Hybrid Oxygen Delivery With Concentrator And Pressurized Backup
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing oxygen delivery systems for aviation face inefficiencies in oxygen supply at high altitudes and require large, heavy pressurized oxygen bottles, posing safety risks and limitations in space and weight, while also needing frequent battery replacements.
Innovation Solution
A hybrid oxygen delivery system combining an oxygen concentrator and a pressurized vessel, utilizing pressure swing adsorption to generate oxygen from ambient air and supplementing with a pressurized bottle when needed, with a flow control system and processor for optimized oxygen delivery, and a pulse demand system for efficient oxygen use.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a pressurized oxygen vessel is used to store oxygen under pressure, then oxygen can be delivered at high altitudes, but the system becomes heavier and occupies more space
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines an oxygen concentrator (generating oxygen from ambient air) with a pressurized oxygen vessel (storing reserve oxygen) into a hybrid system. The concentrator reduces the need for large pressurized vessels by continuously generating oxygen, while the vessel provides backup and supplemental oxygen during high-demand phases like takeoff and landing, achieving weight reduction while maintaining reliability
Solution Approach 2:
The oxygen concentrator continuously generates and stores oxygen in a reservoir before it is needed during critical flight phases. This preliminary oxygen generation and storage reduces the amount of oxygen that must be stored under high pressure in the vessel, thereby reducing the vessel's weight and size while ensuring oxygen availability
2Reliability
If a pressurized oxygen vessel is used to store oxygen under pressure, then oxygen can be delivered at high altitudes, but safety risks increase
Solution Approach 1:
The hybrid system merges a concentrator with a pressurized vessel, reducing the vessel's size and pressure requirements since the concentrator continuously replenishes oxygen. This reduces safety risks associated with large high-pressure vessels while maintaining oxygen supply capability through the combined system
Solution Approach 2:
The system changes the operational parameters of the pressurized vessel by reducing its size and pressure requirements, since the oxygen concentrator continuously generates oxygen to replenish the reservoir. This parameter change reduces the safety risks associated with storing and handling large amounts of pressurized oxygen
3Weight of moving object
If an oxygen concentrator is used to generate oxygen from ambient air, then weight and space requirements are reduced, but oxygen supply may be insufficient at high altitudes
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges an oxygen concentrator with a pressurized oxygen vessel in a hybrid system. The concentrator continuously generates oxygen to replenish a reservoir, while the pressurized vessel provides supplemental oxygen during high-demand phases, ensuring sufficient oxygen quantity without requiring a large standalone pressurized vessel
Solution Approach 2:
The oxygen concentrator continuously generates and stores oxygen in a reservoir before it is needed during critical flight phases. This preliminary oxygen generation ensures that sufficient oxygen is available when needed, reducing the requirement for a large pressurized vessel while maintaining oxygen supply quantity
4Use of energy by moving object
If a hybrid oxygen delivery system is used, then power consumption is optimized, but system complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The system dynamically switches between different oxygen sources (concentrator, reservoir, pressurized vessel) based on real-time flight conditions and oxygen demand. The processor continuously monitors parameters and adjusts the oxygen delivery strategy, optimizing power consumption by using the concentrator during normal flight and the pressurized vessel during high-demand phases, accepting increased complexity for energy optimization
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 continuous oxygen supply at high altitudes with reduced weight and space requirements, minimizing safety risks and battery needs, ensuring reliable oxygen delivery and backup, and optimizing power usage.
Implementation Method 1
utilizing pressure swing adsorption to generate oxygen from ambient air
Data Source
AI summary
In one embodiment, a hybrid oxygen delivery system includes, but is not limited to, a pressurized oxygen vessel configured to store a first source of oxygen under pressure; an oxygen concentrator configured to generate a second source of oxygen from ambient air; a flow control valve configured to combine the first source of oxygen with the second source of oxygen for delivery to one or more stations; plumbing that fluidly connects the pressurized oxygen vessel and the oxygen concentrator to the flow control valve; and a processor configured to actuate the flow control valve based on one or more parameters to deliver oxygen to one or more stations.