WO2004106228A1 - Oxygen generator - Google Patents

Oxygen generator Download PDF

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Publication number
WO2004106228A1
WO2004106228A1 PCT/KR2003/001945 KR0301945W WO2004106228A1 WO 2004106228 A1 WO2004106228 A1 WO 2004106228A1 KR 0301945 W KR0301945 W KR 0301945W WO 2004106228 A1 WO2004106228 A1 WO 2004106228A1
Authority
WO
WIPO (PCT)
Prior art keywords
generator
air stream
oxygen
air
beds
Prior art date
Application number
PCT/KR2003/001945
Other languages
French (fr)
Inventor
Hyun-Chul Hur
Dong-Hwi Kim
Original Assignee
Samsun Corporation
Priority date (The priority date is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the date listed.)
Filing date
Publication date
Priority claimed from KR20-2003-0016557U external-priority patent/KR200322912Y1/en
Priority claimed from KR20-2003-0016558U external-priority patent/KR200323711Y1/en
Application filed by Samsun Corporation filed Critical Samsun Corporation
Priority to AU2003263649A priority Critical patent/AU2003263649A1/en
Publication of WO2004106228A1 publication Critical patent/WO2004106228A1/en

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Classifications

    • C—CHEMISTRY; METALLURGY
    • C01—INORGANIC CHEMISTRY
    • C01B—NON-METALLIC ELEMENTS; COMPOUNDS THEREOF; METALLOIDS OR COMPOUNDS THEREOF NOT COVERED BY SUBCLASS C01C
    • C01B13/00—Oxygen; Ozone; Oxides or hydroxides in general
    • C01B13/02—Preparation of oxygen
    • C01B13/0229—Purification or separation processes
    • C01B13/0248—Physical processing only
    • C01B13/0259—Physical processing only by adsorption on solids
    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B01—PHYSICAL OR CHEMICAL PROCESSES OR APPARATUS IN GENERAL
    • B01D—SEPARATION
    • B01D53/00—Separation of gases or vapours; Recovering vapours of volatile solvents from gases; Chemical or biological purification of waste gases, e.g. engine exhaust gases, smoke, fumes, flue gases, aerosols
    • B01D53/02—Separation of gases or vapours; Recovering vapours of volatile solvents from gases; Chemical or biological purification of waste gases, e.g. engine exhaust gases, smoke, fumes, flue gases, aerosols by adsorption, e.g. preparative gas chromatography
    • B01D53/04—Separation of gases or vapours; Recovering vapours of volatile solvents from gases; Chemical or biological purification of waste gases, e.g. engine exhaust gases, smoke, fumes, flue gases, aerosols by adsorption, e.g. preparative gas chromatography with stationary adsorbents
    • B01D53/0407—Constructional details of adsorbing systems
    • B01D53/0446—Means for feeding or distributing gases
    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B01—PHYSICAL OR CHEMICAL PROCESSES OR APPARATUS IN GENERAL
    • B01D—SEPARATION
    • B01D53/00—Separation of gases or vapours; Recovering vapours of volatile solvents from gases; Chemical or biological purification of waste gases, e.g. engine exhaust gases, smoke, fumes, flue gases, aerosols
    • B01D53/02—Separation of gases or vapours; Recovering vapours of volatile solvents from gases; Chemical or biological purification of waste gases, e.g. engine exhaust gases, smoke, fumes, flue gases, aerosols by adsorption, e.g. preparative gas chromatography
