The sieve structures are configured to maintain the adsorbent bed. the adsorbent bed contains zeolite particles, preferably a zeolite 13X or 5A exhibiting an oxygen adsorption capacity of at least 3 ml / g at | bar and 20°C. Each control valve comprises a valve body and a sealing means. annular, a movable element and an elastic means cooperating with each other others to control the passage of gas through each control valve. Each control valve also includes a cover piece that... attach to the valve body. The cover piece is screwed onto the valve body of each valve. control. the cover piece has an external peripheral thread and the valve body Each control valve has an additional internal thread of external peripheral thread of the cover piece. Each control valve is movable between a rest position and a position activated or active, i.e. open. In the resting or closed position, no gas can enter or leave the cartridge by one and / or the other of the control valves. In the activated or active position, a gas flow can be established through one and / or the other of the control valves in such a way as to enter or exit the cartridge via one and / or the other of the control valves. The elastic means is arranged in the lid piece. The elastic element is sandwiched between the cover piece and the element mobile. The elastic means is held in place by bosses arranged on the bottom of the cover piece and on the outer wall of the bottom of the moving element. The moving element includes a peripheral collar. The elastic means pushes the moving element against the annular sealing means. The elastic means pushes the moving element against the annular sealing means so that the peripheral flange of the moving element comes into contact with the sealing means when a valve is in its rest position. The elastic means is a cylindrical coil spring. The annular sealing method is a flat O-ring. the valve body comprises an annular base having a central recess, the annular sealing means being arranged on said annular base, coaxially with said central recess. the moving element includes a collar cooperating with the annular sealing means to ensure fluidic sealing and prevent any gas circulation through the central recess of the valve body of one and / or the other of the control valves, when one and / or the other of the control valves is / are in the rest position. In the active position, the collar of the moving element is not, or is no longer, in contact with the annular sealing means, so that the fluidic seal is broken and gas circulation can occur through the central recess of the valve body of one or both of the control valves. The valve body, the annular sealing means, the moving element, the elastic means, and the cover piece of each control valve are coaxial (AXIS XX). the valve body of each control valve has a tubular shape, typically cylindrical. the valve body includes an annular collar projecting radially outwards. The annular collar is arranged at one end of the valve body. the valve body of each control valve includes internally an annular base, preferably flat. The annular base of the valve body has a circular recess in its center. The annular base of the valve body forms an internal shoulder extending along the internal wall, i.e. the internal perimeter, of the valve body. the moving element is mobile in axial translation (AXIS XX) within the body of valve of each valve. the moving element has a cup-like shape. the movable element includes one or more openings arranged in its peripheral wall. The lid piece has a cup-like shape. the lid piece includes one or more openings made in its peripheral wall. the peripheral wall of the lid piece has a cylindrical shape. the moving element of each control valve includes a peri- flange external peripheral comprising one or more housings or recesses, such notches. the cover piece includes one or more axial guides, such as rails of guidance or similar, arranged axially along its internal wall. the recess(s) supported by the outer peripheral collar of the element mobile parts are shaped to house the axial guides of the cover piece. so that these axial guides can guide a translational movement of the movable part in the lid-piece. The invention also relates to an emergency oxygen distribution system comprising a cartridge according to the invention, fluidly connected to a gas reservoir, preferably with a flexible casing, and to a breathing interface, in particular a breathing mask, such as a nasal or face mask. In addition, the invention also relates to the use of a gas cartridge according to the invention to store oxygen or of an emergency oxygen distribution assembly according to the invention to provide oxygen to a person. The invention will now be better understood through the following detailed description, given by way of illustration but not