TWI797434B - Systems and methods for therapeutic gas delivery for personal medical consumption having safety features - Google Patents

Abstract

Embodiments relate to systems and methods for gas delivery for personal medical consumption having safety features. A hydrogen or oxygen gas delivery system herein can include electrolytic cores performing electrolysis-based reactions, and obtain free hydrogen (H2) gas for collection and delivery to a user. In aspects, the electrolytic core(s) can be scaled to produce a sufficient amount of hydrogen (H2) or oxygen (O2) gas so that the user can ingest that gas directly, without a need for storage. The system can be portable, and configured with a delivery tube for transmitting hydrogen or oxygen gas to a user. While safety risks are generally minimal, the system can be configured with sensors to detect fault conditions or hazards such as combustion or overpressure, which can only be caused by deliberate user action to expose gaseous products to flame or spark, and even then would not be likely to trigger violent combustion.

Description

Therapeutic gases with safety devices or functions for personal medical use Transmission system and method thereof

This case asserts the benefit, including priority, of U.S. Application No. 15/714,053, filed September 25, 2017, entitled "Systems and Methods for Therapeutic Gas Delivery for Personal Medical Consumption," which At least one inventor is the same as this case. This application, as well as continuations in part from this application, are hereby incorporated by reference in their entirety.

This case concerns a method and system for the delivery of therapeutic gases for personal medical use. In particular, platforms and technologies for generating, purifying, and delivering hydrogen for human use for health and medical benefits and effects. A platform or technology with safety devices or features that prevent potential hazards, such as gas escapes or fires.

In the health and medical field, the use of treated water for health benefits is known and has been used for some time. In particular, the use of ionized water as drinking water and therapeutic modalities for producing health and medical benefits and effects has been developed and researched.

In a common ionized water application, drinking water is subjected to an ionization process in which the water is treated to an alkaline state. In a common ionization process, acidic water will be produced near the anode; and alkaline water will be produced near the cathode. A common ionized water generator is obtained by taking out the alkaline water near the cathode. Such waters have a higher pH (ie, are more alkaline). Typically, alkaline or ionized water may have a pH greater than 7, for example in the range of 7-10. Based on various scientific and health-related studies and surveys, alkaline or ionized water is believed to provide certain health or medical benefits to users. Reasons for these benefits include that ionized water (including infused or hydrogen-treated water) can have and exhibit antioxidant properties, which help reduce free radicals in the body and provide other health benefits. Beneficial effects on digestion, metabolism, immune system and other bodily responses have also been suggested or proven.

Currently known systems for delivering alkaline or ionized water are generally relatively expensive to the average consumer. Hard equipment for producing alkaline water or ionized water is also difficult to obtain. In addition, many or most households may use tap water as a source of ionized water. If this or other water sources are contaminated, the quality of the ionized water may also be compromised. The volume of hardware equipment for ionized water may also be too bulky to be used in personal medical applications.

Therefore, there may be a need to develop therapeutic gas delivery systems and methods with safety devices or functions for personal medical use. By means of the system or method, other kinds of treatment or modification of water may be performed to deliver hydrogen in a more convenient gaseous form, and/or in the form of water infused with gaseous hydrogen. According to the content of this case, individual users use portable, transportable and/or other convenient and effective hardware designs, and provide safety measures to prevent combustion, or other less likely but potential hazards, to transmit hydrogen Gas and/or water for health and medicinal benefits and effects.

100: system

102, 302: water tank

104, 304: the first port

106: Electrolysis core, water core

108: positive electrode

110: check valve

112: negative electrode

114: Fluid permeable membranes, membranes

116: Coagulation unit

118: the second port

120: first chamber

122: second chamber

124: hydrogen output, hydrogen

126: microporous components

128: Transmission pipe

130: sensor group

132: circuit

134: The third port

202: tank

204: condenser

206: Hydrophobic membrane

208: Separator housing

210: entry port

212: Export port

300: system

306: water core, electrolytic core

310: Power control unit

312, 612: IOT control unit

314: display

316: Condensation unit

320:Internet connection interface

322: network

330: Monitoring service

402: positive terminal

404: negative terminal

500: Flowchart

502, 504, 506, 508, 510, 512, 514, 516, 518, 520: steps

610: Network interface

614: display

620: Processor

624: data storage device

628: operating system

630: memory

632: network

802, 804, 806, 810, 812: steps

The accompanying drawings, which are incorporated into the description of this case and constitute a part of the description of this case, illustrate some embodiments of this case, and will be used together with the description to explain the principle of this case. In the accompanying drawings: [Fig. 1] is an overall system drawn according to some embodiments of the present case, which can be applied to the therapeutic gas delivery system and method for personal medical use.

[FIG. 2A, FIG. 2B] is an example of the structure of a coalescer unit drawn according to some embodiments of the present invention, and the coalescer unit can be used to process the hydrogen output from the gas transmission system of the present invention.

[ FIG. 3 ] is an overall system of a therapeutic gas delivery system and method that can be used for personal medical purposes drawn according to some embodiments of the present application, which includes logic control in multiple aspects.

[FIG. 4] is a detailed structure of an applicable hydro core structure drawn according to some embodiments of the present invention.

[ FIG. 5 ] is a flow chart of hydrogen transmission processing steps that can be used for personal medical purposes drawn according to some embodiments of the present case.

[FIG. 6] is a diagram of hardware, software, and other resources that can be used for hydrogen gas delivery for personal medical use according to some embodiments of the present invention.

[Fig. 7] is a delivery pipe with a safety device drawn according to some embodiments of the present invention.

[Fig. 8] is a flowchart of the operation of the safety device drawn according to some embodiments of the present case.

Embodiments of the present case relate to therapeutic gas delivery systems and methods with safety features for personal medical use. Specifically, the embodiments of this case relate to a platform or technology for generating, separating, dehydrating and/or otherwise purifying or delivering hydrogen and/or oxygen to human users and consuming the aforementioned substances to achieve or achieve health and Medical benefits and efficacy. According to some embodiments, ingesting or using Hydrogen is believed to provide many important health and medical benefits and effects. One of these benefits and effects is to reduce harmful symptoms that may be caused by diabetes, including reducing the concentration of A1C (glycosylated hemoglobin, glycosylated hemoglobin) in the blood.

