Therapeutic Gas Cylinder Fill Device Pressure Detection
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing systems for filling portable therapeutic gas cylinders struggle to accurately determine and fill cylinders to their rated pressure, especially in home-based settings where discerning the correct fill pressure is difficult.
Innovation Solution
A cylinder fill device equipped with a pressure rating detection system and an intensifier that can selectively increase gas pressure to match the rated pressure of the cylinder, using a combination of light-emitting diodes, detectors, or other identification methods to determine the cylinder's rating and fill it accordingly.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If home-based filling devices are used to fill portable oxygen cylinders, then patients can refill cylinders at home, but the device cannot accurately determine the cylinder's rated pressure
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces an intermediary identification system that detects physical characteristics of the cylinder (such as color codes, labels, or physical features) to determine the rated pressure. This intermediary detection mechanism bridges the gap between home-based filling convenience and accurate pressure determination, allowing the device to identify cylinder ratings without requiring complex direct measurement equipment.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces complex mechanical pressure measurement systems with simpler detection methods such as optical sensors, color recognition, or RFID tags on the cylinder. This substitution maintains measurement accuracy while reducing device complexity, enabling home-based filling devices to accurately determine rated pressure without requiring sophisticated mechanical gauges or measurement equipment.
2Manufacturing precision
If the cylinder fill device uses a detection system to identify pressure rating, then the filling accuracy is improved, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the pressure rating information from the cylinder itself through external identification features (such as color codes, labels, or markings) rather than requiring internal sensors or complex measurement systems. This extraction approach allows the fill device to determine rated pressure using simple detection mechanisms, maintaining filling accuracy while minimizing device complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent designs the detection system to serve multiple functions: identifying pressure rating, verifying cylinder compatibility, and potentially tracking cylinder usage. This multi-functionality reduces the need for separate specialized components, achieving accurate pressure determination without proportionally increasing device complexity.
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
Ensures that therapeutic gas cylinders are filled to the appropriate pressure, ensuring optimal oxygen supply for patients, enhancing the reliability and safety of portable oxygen systems.
Implementation Method 1
using a combination of light-emitting diodes, detectors, or other identification methods to determine the cylinder's rating
Implementation Method 2
an intensifier that can selectively increase gas pressure to match the rated pressure of the cylinder
Data Source
AI summary
A method and related system of filling therapeutic gas cylinders. At least some of the illustrative embodiments are a method comprising determining, by a cylinder fill device, a rated pressure of a therapeutic gas cylinder, and filling the cylinder with the cylinder fill device substantially to the rated pressure.