PNEUMATIC PUMP NOISE REDUCTION

Abstract

A silencer device may be positioned in-line with an exhaust tube of a pneumatic pump to reduce a noise generated at the exhaust tube. The silencer devices includes a noise absorbing media and a body section housing the noise absorbing media and radially sealing peripheral walls thereof. The silencer device also includes a fluid inlet section having an inlet tube that directs fluid flow from the exhaust tube into the noise absorbing media and an inlet airflow restrictor fluidly connected to the fluid inlet section to restrict fluid flow therethrough. The silencer device further includes a fluid outlet section having an outlet tube that directs fluid flow from the noise absorbing media and an outlet airflow restrictor fluidly connected to the fluid outlet section to restrict fluid flow therethrough.

Description

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION

This application claims priority to and the benefit of U.S. Provisional Application No. 62/626,228, entitled “PNEUMATIC PUMP NOISE REDUCTION,” filed Feb. 5, 2018, the content of which is incorporated herein by reference in its entirety for all purposes.

TECHNICAL FIELD

The present disclosure relates generally to the field of medical devices and pneumatic pumps.

BACKGROUND

This section is intended to introduce the reader to various aspects of art that may be related to various aspects of the present techniques, which are described and/or claimed below. This discussion is believed to be helpful in providing the reader with background information to facilitate a better understanding of the various aspects of the present disclosure. Accordingly, it should be understood that these statements are to be read in this light, and not as admissions of prior art.

A wide variety of different devices are pneumatically controlled and/or actuated. Examples of such devices include processing equipment incorporating one or more pneumatic pumps, pneumatic testing equipment, hand-held pneumatic tools, pneumatic medical devices, pumps, and the like. Flow of a pressurized fluid (e.g., air) may be used to actuate or maneuver a mechanism resulting in a desired output. Depending upon the particular application, one or more pneumatic valves may be utilized to direct the forced air to a desired location within the device, as well as to release the air through an exhaust tube. Because the air is pressurized and the exhaust tube relatively small, the exhausted air normally travels at a high velocity into relatively still air, thus the airflow becomes turbulent. The turbulent airflow generates pressure fluctuations, resulting in exhaust noise.

Capnographs are one example of medical monitoring devices that may utilize a pneumatic pump. Capnographs measure and provide values of the carbon dioxide (CO2) concentration in exhaled breath, and, as such, may be used to characterize a patient's ventilation function. The operation of the pneumatic pump of the capnograph may cause a relatively high noise environment.

SUMMARY

A summary of certain embodiments disclosed herein is set forth below. It should be understood that these aspects are presented merely to provide the reader with a brief summary of these certain embodiments and that these aspects are not intended to limit the scope of this disclosure. Indeed, this disclosure may encompass a variety of aspects that may not be set forth below.

Aspects of the disclosure, in some embodiments thereof, relate to devices and methods for reducing noise generated by a pneumatic pump, such as a pneumatic pump used in capnography.

Noise generated by the pneumatic pump used in capnography generally disturbs patients and care-givers and causes a high-noise environment, which may obstruct the communication between the patient and the caregiver and between caregivers, in addition to interfering with the recovery process of the patient.

Some noise reduction components may have open mufflers located outside the pump housing or a restrictor and/or filters in the exhaust of the pump to reduce noise. There is still a need for improved solutions for reducing (e.g., attenuating) the pneumatic noise.

Advantageously, the disclosed silencer includes a restrictor and a radially sealed absorbing media (e.g., filter) configured for in-line use on the exhaust tube part, which is located inside the pump. The absorbing media is radially sealed around the peripheral walls thereof to allow air passage only from two extremities of the noise absorbing media. Thus, the pneumatic pump may be operated without creating high decibel noise.