Other potential beneficial effects include reducing and/or alleviating symptoms caused by Alzheimer's disease. It is generally believed that by ingesting hydrogen and/or drinking water infused with hydrogen, there may be other health benefits and effects such as anti-oxidation, anti-inflammation, immune enhancement and/or others. In some embodiments, the platform and technology provided in this application can be similarly or alternatively used to deliver oxygen to users for various purposes.

Hereinafter, the exemplary embodiment in this case will be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings. Wherever possible, the same or similar reference numbers will be used throughout the drawings to refer to the same or similar components.

FIG. 1 is an overall drawing of a system 100 according to some embodiments of the present invention, in which systems and methods for therapeutic gas delivery applicable to personal medical applications can operate. In general, the system 100 can be constructed or configured to produce hydrogen gas as an output 124 of a purity and quantity sufficient for a human user to directly and continuously inhale hydrogen gas and/or drink hydrogen-infused water, and by this intake Income for health and medical benefits and efficacy. In some embodiments, the system 100 can be constructed and configured with integral components that allow the system 100 to be portable, transportable, and/or easy for a user to operate, manage, use, and operate.

In some embodiments, the system 100 can likewise be constructed and configured to have the ability to generate a flow rate of sufficient hydrogen to deliver the gas to a human user for continuous use or ingestion, and/or output in an immediate or near-instant manner , including, for example, an output flow rate of 50 to 250-300 cubic centimeters per minute. By adjusting the rate of production of hydrogen gas to be available for immediate, continuous and/or immediate or near-instant use by a human user, the need to accumulate or store any hydrogen gas in a container for subsequent retrieval or use is eliminated beg. Rather, the system 100 can be used on an individual, standalone, and/or on-demand basis at times selected by the user.

In general, in embodiments, the system 100 using the water core 106 can generate hydrogen gas at a production rate and/or flow rate of about 50 to 200-300 cubic centimeters of hydrogen per minute, which is sufficient to directly provide hydrogen gas to one user , for individual, continuous, on-demand, and/or immediate or near-immediate use. In some embodiments, the system 100 can be configured to generate the aforementioned flow rates and/or other flow rates over continuous or longer periods of use (eg, 10 hours, during sleep, and/or other periods). Hydrogen produced by system 100 may be treated or purified to remove water (and/or water vapor) and/or other impurities from hydrogen gas output 124, and may be configured to be vented or removed in an electrolysis process or The free oxygen that accumulates in other internal reactions thereby ensures and manages the safety of the system 100 . Other features or advantages of the operating system 100 will be described in the following description and accompanying drawings, or may be known to those with ordinary skill in the art according to the description and accompanying drawings.

In the illustrated embodiment, the system 100 may be configured or constructed with an electrolysis core or water core 106 , which may be connected to a water tank 102 . The water tank 102 may receive, store, and distribute water for electrolysis or other reactions, ultimately producing a hydrogen gas output 124 for use by the user. Water contained in the tank 102 may be added manually and/or using valves or other connections and passages. In some embodiments, the water added or stored in the water tank 102 may be purified water, such as distilled water, deionized water, and/or other treated water. In the configuration shown, the water tank 102 is connectable to the water core 106 via the first port 104 . The first port 104 may be or include, for example, a water pipe, conduit, conduit, delivery pipe, race, funnel, orifice, and/or other passage or structure to allow fluid communication between the water tank 102 and the water core 106 . In some embodiments, the first port 104 may also include accessories such as valves, filters, gaskets, and/or other structures. In some embodiments, for example, as shown in FIG. 1 , a one-way valve 110 (or check valve) can be inserted in Between the first port 104 and the water tank 102 or elsewhere to ensure a smooth flow of water and/or related materials by, for example, reducing or eliminating unintended back flow. Other flow controllers or other flow control mechanisms may also be used.

In general, water from tank 102 may be admitted to, received into, and/or otherwise entered into water core 106 . In some embodiments, water from tank 102 may be drained by gravity into water core 106 via first port 104 . In some embodiments, the water from the water tank 102 may also be transported from the water tank 102 to the water core 106 using or reusing a pump or other fluid-driven devices. In the illustrated embodiment, the vertical height or gap between the bottom opening of the tank 102 leading to the first port 104 and the bottom opening of the water core 106 for receiving the water source can be set to various heights or distances, This allows the water in the water tank 102 to be completely emptied or drained into the water core 106 due to gravity. Water provided by the tank 102 may be received into the water core 106, which in some embodiments may include a first chamber 120 and a second chamber 122 separated by a fluid permeable membrane 114. . In general, the first chamber 120 may include an interior space provided in a housing or enclosure. The positive electrode 108 may be installed or fixed in the first chamber 120 . Positive electrode 108 may include a terminal or attachment to receive an applied electric field and/or current, and may be mounted or configured to communicate with water and The fluid permeable membrane 114 is in contact. In some embodiments, the positive electrode 108 can be or include a platinum-plated titanium electrode, although other materials and/or configurations can also be used.

The water core 106 may include the membrane 114 as previously described, which may be disposed between the first chamber 120 and the second chamber 122 . The membrane 114 can generally be used as a proton conductor or a proton exchange membrane (PEM). Membrane 114 may allow a unidirectional passage of positively charged hydrogen ions from first chamber 120 to second chamber 122, as described herein. In general, the second chamber 122 may similarly contain or surround an interior space disposed in a housing or enclosure. The negative electrode 112 may be installed in the second chamber 122 . Negative charge Pole 112 may include terminals, contacts, or appendages to receive an applied electric field and/or current. The negative electrode 112 may be mounted or configured to be in contact with the gas diffusion layer (GDL) and the fluid permeable membrane 114 by a titanium plate or other metal plate disposed in the second chamber 122 . In some embodiments, negative electrode 112 may have the same, similar, or different configuration as positive electrode 108 . In some embodiments, the positive electrode 108 can also be constructed as a conductive mesh structure. When a mesh electrode is used, two mesh members may be used as the positive electrode 108 or the like, one of which has a coarse mesh structure and the other has a fine mesh structure to increase the contact area. In some embodiments, the negative potential on the negative electrode 112 can attract hydrogen ions to the second chamber 122 where they can be collected for eventual delivery to the user.

