Portable Oxygen Concentrator Using Pressure Swing Adsorption
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Solution Overview
Problem
Portable oxygen concentrators for lung disease patients are limited by their size, weight, and mobility due to the use of large and heavy oxygen cylinders, and existing portable devices have inefficiencies in oxygen production and power consumption.
Innovation Solution
A portable oxygen concentration system incorporating a pressure swing adsorption system with a battery-powered design, weighing less than 10 lbs and having a maximum oxygen flow of 0.9 lpm, along with a liquefaction or transfill system using a small, lightweight oxygen concentrator and cryogenic cooling system, to provide a compact and efficient oxygen supply.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Quantity of substance
If oxygen cylinders are used to provide portable oxygen supply, then oxygen can be delivered to patients, but the device becomes large and heavy limiting patient mobility
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the oxygen storage function from heavy cylinders and replaces it with on-demand oxygen generation using pressure swing adsorption technology. The device extracts nitrogen from ambient air using molecular sieve materials, producing concentrated oxygen that is delivered directly to the patient through a lightweight portable unit.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces the mechanical cylinder-based oxygen storage system with an electrochemical and adsorption-based oxygen generation system. Electrical power drives the pressure swing adsorption process, replacing the need for large physical oxygen tanks while reducing device weight.
2Ease of operation
If pressure swing adsorption apparatus are used to concentrate oxygen from ambient air, then portable oxygen can be provided, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent divides the pressure swing adsorption system into discrete functional modules: compressed air storage chamber, molecular sieve adsorption chambers, pressure control valves, and oxygen delivery system. This segmentation allows each component to be optimized independently and simplifies the overall system architecture for portable application.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent employs periodic pressure swings to alternate between compression and expansion phases in the adsorption chambers. During compression, nitrogen is adsorbed onto the molecular sieve; during expansion, concentrated oxygen is released. This periodic action enables continuous oxygen generation from ambient air using simple mechanical cycling.
3Duration of action of moving object
If battery power is used to operate the oxygen concentrator, then mobility is improved, but battery life must be extended to at least 8 hours
Solution Approach 1:
The patent ensures continuous oxygen generation by coordinating multiple adsorption chambers that operate in alternating cycles. While one chamber is being compressed, another is expanding and delivering oxygen, maintaining continuous supply without requiring continuous high-power operation of individual components, thereby extending battery life.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent optimizes operating parameters including pressure swing frequency, compression ratio, and molecular sieve bed dimensions to minimize power consumption while maintaining adequate oxygen flow rates. By carefully controlling these parameters, the system achieves acceptable performance with reduced energy demand, extending battery operational life to at least 8 hours.
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 achieves a compact and efficient oxygen supply, extending battery life to at least 8 hours and improving patient mobility with a balanced oxygen purity and power consumption, enhancing the quality of life for lung disease patients.
Implementation Method 1
pressure swing adsorption ('PSA') apparatus are known that separate nitrogen from ambient air
Implementation Method 2
separate nitrogen from ambient air, delivering a stream of concentrated oxygen
Implementation Method 3
a cryogenic cooling system or compressor coupled to such an oxygen concentrator
Data Source
AI summary
A portable oxygen concentrator includes a pressure swing absorption system defined by a relatively rigid housing adapted to generate a flow of oxygen enriched gas and a battery adapted to provide power to the pressure swing absorption system. The oxygen concentrator has a total weight of less than about 10 lbs, has a maximum flow of 100% O2 equivalent gas of about 0.9 lpm, has a total volume less than about 800 in3, and gas a battery life of at least about 8 hours. The present invention also using a liquefaction or transfill system in combination with such an oxygen concentrator.