There is provided, according to some embodiments, a silencer device that may be positioned in-line with an exhaust tube of a pneumatic pump to reduce a noise generated at the exhaust tube. The silencer device may include a noise absorbing media, and a body section housing the noise absorbing media and radially sealing peripheral walls thereof. The silencer device may also include a fluid inlet section that directs fluid flow from the exhaust tube into the noise absorbing media, and the fluid inlet section includes an inlet tube and an inlet airflow restrictor fluidly connected to the fluid inlet tube and configured to restrict fluid flow therethrough. The silencer device may further includes a fluid outlet section that directs fluid flow from the noise absorbing media, and the fluid outlet section includes an outlet tube and an outlet airflow restrictor fluidly connected to the outlet tube and configured to restrict fluid flow therethrough. According to some embodiments, the fluid inlet section is further configured to direct sound waves from the exhaust tube into the noise absorbing media. The silencer device is thus configured to reduce noise.

According to some embodiments, an inner side wall of the body section is threaded.

According to some embodiment, the noise absorbing media is press-fitted within the body section.

According to some embodiments, the fluid inlet section and the body section are integrally formed. According to some embodiments, the fluid outlet section and the body section are integrally formed.

According to some embodiments, the body section includes a tube. According to some embodiments, the tube is a flexible tube.

According to some embodiments, the noise absorbing media is a porous media.

According to some embodiments, the porous media includes metal. According to some embodiments, the noise absorbing media is a porous foam. According to some embodiments, the foam includes polyurethane.

There is provided, according to some embodiments, a silencer device that may be positioned in-line with an exhaust tube of a pneumatic pump to reduce a noise generated at the exhaust tube. The silencer device may include a porous foam media, and a body section housing the porous foam media and radially sealing peripheral walls thereof. The silencer device may also include an inlet section including an inlet tube configured to direct fluid flow from the exhaust tube into the porous foam media, and a fluid outlet section including an outlet tube configured to direct fluid flow from the porous foam media.

There is provided, according to some embodiments, a system including a pneumatic pump including any of the silencer devices disclosed herein.

Certain embodiments of the present disclosure may include some, all, or none of the above advantages. One or more technical advantages may be readily apparent to those skilled in the art from the figures, descriptions and claims included herein. Moreover, while specific advantages have been enumerated above, various embodiments may include all, some or none of the enumerated advantages.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

Some embodiments of the disclosure are described herein with reference to the accompanying figures. The description, together with the figures, makes apparent to a person having ordinary skill in the art how some embodiments of the disclosure may be practiced. The figures are for the purpose of illustrative discussion and no attempt is made to show structural details of an embodiment in more detail than is necessary for a fundamental understanding of the teachings of the disclosure. For the sake of clarity, some objects depicted in the figures are not to scale.

FIG. 1A shows a cross-sectional view of a silencer device for reducing a noise generated by a pneumatic pump, according to some embodiments;

FIG. 1B shows a perspective view of the silencer device of FIG. 1A, according to some embodiments;

FIG. 2A shows a cross-sectional view of a silencer device for reducing a noise generated by a pneumatic pump, wherein the silencer device includes threads, according to some embodiments;

FIG. 2B shows a perspective view of the silencer device of FIG. 2A, according to some embodiments;

FIG. 3A shows a cross-sectional view of a silencer device for reducing a noise generated by a pneumatic pump, wherein the silencer device is devoid of restrictors at an inlet tube and an outlet tube, according to some embodiments;

FIG. 3B shows a perspective view of the silencer device of FIG. 3A, according to some embodiments; and

FIG. 4 shows a perspective view of a silencer positioned in-line with an exhaust tube of a pneumatic pump to reduce a noise generated at the exhaust tube, in accordance with some embodiments.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

In the following description, various aspects of the disclosure will be described. For the purpose of explanation, specific configurations and details are set forth in order to provide a thorough understanding of the different aspects of the disclosure. However, it will also be apparent to one skilled in the art that the disclosure may be practiced without specific details being presented herein. Furthermore, well-known features may be omitted or simplified in order not to obscure the disclosure.

The present disclosure relates generally to the field of silencers for pneumatic pumps.