It should be noted that while the illustrated embodiment shows the membrane 114 dividing the first chamber 120 and the adjacent second chamber 122 into equal and/or symmetrical volumes, in some embodiments the membrane 114 may The first chamber 120 and the second chamber 122 are divided into different volumes. It should also be noted that although the illustrated embodiment shows that the first chamber 120 and the second chamber 122 are formed in regular quadrilateral chambers, in some embodiments, the first chamber 120 and the second chamber Either or both of the two chambers 122 may be formed in other regular or non-regular polygonal chambers.

In general, water core 106 is operable to perform electrolysis and/or other reactions in water within water core 106 to generate hydrogen output 124 . According to some embodiments, when a sufficient amount of water has entered the water core 106, the power control circuitry and/or software or logic gates may operate to apply a positive voltage to the positive electrode 108, and/or ground the negative electrode 112 or apply negative voltage. The application of this potential, and/or the flow of power generated between the positive electrode 108 and the negative electrode 112 , causes an electrolytic reaction to occur in the water core 106 . In some embodiments, oxygen can be separated from water molecules in the water. In general, the electrolysis reaction proceeds according to the following reaction: Formula 1: Reduction: (-) anode: 4H ⁺ _(aq) +4e ^- → 2H _2(g)

Oxidation: (+) Cathode: 2H ₂ O→O _2(g) +4H+4e ^-

As shown in the above formula, the amount of hydrogen produced by the electrolysis reaction in the water core 106 will be twice the amount of oxygen, both of which are released into the water in the water core 106 in the form of bubbles.

In some embodiments, oxygen may be attracted to the positive electrode 108 and move to or accumulate in the region of the positive electrode 108 . In some embodiments, oxygen may be vented or released into the open atmosphere through vents or other channels. In some embodiments, the first chamber 120 has a third port 134 that collects oxygen and/or water from the region of the positive electrode and delivers the collected water to the tank 102 . In some embodiments, when a current is applied between the positive electrode 108 and the negative electrode 112 , cations in the form of hydrogen gas are attracted to the negative electrode 112 . Hydrogen gas may migrate to or accumulate in the region of the negative electrode 112 and accumulate for eventual delivery to the user.

Specifically, in some embodiments, the membrane 114 can be made of a conductive polymer membrane of a proton exchange membrane (PEM), such as one commercially available from DuPont Co., Chestnut Run, DE. Nafion ^™ filter membrane. Other brands or types of proton exchange membranes can also be used. According to some embodiments, when a current is applied to the positive electrode 108 located in the first chamber 120 , hydrogen ions flow again through the membrane 114 and to the second chamber 122 . The hydrogen ions can receive electrons from the negative electrode 112 and form hydrogen gas on the shell on the second chamber 122 side of the water core 106 . In some embodiments, membrane 114 may be formed as a square filter membrane having an active area of approximately 5 cm x 5 cm, although it should be understood that other sizes or shapes may also be used. In some embodiments, a membrane 114 approximately 5 cm x 5 cm in size is capable of separating and/or generating hydrogen gas at a rate of 50 to 250-300 cubic centimeters per minute or other rates.

It will be appreciated that the rate of hydrogen gas generation achievable or produced by the system 100 may be affected by a number of factors, including the amount of water contained in the water core 106 . According to some embodiments, the The generation rate is calculated and measured from the operating time, and the surface area of the electrodes 108, 112 and other components in contact with the water in the water core 106 or the like. Hydrogen gas formed in the second chamber 122 may be collected to generate a hydrogen gas output 124 for delivery to a user. In some embodiments, the hydrogen gas may be directed or directed to the condensation unit 116 via the second port 118 for communication with the user. The second port 118 may have the same or similar structure as the first port 104 . The condensation unit 116 may be configured to remove water or water vapor from the hydrogen. In some embodiments, as shown in FIG. 2 , the condensation unit 116 can be or include a hydrophobic membrane 206 for separating water or water vapor. In this way, the water content of the hydrogen reaching the second port 118 can be reduced or eliminated, and become dehydrated hydrogen or dry hydrogen.

After the hydrogen has passed through the condensation unit 116 , it can be delivered to the user as the hydrogen output 124 . Hydrogen output 124 may be delivered to or used by a user in a variety of ways. In some embodiments, the hydrogen output 124 may be delivered to the user as a gas for direct inhalation using, for example, medical grade tubing or a breathing mask.

In the embodiment shown in FIG. 7 , the hydrogen gas output 124 can be transmitted or communicated through a transmission pipe 128 . In some embodiments, oxygen can also be delivered to the user through the delivery tube 128 similarly or alternatively. In some embodiments, transfer tube 128 may use, for example, snap-on or push-on fittings to attach plastic or other tubing to small flanges, mounts, etc. , ports, or lumens to transport gas from the system 100. In some embodiments, the flange, mount, port, or cavity may be configured with electrical contacts or connectors to allow the wiring or logic circuits described herein to be in electrical communication therewith. In some embodiments, the system 100 may additionally, or alternatively, be equipped with optical fibers or other optical contacts or connectors for signal transmission, for example. According to some examples, it is understood that since both hydrogen and oxygen are the systems and methods taught in this application As a natural product, the system 100 as a whole can be configured or adjusted to deliver an oxygen output instead of a hydrogen output, or to deliver oxygen to a user in addition to hydrogen.

In any case, or in other rare cases, it may be noted that while the possibility of combustion of the output gases still exists, the system 100 as a whole is not prone to accidental combustion or other incidents even so. This is due to the fact that more than one safety factor is placed in the system 100, including with respect to the amount or flow rate of hydrogen produced, making the system 100 less likely or less likely to initiate certain types of combustion. With the hydrogen production and flow rates described, hydrogen and oxygen tend to evaporate or disappear even if gas leakage occurs. Furthermore, the user almost must deliberately apply heat or flames to possibly initiate the combustion of these gaseous products, and even in this very rare case, the gaseous products are likely to burn only moderately in a blue flame, Instead of burning violently or spontaneously. In addition to applying to the transmission pipe 128 described so far, these limiting factors and operating safety margins can also be applied to the system 100 or other areas near the system 100 .

Nonetheless, the arrangement taught in this case is intended to include safety devices as well as fault detection to yield the greatest margin of operational safety. For example, such as when the gas is accidentally exposed to heat, flames from cigarettes, candles, or other sources, sparks, or when the system 100 encounters other possible hazards in general.