    • B01D53/04—Separation of gases or vapours; Recovering vapours of volatile solvents from gases; Chemical or biological purification of waste gases, e.g. engine exhaust gases, smoke, fumes, flue gases, aerosols by adsorption, e.g. preparative gas chromatography with stationary adsorbents
    • B01D53/047—Pressure swing adsorption
    • B01D53/053—Pressure swing adsorption with storage or buffer vessel
    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B01—PHYSICAL OR CHEMICAL PROCESSES OR APPARATUS IN GENERAL
    • B01D—SEPARATION
    • B01D2253/00—Adsorbents used in seperation treatment of gases and vapours
    • B01D2253/10—Inorganic adsorbents
    • B01D2253/106—Silica or silicates
    • B01D2253/108—Zeolites
    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B01—PHYSICAL OR CHEMICAL PROCESSES OR APPARATUS IN GENERAL
    • B01D—SEPARATION
    • B01D2256/00—Main component in the product gas stream after treatment
    • B01D2256/12—Oxygen
    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B01—PHYSICAL OR CHEMICAL PROCESSES OR APPARATUS IN GENERAL
    • B01D—SEPARATION
    • B01D2257/00—Components to be removed
    • B01D2257/10—Single element gases other than halogens
    • B01D2257/102—Nitrogen
    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B01—PHYSICAL OR CHEMICAL PROCESSES OR APPARATUS IN GENERAL
    • B01D—SEPARATION
    • B01D2259/00—Type of treatment
    • B01D2259/40—Further details for adsorption processes and devices
    • B01D2259/40003—Methods relating to valve switching
    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B01—PHYSICAL OR CHEMICAL PROCESSES OR APPARATUS IN GENERAL
    • B01D—SEPARATION
    • B01D2259/00—Type of treatment
    • B01D2259/40—Further details for adsorption processes and devices
    • B01D2259/403—Further details for adsorption processes and devices using three beds
    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B01—PHYSICAL OR CHEMICAL PROCESSES OR APPARATUS IN GENERAL
    • B01D—SEPARATION
    • B01D2259/00—Type of treatment
    • B01D2259/40—Further details for adsorption processes and devices
    • B01D2259/404—Further details for adsorption processes and devices using four beds
    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B01—PHYSICAL OR CHEMICAL PROCESSES OR APPARATUS IN GENERAL
    • B01D—SEPARATION
    • B01D53/00—Separation of gases or vapours; Recovering vapours of volatile solvents from gases; Chemical or biological purification of waste gases, e.g. engine exhaust gases, smoke, fumes, flue gases, aerosols
    • B01D53/02—Separation of gases or vapours; Recovering vapours of volatile solvents from gases; Chemical or biological purification of waste gases, e.g. engine exhaust gases, smoke, fumes, flue gases, aerosols by adsorption, e.g. preparative gas chromatography
    • B01D53/04—Separation of gases or vapours; Recovering vapours of volatile solvents from gases; Chemical or biological purification of waste gases, e.g. engine exhaust gases, smoke, fumes, flue gases, aerosols by adsorption, e.g. preparative gas chromatography with stationary adsorbents
    • B01D53/0407—Constructional details of adsorbing systems
    • B01D53/0415—Beds in cartridges
    • C—CHEMISTRY; METALLURGY
    • C01—INORGANIC CHEMISTRY
    • C01B—NON-METALLIC ELEMENTS; COMPOUNDS THEREOF; METALLOIDS OR COMPOUNDS THEREOF NOT COVERED BY SUBCLASS C01C
    • C01B2210/00—Purification or separation of specific gases
    • C01B2210/0043—Impurity removed
    • C01B2210/0046—Nitrogen