There is provided, according to some embodiments, a silencer device for in-line silencing of a noise generated at an exhaust tube of a pneumatic pump. The silencer device includes a noise absorbing media, and a body section housing the noise absorbing media and radially sealing peripheral walls thereof. The silencer device also includes an inlet section configured to direct fluid flow from the exhaust tube into the noise absorbing media via an upstream extremity thereof, and a fluid outlet section configured to direct fluid flow from the noise absorbing media via a downstream extremity thereof. At least one restrictor may be fluidly connected to the fluid inlet section and/or the fluid outlet section and is configured to restrict fluid flow therethrough.

Optionally, the radial sealing around the peripheral walls of the noise absorbing media limits fluid flow through the noise absorbing media to the upstream and downstream extremities thereof.

As used herein the term “in-line” is to be construed as referring to a device (e.g., silencer) positioned along the exhaust tube. The device may be coaxial with the exhaust tube. The device is utilized for a step or a process carried out at some point during the operation of the pump in order to reduce (e.g., attenuate) a noise generated at the exhaust tube.

Optionally, the noise absorbing media is a porous media. Optionally, the porous media includes metal (e.g., metal or metal alloy). Optionally, the noise absorbing media includes porous foam. Optionally, the foam is a polyurethane foam. A non-limiting example of polyurethane foams include the PORON® foams manufactured by Rogers Corporation.

Optionally, the silencer includes an inlet flow restrictor fluidly connected to the fluid inlet section and configured to restrict fluid flow therethrough. Optionally, the silencer includes an outlet airflow restrictor fluidly connected to the fluid inlet section and configured to restrict fluid flow therethrough. Optionally, the silencer includes an inlet flow restrictor fluidly connected to the fluid inlet section and configured to restrict fluid flow therethrough, and an outlet airflow restrictor fluidly connected to the fluid inlet section and configured to restrict fluid flow therethrough.

Each of the inlet flow restrictor and the outlet flow restrictor may be independently integrally formed with or embedded in the fluid inlet section and the fluid outlet section, respectively.

According to some embodiments, an inner side wall of the body section may be threaded. In such embodiments, the noise absorbing media may be press-fitted into the body section. The threading may facilitate acoustic sealing and/or provide sufficient acoustic sealing.

According to some embodiments, the fluid inlet section and the body section are integrally formed. According to some embodiments, the fluid outlet section and the body section are integrally formed. According to some embodiments, the body section is integrally formed with the fluid inlet section and the fluid outlet section. According to some embodiments, the body section is coupled to and/or sealed with the fluid inlet section and/or the fluid outlet section.

According to some embodiments, the body section includes a tube (e.g., hollow, cylindrical structure). The tube may be a flexible tube. The tube may be a hard plastic tube. The tube may be a soft tube.

In a non-limiting example, a fluid inlet section and a fluid outlet section, both formed of a cap sealing, are each coupled at one respective extremity (e.g., end) of a body section formed of a soft tube. In another non-limiting example, a body section and a fluid inlet section are integrally formed of molded hard plastic and sealingly coupled to a fluid outlet section formed of a cap.

A person skilled in the art will appreciate that various techniques may be used to ensure coupling of the body section to the fluid inlet section and/or the fluid outlet section. Such techniques include, but are not limited to, glue bonding or ultrasonic welding. In a non-limiting example, a body section formed of a molded hard plastic may be glue bonded to the fluid inlet and outlet sections formed of a cap.

According to some embodiments, a method of manufacturing a silencer device for reducing (e.g., attenuating) noise produced at an exhaust tube of a pneumatic pump includes providing a noise absorbing media, a body section, an inlet section and an outlet section. The method further includes inserting the noise absorbing media such that the body portion radially seals the peripheral wall of the noise absorbing media such as to allow fluid passage through the noise absorbing media only from an upstream extremity to a downstream extremity thereof. Following the insertion step, the method may include coupling at least one of the fluid inlet section to the body section such as to allow direction of fluid flow from the inlet section to the noise absorbing media via the upstream extremity of the noise absorbing media and the fluid outlet section to the body section such as to allow direction of fluid flow from the noise absorbing media to the outlet section via the downstream extremity of the noise absorbing media. Optionally, one of the fluid inlet section and the fluid outlet section is coupled to the body section prior to insertion of the noise absorbing media to the body section. Optionally, one of the fluid inlet section and the fluid outlet section is integrally formed with the body portion.

