Gas Supply Warning System for Oxygen Generators
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current pressurized gas systems lack effective alarm mechanisms to detect malfunctions downstream of the regulator, such as disconnections, leaks, and blockages, and fail to provide advance warning of gas cylinder depletion, especially in medical settings where timely intervention is critical.
Innovation Solution
A gas supply warning and communication system that includes a primary reservoir pressure monitor module, a changeover/reservoir pressure monitor module, and a communication/flow monitor module, which senses pressure and flow rates, generates error signals, and automatically switches to a reserve gas cylinder when predetermined limits are violated, ensuring continuous gas supply and remote monitoring.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a cylinder pressure sensor is used to detect gas exhaustion, then the alarm indication is reliable for cylinder depletion, but the device cannot detect downstream malfunctions such as disconnections, leaks, and blockages
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines a cylinder pressure sensor and a downstream gas flow sensor into a single alarm device. The pressure sensor detects cylinder depletion while the flow sensor detects downstream malfunctions such as disconnections, leaks, and blockages. Both sensing mechanisms are integrated into one device that provides unified alarm functionality for multiple failure modes.
Solution Approach 2:
The alarm device is designed to perform multiple functions: it monitors both cylinder pressure levels and downstream gas flow conditions. This multi-functional approach allows a single device to provide comprehensive protection against both cylinder exhaustion and downstream malfunctions, eliminating the need for separate detection systems.
2Adaptability or versatility
If a downstream gas flow sensor is used to detect malfunctions, then the detection capability for disconnections and leaks is improved, but the device cannot provide advance warning of cylinder depletion
Solution Approach 1:
The alarm device integrates both a downstream gas flow sensor and a cylinder pressure sensor into a single unit. The flow sensor provides real-time detection of downstream malfunctions while the pressure sensor simultaneously monitors cylinder pressure levels to provide advance warning of depletion. Both sensing functions operate concurrently within the same device.
Solution Approach 2:
The alarm device is designed as a multi-functional system that simultaneously performs downstream malfunction detection and cylinder depletion warning. This universal approach ensures that both detection needs are met by a single device, providing comprehensive safety monitoring without requiring multiple separate systems.
3Measurement precision
If an alarm device is placed downstream of the regulator to detect flow malfunctions, then the detection accuracy for downstream issues is improved, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent places both the pressure sensor and flow sensor within a single alarm device housing, integrating multiple sensing functions into one compact unit. This merging approach maintains high detection accuracy for downstream malfunctions while reducing overall system complexity by consolidating components rather than using separate devices.
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
The system provides real-time monitoring and automatic changeover, ensuring continuous gas supply and timely alerts to remote users, enhancing safety and efficiency in medical and industrial applications by detecting malfunctions and preventing gas shortages.
Implementation Method 1
a first bed for absorbing nitrogen
Implementation Method 2
second bed for absorbing oxygen
Implementation Method 3
an argon waste outlet operatively attached to the first and second beds for eliminating argon from the system
Data Source
AI summary
A super enriched personal oxygen concentrator system that discards argon as waste, including a personal oxygen concentrator operatively attached to a first bed for absorbing nitrogen and second bed for absorbing oxygen, and an argon waste outlet operatively attached to the first and second beds for eliminating argon from the system. A method of using the system of the present invention, by absorbing nitrogen from compressed air from a POC with a first bed, absorbing oxygen with a second bed, discarding unabsorbed argon from the compressed air as waste, desorbing enriched oxygen product, and providing a 99% oxygen product. A fluid supply warning and communication system, wherein a primary fluid reservoir is connected to the personal oxygen concentrator system. A method of using the fluid supply warning and communication system.