limitation, with reference to the attached figures, among which: [Fig.1] is a schematic cross-sectional view of an embodiment of an oxygen storage cartridge according to the invention, [Fig.2] is an exploded view of one of the valves integrated into the oxygen storage cartridge of [Fig.1], [Fig.3] is an exploded view of part of the valve of [Fig.2], [Fig.4] is a lateral and cross-sectional view of the valve of [Fig.2], in its "rest" position. [Fig.5] is a cross-sectional view of the valve of [Fig.2], in its "actuated" position. [Fig.6] is a side view of the valve of [Fig.5], [Fig.7] illustrates the oxygen storage cartridge of [Fig.1], with its valves in "activated" position [Fig.8] schematically depicts the oxygen storage cartridge of [Fig.1], connected to a reservoir (partially shown) and a mask (not shown), via gas lines, and [Fig.9] schematically illustrates an emergency oxygen distribution assembly comprising the oxygen storage cartridge of [Fig.1], a reservoir for oxygen and a breathing interface. [Fig.1] is a schematic cross-sectional view of an embodiment of an emergency oxygen supply cartridge 1 according to the invention. The cartridge 1 comprises a main body 13 closed at its two opposite ends 13A, 13B by a first cover 18 and a second cover 19, such as walls or similar closing at the two ends 13A, 13B of the main body 13, so as to delimit an internal volume 12 used for storing the gas, namely here oxygen (O2) in gaseous form. The main body 13 is formed here by an external tubular casing 11, preferably cylindrical in shape. The main body 13 is preferably made of metal, for example an aluminum alloy. The tubular casing 11 is elongated and extends along a principal axis XX between the two ends 13A, 13B. The first cover 18 and the second cover 19 take the cylindrical body 13, typically the tubular casing 11, in a “sandwich” and are fixed to it in a watertight manner, for example welded or crimped. The first and second lids 18, 19 are preferably also made of metal, for example aluminum alloy. The wall of the peripheral envelope 1 | forming the main body 13 is thin, that is to say it has a thickness on the order of a few tenths of a millimeter. Furthermore, the internal volume of cartridge 1 is in the order of 300 ml to 900 ml (water equivalent). One (or more) bed(s) of one (or more) particulate adsorbent 14, such as adsorbent beads for example, is arranged in the internal volume 12. In particular, the bed of adsorbent 14 is sandwiched and held by / between two sieve structures 15, 16, more simply called 'sieves', that is to say that the first sieve 15 and the second sieve 16 are arranged on either side of the bed of adsorbent 14 so as to hold it in position in the internal volume 12 of the cartridge 1. In other words, the sieve structures 15, 16 which are arranged radially in the internal volume 12, that is to say perpendicular to the main axis XX, and extend over the entire internal section of the main cylindrical body 13. Preferably, the sieve structures 15, 16 allow the internal volume 12 to be separated into several internal chambers or compartments, namely a chamber central 124 containing the adsorbent bed 14 located in the center of the cartridge 1, and a first and second gas collection chamber 121, 122 located at opposite ends 13A, 13B, that is to say between the central chamber 124 and the first and second cover 18, 19. The sieves 15, 16 are for example formed of a mesh of metallic fibers having a multitude of pores whose dimensions are smaller than the dimensions of the adsorbent 14. According to other embodiments, the sieves 15, 16 can be in the form of foams comprising or formed of interconnected cells, or in the form of grids, for example metallic grids, or the like. In all cases, the sieves 15, 16 are sized to retain the adsorbent particles from the adsorbent bed 14. In other words, whatever the embodiment chosen, the adsorbent bed 14 is "trapped" and held between the two sieves 15, 16, while the gas molecules are free to circulate through them. Furthermore, adsorbent 14 is chosen for its ability to adsorb gas molecules, particularly oxygen, due to its minute pores on the surface, specifically pores on the order of nanometers (nm). It can be selected from activated carbons, metal-organic frameworks (MOFs), or zeolites. However, a zeolite adsorbent is preferred. These are typically in the form of particles such as granules, beads, or similar materials, and are composed of a zeolite with a high adsorption capacity, i.e., at least 3 ml / g at 1 bar and 20°C for oxygen. For example, a 13X or SA zeolite, such as the Z10-ZZ zeolite marketed by Zeochem®, is suitable. As can be seen on [Fig.1], the adsorbent bed 14 does not fill the entire internal volume 12 of the cartridge 1 but is arranged only in the central chamber 124 so that there are empty spaces at both ends 13A, 