According to some embodiments, the noise absorbing media is a porous media. According to some embodiments, the porous media includes metal (e.g., metal or metal alloy). According to some embodiments, the noise absorbing media is a porous foam. According to some embodiments, the foam includes polyurethane.

There is provided, according to some embodiments, a silencer device for in-line silencing of a noise generated at an exhaust tube of a pneumatic pump. The silencer device includes a porous foam media, and a body section housing the noise absorbing media and radially sealing peripheral walls thereof. The silencer device also includes an inlet section configured to direct fluid flow from the exhaust tube into the noise absorbing media, and a fluid outlet section configured to direct fluid flow from the noise absorbing media.

There is provided, according to some embodiments, a system including a pneumatic pump including any of the silencer devises disclosed herein.

Throughout the following description, similar elements of different embodiments of the device are referenced by element numbers differing by integer multiples of 100. For example, a noise absorbing media of FIG. 1A is referenced by the number 102, and a noise absorbing media of FIG. 2A is referenced by the number 202. The noise absorbing media 202 of FIG. 2A corresponds to noise absorbing media 102 of FIG. 1A.

Reference is now made to FIGS. 1A and 1B, which respectively show a cross-sectional and a perspective view of a silencer device configured for in-line positioning with an exhaust tube of a pneumatic pump to reduce (e.g., attenuate) a noise generated at the exhaust tube, in accordance with some embodiments.

In particular, a silencer device 100 includes a noise absorbing media 102 through which a fluid flow from an exhaust tube (not shown) passes. The silencer device 100 also includes a body section 104 that houses and radially seals against peripheral walls (e.g., radially-outer wall) of the noise absorbing media 102 to allow fluid passage only from two extremities (e.g., ends) of the noise absorbing media 102. Optionally, the body section 104 is a tube (e.g., hollow, cylindrical structure defined by an annular wall that circumferentially surrounds and/or radially seals against the peripheral walls of the noise absorbing media 102). The tube may be formed of a soft material and/or elastic material such as a rubber. An inlet section 106 may direct a fluid flow from an exhaust tube (not shown) into the noise absorbing media 102 via an upstream extremity thereof. Optionally, the fluid inlet section 106 includes an inlet tube 107 and an inlet airflow restrictor 108 that restrict fluid flow therethrough. Optionally, the fluid inlet section 106 is coupled to the body section 104, such as to allow fluid connection to an upstream extremity 102a of the noise absorbing media 102. A fluid outlet section 110 may direct fluid flow from the noise absorbing media 102 via a downstream extremity 102b thereof. Optionally, the fluid outlet section 110 includes an outlet tube 111 and an outlet airflow restrictor 112 that restrict fluid flow therethrough. The fluid outlet section 110 may be coupled to the body section 104, such as to allow fluid connection to a downstream extremity 102b of noise absorbing media 102.

Each of the fluid inlet section 106 and the fluid outlet section 110 may be coupled to the body section 104 by soldering or gluing (e.g., by glue, solvent). Optionally, the coupling of at least one of the fluid inlet section 106 and the fluid outlet section 110 is performed following insertion of the noise absorbing media 102 into the body section 104. In a non-limiting example, the noise absorbing media 102 may be inserted into the body section 104 through an end opening 104a or 104b prior to coupling of the inlet section 106 and the outlet section 110 thereto.

Reference is now made to FIGS. 2A and 2B, which respectively show a cross-sectional and a perspective view of a silencer device configured for in-line positioning with an exhaust tube of a pneumatic pump to reduce (e.g., attenuate) a noise generated at the exhaust tube, in accordance with some embodiments.