Definitions

  • Air consists of about 21 % oxygen and about 78 % nitrogen. It is known that an appropriate molecular sieve (e.g. , containing zeolite or equivalent) will selectively adsorb nitrogen from a flow of air passing therethrough. The result is a flow of oxygen-rich gas .
  • pressure swing adsorption-type oxygen generators have been developed to provide a continuous flow of compressed air through a zeolite bed to adsorb nitrogen from the gas and to provide an oxygen- rich fluid stream.
  • an object of the present invention is to provide a
  • PSA oxygen generator having a simple structure which continuously supplies oxygen using a plurality of beds.
  • an oxygen generator comprising: an air compressor for compressing air and providing a stream of compressed air; a multiple air stream generator for sequentially generating a plurality of continuous air streams based on the compressed air stream from the air compressor; and an oxygen separator fused to the multiple air stream generator for sequentially separating a plurality of oxygens from the plurality of continuous air streams from the air flow generator; a storage tank fused to the multiple air stream generator for sequentially storing the plurality of oxygens from the oxygen separator; and a swing valve operatively arranged between the air compressor and the multiple air stream generator for selectively permitting the plurality of continuous air streams generated by the multiple air stream generator to the oxygen separator.
  • the multiple air stream generator includes an air stream generating member and a guide member; and the air stream generating member has a body, the body of the air stream generating member has an upper surface and two side surfaces and, an intake port is formed at the upper surface of the body for intaking the compressed air from the air compressor, a proj ection portion is formed at one side surface of the air stream generating member, an oxygen outlet hole is formed apart from the proj ection portion at the one side surface of the air stream generating member by a predetermined distance, a plurality of dischrage holes and a plurality of projection portions are formed at the other side surface of the air stream generating member, an intake passageway is formed in the body of the air stream generating member; and the guide memebr is fused to the air stream generating member, the guide member has a body, a plurality of outlet passageways and a plurality of discharge ports, the body of the guide member has two side surfaces, a plurality of grooves are formed at the one surface of the body and the plurality
  • the oxygen separator includes a plurality of beds, an orifice member, and a guide member, and a plurality of beds each for absorbing and discharging nitrogen and oxygen included in the plurality of continuous air streams from the multiple air stream generator, respectively, each of the beds has an inlet hole communicating with the multiple air stream generator and an outlet communicating with the storage tank;
  • the orifice member is fused to the plurality of beds for controlling oxygen stream from the beds, and includes two side surfaces, and a plurality of inlet and outlet openings, each of the outlet openings is wider than each of the inlet openings, a groove is formed at one side surface of the orifice member;
  • a guide member is fused to the orifice member for guiding the oxygen stream from the beds to the storage tank, the guide member has a body and a projection portin, an a guide groove is formed at the body and the projection portion is formed at one side of the body and is inserted into the groove of the one side surface of the orifice member.
  • the swing valve includes a body, an intake groove formed at a side surface of the body, and a discharge portion formed apart from the intake groove by a predetermined distance.
  • FIG. 1 is a perspective view of the oxygen generator according to an embodiment of a present invention
  • FIG. 2 is a vertical sectional view of the oxygen generator shown in FIG. 1 ;
  • FIG. 3 is a sectional view which illustrates an air stream generated by the multiple air stream generator shown in FIG. 1 ;
  • FIG. 4 is a sectional view which illustrates a discharge stream of nitrogen included in oxygen-rich gas stored in the oxygen storage tank shown in FIG. 1 ;
  • FIG. 5 is an enlarged perspective view of a guide member of the multiple air stream generator shown in FIG. 1 ;
  • FIG. 6 is a rear view of the multiple air stream generator shown in FIG. 1 ;
  • FIG. 7 is a sectional view which illustrates oxygen-rich gas stream by the oxygen separator shown in FIG. 1 ;
  • FIG. 8 is a rear view of the orifice member of the oxygen separator shown in FIG. 1 ;
  • FIG. 9 is an enlarged sectional view of inlet and outlet openings of the orifice member shown in FIG. 1 ;
  • FIG. 10 is an enlarged perspective view of a guide member of the oxygen separator shown in FIG. 1 ;
  • FIG. 1 1 is a sectional view of a discharge stream of oxygen stored in the storage tank shown in FIG. 1 ;
  • FIG. 12 is an enlarged perspective view of the guide member of the oxygen separator shown in FIG. 1.
  • FIG. 1 is a perspective view of the oxygen generator 10 according to an embodiment of a present invention.
  • FIG. 2 is a vertical sectional view of the oxygen generator 10 shown in FIG. 1.
  • the oxygen generator 10 includes an air compressor 102, a multiple air stream generator 104, an oxygen separator 106, a storage tank 108, a support member 112, and a cover 114.
  • the air compressor 102 compresses air and provides a stream of compressed air.
  • a multiple air stream generator 104 sequentially generates a plurality of continuous air streams based on the compressed air stream from the air compressor 102. Here, there are three continuous air streams as shown.
  • FIG. 3 is a sectional view which illustrates an air stream generated by the multiple air stream generator shown in FIG. 1.
  • FIG. 4 is a sectional view which illustrates a discharge stream of nitrogen included in oxygen-rich gas stored in the oxygen storage tank shown in FIG. 1.
  • FIG. 5 is an enlarged perspective view of a guide member of the multiple air stream generator shown in FIG. 1 .
  • FIG. 6 is a rear view of the multiple air stream generator shown in FIG. 1.
  • the air flow generator 104 includes an air stream generating member 112 and a guide member 114.
  • the multiple air stream generator 104 includes an air stream generating member 112 and a guide member 1 14.