Thus, according to an embodiment, as shown in FIG. 7 , it may be beneficial to equip the transfer tube 128 and/or other components with a sensor array 130 in an attempt to detect, prevent, and/or respond to hazardous conditions in accordance with certain aspects of the present disclosure. . According to some embodiments of the present case, the sensor group 130 can be or include electronic components connected by the circuit 132, such as wires that can be embedded in the transmission tube 128, which is formed by connecting the circuit 132 when the transmission tube 128 is formed. Manufactured embedded in thermoplastic, resin, or other material used to form transfer tube 128 . In the illustrated embodiment, the circuit 132 is configured along the length, but it should be understood that Yes, other physical configurations can be used, such as configurations in concentric helixes. The electrical circuit 132 may additionally or alternatively be secured to the inner surface of the transfer tube 128 when the transfer tube 128 is complete, such as by gluing or otherwise adhering to the inner wall of the transfer tube 128 . The sensor group 130 of this case may be or may include, for example, an electronic sensor (such as a resistance sensor or a thermistor sensor), a pressure sensor, an acoustic wave sensor, a chemical sensor, an optical sensor, and/or other various types. The sensor. In the embodiment, it can be noted that the delivery tube 128 can be configured to have a plurality of identical or different sensors in the length direction of the delivery tube 128, thereby detecting, identifying, and/or locating sensors located at different locations on the delivery tube 128. Cutting or damage to the location. When having this configuration, the sensor groups 130 can be spaced by the same or different distances. Other constructions or configurations of the transfer tube 128, electrical circuit 132, sensor pack 130, and other components are also possible.

In operation, the power control unit (power control unit, PCU) 310 or other programs and logic circuits can monitor various conditions or parameters in the transmission tube 128 and/or other parts of the system 100 to detect and/or prevent system 100 Hazardous situations or events that may occur during. For example, one hazard that may exist is the possibility of combustion arising from exposure of the mixed hydrogen/oxygen mixture to a spark or flame, however, as previously stated, this would require the user to deliberately expose the gaseous product to a spark or flame. Can only be caused by flames. Even in this rare case, the most likely outcome is only some type of blue flame or limited combustion. In some embodiments, sensor set 130 may be or include, for example, a temperature sensor capable of detecting that the temperature in delivery pipe 128 reaches a predetermined limit or threshold. In some embodiments, the power control unit 310 or other programming and logic circuits can be configured to monitor the electrical continuity (whether the circuit is turned on) in the sensor set 130 and/or the circuit 132 to detect, for example, a potential The transmission tube 128 is broken, kinked, or separated due to burning, accidental damage, cuts, or other factors. In some embodiments, the sensor set 130 may be similarly configured as or include one or more pressure sensors, for example, to detect sound waves and overpressure or negative pressure in the transmission tube 128. pressure state. An overpressure or underpressure condition may occur, for example, when the delivery tube 128 is blocked, bent, folded, stretched, cut, bulged, and/or otherwise obstructed or damaged. Detection of various fault conditions may be applied to shut down power to system 100 or portions of system 100 .

Once any one or more of these or other fault conditions are detected, the power control unit 310 and/or other programming or logic circuits may activate or perform various actions as described above. For example, the power control unit 310 and/or other programs or logic circuits can completely cut off the power supplied to the system 100 to prevent further damage to the system 100 and protect the safety of users, and other measures can also be taken. In some embodiments, the power control unit 310 and/or other programs or logic circuits can obtain information related to detected fault conditions to report the information to network monitoring services or systems, such as cloud-based ) or other forms of services or systems.

When delivered in gaseous form, the user may secure delivery tube 128 to any attached mask, cannula, and/or other breathing apparatus for use at a desired time. In some embodiments, the breathing mask may be worn during sleeping hours to facilitate the use of the hydrogen output 124 throughout the night or other time periods. In some embodiments, the delivery rate of hydrogen and/or oxygen output can be adjusted during sleep. Other delivery methods may also be used, such as using a tube that is adhered to or fitted near the user's nose.

In accordance with various further considerations of the present case, an exemplary flowchart of security and its related processing steps is depicted in FIG. 8 . In step 802, processing can begin. In step 804 , the power control unit 310 and/or other control logic circuits may be activated to, for example, confirm the presence or integrity of the circuit 132 , the sensor set 130 , and/or other hardware or operations of the system 100 . In step 806, power control unit 310 and/or other control logic may monitor circuit 132, sensor set 130, and/or system Other components or operating parameters of system 100 to detect one or more potential fault conditions, such as sudden or other changes in resistance value, temperature, pressure, and/or other operating details related to system 100 .

In step 808, these or other signals or conditions (such as pressure or sound waves) may be detected by, for example, comparing resistance, temperature, current, and/or other parameters with predetermined safety values or thresholds signal) to detect a fault condition of the system 100 including the transmission pipe 128.

In step 810, the power control unit 310 and/or other logic control circuits may trigger or execute a response to the fault condition, such as executing protection measures or debugging actions. For example, power control unit 310 and/or other logic control circuits may shut off power to system 100 or to various components of system 100 to eliminate or reduce oxygen or hydrogen production, and/or perform other actions. In step 812, processing may repeat, skip to a subsequent point of processing, return to a previous point of processing, or end. For example, in the case of a relatively minor or unconfirmed fault condition, the power control unit 310 and/or other control logic circuits may reset to a non-fault state, or take other measures.

In some embodiments, the hydrogen gas output 124 can also or alternatively be delivered to the user by injecting the hydrogen gas output 124 into drinking water so that the hydrogen gas dissolves in the water the user will drink. When delivery is by water, the hydrogen output 124 may be directed into a container using a nozzle or other structure to introduce the hydrogen output 124 into the water where it will dissolve. In some embodiments, an optional microporous element 126 may be provided prior to pouring into the drinking water, which will force the hydrogen gas into small bubbles to increase the surface area in contact with the water. The micro-size (measured in microns) of the microporous elements 126 may assist in dissolving hydrogen gas into the water. It can be noted that the saturation point of hydrogen in water at room temperature is about 1.6 milligrams per liter, which means that part of the hydrogen produced will enter the water, while the rest will escape into the surrounding air. If desired, the user can inhale the hydrogen evaporated from the water for maximum absorption or use of the hydrogen.

