WO2007011678A1

WO2007011678A1 - An integrated manifold for an oxygen supply system

Info

Publication number: WO2007011678A1
Application number: PCT/US2006/027273
Authority: WO
Inventors: Tom Thong Nguyen
Original assignee: Norgren, Inc.
Priority date: 2005-07-14
Filing date: 2006-07-13
Publication date: 2007-01-25

Abstract

A manifold (302) for an oxygen supply system is disclosed. The manifold (302) has an integrated path for the oxygen flow. The mounts for the pressure sensor (304), pressure tap, and regulator (306) are built into the manifold (302). The filter (660) and flow sensor (662) couple directly to the manifold (604). A proportional valve (308) may be mounted externally to the manifold or the proportional valve mount may be integrated into the manifold.

Description

AN INTEGRATED MANIFOLD FOR AN OXYGEN SUPPLY SYSTEM

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. FIELD OF THE INVENTION The invention is related to the field of heath care products, and in particular, to an oxygen supply system.

2. DESCRIPTION OF THE PRIOR ART

Oxygen supply systems are typically used to supply a low pressure controlled flow of 100% oxygen to a patient or to another system. Oxygen supply systems typically filter the raw oxygen, reduce the pressure from the raw high pressure source, and control the flow rate for the oxygen. Oxygen supply systems typically comprise a filter, a regulator, a proportional valve, a pressure sensor, a pressure tap, and a flow sensor.

The high pressure oxygen source may be bottled oxygen, may come from a hospital wall supply, or may come from a liquid oxygen source. Currently, oxygen supply systems typically connect the filter, regulator, proportional valve, pressure sensor, pressure tap, and flow sensor serially through a number of different pipes and fittings. Unfortunately, each joint in the series of pipes and fittings is a potential place for a leak. Because oxygen is highly combustible, any leak can be a danger to the patient or the heath care provider. The complex gas passageways may be costly to produce, may take up more space than desired, and may produce pressure drops due to the many flow restrictions.

Therefore there is a need for an improved oxygen supply system.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

A manifold for an oxygen supply system is disclosed. The manifold has an integrated path for the oxygen flow. The mounts for the pressure sensor, pressure tap, and regulator are built into the manifold. The filter and flow sensor couple directly to the manifold. A proportional valve may be mounted externally to the manifold or the mount may be integrated into the manifold. ASPECTS

One aspect of the invention includes, an oxygen supply system, comprising: a manifold having a filter inlet opening, a pressure sensor mount, a regulator mount, a manifold inlet opening, and a proportional sensor mount formed into the manifold; a first passageway formed in the manifold coupling the filter inlet opening to the pressure sensor mount; the first passageway coupling the pressure sensor mount to the regulator mount; a second passageway formed in the manifold coupling the manifold inlet opening to the proportional sensor mount. Preferably, a proportional valve outlet opening formed into the manifold where the first passageway couples the regulator mount to the proportional valve outlet opening.

Preferably, a proportional valve clamp opening formed in the manifold where the first passageway couples the regulator mount to the proportional valve clamp opening; a clamp coupled to the manifold and forming a third passageway between the proportional valve clamp opening and a clamp outlet opening.

Preferably, the pressure sensor mount and regulator mount are formed on a first side of the manifold and the filter inlet opening is formed on a second side of the manifold, where the second side is opposite the first side.

Preferably, a first bore formed in the manifold and running generally parallel to the first and second sides and forming a first part of the first passageway where the first part of the first passageway couples the filter inlet opening to the pressure sensor mount and couples the pressure sensor mount to the regulator mount and where the first bore exits the manifold on a third side forming and access opening, where the access opening is configured to be sealed by a sealing nut; a second bore formed in the manifold where the second bore is generally perpendicular to the first bore and the second bore intersects the first bore forms a second part of the first passageway that couples the first bore to a proportional valve outlet opening formed in a fourth side of the manifold.

Preferably, an oxygen filter coupled to the filter inlet opening; a pressure sensor mounted in the pressure sensor mount; a regulator mounted in the regulator mount; and a proportional sensor mounted in the proportional sensor mount. Preferably, a proportional valve outlet opening formed into the manifold where the first passageway couples the regulator mount to the proportional valve outlet opening and a proportional valve coupled to the proportional valve outlet opening.