13B of the internal volume 12 forming the first 121 and second 122 gas collection chambers. The first gas collection chamber 121 is located between the first lid 18 and the first sieve 15, and the second gas collection chamber 122 is located between the second lid 19 and the second sieve 16. In other words, the two sieves 15, 16 separate the central chamber 124 containing the adsorbent bed 14, from the first and second gas collection chambers 121, 122 which are located on either side of said central chamber 124, that is to say which sandwich it by being separated from it by the sieves 15, 16. Furthermore, as can be seen in [Fig.!], the gaseous oxygen cartridge 1 according to the invention also has a first flow control valve 2 and a second flow control valve 3 arranged at its two opposite ends 13A, 13B, typically supported by the covers 18, 19. The first and second flow control valves 2, 3 serve to to control the gas circulation, i.e. the gas flows entering and leaving the internal volume 12 of the cartridge 1, as explained below and illustrated in [Fig.2] to [Fig.9]. They are fixed in a hermetic manner, for example welded or crimped, to the covers 18, 19, typically they pass through the covers 18, 19. The first and second flow control valves 2, 3 are preferably but not necessarily identical. An embodiment of the architecture of these valves 2, 3 is detailed below in relation to [Fig.2] to [Fig.9]. [Fig.2] is an exploded view of the first valve 2 equipping the oxygen storage cartridge 1 of the invention schematically represented in [Fig.1], knowing that the second valve 3 is strictly identical to it and works in the same way (valve 3 is therefore not detailed below). More specifically, the first valve 2, just like the second valve 3, is formed of an assembly of several elements 20-24 cooperating with each other, including a valve body 20, an annular sealing means 21, a movable element 22, an elastic means 23, such as a cylindrical coil spring, and a cover piece 24, which are detailed below. These elements 20-24 are arranged coaxially with respect to each other with respect to the axis XX of the valves 2, 3 and the cartridge 1. Preferably, the elements 20-24 are metallic, for example in an aluminum alloy; of course, other suitable materials may also be suitable. The valve body 20 is generally cylindrical in shape. It has a length of approximately 8 to 16 mm measured between its two ends 20-1, 20-2, and an internal diameter (Di) typically between 18 and 30 mm. The peripheral wall 201 of the valve body 20 has, at its first end 20-1, an annular collar 202 projecting radially outwards. In other words, the annular collar 202 is integral with the external cylindrical peripheral wall 201 of the valve body 20. They can be formed from a single piece or from several pieces assembled together. The collar 202 forms an external shoulder, extending over the entire external periphery or perimeter of the valve body 20, making it possible to ensure fluidic sealing between the valve body 20 and the cover 18 incorporating the first valve 2, for example by being fixed to it by crimping, welding or any other suitable technique. Furthermore, the valve body 20 also has an internal annular base 205, preferably flat. The annular base 205 has, in its center, a circular recess 203, and forms an internal shoulder, extending along the internal wall or internal perimeter of the valve body 20. Furthermore, the valve body 20 has a threaded hole 204 arranged on a part 20la of its inner wall 201, from its second end 20-2. This thread 204 allows the connection by screwing of the support element 24, as explained below. The first valve 2 also includes an annular sealing means 21, namely here a flat annular seal, e.g. an O-ring. Preferably, it has a thickness of approximately 1 mm and an external diameter (De) slightly smaller than the internal diameter (Di) of the valve body 20, i.e. De <Di, de manière à pouvoir être inséré dans le corps de valve 20 et venir se positionner sur l’épaulement interne formé par le fond annulaire 205 du corps de valve 20. The flat annular seal 21 comprises a front face 214 oriented towards the annular base 205 of the valve body 20 and a rear face 215 opposite the front face 214, i.e., oriented towards the flange 222 of the moving element 22, as detailed below. Furthermore, it also has a central passage 210 whose diameter is larger than that of the circular recess 203 in the valve body 20. It can be made of different materials, in particular an elastomer, for example nitrile rubber, also called acrylonitrile butadiene rubber or NBR for "Nitrile Butadiene Rubber" in English. As seen in [Fig.2] and [Fig.3], the moving element 22 is a structure having a general cup-like shape. More precisely, the moving element 22 comprises a cylindrical front portion 221 which is open at its distal end 221b