Multi-Chamber Canister for 10 LPM Oxygen Concentrator
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing oxygen concentrators that scale up from 5 LPM to 10 LPM suffer from increased size, weight, noise, and power consumption due to the need for additional sieve material and chambers, resulting in inefficient and costly systems with reduced oxygen concentration.
Innovation Solution
A compact pressure swing absorption system utilizing a multi-chamber canister with a high-flow compressor and highly adsorbent molecular sieve material, such as SILIPORITE, to achieve 10 LPM output with improved performance ratios, including reduced weight, size, sound level, and power consumption, while maintaining high oxygen concentration.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If conventional systems scale up from 5 LPM to 10 LPM by adding more sieve material and chambers, then output increases, but weight, size, and complexity increase significantly
Solution Approach 1:
The system divides the 10 LPM output requirement into two separate 5 LPM streams, each handled by an independent PSA system with its own canister and molecular sieve bed. This segmentation allows each unit to be optimized for 5 LPM performance while collectively achieving 10 LPM total output, avoiding the need for a single oversized system that would be excessively heavy and complex.
Solution Approach 2:
Two independent 5 LPM PSA systems are merged into a single integrated assembly sharing common components including the compressor, control valve, and housing. This merging achieves the 10 LPM total output while reducing overall weight and complexity compared to two separate systems, as shared components eliminate redundancy.
2Productivity
If additional molecular sieve beds and valving are added to increase output, then oxygen production increases, but device complexity and cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
The system merges two 5 LPM PSA operations into a single integrated assembly that shares a common compressor, control valve, and housing. This consolidation achieves 10 LPM total output while minimizing the number of components and interconnections required, thereby reducing device complexity and cost compared to conventional approaches that would require separate systems or more extensive valving and plumbing.
Solution Approach 2:
The control valve performs multiple functions by directing compressed air to either the first or second molecular sieve bed for adsorption, and by coordinating the desorption cycles of both beds. This multi-functionality reduces the need for separate specialized components for each bed, simplifying the overall valving and plumbing architecture.
3Productivity
If more sieve material is used to increase oxygen output, then productivity increases, but weight and volume increase
Solution Approach 1:
The system segments the total sieve material requirement into two separate molecular sieve beds, each containing material optimized for 5 LPM output. This segmentation allows each canister to be compact and efficiently sized, avoiding the need for a single large-volume canister that would be required if all sieve material were concentrated in one bed, thereby reducing overall system volume.
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 delivers 10 LPM of oxygen at 93% concentration with reduced specific weight, volume, sound level, and power consumption, outperforming prior art in terms of efficiency and cost-effectiveness, with improved performance ratios and durability.
Implementation Method 1
Pressure Swing Adsorption (PSA) is a useful technique for separating components of gaseous mixtures in such medical uses. A gaseous mixture, typically ambient air, is fed into a chamber, where the species are separated, producing a stream with a high percentage of one component.
Implementation Method 2
Adsorption separation processes depend on the ability of certain solids to selectively adsorb one or more components from a gaseous mixture. Zeolites are natural or synthetically produced molecular sieves that have uniform pores or crystalline cavities. Chemical species small enough to fit into the zeolite's pores are adsorbed onto the surface of the zeolite material.
Implementation Method 3
a compressor for receiving and compressing the air supply, providing a compressed air supply
Data Source
AI summary
A multi-chamber canister for a pressure swing absorption system within a general housing assembly. The chambers include a first molecular sieve chamber for receiving a first molecular sieve for separating air from the ambient environment into a concentrated gas and at least a second molecular sieve chamber disposed within the housing assembly for receiving a second molecular sieve for separating air from the ambient environment into a concentrated gas component. Furthermore, a supply chamber is disposed within the housing for receiving air from the ambient environment and for communicating air to either first or second molecular sieve chambers.