Preferably, a proportional valve clamp opening formed into the manifold where the first passageway couples the regulator mount to the proportional valve clamp opening; a clamp coupled to the manifold and forming a third passageway between the proportional valve clamp opening and a clamp outlet opening; and a proportional valve held between the clamp outlet opening and the manifold inlet opening by the clamp. Another aspect of the invention comprises a method of manufacturing an oxygen supply system, comprising: forming a manifold from a single piece of material where the manifold has a filter inlet opening, a pressure sensor mount, a regulator mount, a manifold inlet opening, and a proportional sensor mount formed into the manifold; forming a first passageway coupling the filter inlet opening to the pressure sensor mount and coupling the pressure sensor mount to the regulator mount; forming a second passageway coupling the manifold inlet opening to the proportional sensor mount.

Preferably, the method further comprising: forming a proportional valve outlet opening into the manifold where the first passageway couples the regulator mount to the proportional valve outlet opening.

Preferably, the method further comprising: forming a proportional valve clamp opening into the manifold where the first passageway couples the regulator mount to the proportional valve clamp opening; attaching a clamp to the manifold where a third passageway is formed between the proportional valve clamp opening and a clamp outlet opening.

Preferably, the method where the pressure sensor mount and regulator mount are formed on a first side of the manifold and the filter inlet opening is formed on a second side of the manifold, where the second side is opposite the first side. Preferably, the method further comprising: forming a first bore in the manifold where the first bore runs generally parallel to the first and second sides and forms a first part of the first passageway where the first part of the first passageway couples the filter inlet opening to the pressure sensor mount and couples the pressure sensor mount to the regulator mount and where the first bore exits the manifold on a third side forming and access opening, where the access opening is configured to be sealed by a sealing nut; , forming a second bore in the manifold where the second bore is generally perpendicular to the first bore and the second bore intersects the first bore and forms a second part of the first passageway where the second part of the first passageway couples the first bore to a proportional valve outlet opening formed in a fourth side of the manifold.

Preferably, the method further comprising: coupling an oxygen filter to the filter inlet opening; attaching a pressure sensor to the pressure sensor mount; attaching a regulator to the regulator mount; and attaching a proportional sensor to the proportional sensor mount.

Preferably, the method further comprising: forming a proportional valve outlet opening into the manifold where the first passageway couples the regulator mount to the proportional valve outlet opening and coupling a proportional valve to the proportional valve outlet opening.

Preferably, the method further comprising: forming a proportional valve clamp opening into the manifold where the first passageway couples the regulator mount to the proportional valve clamp opening; coupling a clamp to the manifold and forming a third passageway between the proportional valve clamp opening and a clamp outlet opening formed in the clamp; and attaching a proportional valve between the clamp outlet opening and the manifold inlet opening. Preferably, the method where the manifold is molded to form the single piece of material.

Preferably, the method where the manifold is machined from a solid block of material.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is an isometric view of a manifold assembly 100 in one example embodiment of the invention. FIG. 2 is an isometric view of a manifold assembly 200 in one example embodiment of the invention.

FIG. 3 is an exploded view of a manifold assembly 300 in one example embodiment of the invention. FIG. 4 is an isometric view of manifold 402 in one example embodiment of the invention.

FIG. 5a is a sectional view of a filter coupler inserted into a filter inlet opening where an 0-ring is installed onto the filter coupler, in an example embodiment of the invention. FIG. 5b is a sectional view of a filter coupler inserted into a filter inlet opening where an O-ring is capture in the filter inlet opening, in an example embodiment of the invention.

FIG. 6 is an isometric view of manifold assembly 600 in another example embodiment of the invention. FIG. 7 is a drawing of the manifold from manifold assembly 600 in an example embodiment of the invention.

FIG. 8 is a series of sectional views of manifold 802 showing the different internal passageways inside manifold 802 in an example embodiment of the invention.

FIG. 9 is a sectional view of the regulator mount integrated into manifold 902 in an example embodiment of the invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT

FIGS. 1 - 9 and the following description depict specific examples to teach those skilled in the art how to make and use the best mode of the invention. For the purpose of teaching inventive principles, some conventional aspects have been simplified or omitted. Those skilled in the art will appreciate variations from these examples that fall within the scope of the invention. Those skilled in the art will appreciate that the features described below can be combined in various ways to form multiple variations of the invention. As a result, the invention is not limited to the specific examples described below, but only by the claims and their equivalents.