and obturated, i.e. closed, at its proximal end 221a by a bottom wall 223, for example in the shape of a disc. Preferably, the bottom wall 223 projects radially outwards, i.e. away from the external peripheral surface of the cylindrical front portion 221 so as to form a collar 222, i.e. a ring-like structure, extending all around the cylindrical proximal end 221a of the front portion 221. The cylindrical portion 221 has an external diameter less than the internal diameter of the circular recess 203 of the valve body 20, while the flange 222 has an external diameter greater than that of the recess 203 of the valve body 20 so that the moving element 22 is axially mobile (AXIS XX) through the circular recess 203 of the valve body 20 and the central recess 210 of the flat annular seal 21 but cannot totally exit it, given that it is held there by the flange 222 when the latter comes to rest on the flat annular seal 21, which is itself arranged on the annular bottom 205 of the valve body 20, that is to say sandwiched between the annular bottom 205 of the valve body 20 and the flange 222 of the moving element 22. The peripheral wall of the cylindrical front portion 221 is perforated, that is to say, it has several lateral openings 227. Furthermore, the outer face 224 of the bottom wall 223 includes a central boss 225, that is, a raised element, a surface protrusion, or the like, typically circular in cross-section. Here, the central boss 225 is generally cylindrical in shape and has a height of approximately 1 mm and a diameter smaller than the diameter of the collar 222, as shown in [Fig. 2], for example, a diameter of approximately 4 to 8 mm. When the elastic means 23 is a cylindrical coil spring defining a cylindrical central passage 231, the diameter of the central boss 225 is slightly smaller than that of the central passage 231 of the spring so that the spring can be inserted onto the central boss 225 like a sleeve. The central boss 225 cooperates with the elastic means 23, as explained below. The elastic means 23 is preferably a cylindrical coil spring positioned around the central boss 225, like a sleeve, and pressing on the outer face 224 of the bottom wall 223 in a substantially annular area located immediately around the central boss 225 of the moving element 22. The elastic means 23, i.e. the spring, comprises a front end 232 coming into contact with the moving element 22 and a rear end 233 coming into contact with the cover piece 24. The internal diameter of the central passage 231 of the coil spring is therefore slightly greater than the diameter of the central boss 225, as already explained. The elastic means 23 elastically pushes the mobile element 22 towards the sealing means 21. The first valve 2 also includes a tubular cover piece 24 delimiting an internal housing 240 to house (at least) the elastic means 2 which is compressed and will then axially push back (XX) the moving element 22. As shown in [Fig. 2] and [Fig. 3], the cover piece 24 consists of a cylindrical main body 241 whose wall is pierced, i.e., traversed, by one or more lateral openings or windows 242. The main body 241 includes, at its front end 24a, an opening 245 that communicates with the internal housing 240. At its rear end 24b, the main body is closed by a wall forming a base 243, preferably a flat base. In other words, the cover piece 24 has a general cup-like or similar shape with lateral openings 242. The main body 241 of the cover piece 24 also has, on its outer surface, on the side of its front end 24a, a peripheral thread 244 which is complementary to the tapping 204 of the valve body 20 so that the cover piece 24 can be fixed by screwing said valve body 20 by 'sandwiching' the elastic means 23, the moving element 22 and the sealing means 21, as seen on [Fig.4]. As can be seen in [Fig.2] and [Fig.4], the sealing means, i.e. the flat gasket 21, is inserted into the valve body 20. Its front face 214 comes into contact with the annular base 205 which forms an internal shoulder of the valve body 20. The circular recess 203 located in the center of the annular base 205 of the valve body 20 is in fluidic communication with the central passage 210 of the flat seal 21. As illustrated in [Fig. 4], when the cover piece 24 is screwed onto the valve body 20, it acts on the elastic means 23, namely the cylindrical coil spring, which is then compressed and in turn pushes the moving element 22 towards the valve body 20. The moving element 22 then moves axially until its cylindrical front portion 221 passes through the central passage 210 of the flat seal 21 and the circular recess 203 located in the center of the annular base 205 of the valve body 20 until it protrudes out of the valve body 20. The translational movement of the moving element 22 is stopped when the flange 222 comes to rest against the rear