  • the air stream generating member 112 has a body 302.
  • the body 302 of the air stream generating member 1 12 has an upper surface 304 and two side surfaces 306 and 308.
  • An intake port 310 is formed at the upper surface 304 of the body 302 and intakes the compressed air from the air compressor 102.
  • a proj ection portion 3 12 is formed at one side surface 306 of the air stream generating member 112.
  • An oxygen outlet hole 314 is formed apart from the proj ection portion 3 12 at the one side surface 306 of the air stream generating member 112 by a predetermined distance.
  • a plurality of discharge holes 502 and a plurality of projection portions 504 are formed at the other side surface 308 of the air stream generating member 1 12.
  • three discharge holes 502 and three proj ection portions 504 are formed at the other side surface 308 of the air stream generating member 1 12.
  • An intake passageway 316 is formed in the body 302 of the air stream generating member 112.
  • the guide member 1 14 is fused to the air stream generating member 112.
  • the guide member 1 14 has a body 320, a plurality of outlet passageways 322 and a plurality of discharge ports 324.
  • the guide member 114 includes three outlet passageways 322 and a plurality of discharge ports 324.
  • the body 320 of the guide member 114 has two side surfaces 506 and 508.
  • a plurality of grooves 510 are formed at the one surface 506 of the body 320.
  • the plurality of projection portions 504 of the air stream generating member 112 are inserted into the plurality of grooves 510.
  • a plurality of grooves 512 are formed at the other surface 508 of the guide member 114.
  • three grooves 510 are formed at the one surface 506 of the body 320.
  • the three projection portions 504 of the air stream generating member 112 are inserted into the three grooves 510.
  • Three grooves 512 are formed at the other surface 508 of the guide member 114.
  • FIG. 7 is a sectional view which illustrates oxygen-rich gas stream by the oxygen separator shown in FIG. 1.
  • FIG. 8 is a rear view of the orifice member of the oxygen separator shown in FIG. 1 .
  • FIG. 9 is an enlarged sectional view of inlet and outlet openings 902 and 904 of the orifice member shown in FIG. 1 .
  • FIG. 10 is an enlarged perspective view of the guide member of the oxygen separator shown in FIG. 1.
  • the oxygen separator 106 is fused to the multiple air stream generator 104 by ultrasonic welding, and sequentially separates a plurality of oxygens from the plurality of continuous air streams from the air flow generator 104.
  • the oxygen separator 106 includes a plurality of beds 116, an orifice member 1 18, and a guide member 120.
  • Each of beds 116 absorbs and discharges nitrogen and oxygen included in the plurality of continuous air streams from the multiple air stream generator 104.
  • Each of the beds 1 16 has an inlet hole 720 communicating with the multiple air stream generator 104 and an outlet port 722 communicating with the storage tank 108.
  • the beds 116 are shown as being a horizontally-elongated hollow tube filled with active sieve material 130, such as zeolite or equivalent. This material functions to absorb nitrogen from a flow of air passing therethrough. That is, beds 1 16 are filled with a molecular sieve material, which preferentially adsorbs nitrogen while allowing oxygen and the other components of air, principally argon, to pass through.
  • active sieve material 130 such as zeolite or equivalent.
  • the orifice member 118 is fused to the plurality of beds 116 by ultrasonic welding and controls oxygen stream from the beds 116.
  • the orifice member 118 includes two side surfaces 712 and 714, a plurality of inlet openings 802 and a plurality of outlet openings 804.
  • a groove 716 is formed at the side surface 714 of the orifice member 118.
  • the orifice member 118 includes three inlet openings 902 and three outlet openings 904. As shown in FIG. 9, each of the outlet openings 904 is wider than each of the inlet openings 902.
  • FIG. 1 1 is a sectional view of a discharge stream of oxygen stored in the storage tank 108 shown in FIG. l .
  • the storage tank 108 is fused to the multiple air stream generator 104 and includes an intake hole 703 and a discharge hole 322.
  • the storage tank 108 sequentially stores the plurality of oxygens from the oxygen separator 106 through the intake hole 320.
  • the oxygen stored in the storage tank 108 is discharged to an outside through the discharge hole 322.
  • FIG. 12 is a rear view of the swing valve of the air flow generator shown in FIG. 1.
  • the swing valve 110 selectively permits the plurality of continuous air streams to the oxygen separator 106.
  • the swing valve 110 includes a body 1002, an intake groove 1004 formed at a side suface of the body 1002, and a discharge port 1004 formed apart from the intake groove 1004 by a predetermined distance. Operation of the oxygen generator described above will be now described.
  • the air compressor 102 compresses air at atmospheric pressure into a stream of compressed air and forces the compressed air stream.
  • the compressed air stream is provided to a multiple air steam generator 104.
  • the compressed air is intaked into the intake passageway 3 16 of the inlet portion 304 via the intake port 3 14.
  • the multiple air stream generator 104 sequentially generates continuously three air streams.
  • the swing valve 110 rotates, so that the intake groove 332 of the swing valve 110 is sequentially located at a first outlet passageway, a second outlet passageway, and a third outlet passageway. Accordingly, the three air streams are sequentially provided to the oxygen separator 106.
  • the oxygen sepaparator 106 sequentially separates three oxygens from the three air streams from the air flow generator 104 and provides the three separated oxygens to the storage tank 108.
  • the storage tank 108 sequentially stores the three oxygens from the oxygen separator 106.
  • nitrogen included in the oxygen stored in the storage tank 108 is discharged to outside through the first, second, or third outlet passageways and a discharge port 1006 of the swing valve 110.
  • a continuous stream of oxygen from the beds is thereby produced.
  • the present invention does not get broken even with an external factor such as shock.
  • the present invention has a sealed structure by ultrasonic welding to prevent leakage of oxygen.

