Abstract: An apparatus and method for supplying oxygen to passengers on board an aircraft in the form of a portable machine including a housing having a shape and size allowing it to be positioned under a seat on the aircraft, an air separation device in the housing for separating oxygen from the air inside the aircraft, a self-contained compressed air supply in the housing including a compressor operatively connected to the air separation device and a brushless d-c motor for driving the compressor, and a circuit for connecting the d-c motor to the aircraft electrical power source including converting the a-c voltage and current on board the aircraft to d-c voltage and current for operating the motor. The brushless motor insures compliance with airline requirements that the machine generates a low level of electrical interference. The machine includes an intake resonator and a muffler associated therewith for reducing the level of noise generated to a value acceptable for airline use.

Abstract: A pressure swing adsorption apparatus including a compressor for pumping a flow of a gaseous mixture through an adsorption medium utilizes a capacity control system by which the operating capacity of the compressor can be preselected. The capacity control system is disposed upstream, i.e. on the suction side of, the compressor for limiting, when desired, the feed stream drawn into the compressor. A reduction in the operating capacity of the apparatus by way of the control system results in a corresponding reduction in the power consumption and noise levels of the compressor.

Abstract: A pressure swing adsorption process and system for generating gaseous streams which are high in oxygen purity and high in nitrogen purity utilize a first adsorption zone adapted to principally adsorb oxygen from a feed stream containing oxygen, nitrogen and argon via kinetic separation techniques and a second adsorption zone adapted to adsorb nitrogen from a feed stream containing oxygen and nitrogen via equilibrium separation techniques. Following a step in the process operation involving a directing of a feed stream into the first adsorption zone, the first adsorption zone is purged in a desorption step so that a purge stream exits the inlet of the first adsorption zone. During the initial moments of this desorption step, the purge stream is vented to the atmosphere, and during the latter moments of this desorption step, the gaseous purge stream is conducted to the inlet of the second adsorption zone so that a gaseous stream which is high in oxygen purity exits the outlet of the second adsorption zone.

Abstract: A pressure swing adsorption process and system utilize a single adsorber for fractionating at least one constituent from a stream of a gaseous mixture fed into the adsorber and a reservoir for receiving product gas exiting the adsorber. Following a step in the process operation involving a venting of the adsorber inlet during which no product gas is withdrawn, the feed stream is shut off and remains shut off while product gas collected in the reservoir is conducted to the adsorber outlet for the purpose of equalizing the internal pressures of the adsorber and reservoir. Once the pressures are equalized, the flow of the feed stream into the adsorber is resumed and any flow of product gas between the adsorber outlet and the reservoir is shut off so that the continued feed stream flow into the adsorber raises the adsorber pressure to an elevated level.

Abstract: An air separator for separating at least one constituent element from air delivered from an air source by a pair of adsorption beds utilizes a control box and assembly of working components arranged in such a relationship to one another within the control box so as to facilitate service and maintenance of the air separator. The working components of the air separator include filtering componentry, a pressure regulator, a pair of feed valves, a pair of waste valves, a pair of product and equalization valves and a product flow controller operatively connected in flow communication with one another for routing the source air through the separator and which are arranged in a substantially vertical plane within the control box. Because the working components are arranged in a generally planar arrangement, each of the working components is readily and easily accessible.