face 215 of the flat seal 21. The flat gasket 21 is then sandwiched between the flat bottom 205 of the valve body 1 and the collar 222 of the moving part 22 which is pushed back by the cylindrical spring 23. More specifically, the front end 232 of the cylindrical spring 23 comes into contact with the outer face 224 of the bottom wall 223 of the moving element 22 to push it elastically axially towards the flat seal 21, that is to say in the direction of the valve body 1. The rear end 233 of the cylindrical spring 23 is in contact with the inner surface of the bottom wall 243 of the cover piece 24, preferably it is positioned around an internal boss 247 projecting from the center of the inner surface of the bottom wall 243 so as to provide mechanical support for the rear end 233 of the cylindrical spring 23, as explained above for the boss 225. The spring 23 is therefore held by and between the internal boss 247 of the cover piece 24 and the external boss 225 of the moving part 22. Furthermore, as illustrated in [Fig.3], preferably, housings or recesses, such as notches 226, are provided in the collar 222 of the moving part 22 and axial guides 246, i.e. guide rails or the like, are provided axially along the inner wall of the cover piece 24. The notches 226 are shaped to house said axial guides 246 so that these axial guides 246 can guide the translational movements of the moving part 22 in the cover piece 24. In other words, thanks to these notches 226 and axial guides 246, the moving part 22 can slide better in the internal volume of the cover part 24, in particular depending on the compression rate of the spring 23. In the embodiment of [Fig.3], we see 4 notches 226 made in the collar 222 of the moving part 22 cooperating with 4 corresponding axial guides 246 arranged axially along the inner wall of the cover part 24. [Fig.4] is a lateral and cross-sectional view of valve 2 of [Fig.2], in its "rest" position, i.e. free from any external constraint. In this case, the spring 23 is compressed (zone 234) between the collar 222 of the moving part 22 and the bottom of the cover piece 24, and the moving part 22 then pushes the flat gasket 21 against the flat bottom 205 of the valve body 20 so as to obtain a fluidic seal between them. In this "rest" position, no gas exchange between the inside and outside of the cartridge 1 occurs through the valves 2, 3 since they are "closed" since the orifice 203 of each valve body 20 is then blocked by the bottom wall 223 of the moving part 22. The cartridge is then sealed, and its internal volume 12 can store pressurized oxygen. Thus, before use, the cartridge 1 can be filled with O₂ at a pressure of a few bars, for example, a maximum of 10 bar absolute, which meets logistical constraints, particularly those related to transport and storage. The introduction of O₂ into the casing 11 can be done via a filling valve (not shown) located, for example, on the lid 18 or, preferably, via one of the valves 2 and 3. The presence of the adsorbent 14 in the internal volume 12 of the cartridge 1 allows the storage of a quantity of oxygen much greater than that which this gas container 1 could contain in the absence of adsorbent. Preferably, a zeolite with a high oxygen adsorption capacity is used as adsorbent 14, which therefore makes it possible to increase very significantly the gas storage capacity within the cartridge |. For example, at an absolute pressure of 10 bar, a 660 ml cartridge 1 with an internal volume 12 can hold approximately 400 g of adsorbent 14 and, consequently, adsorb approximately 12 L of O₂. The interstitial space around the adsorbent 14 particles defines a "void" volume in which O₂ molecules will also be compressed and stored, thus increasing the total capacity to approximately 15 L of O₂ (at atmospheric pressure). By comparison, without adsorbent 14, only about 6 L of O₂ could be stored, or 2.5 times less. [Fig.5] and [Fig.6] represent a configuration (partially truncated views) where said first valve 2 is in the "actuated" position, i.e. when an external force is applied to the front part 221 of the moving part 22, for example when connecting a connector or the like, as explained below. In this case, we see that the moving part 22 no longer pushes the flat seal 21 against the flat bottom 205 of the valve body 20 and that the fluid seal is therefore broken, this which allows gas to pass through said first valve 2. In other words, the moving part 22 has undergone an axial translation towards the inside of the cartridge 1, i.e. in the direction of the cover piece 24, which has the effect of compressing the spring 23 towards the bottom of the cover piece 24 while freeing the passage of gas between the flat seal 21 and the flat bottom 205 of the valve body 20. The translation of the moving part 22 away from the valve body 20 causes a