Abstract: A self-contained system which converts nitrous oxide to a breathable gas mixture of nitrogen and oxygen. In the preferred embodiment of the present invention, a portable system is disclosed wherein liquefied nitrous oxide is converted to a breathable gas mixture of nitrogen and oxygen. The decomposition occurs over a catalyst bed which is all contained in a small reactor. The invention is useful for underwater, fire fighting and outer space applications.

Abstract: An oxygen separator for separating oxygen from ambient air utilizing a vacuum swing adsorption process has a mass of less than 2.3 kg. A carrier is mountable on a person to support the oxygen separator for ambulatory use.

Abstract: A method and system are provided for simulating the metabolic consumption of oxygen contained in a breathable gas. A variable volume chamber cyclically increases/decreases in volume to receive the breathable gas/expel an exhaust gas. Hydrogen and carbon dioxide are introduced into the chamber to mix with the breathable gas to form the exhaust gas. Hydrogen is introduced in an amount sufficient to react with an amount of the oxygen in the exhaust gas equivalent to that used by a human during a selected level of activity. Carbon dioxide is introduced in an amount equivalent to that provided by a metabolic respiratory quotient associated with the same level of activity. A catalyst, exposed to the exhaust gas, causes a reaction between the hydrogen and oxygen in the exhaust gas to generate simulated human exhalation.

Abstract: A patient ventilator oxygen concentration system (S) has an input air supply (10) for supplying an input gas (12) at a desired pressure. An oxygen concentrating system (14) produces an oxygen concentrated gas output (16) and includes at least 2 operable molecular sieve bed modules (18). An input flow line (22) communicates input gas from the input air supply (10) to the molecular sieve bed modules (18). A medical grade air system (24) produces a medical grade air output (26). The oxygen concentrating system (14) and the medical grade air system (24) are connected in a parallel flow path of the input gas from the input air supply (10). A switch unit system (V) is in an input flow path (22) of the oxygen concentrating system (14) for controllably curtailing a portion of the input gas supplied by the input air supply (10) to at least one molecular sieve bed module (18) while having no input gas reduction effect on remaining molecular sieve bed modules.

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 reactor 10 is provided comprising a canister 12 holding a bed 14 of particulate reagent 34. The canister 12 has a peripheral wall and floor, and a bed support 16 lining the floor. The canister 12 has an open top at a level above the support 16 and at least one lower vent 11 below the support 16. An air-permeable bed divider 18 is supported on the bed support 16, the bed divider projecting upwardly from a lower extremity thereof at the bed support 16, in an upward direction.

Abstract: A portable oxygen concentrator system adapted to be readily transported by a user includes a rechargeable energy source and a concentrator powered by the energy source. The concentrator converts ambient air into concentrated oxygen gas for the user and includes a plurality of adsorption beds and a rotary valve assembly. The rotary valve assembly is relatively rotatable with respect to the plurality of adsorption beds to provide valving action for selectively transferring fluids through the plurality of adsorption beds for converting ambient air into concentrated oxygen gas for the user. The ratio of adiabatic power to oxygen flow for the concentrator is in the range of 6.2 W/LPM to 23.0 W/LPM.

Abstract: A rechargeable breathing apparatus is disclosed including a closed breathing system for receiving exhaled air containing a CO2 adsorber for the inhaled air, a breathing bellows for receiving the inhaled air and delivery of the breathing air, and an oxygen accumulator connected to the breathing bellows and containing a reversably oxygen fixating agent and being rechargeable by bringing that agent into reaction with oxygen or air so that oxygen is fixated thereto. In one apparatus there is included a pressurized gas container and a hydrostatic valve for cooperation between the breathing bellows and the pressurized gas container.

Abstract: A self-contained open-circuit breathing apparatus for use within a body of water naturally containing dissolved air. The apparatus is adapted to provide breathable air to a diver. The apparatus comprises an inlet means for extracting a quantity of water from the body of water. It further comprises a separator for separating the dissolved air from the quantity of water, thereby obtaining the breathable air. The apparatus further comprises a first outlet means for expelling the separated water back into the body of water, and a second outlet means for removing the breathable air and supplying it for breathing. The air is supplied so as to enable all of it to be expelled back into the body of water after it has been breathed.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to a portable oxygen concentrator system adapted to be transported by a user. The portable oxygen concentrator system includes an energy source, an air separation device powered by the energy source and adapted to convert ambient air into concentrated oxygen gas for the user, at least one sensor adapted to sense one or more conditions indicative of the oxygen gas needs of the user, and a control unit interrelated with the air separation device and the at least one sensor to control the air separation device so as to supply an amount of oxygen gas equivalent to the oxygen gas needs of the user based at least in part upon the one or more conditions sensed by the at least one sensor.