Figure 1 is an isometric view of a manifold assembly 100 in one example embodiment of the invention. Manifold assembly 100 has the proportional valve integrated into and captured by the manifold. Manifold assembly 100 comprises manifold 102, pressure sensor 104, regulator 106, proportional valve 108, proportional valve clamp 110, sealing nut 112, and flow sensor outlet opening 114. Pressure sensor 104 and regulator 106 mount directly into manifold 102. Proportional valve 108 is captured between manifold 102 and proportional valve clamp 110.

Figure 2 is an isometric view of a manifold assembly 200 in one example embodiment of the invention. Manifold assembly 200 comprises manifold 202, regulator 206, proportional valve 208, proportional valve clamp 210, sealing nut 212, flow sensor outlet opening 114, and filter inlet opening 218. In operation, a filter assembly (not shown) is inserted into filter inlet opening 218 and a flow sensor (not shown) is inserted into flow sensor outlet opening 214. A high pressure oxygen source is coupled to the filter. Oxygen flows from the high pressure oxygen source through the oxygen filter (not shown) and into filter inlet opening 218. A passageway in the manifold couples the filter inlet opening to the pressure sensor (not shown). A passageway in the manifold couples the pressure sensor to regulator 206 where the pressure from the high pressure oxygen source is reduced. A passageway couples regulator 206 to proportional valve 208. The passageway that couples regulator 206 to proportional valve 208 runs through proportional valve clamp 210. Proportional valve clamp 210 holds proportional valve 208 onto manifold 202. A passageway in the manifold 202 couples proportional valve 208 to flow sensor outlet opening 214. Lower pressure oxygen flows from regulator 206 to proportional valve 208. Proportional valve 208 limits the volume of the oxygen flow. The oxygen exits proportional valve 208 and enters flow sensor (not shown) through flow sensor outlet opening 214. Flow sensor measures the oxygen flow exiting the manifold assembly 200.

Figure 3 is an exploded view of a manifold assembly 300 in one example embodiment of the invention. Manifold assembly 300 comprises: manifold 302, pressure sensor 304, regulator 306, proportional valve 308, proportional valve clamp 310, sealing nut 312, O-rings 320 and 322, and screws 328. In operation, pressure sensor 304 is installed into pressure sensor mount 336. Regulator 306 is installed into regulator mount 334. Sealing nut 312 is installed into access opening 324. O-ring 322 is installed between manifold 302 and proportional valve 308. O-ring 320 is installed between proportional valve clamp 310 and proportional valve 308. Screws 328 fit into screw holes 330 and clamp proportional valve 308 between proportional valve clamp 310 and manifold 302. Oxygen enters the manifold 302 through a filter inlet opening (not shown). Oxygen flows through a passageway inside manifold 302 couples the filter inlet opening (not shown) with pressure sensor mount 336. The passageway couples pressure sensor mount 336 to regulator mount 334. The passageway couples regulator mount 334 with proportional valve clamp opening 332. Oxygen flows out of proportional valve clamp opening 332 and into a passageway inside proportional valve clamp 310. The passageway inside proportional valve clamp 310 couples to proportional valve inlet opening 334. Oxygen flows through proportional valve 308 and into manifold inlet opening 326. Manifold inlet opening 326 is coupled to sensor outlet opening 314. Figure 4 is an isometric view of manifold 402 in one example embodiment of the invention. A passageway inside manifold 402 couples filter inlet opening 418 with pressure sensor mount (not shown). The passageway couples pressure sensor mount (not shown) with regulator mount 434. Access opening 424 forms part of the passageway and is sealed by a sealing nut during operation. Proportional valve clamp opening 432, located on face 440, is coupled to the to regulator mount 434. In another example embodiment of the invention (not shown), proportional valve clamp opening 432 may exit the manifold 402 on face 442. Manifold inlet opening 426 is coupled to sensor outlet opening 414.

Li operation, oxygen flows into filter inlet opening 418, to pressure sensor mount (not shown), to regulator mount 434, and out through proportional valve clamp opening 432. Oxygen would then flow through proportional valve clamp (not shown) and into proportional valve (not shown). Oxygen flowing out of proportional valve (not shown) would enter manifold inlet opening 426 and would exit sensor outlet opening 414.

Figure 5 a and 5b are sectional views of filter coupler inserted into filter inlet opening, in an example embodiment of the invention. Figure 5a shows O-ring attached to filter coupler 550 and figure 5b shows O-ring inserted into a groove formed into filter inlet opening 514. In operation, filter coupler 550 would be attached to an oxygen filter (not shown). By using coupler 550 inserted into filter inlet opening 514, sealed with an O-ring, as the interface between the oxygen filter and the manifold, a small amount of mismatch in position along axis AA between filter (not shown) and manifold 502 in the final assembly is allowable. The same type of coupling may be used as the interface between the flow sensor and the flow sensor outlet opening, the proportional valve clamp and the manifold, the proportional valve and the manifold inlet opening, or the proportional valve and the proportional valve clamp.