loss of contact between the front face of the collar 222 and the flat seal 21 and a fluidic communication is then created between the outside and the inside of the cartridge 1, via the first control valve 2, in particular through the lateral openings 227 of the moving part 22 and the lateral openings 242 of the cover part 24. Of course, the second valve 3 works on the same principle. [Fig.7] shows the oxygen storage cartridge 1 with its two control valves 2, 3 in the "actuated" position, the structure and operation of the second control valve 3 being identical to those of the first control valve 2. The control valves 2, 3 are in such an "actuated" position when the oxygen storage cartridge of [Fig.1] has been connected by a user to external devices, for example to, on the one hand, a first gas line 4 and, on the other hand, a second gas line 6, as illustrated on [Fig.8], thus forming an emergency oxygen distribution system 50. As seen in [Fig. 8], the first conduit 4 comprises a cylindrical casing 41 having a hollow internal conduit 42, or lumen, in the shape of a hollow cylinder. The first conduit 4 is fluidly connected to a deformable or flexible reservoir 5, more clearly visible in [Fig. 9], which is empty of gas at the time of connection to the cartridge 1, but can be filled, i.e., inflated, with a given volume of gas after the first conduit 4 is connected to the cartridge 1. For example, the reservoir 5 can be configured to collect a volume of gas greater than or equal to the volume of gas contained in the internal volume 12 of the gas cartridge 1, i.e., 0. The reservoir 5 can be made of a flexible polymer casing. The first conduit 4 is connected fluidly, in a sealed manner, for example to the bottom 19 of the cartridge 1, for example by clipping, screwing or other, carrying the second valve 3. The internal conduit 42 of the first conduit 4 will then act on the moving part 22 of the control valve 3 to push it towards the inside of the cartridge 1 so that the second valve 3 is in the "actuated" position, with the seal broken at the flat gasket of the control valve 3, as explained below. A transfer of oz then occurs from the internal volume 12 of the gas container 1 to the first conduit 4 and then to the reservoir 5, which gradually increases in volume, that is, fills with oxygen. Once the reservoir 5 is full, a pressure equilibrium between the flexible reservoir 5 and the gas cartridge 1, the latter then being at atmospheric pressure (i.e. 1 atm). By proceeding in the same way, the user can connect a second conduit 6 to the valve 2 fitted to the cover 18, which, again, will push back the moving part 22 to move the first valve 2 into its "actuated" position, as described above, and thus establish a fluidic connection between the internal conduit of the second conduit 6, the internal volume 12, the internal conduit 42 of the first conduit 4 and then, by extension, the reservoir 5. The second conduit 6 can for example supply a breathing interface 7, such as a breathing mask which can be nasal, oral or facial (i.e. naso-oral), that is to say that the cartridge | is then ready for use by the user, who can inhale oxygen from the cartridge 1 and / or the reservoir 5, as illustrated in [Fig.9]. Preferably, a 7-liter airtight respiratory mask is chosen, that is to say, one which includes means of sealing around the opening through which the user breathes, that is to say the rear opening of the mask which receives the nose (nasal mask) or the nose and mouth of the user (face mask), for example, means of sealing of the type flexible cushion or similar which come into contact with the areas of the user's face surrounding his nose and / or mouth, in order to create a fluid seal. Thus, during an inspiratory phase of the user, part of the O; contained in the flexible reservoir 5, exits from it and then passes successively through the internal conduit 42 of the first conduit 4, the internal volume 12 of the cartridge 1 through the adsorbent bed 14 and then exits from the internal volume 12 via the second conduit 6 and finally reaches the respiratory mask 7 worn by the user. Conversely, during an exhalation by the user, a portion of the inhaled ozone (approximately 5% by volume) is replaced by CO, and the gas exhaled by the user therefore contains CO, water vapor, and a high concentration of O₂, i.e., more than 90% by volume. The exhaled gas follows the reverse path of the inhaled oxygen, namely, passing through the second conduit 6, through the first valve 2 to reach the internal volume 12 of the cartridge 1, and then successively through the adsorbent bed 14, then the second valve 3 and the first conduit 4 to finally reach the deformable reservoir 5. A characteristic of the chosen adsorbent 14, such as zeolite particles, is that its adsorption capacity differs depending on the molecules