One method used to test or characterize treated hydrogen-enriched water for human consumption is to detect or measure the oxidation reduction potential (ORP) of the water. In some embodiments, the IOT control unit 312 and/or other logic circuits may be configured to measure ORP by detecting the potential in water. Typical water or tap water can typically measure values in the positive ORP range (eg 100 mV to 300 mV (positive potential)), although values may vary in different locations or conditions. It is generally accepted that treated water must have an ORP of at least -250 millivolts to produce health benefits. In some embodiments, when about 200-300 cubic centimeters per minute of hydrogen is injected into half a liter of water, it takes about 1-2 minutes to reach the ORP interval of -250 to -500 millivolts.

In some embodiments, additional or residual water may be returned to the water tank 102 to provide more water to the water tank 102 to feed the overall electrolysis reaction. According to some embodiments, when the water tank 102 is filled with water (eg, purified water), gravity is usually enough to make the water in the water tank 102 drain into the water core 106 through the first port 104 .

In some embodiments, the overall system 100 may include a coalescer to remove water from the hydrogen output, as previously described. 2A and 2B illustrate exemplary configurations of coalescing unit 116 and similar units that may be used to remove water and/or water vapor from hydrogen output 124 produced for use by a user. As shown in FIG. 2A , the condensation unit 116 may include an inlet port 210 into which untreated, moisture-laden, or moist hydrogen gas may enter after generation in the water core 106 or the like. Coagulation unit 116 may be constructed in the form of a spin-off tank. Structures disposed within condensation unit 116 at inlet end 210 may include condenser 204 and hydrophobic membrane 206, which may be 13 mm in diameter, 25 mm in diameter, and/or other diameters or sizes. Hydrogen gas may enter condensation unit 116 and water and/or water vapor contained in the hydrogen gas may be trapped, repelled, or otherwise directed downward into tank 202 due to the hydrophobic nature of the hydrophobic membrane. Water and/or water vapor may collect in tank 202 as the hydrogen gas flows to the user via outlet port 212 .

As shown in FIG. 2B , hydrogen gas may be communicated to separator housing 208 and then exit outlet port 212 as dry gas. After this adjustment, the water and/or water vapor in the hydrogen will be reduced or eliminated before the user uses or consumes it.

As shown in FIG. 2B , the separator housing 208 , tank 202 , and other elements of the coalescing unit 116 may be attached or secured using a fitting set 214 such as gaskets, O-rings, and nuts. It should be understood, however, that other accessories, attachments, and overall structures may also be used in the coalescing unit 116 . In some embodiments, water collected in tank 202 may be collected for discharge, disposed of, or recycled back to tank 102 . In some embodiments, valve 328 or other fluid control means controlled by power control unit 310, IOT control unit 312 (as may be shown in FIG. 3), or other logic circuits or controllers may be used to manually and and/or remove coalesced water electronically.

FIG. 3 illustrates an overall system 300 provided according to some embodiments of the present application. According to some embodiments, the system 300 of FIG. 3 may generally be constructed the same or similar to that shown in FIG. 1 , and further illustrates control logic and other elements that may be incorporated into the system 300 . FIG. 3 generally depicts a system 300 in block diagram form, including modules, hardware, and/or logic circuits for controlling hydrogen 124 production operations. In the illustrated embodiment, the tank 302 may be in fluid communication with at least one water core 306 via a first port 304 (eg, a pipe, channel, and/or other conduit). On the output side of the electrolysis core 306, the hydrogen output 124 and water or steam may communicate to the condensation unit 316 via a second connection or other channel. Coagulation unit 316 may have the same or similar configuration as coalescence unit 116 shown in FIG. 1 and may produce a "dry" output of hydrogen gas 124 for use by a user. In some embodiments, the rate of hydrogen gas generation using one water core 306 may be approximately in the range of 250-300 cubic centimeters per minute, although other ranges or rates may also be generated. In the illustrated embodiment, condensation unit 316 may divert or divert water and/or water vapor to vessel 326 or other vessels for evacuation or other processing.

In terms of operation and control of the system 300 , in the illustrated embodiment, the water core 306 may be electrically connected to a power control unit 310 . The power control unit 310 may be a programmed processor or otherwise equipped or configured with other logic circuitry to manage the delivery of power to the water core 306, including to positive and negative electrodes (not shown) disposed in the water core 306. 1), the positive and negative electrodes may comprise the same or similar electrodes as positive electrode 108 and negative electrode 112 shown in FIG. 1 . In some embodiments, the power control unit 310 may receive an input voltage in the range of 9V to 32V and deliver current to or through the water core 306 in the range of, for example, up to 40 amps (DC). The illustration may show a peak power consumption of approximately 120 watts, however, while certain ranges for voltage, current and wattage are stated, it is again stated that other ranges or values, or combinations of ranges or values, are also usable.

In some embodiments, the power control unit 310 may be configured to maintain a constant voltage and/or constant current supply to the electrolysis core 306, although variable voltage and/or variable current may also be used in embodiments as desired. . In some embodiments, the power control unit 310 can be configured to receive DC power converted from a standard wall AC outlet by using an in-line AC-DC conversion transformer (not shown) built into the power cord. In some embodiments, the power control unit 310 may also or instead be configured to operate directly from a DC power source (eg, an external battery, internal battery, or other battery or power source). In some embodiments, the system 300 may be configured to operate outside the range of a standard car battery producing 12 or 24 volts. In some embodiments, if batteries are used, the battery unit may be integrated into system 300 and/or as an external unit to system 300 . In some embodiments, battery power may be used if it is desired to make system 300 portable and/or easily transportable. However, it should be understood that other power sources or types (AC or DC) could be used to make the system 300 portable and/or easily transportable. In some embodiments, if a battery is used as the power source, the battery may be or include one or more Various types of batteries or batteries, such as lead-acid batteries, and/or other types or types of energy storage batteries or batteries.

According to similar aspects shown, in some embodiments, an Internet of Things (IOT) control unit 312 may be provided to communicate electronically and/or logically with the power control unit 310 and/or other components of the system 300. components or resources. In some embodiments, the IOT control unit 312 may be equipped with hardware and/or software resources to perform logical control over the system 300 . The IOT control unit 312 may, for example, include one or more processors, electronic memory, hard disk or other storage devices, and other resources such as a network connection interface 320 . The network connection interface 320 may be or include a wired connection, such as an Ethernet connection, and/or a wireless connection, such as a Bluetooth (BlueTooth ^™ ) or a Wi-Fi wireless interface.