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  • Chemical & Material Sciences (AREA)
  • Analytical Chemistry (AREA)
  • Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
  • General Chemical & Material Sciences (AREA)
  • Oil, Petroleum & Natural Gas (AREA)
  • Chemical Kinetics & Catalysis (AREA)
  • Organic Chemistry (AREA)
  • Inorganic Chemistry (AREA)
  • Separation Of Gases By Adsorption (AREA)
  • Oxygen, Ozone, And Oxides In General (AREA)

Abstract

Disclosed is a pressure swing adsoption type oxygen generator having a simple structure which continuously provide oxygen using a plurality of beds. An air compressor compresses air and provides a stream of compressed air. A multiple air stream generator sequentially generates a plurality of continuous air streams based on the compressed air stream from the air compressor. An oxygen separator fused to the multiple air stream generator sequentially separates a plurality of oxygens from the plurality of continuous air streams from the air flow generator. A storage tank fused to the multiple air stream generator sequentially stores the plurality of oxygens from the oxygen separator. A swing valve is operatively arranged between the air compressor and the multiple air stream generator and selectively permits the plurality of continuous air streams generated by the multiple air stream generator to the oxygen separator.

Description

OXYGEN GENERATOR
TECHNICAL FIELD
The pre s ent inv enti on rel ate s to an oxygen g en erat or, and more particularly to a pressure swing adsorption-type oxygen generator which provides a continuous stream of compressed air through a zeolite bed to adsorb nitrogen from the compressed air stream and to provide an oxygen-rich fluid stream.
BACKGROUND ART
Air consists of about 21 % oxygen and about 78 % nitrogen. It is known that an appropriate molecular sieve (e.g. , containing zeolite or equivalent) will selectively adsorb nitrogen from a flow of air passing therethrough. The result is a flow of oxygen-rich gas . Thus, pressure swing adsorption-type oxygen generators have been developed to provide a continuous flow of compressed air through a zeolite bed to adsorb nitrogen from the gas and to provide an oxygen- rich fluid stream.
In a conventional PSA oxygen generator, a pipe is connected to an upper portion of a bed, and oxygen generated by the bed is provided to a storage tank through the pipe. When the pipe collides with other structures, it can be broken. Thus, oxygen can leak from the pipe. U.S. Patent No. 6,156,101 discloses a single bed pressure swing adsorption process and system..
DISCLOSURE OF INVENTION
Therefore, an object of the present invention is to provide a
PSA oxygen generator having a simple structure which continuously supplies oxygen using a plurality of beds.
In order to achieve the obj ect, there is provided an oxygen generator comprising: an air compressor for compressing air and providing a stream of compressed air; a multiple air stream generator for sequentially generating a plurality of continuous air streams based on the compressed air stream from the air compressor; and an oxygen separator fused to the multiple air stream generator for sequentially separating a plurality of oxygens from the plurality of continuous air streams from the air flow generator; a storage tank fused to the multiple air stream generator for sequentially storing the plurality of oxygens from the oxygen separator; and a swing valve operatively arranged between the air compressor and the multiple air stream generator for selectively permitting the plurality of continuous air streams generated by the multiple air stream generator to the oxygen separator.
Preferably, the multiple air stream generator includes an air stream generating member and a guide member; and the air stream generating member has a body, the body of the air stream generating member has an upper surface and two side surfaces and, an intake port is formed at the upper surface of the body for intaking the compressed air from the air compressor, a proj ection portion is formed at one side surface of the air stream generating member, an oxygen outlet hole is formed apart from the proj ection portion at the one side surface of the air stream generating member by a predetermined distance, a plurality of dischrage holes and a plurality of projection portions are formed at the other side surface of the air stream generating member, an intake passageway is formed in the body of the air stream generating member; and the guide memebr is fused to the air stream generating member, the guide member has a body, a plurality of outlet passageways and a plurality of discharge ports, the body of the guide member has two side surfaces, a plurality of grooves are formed at the one surface of the body and the plurality of projection portions are inserted into the plurality of grooves, and a plurality of grooves are formed at the other surface of the guide member. More preferably, the oxygen separator includes a plurality of beds, an orifice member, and a guide member, and a plurality of beds each for absorbing and discharging nitrogen and oxygen included in the plurality of continuous air streams from the multiple air stream generator, respectively, each of the beds has an inlet hole communicating with the multiple air stream generator and an outlet communicating with the storage tank; the orifice member is fused to the plurality of beds for controlling oxygen stream from the beds, and includes two side surfaces, and a plurality of inlet and outlet openings, each of the outlet openings is wider than each of the inlet openings, a groove is formed at one side surface of the orifice member; and a guide member is fused to the orifice member for guiding the oxygen stream from the beds to the storage tank, the guide member has a body and a projection portin, an a guide groove is formed at the body and the projection portion is formed at one side of the body and is inserted into the groove of the one side surface of the orifice member.