considered. Thus, the adsorption capacity of ozon is relatively low compared to the adsorption capacity of CO₂ or water vapor, which is typically 50 to 100 times greater. For a CO₂ concentration of 5%, i.e., 5 kPa absolute pressure, the adsorption capacity of a zeolite, for example of the Zeochem Z10-ZZ or SA type, easily exceeds 1.5 moles per kg, thus exhibiting a high volumetric storage capacity. greater than the total volume of O; initially present in the gas cartridge 1, measured at 10 bar. This capacity is even greater for water vapor. Therefore, when the gas exhaled by the user passes through the adsorbent 14, the CO molecules and water vapor are adsorbed, so that the gas is rid of almost all of the CO (and water vapor) it contains; that is to say, it is almost pure oxygen. This CO-free oxygen gas, which returns to the deformable reservoir 5, can then be inhaled again by the user during a subsequent inhalation. As a guide, an individual's metabolic oxygen consumption is at most 0.5 L / min, which means that after 10 minutes of repeated inhalation / exhalation, reservoir 5 contains approximately SL of O₂ less, under the aforementioned conditions, namely a pressure of 10 bar and a container volume of 660 ml. This is sufficient to meet a user's respiratory needs for several tens of minutes. Of course, several different adsorbents can be used, for example several successive beds of different adsorbents. Such an emergency oxygen distribution system 50 comprising a portable oxygen storage cartridge 1 according to the invention connected, on the one hand, to a reservoir 5 and, on the other hand, to a breathing interface 7, such as a breathing mask, can be used to supply oxygen to a person for a sufficient time in a particular situation generating a harmful, hypoxic atmosphere and / or one laden with harmful compounds, particularly in the presence of smoke generated by a fire.

Claims

Demands

1. Portable oxygen storage cartridge (1) comprising a body tubular (13) closed at two opposite ends (13A, 13B) by a first and a second lid (18, 19), said tubular body (13) and the first and second lids (18, 19) delimiting an internal volume (12) used for oxygen storage, characterized in that: at least one gas flow control valve (2, 3) is arranged on each of the said first and second lids (18, 19), and the internal volume (12) comprises a central chamber (124) containing at least one bed of adsorbent (14), a first gas collection chamber (121) and a second chamber gas collection (122), the central chamber (124) being located between the first and second gas collection chambers (121, 122).

2. Cartridge according to claim 1, characterized in that the chamber central (124) is separated from the first and second chambers of gas collection (121, 122) by a first and a second structure of sieves (15, 16), respectively.

3. Cartridge according to claim 2, characterized in that the body tubular (13) has an internal section and sieve structures (15, 16) are arranged radially in the internal volume (12), i.e. perpendicular- lyrically to the main axis (XX), so as to extend over the entire internal section of the tubular body (13).

4. Cartridge according to claim 2 or 3, characterized in that the sieve structures (15, 16) are configured to maintain the bed of adsorbent (14).

5. Cartridge according to claim 1 or 4, characterized in that the adsorbent bed (14) contains zeolite particles, preferably a 13X or 5A zeolite exhibiting an adsorption capacity for oxygen of at least 3 ml / g at | bar and 20°C.

6. Cartridge according to claim 1, characterized in that each valve control (2, 3) includes a valve body (20), a means annular sealing element (21), a movable element (22) and a means elastic (23) cooperating with each other to control the passage of gas through each control valve (2, 3).

7. Cartridge according to claim 6, characterized in that the means elastic (23) pushes the moving element (22) against the means of annular sealing (21), preferably the elastic means (23) is a cylindrical coil spring and annular sealing means (21) is a flat O-ring.

8. Cartridge according to claim 6 or 7, characterized in that the valve body (20) comprises an annular base (205) having a central opening (203), the annular sealing means (21) being arranged on said annular base (205), coaxially with said excavation central (203).

9. Cartridge according to any one of claims 6 to 8, characterized in that the movable element (22) includes a collar (222) cooperating with the annular sealing means (21) to ensure fluidic sealing and prevent any gas from flowing through the central recess (203) of the valve body (20).

10. Assembly (50) of emergency oxygen distribution comprising a cartridge (1) according to one of the claims, fluidly connected to a gas reservoir (5) and a breathing interface (7), in particular a respiratory mask.