Portable Oxygen Concentrator Manifold With Precision Bidirectional Orifices
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Solution Overview
Problem
Portable oxygen concentrators face challenges in efficiently managing bidirectional flow and maintaining precise orifice dimensions for optimal oxygen delivery and nitrogen removal, leading to suboptimal performance and reliability.
Innovation Solution
A product manifold with orifices formed by an electrical forming process, providing a bidirectional flow tolerance of approximately +/-2.5%, and including solenoid valve assemblies and annular seals to ensure precise fluid coupling and sealing, addresses the issue of flow management and orifice precision.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Manufacturing precision
If traditional orifice formation methods are used, then manufacturing is simpler, but orifice dimension precision and bidirectional flow tolerance deteriorate
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces traditional mechanical orifice formation methods (such as drilling or punching) with an electrical forming process. This electrical process uses controlled electrical discharge to precisely erode and shape the orifices, achieving superior dimensional accuracy and bidirectional flow tolerance of approximately +/-2.5% while maintaining manufacturing feasibility through automated electrical discharge machining.
2Productivity
If bidirectional flow requirements are implemented, then oxygen delivery and nitrogen removal are improved, but flow management complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent designs the orifices to serve multiple functions simultaneously: they control oxygen delivery to patients, manage nitrogen removal from the system, and regulate pressure differentials across the sieve beds. This multi-functionality is achieved through precisely engineered bidirectional flow paths that allow the same orifice structure to handle both oxygen-rich and nitrogen-rich flows in different operational cycles, reducing the need for separate control mechanisms.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements different orifice characteristics at different locations within the manifold system. Specific orifices are optimized for oxygen delivery with particular diameter and orientation, while other orifices are designed for nitrogen venting with different geometric properties. This localized optimization allows each orifice to perform its specific function efficiently while contributing to the overall bidirectional flow management system.
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 solution enhances the bidirectional flow tolerance and precision of orifices, improving the efficiency and reliability of portable oxygen concentrators by ensuring consistent oxygen delivery and effective nitrogen removal, thereby enhancing user safety and device performance.
Implementation Method 1
Each of the first orifice, the second orifice, and the third orifice are formed by an electrical forming process and have a thickness of between about 0,0635 mm (0.0025 inches) and about 0.1016 mm (0.004 inches)
Data Source
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AI summary
Product manifolds for use with portable oxygen concentrators and portable oxygen concentrators including such product manifolds. A product manifold (110) for use with a portable oxygen concentrator (100) includes a first product port (130), a second product port (132), an accumulator port (134), an output port (135), and a flow path (136). The flow path operatively coupling each of the first product port, the second product port, the accumulator port, and the output port to one another. The product manifold includes a plurality of control ports (138, 140, 142). Each of the control ports fluidly coupling the flow path. The product manifold includes a first orifice (156) disposed in a first portion (162) of the flow path; a second orifice (158) disposed in a second portion (164) of the flow path; and a third orifice (160) disposed in a third portion (166) of the flow path. Each of the first orifice, the second orifice, and the third orifice is formed by an electrical forming process and has a thickness of between about 0.0625 mm and about 0.1 mm.