A silencer device 200 is substantially similar to the silencer device 100 of FIGS. 1A and 1B, except for the notable difference that an inner side wall 204c (e.g., radially-inner wall) of a body section 204, which circumferentially surrounds, houses, and radially seals against a noise absorbing media 202, is threaded. As shown, threads wrap circumferentially around and contact the noise absorbing media 202. The threads may facilitate and/or provide sufficient acoustic sealing. Optionally, the noise absorbing media 202 is press-fitted into the body section 204. Further, the body section 204 and a fluid inlet section 206 for directing fluid flow from an exhaust tube (not shown) into the noise absorbing media 202 via an upstream extremity 202a thereof, are integrally formed. A protrusion 230 on a radially-outer wall (e.g., annular wall) of the body section 204 is optional and may be produced during a process of injection molding of the internally threaded body section 204 of device 200.

Similarly to the fluid inlet section 106 of FIGS. 1A and 1B, the fluid inlet section 206 may include an inlet tube 207 and an airflow restrictor 208 for restricting fluid flow therethrough. The silencer device 200 further includes a fluid outlet section 210 including an outlet tube 211 and an outlet airflow restrictor 212 for directing a restricted fluid flow from the noise absorbing media 202 via a downstream extremity 202b thereof.

Reference is now made to FIGS. 3A and 3B, which respectively show a cross-sectional and a perspective view of a silencer device configured for in-line positioning with an exhaust tube of a pneumatic pump to reduce (e.g., attenuate) a noise generated at the exhaust tube, in accordance with some embodiments.

Similarly to silencer device 100 of FIGS. 1A and 1B, the silencer device 300 includes a noise absorbing media 302 circumferentially surrounded by, housed, and radially sealed within a body section 304 (e.g., an annular structure, such a cylindrical structure). The silencer device 300 includes an inlet section 306 including an inlet tube 307 for directing fluid flow from an exhaust tube (not shown) into the noise absorbing media 302 via an upstream extremity 302a thereof, and a fluid outlet section 310 including an outlet tube 311 for directing fluid flow from the noise absorbing media 302 via a downstream extremity 302b thereof. The noise absorbing media 302 may be sufficient to reduce the noise generated at the exhaust tube, therefore restrictors for restricting fluid flow into and from noise absorbing media 302 are not shown (e.g., the silencer device 300 is devoid of such restrictors). Non-limiting examples of such noise absorbing media 302 include foams, such as a polyurethane foam. However, optionally, one or more restrictors are added to the inlet tube 307 and/or the outlet 311 tube to enhance noise reduction.

Reference is now made to FIG. 4 which schematically illustrates a silencer device 400 which is substantially similar to the silencer device 100 of FIGS. 1A and 1B. The silencer device 400 is positioned in-line with an exhaust tube 420 of a pneumatic pump to reduce (e.g., attenuate) a noise generated at the exhaust tube 420, in accordance with some embodiments. It should be appreciated that any of the silencer devices disclosed herein (e.g., silencer devices 100, 200, 300, 400) may be positioned in-line with the exhaust tube 420 of a pneumatic pump in the manner shown in FIG. 4. Furthermore, it should be appreciated that the pneumatic pump may be part of a capnograph.

The terminology used herein is for the purpose of describing particular embodiments only and is not intended to be limiting. As used herein, the singular forms “a,” “an,” and “the” are intended to include the plural forms as well, unless the context clearly indicates otherwise. It will be further understood that the terms “comprises” or “comprising,” when used in this specification, specify the presence of stated features, integers, steps, operations, elements, or components, but do not preclude or rule out the presence or addition of one or more other features, integers, steps, operations, elements, components, or groups thereof. Unless otherwise defined, all technical and scientific terms used herein have the same meaning as commonly understood by one of ordinary skill in the art to which these embodiments belong.

