Actuated Check Valve for Ultra-Low Pressure Ventilator Flow
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing mechanical ventilators face challenges in efficiently managing gas flow and pressure, particularly with ultra-low pressure gas sources, leading to energy inefficiencies and large tubing requirements, which can result in suboptimal patient interfaces and increased energy consumption.
Innovation Solution
The implementation of a check valve system with a pressure actuator and electromagnetic actuator, coupled with a flap mechanism, allows for precise control of gas flow, enabling the use of ultra-low pressure gas sources while minimizing energy consumption and allowing for smaller tubing interfaces by increasing pressure and optimizing orifice sizes.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Use of energy by moving object
If a conventional check valve is used in a mechanical ventilator, then the device can manage gas flow, but energy consumption increases and tubing size must be large
Solution Approach 1:
The check valve employs a dynamic flap mechanism that can actively open and close based on pressure differential. The flap is connected to a spring mechanism that allows it to respond dynamically to pressure changes, enabling the valve to adapt its opening degree to optimize gas flow efficiency while reducing energy consumption compared to conventional fixed or purely pressure-dependent check valves.
Solution Approach 2:
The valve utilizes pressure differential as a controlling parameter to regulate gas flow. By changing the pressure differential across the valve, the system can control the flap position and thus the flow rate, allowing for efficient energy management and reduced tubing requirements while maintaining productive gas delivery.
2Use of energy by moving object
If ultra-low pressure gas sources are used, then energy consumption decreases, but gas flow control becomes difficult
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces complex mechanical pressure regulation systems with a simpler spring-loaded flap mechanism. This mechanical substitution allows ultra-low pressure gas sources to be used effectively, as the spring mechanism provides the necessary force to control the flap and regulate flow without requiring high input pressures, thereby reducing energy consumption while maintaining ease of operation.
Solution Approach 2:
The check valve is designed to self-regulate gas flow based on pressure differential without requiring external control mechanisms. The spring-loaded flap automatically responds to pressure changes, opening or closing to maintain optimal flow rates. This self-service capability enables the system to work efficiently with ultra-low pressure gas sources while maintaining precise flow control.
3Reliability
If larger tubing is used to manage pressure and flow, then gas delivery is reliable, but patient interface becomes less comfortable
Solution Approach 1:
The check valve introduces localized flow control at a specific point in the gas delivery system. By placing the spring-loaded flap mechanism at the valve location, the system can reliably control pressure and flow rates without requiring large-diameter tubing throughout the entire system. This localized quality control allows for smaller, more flexible tubing that improves patient interface comfort while maintaining gas delivery reliability.
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
This solution enhances gas flow efficiency, reduces energy consumption by over 20%, and enables the use of smaller, more comfortable patient interfaces by effectively managing pressure and flow rates, improving ventilator performance and patient experience.
Implementation Method 1
a pressure actuator in fluid communication with the valve inlet... Upon actuation of the pressure actuator, the first flap portion and the second flap portion separate from each other to allow the input gas to flow
Implementation Method 2
an electromagnetic actuator coupled to the flap... Upon actuation of the electromagnetic actuator, the flap moves away from the valve inlet to allow the input gas to flow
Data Source
AI summary
A check valve can include a pressure actuator or an electromagnetic actuator. The check valve includes a valve inlet, a valve outlet, and flap disposed between the valve inlet and the valve outlet. The pressure actuator in fluid communication with the valve inlet. The check valve has an open state and a closed state. The check valve is configured to allow an input gas to flow from the valve inlet to the valve outlet when the check valve is in the open state. The check valve is configured to preclude the input gas from flowing from the valve inlet to the valve outlet when the check valve is in the closed state. Upon actuation of the pressure actuator or the electromagnetic actuator, the flap moves away from the valve inlet to allow the inlet gas to move from the valve inlet to the valve outlet.