Systems and methods for generating liquid oxygen for portable use
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional portable oxygen systems for therapeutic use are either heavy and short-lasting when using compressed oxygen or require frequent refilling of liquid oxygen containers, limiting mobility and convenience.
Innovation Solution
A system for generating liquid oxygen by cryogenic separation of air, comprising a compressor, purifier, recuperative heat exchanger, cryocooler, and distillation unit, which produces liquid oxygen for storage in a portable unit and utilizes byproducts for heat transfer to enhance efficiency.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If compressed oxygen gas is stored in a pressure container for portable use, then the system is simpler to operate, but the container becomes heavy and the duration of use is short
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the physical state of oxygen from compressed gas to liquid form, and operates at cryogenic temperatures to maintain this state. This parameter change allows significantly higher oxygen density in a much lighter and smaller container, resolving the contradiction between portability and duration of use
Solution Approach 2:
The system utilizes the phase transition of oxygen from gas to liquid by cooling it to cryogenic temperatures. The liquid oxygen stored in the portable container can be evaporated back to gas for delivery to the patient, providing long-duration therapy in a compact, lightweight system
2Duration of action of moving object
If liquid oxygen is stored in a portable container, then the duration of use is extended and weight is reduced, but frequent refilling from external dewars is required
Solution Approach 1:
The portable oxygen generation system performs preliminary action by generating liquid oxygen in advance at a central location and delivering it to distributed portable units. This eliminates the need for frequent manual refilling by patients, as the units are pre-filled and can operate independently for extended periods
Solution Approach 2:
The system enables self-service by allowing portable units to generate their own liquid oxygen supply through integrated cryogenic separation and storage mechanisms, eliminating dependence on external refilling operations and making the system autonomous
3Volume of moving object
If liquid oxygen is stored at very low temperatures, then the volume is substantially reduced, but the system becomes more complex with vacuum insulation and multilayer radiation insulation
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges the compression and cooling functions into an integrated cryogenic system that directly produces liquid oxygen at storage temperature. By combining these operations and using insulated storage vessels, the system achieves compact volume without proportionally increasing complexity, as the insulation is standard for cryogenic applications
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 a more portable and longer-lasting supply of liquid oxygen, reducing the need for frequent refilling and enhancing mobility by generating oxygen on-demand, while minimizing energy consumption through heat recovery.
Implementation Method 1
a compressor configured to receive air and pressurize the air
Implementation Method 2
a purifier configured to remove impurities from the pressurized air
Implementation Method 3
a recuperative heat exchanger configured to cool the purified air by transferring heat from the purified air to the at least one cold byproduct flow
Implementation Method 4
a cryocooler configured to receive cooled air from the recuperative heat exchanger and further cool the air to cryogenic temperatures
Implementation Method 5
a distillation unit configured to separate the cryogenic air into multiple products, including LOX and one or more byproducts
Data Source
AI summary
A system for generating liquid oxygen (LOX) for portable use by a patient includes a patient portable unit configured to store LOX and deliver gaseous oxygen (GOX) to the patient, and a mobile base unit configured to generate LOX by cryogenic separation of air and deliver the generated LOX to the patient portable unit. The mobile base unit includes a compressor that receives and pressurizes air, a purifier that removes impurities from the pressurized air, a heat exchanger that cools the purified air, a cryocooler that further cools the air to cryogenic temperatures, and a distillation unit that separates the cryogenic air into multiple products, including LOX and one or more cold byproducts. The separated LOX is communicated toward storage, and at least one of the cold byproducts is passed through the heat exchanger to facilitate heat transfer from incoming purified air to the at least one cold byproduct in order to cool the purified air.