Geared Respiratory Valve for Aperture-Based Flow Control
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current air flow generators face limitations in gas flow restriction and imprecise oxygen concentration delivery due to varying oxygen flow rates, leading to inefficiencies in respiratory devices.
Innovation Solution
A flow generator with a valve body and an entrainment valve that can be selectively positioned to control gas flow rates and atmospheric air entrainment, using rotatable bodies and gears to adjust cross-sectional areas for precise regulation of gas flow and oxygen concentration.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If a flow generator uses a venturi effect system to mix atmospheric air with pressurized gas, then oxygen concentration can be adjusted, but gas flow restriction and imprecise oxygen concentration delivery occur
Solution Approach 1:
The valve body is divided into multiple discrete apertures of varying sizes, allowing selective control of gas flow rates. This segmentation enables precise adjustment of oxygen concentration by choosing specific aperture openings, eliminating the imprecision of continuous adjustment mechanisms.
Solution Approach 2:
The valve body can be rotated to different positions to selectively place different apertures in the gas flow path. This dynamic reconfiguration allows the system to adapt to different oxygen concentration requirements while maintaining precise control over the actual delivered concentration.
2Adaptability or versatility
If atmospheric air is entrained to alter oxygen concentration, then gas flow can be regulated, but gas flow restriction occurs
Solution Approach 1:
Multiple discrete apertures of different sizes provide segmented flow paths, allowing selective regulation of gas flow rates. This enables the system to maintain higher overall flow rates while still being able to restrict flow to specific pathways when needed, improving productivity.
Solution Approach 2:
The system changes the physical parameter of aperture size selection to regulate gas flow. By choosing different aperture sizes, the system can adjust flow rates without the restriction problems of traditional venturi systems, as the larger apertures allow for higher flow rates when maximum productivity is needed.
3Adaptability or versatility
If oxygen flow rate is varied to adjust concentration, then oxygen concentration can be changed, but gas flow restriction and imprecise delivery occur
Solution Approach 1:
The valve body contains multiple discrete apertures that can be selectively activated. This segmentation provides reliable and consistent oxygen concentration delivery by using fixed, predetermined aperture sizes rather than variable flow rates, ensuring that the same aperture always provides the same concentration level.
Solution Approach 2:
The rotatable valve body allows dynamic selection of different aperture configurations. This dynamic capability ensures reliable concentration delivery by consistently returning to the same aperture position for repeatable results, while still allowing adaptation to different concentration requirements.
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
Enables precise control over gas flow rates and oxygen concentration, improving the efficiency and accuracy of respiratory devices by ensuring consistent and adjustable gas delivery.
Implementation Method 1
an entrainment valve configured to selectively control the amount of atmospheric air entrained within the gas flow path
Implementation Method 2
a valve body operably located downstream of the gas connector and configured to selectively control a gas flow rate through the gas path downstream of the valve body
Data Source
AI summary
A valve for use with a compressed breathable gas source having a valve adapted to: (a) be disposed upstream of a patient delivery device and (b) control at least a portion of a breathable gas source upstream of the patient delivery device and the source including both: (i) a compressed breathable gas source and (ii) a second gas source. The valve includes a first rotatable body. The first rotatable body adjusts, upon rotation thereof a cross-sectional area for gas flow through one or more first apertures from the compressed breathable gas source, second gas source, or both. The valve further includes a gear rotatable simultaneously in response to rotation of the first rotatable body and upon rotation of the gear adjusts a second cross-sectional area for flow through one or more second apertures of gas from the compressed breathable gas source, said second gas source, or both.