Most preferably, the swing valve includes a body, an intake groove formed at a side surface of the body, and a discharge portion formed apart from the intake groove by a predetermined distance.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
The foregoing and other objects, aspects and advantages will b e b etter understood from the following detail ed des cription of preferred embodiments of the present invention with reference to the drawings, in which;
FIG. 1 is a perspective view of the oxygen generator according to an embodiment of a present invention;
FIG. 2 is a vertical sectional view of the oxygen generator shown in FIG. 1 ;
FIG. 3 is a sectional view which illustrates an air stream generated by the multiple air stream generator shown in FIG. 1 ;
FIG. 4 is a sectional view which illustrates a discharge stream of nitrogen included in oxygen-rich gas stored in the oxygen storage tank shown in FIG. 1 ;
FIG. 5 is an enlarged perspective view of a guide member of the multiple air stream generator shown in FIG. 1 ;
FIG. 6 is a rear view of the multiple air stream generator shown in FIG. 1 ;
FIG. 7 is a sectional view which illustrates oxygen-rich gas stream by the oxygen separator shown in FIG. 1 ;
FIG. 8 is a rear view of the orifice member of the oxygen separator shown in FIG. 1 ; FIG. 9 is an enlarged sectional view of inlet and outlet openings of the orifice member shown in FIG. 1 ;
FIG. 10 is an enlarged perspective view of a guide member of the oxygen separator shown in FIG. 1 ;
FIG. 1 1 is a sectional view of a discharge stream of oxygen stored in the storage tank shown in FIG. 1 ; and
FIG. 12 is an enlarged perspective view of the guide member of the oxygen separator shown in FIG. 1.
BEST MODE FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION
Preferred embodiments of the present invention will be illustrated below with reference to the accompanying drawings.
FIG. 1 is a perspective view of the oxygen generator 10 according to an embodiment of a present invention. FIG. 2 is a vertical sectional view of the oxygen generator 10 shown in FIG. 1. The oxygen generator 10 includes an air compressor 102, a multiple air stream generator 104, an oxygen separator 106, a storage tank 108, a support member 112, and a cover 114.
The air compressor 102 compresses air and provides a stream of compressed air. A multiple air stream generator 104 sequentially generates a plurality of continuous air streams based on the compressed air stream from the air compressor 102. Here, there are three continuous air streams as shown.
FIG. 3 is a sectional view which illustrates an air stream generated by the multiple air stream generator shown in FIG. 1. FIG. 4 is a sectional view which illustrates a discharge stream of nitrogen included in oxygen-rich gas stored in the oxygen storage tank shown in FIG. 1. FIG. 5 is an enlarged perspective view of a guide member of the multiple air stream generator shown in FIG. 1 . FIG. 6 is a rear view of the multiple air stream generator shown in FIG. 1.
The air flow generator 104 includes an air stream generating member 112 and a guide member 114.
The multiple air stream generator 104 includes an air stream generating member 112 and a guide member 1 14. The air stream generating member 112 has a body 302. The body 302 of the air stream generating member 1 12 has an upper surface 304 and two side surfaces 306 and 308. An intake port 310 is formed at the upper surface 304 of the body 302 and intakes the compressed air from the air compressor 102. A proj ection portion 3 12 is formed at one side surface 306 of the air stream generating member 112. An oxygen outlet hole 314 is formed apart from the proj ection portion 3 12 at the one side surface 306 of the air stream generating member 112 by a predetermined distance. A plurality of discharge holes 502 and a plurality of projection portions 504 are formed at the other side surface 308 of the air stream generating member 1 12. Preferably, in an embodiment of the present invention, three discharge holes 502 and three proj ection portions 504 are formed at the other side surface 308 of the air stream generating member 1 12. An intake passageway 316 is formed in the body 302 of the air stream generating member 112.
The guide member 1 14 is fused to the air stream generating member 112. The guide member 1 14 has a body 320, a plurality of outlet passageways 322 and a plurality of discharge ports 324. Preferably, the guide member 114 includes three outlet passageways 322 and a plurality of discharge ports 324. The body 320 of the guide member 114 has two side surfaces 506 and 508. A plurality of grooves 510 are formed at the one surface 506 of the body 320. The plurality of projection portions 504 of the air stream generating member 112 are inserted into the plurality of grooves 510. A plurality of grooves 512 are formed at the other surface 508 of the guide member 114. Preferably, in the embodiment of the present invention, three grooves 510 are formed at the one surface 506 of the body 320. The three projection portions 504 of the air stream generating member 112 are inserted into the three grooves 510. Three grooves 512 are formed at the other surface 508 of the guide member 114.
