Portable Oxygen Concentrator Asymmetric Purge Control
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Solution Overview
Problem
Portable oxygen concentrators using pressure swing adsorption (PSA) technology often experience asymmetric gas generation between sieve beds, leading to decreased oxygen purity due to uneven enriched gas production and purge volumes, which current systems fail to effectively address.
Innovation Solution
A portable oxygen concentration system with a pair of sieve beds, a pressure generator, sensors, and processors that control gas flow and purge cycles based on output signals from sensors to equalize enriched gas production between the sieve beds, adjusting purge volumes to maintain target oxygen purity.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Quantity of substance
If pressure swing adsorption (PSA) technology is used in portable oxygen concentrators, then oxygen concentration can be achieved, but asymmetric gas generation between sieve beds occurs leading to decreased oxygen purity
Solution Approach 1:
The system incorporates sensors that continuously monitor the volume of enriched gas produced by each sieve bed and provide feedback signals to the controller. The controller adjusts purge volumes based on this feedback to compensate for asymmetric gas generation and maintain consistent oxygen purity across both sieve beds.
Solution Approach 2:
The system dynamically adjusts purge volumes for each sieve bed based on real-time measurements of enriched gas production. Instead of using fixed purge volumes, the controller modifies purge parameters adaptively to account for variations in gas generation between sieve beds, thereby maintaining oxygen purity.
2Device complexity
If asymmetric gas generation is not addressed, then the system structure remains simple, but oxygen purity decreases due to uneven enriched gas production
Solution Approach 1:
The system incorporates sensors that continuously monitor the volume of enriched gas produced by each sieve bed and provide feedback signals to the controller. The controller adjusts purge volumes based on this feedback to compensate for asymmetric gas generation and maintain consistent oxygen purity across both sieve beds.
Solution Approach 2:
The system changes operational parameters (purge volumes) to compensate for asymmetric gas generation between sieve beds. By adjusting purge volumes based on measured enriched gas production, the system maintains oxygen purity without requiring complex structural modifications to the sieve beds themselves.
3Manufacturing precision
If different purge volumes are implemented for sieve beds, then oxygen purity is maintained, but system complexity increases due to additional control requirements
Solution Approach 1:
The system incorporates sensors that continuously monitor the volume of enriched gas produced by each sieve bed and provide feedback signals to the controller. The controller adjusts purge volumes based on this feedback to compensate for asymmetric gas generation and maintain consistent oxygen purity across both sieve beds.
Solution Approach 2:
The system uses its own operational data (enriched gas production volumes from each sieve bed) to automatically adjust its own purge volumes. This self-regulating capability maintains oxygen purity without requiring external intervention or complex manual control systems.
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 stabilizes oxygen purity by dynamically adjusting purge volumes and times, ensuring consistent oxygen delivery without the need for a product tank, thereby enhancing the efficiency and effectiveness of oxygen concentration.
Implementation Method 1
The pressure generator is configured to generate pressurized gas that is directed through the sieve beds. The sieve beds output enriched gas for delivery to a subject in a pressure swing adsorption (PSA) process.
Implementation Method 2
These oxygen concentrators use pressure swing adsorption (PSA) technology
Data Source
Figure 1A
Figure 1B
Figure 1C
AI summary
The present disclosure describes a system and method for maintaining oxygen purity in portable oxygen concentrators, even with asymmetric generation of oxygen enriched gas volumes from different sieve beds of the concentration system. The present system and method compensate for asymmetric oxygen enriched gas generation using asymmetric delivery of purge volumes. Purge valves are used to deliver the asymmetric purge gas volumes, enables the system to maintain oxygen purity without additional power consumption, even when a portable oxygen concentrator does not include a product tank. The present system and method are configured such that asymmetry in enriched oxygen generation can be monitored and the asymmetric purge gas compensation can be applied independently from other control mechanisms of a portable oxygen concentrator.