Unless specifically stated otherwise, as apparent from the following discussions, it is appreciated that throughout the specification discussions utilizing terms such as “processing,” “computing,” “calculating,” “determining,” “estimating,” or the like, refer to the action and/or processes of a computer or computing system, or similar electronic computing device, that manipulate and/or transform data represented as physical, such as electronic, quantities within the computing system's registers and/or memories into other data similarly represented as physical quantities within the computing system's memories, registers or other such information storage, transmission or display devices. Embodiments of the present disclosure may include apparatuses for performing the operations herein. The processes presented herein are not inherently related to any particular apparatus.

While a number of exemplary aspects and embodiments have been discussed above, those of skill in the art will recognize certain modifications, additions and sub-combinations thereof. It is therefore intended that the following appended claims and claims hereafter introduced be interpreted to include all such modifications, additions and sub-combinations as are within their true spirit and scope.

Claims

1. A silencer device configured to be positioned in-line with an exhaust tube of a pneumatic pump to reduce a noise generated at the exhaust tube, the silencer device comprising:

a noise absorbing media;

a body section housing the noise absorbing media and radially sealing peripheral walls thereof;

a fluid inlet section comprising: an inlet tube configured to direct a fluid flow from the exhaust tube into the noise absorbing media; and an inlet airflow restrictor fluidly connected to the fluid inlet section and configured to restrict fluid flow therethrough; and

a fluid outlet section comprising: an outlet tube configured to direct fluid flow from the noise absorbing media; and an outlet airflow restrictor fluidly connected to the fluid outlet section and configured to restrict fluid flow therethrough.

2. The silencer device of claim 1, wherein an inner side wall of the body section is threaded.

3. The silencer device of claim 2, wherein the noise absorbing media is press-fitted within the body section.

4. The silencer device of claim 1, wherein the fluid inlet section and the body section are integrally formed.

5. The silencer device of claim 1, wherein the fluid outlet section and the body section are integrally formed.

6. The silencer device of claim 1, wherein the body section comprises a tube.

7. The silencer device of claim 6, wherein the tube is a flexible tube.

8. The silencer device of claim 1, wherein the noise absorbing media is a porous media.

9. The silencer device of claim 8, wherein the porous media comprises metal.

10. The silencer device of claim 8, wherein the porous media is a foam.

11. The silencer device of claim 10, wherein the foam comprises polyurethane.

12. A silencer device configured to be positioned in-line with an exhaust tube of a pneumatic pump to reduce a noise generated at the exhaust tube, the silencer device comprising:

a porous foam media;

a body section housing the porous foam media and radially sealing peripheral walls thereof;

a fluid inlet section comprising an inlet tube configured to direct fluid flow from the exhaust tube into the porous foam media, and

a fluid outlet section comprising an outlet tube configured to direct fluid flow from the porous foam media.

13. The silencer device of claim 12, wherein the body section comprises an annular wall that circumferentially surrounds the porous foam media and that radially seals against the peripheral walls of the porous foam media.

14. A system comprising a pneumatic pump and a silencer device positioned in-line with an exhaust tube of the pneumatic pump to reduce a noise generated at the exhaust tube, the silencer device comprising:

a noise absorbing media;

a body section housing the noise absorbing media and radially sealing peripheral walls thereof;

a fluid inlet section comprising: an inlet tube configured to direct fluid flow from the exhaust tube into the noise absorbing media; and an inlet airflow restrictor fluidly connected to the fluid inlet section and configured to restrict fluid flow therethrough; and

a fluid outlet section comprising: an outlet tube configured to direct fluid flow from the noise absorbing media; and an outlet airflow restrictor fluidly connected to the fluid outlet section and configured to restrict fluid flow therethrough.

15. The system of claim 14, wherein an inner side wall of the body section is threaded.

16. The system of claim 15, wherein the noise absorbing media is press-fitted within the body section.

17. The system of claim 14, wherein the fluid inlet section and the body section are integrally formed.

18. The system of claim 14, wherein the fluid outlet section and the body section are integrally formed.

19. The system of claim 14, wherein the body section comprises a tube.

20. The system of claim 14, comprising a capnograph with the pneumatic pump, the exhaust tube, and the silencer device.