FIG. 7 is a sectional view which illustrates oxygen-rich gas stream by the oxygen separator shown in FIG. 1. FIG. 8 is a rear view of the orifice member of the oxygen separator shown in FIG. 1 . FIG. 9 is an enlarged sectional view of inlet and outlet openings 902 and 904 of the orifice member shown in FIG. 1 . FIG. 10 is an enlarged perspective view of the guide member of the oxygen separator shown in FIG. 1. The oxygen separator 106 is fused to the multiple air stream generator 104 by ultrasonic welding, and sequentially separates a plurality of oxygens from the plurality of continuous air streams from the air flow generator 104.
The oxygen separator 106 includes a plurality of beds 116, an orifice member 1 18, and a guide member 120.
Each of beds 116 absorbs and discharges nitrogen and oxygen included in the plurality of continuous air streams from the multiple air stream generator 104. Each of the beds 1 16 has an inlet hole 720 communicating with the multiple air stream generator 104 and an outlet port 722 communicating with the storage tank 108.
The beds 116 are shown as being a horizontally-elongated hollow tube filled with active sieve material 130, such as zeolite or equivalent. This material functions to absorb nitrogen from a flow of air passing therethrough. That is, beds 1 16 are filled with a molecular sieve material, which preferentially adsorbs nitrogen while allowing oxygen and the other components of air, principally argon, to pass through.
The orifice member 118 is fused to the plurality of beds 116 by ultrasonic welding and controls oxygen stream from the beds 116. The orifice member 118 includes two side surfaces 712 and 714, a plurality of inlet openings 802 and a plurality of outlet openings 804. A groove 716 is formed at the side surface 714 of the orifice member 118. Preferably, in the embodiment of the present invention, the orifice member 118 includes three inlet openings 902 and three outlet openings 904. As shown in FIG. 9, each of the outlet openings 904 is wider than each of the inlet openings 902.
The guide member 120 is fused to the orifice member 118 and guides the oxygens from the beds 116 to the storage tank 108. The guide member 120 has a body 902, a guide groove 904, and a projection portion 906. The guide groove 904 is formed at one side of the body 902. The projection portion 906 of the guide member 120 is inserted into the groove 716 of the orifice member 118. FIG. 1 1 is a sectional view of a discharge stream of oxygen stored in the storage tank 108 shown in FIG. l .The storage tank 108 is fused to the multiple air stream generator 104 and includes an intake hole 703 and a discharge hole 322. The storage tank 108 sequentially stores the plurality of oxygens from the oxygen separator 106 through the intake hole 320. The oxygen stored in the storage tank 108 is discharged to an outside through the discharge hole 322.
The support member 122 supports the storage tank 108 and the plurality of beds 116. The cover 124 covers the storage tank 108 and the plurality of beds 116. FIG. 12 is a rear view of the swing valve of the air flow generator shown in FIG. 1. The swing valve 110 selectively permits the plurality of continuous air streams to the oxygen separator 106. The swing valve 110 includes a body 1002, an intake groove 1004 formed at a side suface of the body 1002, and a discharge port 1004 formed apart from the intake groove 1004 by a predetermined distance. Operation of the oxygen generator described above will be now described.
The air compressor 102 compresses air at atmospheric pressure into a stream of compressed air and forces the compressed air stream. The compressed air stream is provided to a multiple air steam generator 104. At this time, the compressed air is intaked into the intake passageway 3 16 of the inlet portion 304 via the intake port 3 14. According to the rotation of the swing valve 110, the multiple air stream generator 104 sequentially generates continuously three air streams.
For example, the swing valve 110 rotates, so that the intake groove 332 of the swing valve 110 is sequentially located at a first outlet passageway, a second outlet passageway, and a third outlet passageway. Accordingly, the three air streams are sequentially provided to the oxygen separator 106.
The oxygen sepaparator 106 sequentially separates three oxygens from the three air streams from the air flow generator 104 and provides the three separated oxygens to the storage tank 108. The storage tank 108 sequentially stores the three oxygens from the oxygen separator 106.
Also, nitrogen included in the oxygen stored in the storage tank 108 is discharged to outside through the first, second, or third outlet passageways and a discharge port 1006 of the swing valve 110. By cyclically repeating the operation of adsorption and discharge, a continuous stream of oxygen from the beds is thereby produced.
As mentioned above, by removing a pipe connected to an upper portion of a bed wherein oxygen generated by the bed is provided to a storage tank through the pipe, the present invention does not get broken even with an external factor such as shock. The present invention has a sealed structure by ultrasonic welding to prevent leakage of oxygen.
While the invention has been des crib ed in terms of one preferred embodiment, those skilled in the art will recognize that the invention can be practiced with modification within the spirit and scope of the appended claims.

