Abstract: A sieve bed including an inlet end, an outlet end, a retainer disposed toward the inlet end and including an interior portion, an exterior portion, a plurality of openings disposed toward the exterior portion, and a passage disposed toward the interior portion, an inlet cap and an inlet port configured to receive a feed stream, wherein the inlet cap includes at least a portion spaced from the retainer thereby defining an inlet chamber in fluid communication with the inlet port and the plurality of openings, an outlet lid disposed toward the outlet end, an exterior wall extending from the inlet cap to the outlet lid, an intermediate wall spaced from the exterior wall and extending from the retainer toward and terminating short of the outlet lid and an interior wall spaced from the intermediate wall and extending from the retainer proximate the passage to at least the outlet lid.

Abstract: A compact compressor including one or more heads. Each of the compressor heads is configured with at least one of the intake and output valves incorporated into the piston head. The compact compressor also has a cylinder with a reduced mass, increased surface area, and metal to metal contact with the housing for greater dissipation of heat generated by the compressor.

Abstract: A portable pressure swing adsorption apparatus and conservation device for medical use, and a sound enclosure for the apparatus having two isolating sections to enclose the apparatus, the enclosure having an inlet in one of the sections for allowing ambient air into the enclosure and an outlet in the other section for enabling waste gases from the apparatus to exit the enclosure and causing the ambient air and waste gases substantially to change direction within the enclosure before entering or exiting the apparatus.

Abstract: Hypoxic delivery apparatus producing from ambient air a product gas having a lower levels of oxygen concentration and delivering the product gas to a user of the apparatus in pulse doses. Alternatively, the apparatus may include a selector for alternately delivering either a nitrogen enriched gas or an oxygen enriched gas to the user.

Abstract: A multiple fluid flow controller valve device having radially disposed a number of valves and a central rotary shaft with cam surfaces functioning as the valve controller to open and close the valves in the desired sequence.

Abstract: A compact and highly portable combination pressure swing adsorption apparatus and product gas conservation device for medical use, to produce efficiently a gas with a high concentration of oxygen and to deliver the oxygen concentrated gas to a user at selectable times and in selectable doses.

Abstract: A noise muffler for the exhaust of waste gases from apparatus such as an oxygen concentrator, including a muffler core with an inlet to receive the waste gases and a plurality of bores in the core first to direct the waste gases through a filter material and a cap enclosing the filter material and forming a plurality of outlets to direct the waste gases out of the muffler, the bores and outlets positioned to cause the waste gases to change their direction of flow multiple times before exiting the muffler.

Abstract: The solenoid valve of the present invention includes an armature with a protrusion and a plug nut with a recess for receiving the protrusion. The protrusion includes a polymer o-ring. The protrusion is configured such that it slides freely within the recess. The o-ring contacts the plug nut to prevent further motion of the armature toward the plug nut after the protrusion has entered the recess.

Abstract: A pressure swing adsorption apparatus for producing a gas mixture with a higher concentration of a particular gas such as oxygen from ambient air, in which the noisier components of the apparatus are contained in an internal removable module that is separated by sound insulation from the balance of the apparatus to attenuate structure borne vibration, reduce radiated noise, and to absorb airborne sound.

Abstract: A compact and highly portable combination pressure swing adsorption apparatus and product gas conservation device for medical use, to produce efficiently a gas with a high concentration of oxygen and to deliver the oxygen concentrated gas to a user at selectable times and in selectable doses.

Abstract: A compact multiple bed pressure swing adsorption apparatus to produce a high concentration of oxygen efficiently and at minimum noise levels by using inactive pressurized adsorber beds to purge adsorbed nitrogen.

Abstract: A combination flow regulator and conservation device, for oxygen gas or oxygen concentrated gas, attachable to an oxygen tank or wall outlet of a master oxygen system and containing a gas regulator and a control circuit to control both the effective rate and timing of the flow of gas through the device, the control circuit selectively controlling the device to supply the gas to a user in one of at least three selectable modes of operation, the modes including (1) a continuous flow of gas, (2) an intermittent pulse of gas to be supplied on every inhalation stage of the breathing cycle of the user for a variable period of time during the inhalation stage, and (3) an intermittent pulse of gas to be supplied only during selectable inhalation stages of the breathing cycles of the user.

Abstract: A ball type flowmeter having an external transparent housing on which a flow rate scale is pre-printed, and contained in the housing is a transparent tube having a floating ball, the tube being slidable in the housing and having upper and lower flanges to be moved into and then fixed at a position at which the ball indicates the flow rate of a test gas.

Abstract: A pressurized gas flow controlling microvalve having a casing and cap which together define a valve chamber having gas flow inlet and outlet ports and a plunger positioned within the valve chamber moveable from a closed position sealing the outlet port to an open position permitting gas to flow through the valve, the plunger having mounted thereon an O-ring which provides the seal for the outlet port.

Abstract: A non-contact gas dispenser comprising a head set apparatus, a gas source and a conduit for directing the desired gas to a region proximate to the user's nose and mouth. The gas source preferably is a pressure swing adsorption apparatus that allows the user to select one of at least two pre-determined settings of product gas, each setting having a distinct concentration and flow rate different from the other setting(s).