Network interface 320 may communicate with network 322 such as the Internet, cloud networks or services, and/or other public or private networks, channels or connections. In some embodiments, network 322 may be or may include the Internet of Things (IOT) and/or other networks or services.

In some embodiments, data related to the transmission and/or use of hydrogen consumption may be stored in the system 300, and/or uploaded or stored to a monitoring service 330 hosted in the network 322, for example, to create Monitoring system 300 overall health and user records or profiles of operation, including, for example, run time, generation rate, system temperature, failure events, and/or other operating parameters.

In some embodiments, user records or profiles may likewise include other medical data about the user and be stored in or connected to monitoring service 330 to facilitate better assessment of the user's health or well-being over time. Medical status, and operation of the system 300. Additional medical information may include information such as, but not limited to, pulse rate, blood pressure, body temperature, and/or other vital signs, readings, or the like, as desired. In some embodiments, additional or auxiliary instruments or devices configured to operate with system 300 may be used to collect these or other medical information, such as blood pressure equipped with a BlueTooth ^™ , Wi-Fi or other network interface monitor or pulse oximeter. In some embodiments, these or other similar measurement devices may be integrated into the system 300 itself. In some embodiments, the system 300 can thus serve as a gateway for obtaining or transmitting personal medical information to, for example, the cloud or other monitoring services and/or other destinations. In some embodiments, the acquisition or transmission of vital signs and/or other information may be performed by the system 300 during hydrogen generating operation, or may be performed at other times, including when the system 300 is not operating hydrogen generating.

In some embodiments, system 300 may likewise be configured to receive data and/or configuration instructions from network 322, such as to periodically update any firmware, software, or other software resources. In some embodiments, other information or data, such as patient images in the facility, motion detection data, and/or others, may be obtained by or via the system 300 and related services.

In some embodiments, the IOT control unit 312 may be configured to monitor and/or control the power control unit 310, the sensor set 130, and/or other components, controllers, or devices disposed on or used by the system 300 . According to some embodiments, the IOT control unit 312 may be connected to an integrated display 314, such as a light emitting diode (LED), a liquid crystal display (LCD), and/or other types of displays or monitors. . In some embodiments, the display 314 may be configured to display various data and parameters related to the operation of the system 300, including providing a numerical display of the hydrogen gas generation rate produced and exported by the user for consumption. In some embodiments, the cloud monitoring service may be configured to transmit system or medical data to a networked device for display, such as a smartphone or other device running a compatible application.

The generation rate can be refreshed every 15 seconds, every minute, or other intervals. In some embodiments, the generation rate may be expressed in cubic centimeters of hydrogen delivered to the user, although other units may be used. Although various control operations have been described as being performed by the power control unit 310 and/or the IOT control unit 312, but it should be understood that in some embodiments, different combinations of operations performed and/or shared by the power control unit 310 itself, the IOT control unit 312 itself, the power control unit 310 and the IOT control unit 312, and/or Or use other circuits, modules or logic circuits to perform the same or other control operations.

In some embodiments, the IOT control unit 312 can also control or manage other operations or parameters related to the system 300, and generate and/or display other messages or data. For example, in some embodiments, the IOT control unit 312 and/or the monitoring service 330 may be configured to be monitored when the hydrogen gas production rate and/or other parameters are out of range, and/or the condition is abnormal or becomes a fault, error state, When the vital signs of the system reach an important state and/or meet other conditions, a warning is generated to the user. In some embodiments, an alert may be provided, for example, by illuminating a red light or icon on display 314 and/or a user interface of an application linked to monitoring service 330 and/or other interfaces. In some embodiments, the IOT control unit 312 can cause text (such as “error”, “warning”, and/or other words or messages) to be displayed on the display 314 . In some embodiments, the IOT control unit 312 and/or the monitoring service 330 may also or alternatively generate an audio alert or warning, such as a beep, a computer-generated voice, and/or other audio notification or alert. In some embodiments, the IOT control unit 312 can also be configured to transmit or communicate status messages, including alarms or notify.

According to some embodiments, the IOT control unit 312 and/or other logic circuits may also use, for example, electrical parameters or other variables of the system 300 to calculate, estimate and/or monitor the hydrogen gas production rate. In some embodiments, the rate of hydrogen gas production can be calculated or estimated using the amount of current applied to the water core 306 at a known, estimated, or measured temperature. In general, the hydrogen production rate model can be is established to be proportional to the amount of applied voltage and/or current. Additionally, the amount of water required to conduct the electrolysis operation and produce a desired hydrogen production rate can be calculated or estimated.

According to some further embodiments, the IOT control unit 312 may be configured to recognize a low hydrogen flow rate, and/or water supply level to the system 300, when the IOT control unit 312 or other logic detects that the electrode current is reduced or zero. lower. In this case, the IOT control unit 312 can again generate an alarm or notification (such as a flashing light, text or sound alarm), and/or send a fault status message to the network 322, the monitoring service 330 and/or other nodes, service or destination.

According to some further embodiments, the IOT control unit 312 may be configured with a timing circuit or a timing logic circuit (such as a chip designed as a timer or a clock) to program the system 300 to operate at certain times or at operate at certain intervals. In some embodiments, the IOT control unit 312 may be configured to allow a user to program operations or set desired times or intervals, and/or provide other settings for the use or operation of the system 300 .

As previously mentioned, in some embodiments, using an adjustable or programmable single electrolysis core, the hydrogen production rate can be adjusted within an adjustable range of approximately 50 to 250-300 cubic centimeters per minute. It should be understood, however, that the ranges are exemplary only, and that different lower and upper values may be used or achieved. The output hydrogen can be transported or communicated again via outlet ports, pipes, masks, dissolvers or other mechanisms for use as a gas or injected into drinking water for drinking or ingestion.

Although the foregoing embodiments, including the schematic embodiment shown in FIG. 1 and other drawings, describe embodiments in which only a single water core 106 is used to perform the electrolysis reaction and generate hydrogen, in some embodiments, a combination of Or combine two or more electrolytic cores to increase production rate and/or other properties, or to increase system functionality.

