Abstract: In an oxygen concentrator which is intended for aircraft use, a booster compressor is used to increase the pressure of the product gas from the concentrator in order to increase the amount of the gas which can be stored in a plenum. The booster includes two moving pistons which are rigidly linked together and a series of check valves which control the flow of gases through the compressor. One of the pistons is driven by air from the rotary valve in the concentrator, and the other piston compresses the product gas for delivery to the plenum.A small sample of concentrator product gas is monitored by an oxygen sensor for oxygen concentration. Once the oxygen concentration has reached an acceptable level the booster compressor fills the plenum with product gas. Thereafter, if oxygen concentration of product gas delivered to the crew from the concentrator falls below the concentration which is required at a particular altitude, the product gas stored in the plenum is delivered to the crew.

Abstract: A backup breathing gas supply is used with an oxygen concentrator system in which breathing gas is derived as an oxygen enriched product gas from the oxygen concentrator system and delivered to a breathing regulator. The backup breathing gas supply includes a plenum chamber for storing a quantity of breathing gas, a plenum line coupling the output of the oxygen concentrator to the plenum chamber, and a bypass line coupled to the output of the oxygen concentrator. During normal operation, breathing gas is delivered by means of the bypass line. In the event of loss of air supply to the concentrator, loss of electrical power, or concentrator breakdown, breathing gas is delivered from the plenum chamber. A three-way control valve is used to selectively couple either the plenum chamber or the bypass line to the system outlet.

Abstract: A fluid separator apparatus having a control member for allowing a source of pressurized fluid mixture to flow in a first direction through a bed of adsorption material to produce a product fluid and for allowing a purge fluid to regenerate the bed of adsorption material by flowing in a second direction substantially opposite to the flow of the fluid mixture. The bed of adsorption material has a variable cross-sectional area corresponding to a substantially uniform and optimum rate of adsorption of an element in the fluid mixture by the individual particles of adsorption material. A shroud which surrounds the bed of adsorption material directs the purge fluid over the bed of adsorption material to retain any heat generated during adsorption within the bed of adsorption material.

Abstract: A process of manufacturing an oxide material for use in an oxygen generator. A quantity of dry zirconia particles is blended with Barium Peroxide particles and thereafter heated in a nitrogen atmosphere until the Barium Peroxide melts and coats the zirconia particles. The Barium Peroxide coating is subsequently decomposed to Barium Oxide. The Barium Oxide coated zirconia particles are allowed to cool and then passed through a grinder to produce a uniform particle size for oxide material.

Abstract: A breathing system control valve having a housing with a distribution chamber therein which communicates with a source of air under pressure. A shaft which extends into the distribution chamber engages a plurality of discs and is operatively connected to a motor which provides the shaft with a rotative torque to alternately communicate air under pressure through a portion of the discs to either a first chamber or a second chamber wherein an oxygen enriched product effluent is developed while another portion of the discs allows a purge fluid from the other of the first and second chambers to escape to the atmosphere. Prior to the transfer of the air under pressure from one of the first and second chambers to the other, an equalization passage is opened to permit communication therebetween to establish a rapid operational build-up of air under pressure.