Abstract: A pre-filter for an oxygen concentrator having enhanced filtering area. The pre-filter is positioned so that air entering the concentrator's air compressor is filtered to removed particulate contaminants. The pre-filter has an impermeable housing consisting of four walls in a rectangular configuration. There is, within the housing, a first filter pledget of porous filter material and second filter pledget of porous filter material with an air space in-between the pledgets. Each pledget has an exposed filtering surface and a material thickness of porous filter material. The opening of a conduit tube that is in fluid communication with the air compressor is positioned in the air space between the filter pledgets. Air entering the conduit tube passes through one of the exposed filtering surfaces and one material thickness of porous filter material.

Abstract: An apparatus for monitoring and controlling the flow of a therapeutic gas to a patient. The apparatus includes a gas source, a flow management module and an electronics module. The flow management module contains a valve assembly and a sensor. The valve assembly contains a first valve to control the inflow of the therapeutic gas. The second valve controls the inflow of ambient air. When the valve assembly is deenergized the first valve is open allowing the flow of gas through the apparatus. The second valve is closed. When the valve assembly is energized, the first valve is closed stopping the flow of gas and the second valve is open allowing the inflow of ambient air. The sensor senses changes in the flow of the gas or ambient air and transmits a signal to the electronics module. The electronics module can be preprogrammed to control the valve assembly, determine respiratory rate, control the flow of therapeutic gas, store or transmit data in response to signals sent by the sensor.

Abstract: An ultasonic gas measuring device including a housing, walls for the housing, the walls having a gas inlet and a gas outlet provided therethrough, ultrasonic detecting means provided within the housing, the ultrasonic means having a transmitter, operatively associated with one wall of the housing, and a receiver, operatively mounted on another wall of the housing, and arranged at spaced locations within the housing, the housing incorporating gas processing device, electronic circuitry associated with the gas processing device and functioning to detect and generate a signal in cooperation with the ultrasonic detecting means representative of the concentration of the gas passing through the housing, a display operatively associated with the electronic means for displaying data relative to the concentration of gas passing through the measuring device, timer means electrically connected to the electronic means and the display means for first detecting for a short period of time the gas being measured, and then di

Abstract: An ultrasonic gas measuring device including a housing, walls for the housing, the walls having a gas inlet and a gas outlet provided therethrough, ultrasonic detecting means provided within the housing, the ultrasonic means having a transmitter, operatively associated with one wall of the housing, and a receiver, operatively mounted on another wall of the housing, and arranged at spaced locations within the housing, the housing incorporating gas processing device, electronic circuitry associated with the gas processing device and functioning to detect and generate a signal in cooperation with the ultrasonic detecting means representative of the concentration of the gas passing through the housing, a display operatively associated with the electronic means for displaying data relative to the concentration of gas passing through the measuring device, timer means electrically connected to the electronic means and the display means for first detecting for a short period of time the gas being measured, and then d

Abstract: An improved aircraft ejection seat system is described which embodies a forward leaning position for an occupant of the aircraft providing enhanced acceleration tolerance for an occupant during ejection from the cockpit, comprising a platform supporting at a rearward end thereof a seat having a seat back and seat pan sized and configured for accommodating the occupant, a forwardly disposed cowling integral with and faired to the platform for providing windblast protection to the occupant, a solid or cushioned upright wall member disposed centrally of the platform and extending between the seat and cowling and supporting an inclined chest plate for supporting the chest of the occupant in the forward leaning position, a head rest and a shield disposed near the upper end of the plate for shielding the occupant's head upon ejection from the aircraft, and a restraint harness for holding the occupant in the forward leaning position against the plate upon ejection from the aircraft.

Abstract: A visual communicator for a rear window of a vehicle. The communicator is semi-transparent and adapted to be disposed in the rear window of the vehicle for viewing from outside of the vehicle. The degree of transparency is such as to accommodate normal use of an inside rearview mirror of the vehicle by a driver of the vehicle. The communicator also includes a message display unit including a plurality of light emitting diodes comprising in a matrix arrangement and disposed in a limited discrete portion of the rear window. The light emitting diodes are selectively energizable to emit light in the form of a message. The communicator further includes a message control unit operationally interconnected to the light emitting diodes for selectively energizing the light emitting diodes. The message control unit is programmed to energize the light emitting diodes in any one of a plurality of preselected patterns.

Abstract: An oxygen concentrator is disclosed which utilizes two molecular sieves to adsorb nitrogen out of compressed atmospheric air flowing therethrough so as to discharge oxygen enriched air for breathing purposes. Two such molecular sieves are used, one of which is operated in a regenerating mode while the other is operated in its adsorbing mode so a continuous supply of oxygen will be available to the patient. Periodically, the molecular sieves are automatically switched between their adsorbing and regenerating modes in such manner that the molecular sieve operating in its regenerating mode is incipiently recharged with high pressure, high oxygen quality gas prior to switching to its adsorbing mode. A method of operating the oxygen concentrator of this invention is also disclosed.

Abstract: A compressor system is disclosed for the intake of ambient air having a given amount of moisture or water vapor therein. A compressor compresses the ambient air to a superatmospheric pressure level. The pressurized air discharged from the compressor is run through an intercooler so as to reduce both the temperature of the compressed air and the water vapor therein. The reduced water vapor (i.e., dry) air is then supplied to various respiratory health care apparatus and excess dry air is returned to the inlet of the compressor.