According to some embodiments, multiple water cores 106 or the like may be combined, bonded, united, or stacked to increase the rate of hydrogen gas generation in a single unit. In some embodiments, the production rate of the aforementioned plurality of water cores 106 may be scaled or increased compared to a single water core 106 of similar capacity. Thus, in some embodiments, the number of cores can be selected accordingly to achieve or generate a desired rate of hydrogen gas generation that can be delivered to a user. In general, systems using a single electrolysis core can generally generate hydrogen flow rates of about 50 to 250-300 cubic centimeters per minute and/or other flow rates and ranges, according to some embodiments of the present disclosure, as previously described. However, according to some embodiments, a system using two electrolysis cores 106 in a core stack can generally generate a hydrogen flow rate of about 500 to 600 cubic centimeters per minute and/or other flow rates and ranges if so desired.

The electrical control provided by the power control unit 310 or the like, the control or monitoring provided by the IOT control unit 312 or the like, and/or other logic or control may be adapted to service multiple cores, for example to ensure Each target core can maintain desired voltage or current. When multiple cores are used, the outlet ports can be configured to form channels through which continuous fluid communication is maintained so that all hydrogen gas formed in the core pack can be collected and delivered to the user as a single stream. It will also be appreciated that while multiple cores may have the same or similar configuration, such as size or dimensions, in embodiments, the first, second and/or other numbers of cores may be made with the same or different Construction, including dimensions or dimensions.

According to some embodiments, an exemplary structure of water core 106 is depicted in FIG. 4 . According to the embodiment shown in FIG. 4 , the internal configuration of the water core 106 may be used using a positive terminal 402 connected to a positive voltage to provide a voltage for the electrolysis reaction. Conversely, a negative (negative) plate may be used as the negative terminal 404 , which is generally arranged in parallel with respect to the positive terminal 402 . In general, the positive terminal 402 is connected to the negative terminal The potential difference between the subs 404 and the resulting current can be used to drive electrolysis and/or other reactions in the water core 106 .

In the illustrated embodiment, the positive terminal 402 and the negative terminal 404 can be fixed, relatively arranged, mounted, and/or connected by using accessories such as screws, bolts, nuts, and O-rings as shown. It should be understood, however, that other fasteners, connectors, or techniques may be used to assemble or connect components of the water core 106, and/or other components or structures of the system 100 (300) or the like, and/or the water core 106 may be are stacked or combined, as in this case.

Figure 5 depicts a flowchart 500 of power control, monitoring, gas generation, and other processing that may be implemented in a therapeutic gas delivery system and method for personal medical use, according to some embodiments. In step 502, processing may begin. In step 504 , water provided by the tank 102 may be received into the water core 106 via the first port 104 . In some embodiments, the water received from tank 102 may be distilled, deionized, or otherwise treated to purify water. In some embodiments, the first port 104 may be or may include a tube, conduit, conduit, delivery tube, funnel, and/or other channel or fluid connection between the tank 102 and the water core 106, as previously described. . In some embodiments, water may drain directly from tank 102 into water core 106 under the force of gravity. In some embodiments, a pump and/or other fluid-driven devices may also be used to transfer water from the tank 102 to the water core 106 .

In step 506, a voltage may be applied to the positive electrode 108 and the negative electrode 112 or similar electrodes or contacts in the water core 106 using a power control unit and/or other controller or logic. In some embodiments, the voltage difference between the positive electrode 108 and the negative electrode 112 can be set or maintained at a desired or predetermined value or range, such as 1-3 volts or other values. In some embodiments, the current between the positive electrode 108 and the negative electrode 112 can also be set or maintained at a desired or predetermined value or range, for example, up to 40 amperes, and other values can also be used.

In step 508 , the oxygen product and the hydrogen product produced by the electrolysis reaction performed in the water core 106 may be separated in the water core 106 . In some embodiments, the positive electrode 108 can attract oxygen products, while the negative electrode 112 can attract hydrogen products. The membrane 114 prevents oxygen and other products from entering the water core 106 to the second or negative electrode side, but allows hydrogen products to pass through the membrane 114 to the second or negative electrode side. In step 510, gaseous oxygen may be exhausted from the first side of the water core 106 or the positive electrode side through, for example, a vent tube or a bleed valve.

In step 512, the hydrogen collected in the second chamber 122 for output to the user may be conveyed to the condensation unit 116 to remove water and/or water vapor from the hydrogen output. In some embodiments, condensation unit 116 may include a hydrophobic membrane or membrane for transferring water and/or water vapor into a collection tank or other removable container or channel.

In step 514, hydrogen and/or oxygen may be delivered to the user for use. In some embodiments, hydrogen gas may be delivered through the second port 118 for the user to inhale through, for example, a medical grade catheter, a breathing mask, and/or a nasal cannula. In some embodiments, hydrogen and/or oxygen may also or alternatively be delivered through the second port 118 for infusion or dissolved in water for drinking. For example, use medical grade tubing and injection nozzles or other mechanisms to deliver the hydrogen gas to the drinking water for the user. In step 516, fault conditions such as threshold temperature (flame), pressure (combustion), and acoustic conditions may be detected and one or more responsive actions performed, such as shutting down power to the system 100, and/or terminating hydrogen gas generation .

In step 518, the generation rate of hydrogen and/or oxygen generated by the system (or device) 100 may be detected via the IOT control unit 312 and/or other logic circuits, and/or displayed on or via the display 314 and/or Other output interfaces or devices. In some embodiments, various techniques for estimating or determining the production rate and/or flow rate of hydrogen and/or oxygen may be used, such as by directly measuring the volume of gas passing through the second port 118 or other point.

In step 520, processing may be repeated, returned to a previous processing point, skipped to a subsequent processing point, or ended.

Figure 6 illustrates various hardware, software, and other resources that may be used for hydrogen delivery for personal medical use, according to some embodiments. As shown, the IOT control unit 612 may be configured with certain hardware, software, connections, or other resources. In some embodiments, the circuits and/or functions of the IOT control unit 612 may be the same or similar to those of the IOT control unit 312 (eg, as shown in FIG. 3 ). In the illustrated embodiment, the IOT control unit 612 may include a platform including a processor 620 in communication with a memory 630 (e.g., electronic random access memory), which may be implemented in an operating system 628 Operate under control or in conjunction with operating system 628 . The processor 620 in an embodiment may be integrated into one or more servers, clusters, and/or other computer or hardware resources, and/or may be implemented by cloud resources. The operating system 628 can be, for example, Linux ^™ operating system, Unix ^™ operating system, Windows ^™ operating system family, and/or other open source or proprietary operating systems or platforms. The processor 620 can communicate with a data storage device 624 (such as a database stored on a local or remote hard disk or drive array) to store or retrieve data related to power consumption or output, hydrogen and/or other gases Information about generation rates, and/or other information, with associated content, media, or other information. In some embodiments, the data storage device 624 may be configured to store individual user profiles and/or other data, such as desired generation rates, delivery mechanisms, and/or other information.