In another example embodiment of the invention, a compression seal may be used between the different parts and the manifold. A compression seal is formed by compressing a gasket, typically an 0-ring, between the proportional valve clamp and the manifold. The gasket may be captured in a groove formed into either the manifold or the proportional valve clamp or the gasket may sit flush on the surface of the parts. A compression seal requires a force, typically supplied by screws, to be exerted on the gasket to maintain the seal. In contrast, the seal shown in figures 5 a and 5b has the O-ring compress between the inner diameter of the opening and the outer diameter of the coupler whenever the coupler is inserted into the opening.

Figure 6 is an isometric view of manifold assembly 600 in another example embodiment of the invention. Manifold 600 has the proportional valve mounted externally from the manifold. Manifold assembly 600 comprises manifold 602, pressure sensor 604, regulator 606, proportional valve 608, filter 660, proportional sensor 662, pressure tap 668, and tubing assembly 664. In operation, oxygen flow into filter 660 from an oxygen source (not shown). Oxygen exits filter 660 and enters manifold 602 through filter inlet opening (not shown) formed into manifold 602. A passageway inside manifold 602 couples the filter inlet opening to pressure sensor 604. Oxygen flows from pressure sensor 604, through a passageway formed into manifold 602, to regulator 606 where the pressure of the oxygen is reduced. Oxygen flows through a passageway inside manifold from regulator 606 to proportional valve 608. Proportional valve 608 controls the volume of oxygen. Oxygen leaves proportional valve 608 through tubing assembly 664, and re-enters manifold 602. Oxygen then flows through a passageway inside manifold 602 to proportional sensor 662. Regulator 606 and pressure sensor 604 mount directly onto integrated mounts formed into the face of manifold 602. Filter 660, proportional sensor 662, and proportional valve 608 may be coupled to manifold using a number of different connection techniques, for example compression seals, screw threads, the couplers shown in figure 5, or the like.

Figure 7 is a drawing of the manifold from manifold assembly 600 in an example embodiment of the invention. Figure 7a is a top view of manifold 702. Figure 7b is a side view of manifold 702. Figure 7c is a bottom view of manifold 702. Figure 7d is a front view of manifold 702. Figure 7e is a side view of manifold 702. Figure 7f is a back view of manifold 702. Figure 8 is a series of sectional views of manifold 802 showing the different internal passageways inside manifold 802. Figure 9 is a sectional view of the regulator mount integrated into manifold 902.

By integrating a number of the mounts for the oxygen supply system into a single manifold, the number of parts has been reduced, the number of potential leaks has been reduced, the space required has been reduced, and the time for assembly and disassembly has been reduced.

Claims

We claim:

1. An oxygen supply system, comprising: a manifold (402) having a filter inlet opening (418), a pressure sensor mount (336), a regulator mount (334), a manifold inlet opening (326), and a proportional sensor mount (414) formed into the manifold (402); a first passageway formed in the manifold coupling the filter inlet opening (418) to the pressure sensor mount (336); the first passageway coupling the pressure sensor mount (336) to the regulator mount

(334); a second passageway formed in the manifold coupling the.manifold inlet opening (326) to the proportional sensor mount (414).

2. The oxygen supply system of claim 1 , further comprising: a proportional valve outlet opening formed into the manifold (602) where the first passageway couples the regulator mount to the proportional valve outlet opening.

3. The oxygen supply system of claim 1, further comprising: a proportional valve clamp opening (432) formed in the manifold (402)where the first passageway couples the regulator mount (334) to the proportional valve clamp opening (432); a clamp (310) coupled to the manifold (402) and forming a third passageway between the proportional valve clamp opening (432) and a clamp outlet opening.

4. The oxygen supply system of claim 1 where the pressure sensor mount (322) and regulator mount (334) are formed on a first side of the manifold (302) and the filter inlet opening (418) is formed on a second side of the manifold (402), where the second side is opposite the first side.