Abstract: A portable oxygen concentrator system adapted to be readily transported by a user includes a rechargeable energy source and a concentrator powered by the energy source. The concentrator converts ambient air into concentrated oxygen gas for the user and includes a plurality of adsorption beds and a rotary valve assembly. The rotary valve assembly is relatively rotatable with respect to the plurality of adsorption beds to provide valving action for selectively transferring fluids through the plurality of adsorption beds for converting ambient air into concentrated oxygen gas for the user. The ratio of adiabatic power to oxygen flow for the concentrator is in the range of 6.2 W/LPM to 23.0 W/LPM.

Abstract: A closed circuit breathing apparatus comprising: a container containing a reactant for reacting with carbon dioxide and water to produce oxygen gas; a housing for the container; a foldable breathing bag and breathing tube assembly, including a mouthpiece disposed on the breathing bag, in gas-flow communication with the container; a cover for containing the folded breathing bag and breathing tube assembly; a strap for removably securing the cover onto the apparatus; and a chlorate candle for providing an initial volume of oxygen gas to the breathing bag wherein the breathing bag and breathing tube assembly is unfolded and the chlorate candle automatically fired by a user donning the mouthpiece.

Abstract: An apparatus for supplying respiratory gas to a parachute jumper includes a mask which can be worn by the parachute jumper and a first respiratory gas reservoir includes a pressurized-gas vessel containing respiratory gas. The pressurized-gas vessel has an adjustable metering valve for metering respiratory gas contained in the pressurized vessel. A breathing hose connects the metering valve to the mask for conducting the respiratory gas to the mask. A second respiratory-gas reservoir contains a solid-state oxygen generator and has a manually-actuable starting device for the solid-state oxygen generator. The second respiratory-gas reservoir is connected to the breathing hose.

Abstract: A self-contained system which converts nitrous oxide to a breathable gas mixture of nitrogen and oxygen. In the preferred embodiment of the present invention, a portable system is disclosed wherein liquefied nitrous oxide is converted to a breathable gas mixture of nitrogen and oxygen. The decomposition occurs over a catalyst bed which is all contained in a small reactor. The invention is useful for underwater, fire fighting and outer space applications.

Abstract: An inhaler device for administration of a dry powder to a patient includes a package containing a dose of the dry powder and a magnetic field generator, which produces a magnetic field in a vicinity of the package. The magnetic field causes motion of particles of the powder so as to deaggregate the powder in the package, whereby the powder is inhaled by the patient. Preferably, the package includes walls made of a flexible material, which vibrate under the influence of the magnetic field so as to impart the motion to the particles.

Abstract: This disclosure is directed to a backpack comprising a frame with straps and surrounding side wall for easy attachment on a diver. A first gas storage tank stores either oxygen or air, which is input through an inlet line. With a pressure regulator, it delivers a flow of gas to feed the diver while diving. As the pressure drops in the gas tank, a secondary source of oxygen is then operated and delivers a flow of oxygen to the diver so that the diver is able to receive supplemental oxygen stored in the gas storage tank formed by electric current flowing through a pair of spaced terminals. The terminals form oxygen by disassociation of water. The oxygen is bubbled upwardly in a chamber, pass though a hydrophobic valve, delivered into the gas storage tank, and supplements the oxygen supply.

Abstract: A handy oxygen generator containing an oxygen generating agent which reacts with water to evolve oxygen can arbitrarily supply plenty of oxygen under all circumstances at any time. The oxygen generator can be efficiently used particularly in life-threatening emergencies such as a fire and other accidents or when climbing a mountain or playing a sport. The oxygen generator may be formed of a sealed container partitioned into two chambers separately containing water and the oxygen generating agent, so that the separately contained oxygen generating agent and water can be mixed to react with each other by easily breaking the partition with an external pressure force. The oxygen generator containing beforehand the water along with the oxygen generating agent is very convenient to carry because it has no need of procuring water.