The processor 620 may further communicate with a network interface 610, such as an Ethernet network or a wireless data connection, which in turn communicates with one or more networks 632, such as the Internet or other public or private A network, which may be or include a cloud network or service. In some embodiments, the processor 620 can also be connected to the display 614 to manage and generate hydrogen gas generation rate and/or other data display to the user through an integrated device or other interface. In some embodiments, display 614 can be used with Display 314 (shown in FIG. 3 ) is similar or identical. In some embodiments, it should be noted that the power control unit 310 and/or other circuits, modules, logic circuits, and/or controllers may be or include resources similar to those of the IOT control unit 312, and/or Includes additional or different hardware, software, and/or other resources.

Other configurations of the IOT control unit 612 (and 312 ), the power control unit 310 , related network connections, and other hardware, software, and service resources are possible. It can be similarly understood that although in some embodiments the IOT control unit 612 (and 312) is described as consisting of or comprising independent hardware and other resources, in some embodiments, other Computing resources or communication resources, such as cloud network, storage, and/or other services. In some embodiments, the data captured or stored in the system 100 can be uploaded or transmitted to a cloud service for storage or retrieval by users or others.

The foregoing description is illustrative, and variations of other configurations or implementations may occur to those having ordinary skill in the art to which this case pertains. For example, while embodiments have been described using a single tank to provide water as an operating material to the system 100 or the like, in some embodiments two or more tanks or suppliers or sources may be used. Other resources described as singular or integrated in an embodiment may be multiple or distributed in other embodiments; resources described as multiple or distributed in an embodiment may be in other embodiments combined. For some further embodiments, although the embodiments are described for use in medical gas delivery, the monitoring, safety, and related functions or features described in this application may be applied to non-medical and/or other applications as desired. The scope of rights in this case is only defined by the scope of the attached patent application.

100: system

102: water tank

104: the first port

106: Electrolysis core, water core

108: positive electrode

110: check valve

112: negative electrode

114: Fluid permeable membranes, membranes

116: Coagulation unit

118: the second port

120: first chamber

122: second chamber

124: hydrogen output, hydrogen

126: microporous components

Claims (21)

A gas generating device comprising: a water tank; a first port connected to the water tank; an electrolysis core connected to the first port to receive water from the water tank; the electrolysis core comprising: a first chamber, the first a chamber including a positive electrode configured to generate oxygen at a region of the positive electrode; a second chamber including a negative electrode configured to generate oxygen at a region of the negative electrode collecting hydrogen gas; and a membrane disposed between the first chamber and the second chamber, the membrane configured to transfer the hydrogen gas from the first chamber to the second chamber; and a first Two ports, connected to the electrolysis core, the second port is configured to transmit at least one of the oxygen and the hydrogen at a flow rate through a transfer tube having an inductor group, wherein the flow rate is for a The flow rate is continuously used by the user, and the sensor set is used to detect at least one failure condition. The gas generating device according to claim 1, wherein the sensor group includes at least one of a pressure sensor, a temperature sensor, an optical sensor, an acoustic wave sensor, or an electronic sensor. The gas generating device as claimed in claim 2, wherein the at least one failure condition includes at least one of an overpressure condition, a negative pressure condition, a sound wave condition, a temperature condition, or a combustion condition. The gas generating device as claimed in claim 1, wherein the positive electrode comprises at least one of a platinum-coated electrode or a titanium electrode. The gas generating device as claimed in claim 1, wherein the membrane comprises a proton exchange membrane. The gas generating device as claimed in claim 1, further comprising a water condensation unit connected to the second port, the water condensation unit configured to remove water or water vapor from the hydrogen gas delivered to the user for use . The gas generating device as claimed in claim 1, further comprising a third port configured to collect water from the region of the positive electrode and deliver the collected water to the water tank. The gas generating device as claimed in claim 3, further comprising a power control unit configured to control voltage or current at at least one of the positive electrode or the negative electrode. The gas generating device as claimed in claim 8, wherein the power control unit is configured to monitor the sensor set and trigger a response action when the at least one fault condition is detected. The gas generating device according to claim 9, wherein the response action includes reducing the power supply to the gas generating device. The gas generating device of claim 8, wherein the voltage is controlled to generate a predetermined redox potential of water outside the electrolysis core. The gas generating device as claimed in claim 1, wherein the flow rate is adjustable. The gas generating device as claimed in claim 1, wherein the hydrogen gas is dissolved in water for drinking by the user. The gas generating device of claim 1, wherein at least one of the hydrogen gas or the oxygen gas is delivered for inhalation by the user. The gas generating device as claimed in claim 1, wherein the electrolytic core comprises a stackable electrolytic core group. The gas generating device as claimed in claim 1, further comprising an IOT control unit configured to monitor a generation rate of the hydrogen gas. The gas generating device as claimed in claim 1, further comprising a display connected to an IOT control unit, the display being configured to display at least a generation rate of the hydrogen gas. The gas generating device as claimed in claim 1, further comprising a network interface configured to connect the gas generating device to a network. The gas generating device of claim 8, wherein the gas generating device is configured to obtain information about the fault condition for transmission to a monitoring service. A gas generation method comprising: receiving water from a water tank to an electrolytic core via a first port; providing a voltage to the water in the electrolytic core via a positive electrode and a negative electrode; separating the water from the electrolytic core. An oxygen gas and a hydrogen gas produced by an electrolytic reaction, wherein the electrolytic reaction is generated by the voltage provided; the hydrogen gas located in the electrolytic core is separated by a membrane; the hydrogen gas is transported so that the hydrogen gas passes through a condensation unit to remove a water or a water vapor from the hydrogen; transmit at least one of the hydrogen or the oxygen to a user by a transfer pipe for use by the user; and monitor at least one of the transfer pipe failure condition. The gas generating method as claimed in claim 20, further comprising triggering a response action based on detecting the at least one fault condition.

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