5. The oxygen supply system of claim 4, further comprising: a first bore formed in the manifold and running generally parallel to the first and second sides and forming a first part of the first passageway where the first part of the first passageway couples the filter inlet opening to the pressure sensor mount and couples the pressure sensor mount to the regulator mount and where the first bore exits the manifold on a third side forming and access opening, where the access opening is configured to be sealed by a sealing nut; a second bore formed in the manifold where the second bore is generally perpendicular to the first bore and the second bore intersects the first bore forms a second part of the first passageway that couples the first bore to a proportional valve outlet opening formed in a fourth side of the manifold.

6. The oxygen supply system of claim 1, further comprising: an oxygen filter (660) coupled to the filter inlet opening; a pressure sensor (604) mounted in the pressure sensor mount; a regulator (606) mounted in the regulator mount; and a proportional sensor (662) mounted in the proportional sensor mount.

7. The oxygen supply system of claim 6, further comprising: a proportional valve outlet opening formed into the manifold where the first passageway couples the regulator mount to the proportional valve outlet opening and a proportional valve (608) coupled to the proportional valve outlet opening.

8. The oxygen supply system of claim 6, further comprising: a proportional valve clamp opening formed into the manifold where the first passageway couples the regulator mount to the proportional valve clamp opening; a clamp (310) coupled to the manifold and forming a third passageway between the proportional valve clamp opening and a clamp outlet opening; and a proportional valve (308) held between the clamp outlet opening and the manifold inlet opening by the clamp.

9. A method of manufacturing an oxygen supply system, comprising: forming a manifold (402) from a single piece of material where the manifold (402) has a filter inlet opening (418), a pressure sensor mount (336), a regulator mount (334), a manifold inlet opening (326), and a proportional sensor mount (414) formed into the manifold (402); forming a first passageway coupling the filter inlet opening (418) to the pressure sensor mount (336) and coupling the pressure sensor mount (336) to the regulator mount (334); forming a second passageway coupling the manifold inlet opening (326) to the proportional sensor mount (414).

10. The method of manufacturing an oxygen supply assembly of claim 9, further comprising: forming a proportional valve outlet opening into the manifold (602) where the first passageway couples the regulator mount to the proportional valve outlet opening.

11. The method of manufacturing an oxygen supply system of claim 9, further comprising: forming a proportional valve clamp opening (432) into the manifold (402) where the first passageway couples the regulator mount (334) to the proportional valve clamp opening (432); attaching a clamp (310) to the manifold (402) where a third passageway is formed between the proportional valve clamp opening (432) and a clamp outlet opening.

12. The method of manufacturing an oxygen supply system of claim 9 where the pressure sensor mount (332) and regulator mount (334) are formed on a first side of the manifold (302) and the filter inlet opening (418) is formed on a second side of the manifold (302), where the second side is opposite the first side.

13. The method of manufacturing an oxygen supply system of claim 12, further comprising: forming a first bore in the manifold (302) where the first bore runs generally parallel to the first and second sides and forms a first part of the first passageway where the first part of the first passageway couples the filter inlet opening (418) to the pressure sensor mount (336) and couples the pressure sensor mount (336) to the regulator mount (334) and where the first bore exits the manifold on a third side forming and access opening (324), where the access opening (324) is configured to be sealed by a sealing nut (312); forming a second bore in the manifold where the second bore is generally perpendicular to the first bore and the second bore intersects the first bore and forms a second part of the first passageway where the second part of the first passageway couples the first bore to a proportional valve outlet opening formed in a fourth side of the manifold.

14. The method of manufacturing an oxygen supply system of claim 9, further comprising: coupling an oxygen filter (660) to the filter inlet opening; attaching a pressure sensor (604) to the pressure sensor mount; attaching a regulator (606) to the regulator mount; and attaching a proportional sensor (662) to the proportional sensor mount.

15. The method of manufacturing an oxygen supply system of claim 14, further comprising: forming a proportional valve outlet opening into the manifold where the first passageway couples the regulator mount to the proportional valve outlet opening and coupling a proportional valve (608) to the proportional valve outlet opening.

16. The method of manufacturing an oxygen supply system of claim 14, further comprising: forming a proportional valve clamp opening (332) into the manifold (302) where the first passageway couples the regulator mount (334) to the proportional valve clamp opening

(332); coupling a clamp (310) to the manifold (302) and forming a third passageway between the proportional valve clamp opening and a clamp outlet opening formed in the clamp; and attaching a proportional valve (308) between the clamp outlet opening and the manifold inlet opening.

17. The method of manufacturing an oxygen supply system of claim 9 where the manifold (302) is molded to form the single piece of material.

18. The method of manufacturing an oxygen supply system of claim 9 where the manifold (302) is machined from a solid block of material.