Claims

WHAT IS CLAIMED IS:
1. An oxygen generator comprising; an air compressor for compressing air and providing a stream of compressed air; a multiple air stream generator for sequentially generating a plurality of continuous air streams based on the compressed air stream from the air compressor; and an oxygen separator fused to the multiple air stream generator for sequentially separating a plurality of oxygens from the plurality of continuous air streams from the air flow generator; a storage tank fused to the multiple air stream generator for sequentially storing the plurality of oxygens from the oxygen separator; and a swing valve operatively arranged between the air compressor and the multiple air stream generator for selectively permitting the plurality of continuous air streams generated by the multiple air stream generator to the oxygen separator.
2. An exygen generator as claimed in claim 1 , wherein the multiple air stream generator includes an air stream generating member and a guide member; and the air stream generating member has a body, the body of the air stream generating member has an upper surface and two side surfaces and, an intake port is formed at the upper surface of the body for intaking the compressed air from the air compressor, a proj ection portion is formed at one side surface of the air stream generating member, an oxygen outlet hole is formed apart from the proj ection portion at the one side surface of the air stream generating member by a predetermined distance, a plurality of dischrage holes and a plurality of projection portions are formed at the other side surface of the air stream generating member, an intake passageway is formed in the body of the air stream generating member; and the guide memebr is fused to the air stream generating member, the guide member has a body, a plurality of outlet passageways and a plurality of discharge ports, the body of the guide member has two side surfaces, a plurality of grooves are formed at the one surface of the body and the plurality of projection portions are inserted into the plurality of grooves, and a plurality of grooves are formed at the other surface of the guide member.
3. An exygen generator as claimed in claim 2, wherein three dischrage holes and three projection portions are formed at the other side surface of the air stream generating member, the guide member has three outlet passageways and three dischrage ports, three grooves are formed at the one surface of the body and the three proj ection portions are inserted into the three grooves, and the three grooves are formed at the other surface of the guide member.
4. An exygen generator as claimed in claim 1 , wherein the oxygen separator includes a plurality of beds, an orifice member, and a guide member, and a plurality of beds each for absorbing and discharging nitrogen and oxygen included in the plurality of continuous air streams from the multiple air stream generator, respectively, each of the beds has an inlet hole communicating with the multiple air stream generator and an outlet communicating with the storage tank; the orifice member is fused to the plurality of beds for controlling oxygen stream from the beds, and includes two side surfaces, and a plurality of inlet and outlet openings, each of the outlet openings is wider than each of the inlet openings, a groove is formed at one side surface of the orifice member; and a guide member is fused to the orifice member for guiding the oxygen stream from the beds to the storage tank, the guide member has a body and a projection portin, an a guide groove is formed at the body and the proj ection portion is formed at one side of the body and is inserted into the groove of the one side surface of the orifice member.
5. An exygen generator as claimed in claim 4, wherein the oxygen separator includes three beds, each of the three beds absorbs and discharges nitrogen and oxygen included in three continuous air strams from the multiple air stream generator, respetively, and the orifice member is fused to the three beds for controlling oxygen stream from the beds, and includes three inlet ports and three outlet ports.
6. An exygen generator as claimed in claim 1 , wherein the swing valve includes a body, an intake groove formed at a side surface of the body, and a discharge portion formed apart from the intake groove by a predetermined distance.
7. An exygen generator as claimed in claim 3, further comprising a support member for supporting a plurality of beds and the storge tank.
8. An exygen generator as claimed in claim 3 , further comprising a cover for covering a plurality of beds and the storage tank.
PCT/KR2003/001945 2003-05-27 2003-09-24 Oxygen generator WO2004106228A1 (en)

Priority Applications (1)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
AU2003263649A AU2003263649A1 (en) 2003-05-27 2003-09-24 Oxygen generator

Applications Claiming Priority (4)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
KR20-2003-0016557U KR200322912Y1 (en) 2003-05-27 2003-05-27 A transfer apparatus for compressed air in oxygen generator
KR20-2003-0016558 2003-05-27
KR20-2003-0016557 2003-05-27
KR20-2003-0016558U KR200323711Y1 (en) 2003-05-27 2003-05-27 A transfer apparatus for generated oxygen in oxygen generator

Publications (1)

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Citations (5)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US4452612A (en) * 1982-09-22 1984-06-05 Cubemco, Inc. Separation and purification of gases and vapors by continuous pressure-swing adsorption
JPH08131750A (en) * 1994-11-15 1996-05-28 Mitsubishi Heavy Ind Ltd Adsorbed gas separating device for physical adsorption process
US20010023640A1 (en) * 1999-12-09 2001-09-27 Questair Technologies Inc. Life support oxygen concentrator
US20020029691A1 (en) * 2000-05-10 2002-03-14 Mccombs Norman R. Multiple bed pressure swing adsorption method and apparatus
KR20030068695A (en) * 2002-02-15 2003-08-25 주식회사 삼선 One body oxygen generator

Patent Citations (5)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US4452612A (en) * 1982-09-22 1984-06-05 Cubemco, Inc. Separation and purification of gases and vapors by continuous pressure-swing adsorption
JPH08131750A (en) * 1994-11-15 1996-05-28 Mitsubishi Heavy Ind Ltd Adsorbed gas separating device for physical adsorption process
US20010023640A1 (en) * 1999-12-09 2001-09-27 Questair Technologies Inc. Life support oxygen concentrator
US20020029691A1 (en) * 2000-05-10 2002-03-14 Mccombs Norman R. Multiple bed pressure swing adsorption method and apparatus
KR20030068695A (en) * 2002-02-15 2003-08-25 주식회사 삼선 One body oxygen generator

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