GB2544295A - Improvements in or relating to gas generating apparatus - Google Patents

Improvements in or relating to gas generating apparatus Download PDF

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Publication number
GB2544295A
GB2544295A GB1519883.1A GB201519883A GB2544295A GB 2544295 A GB2544295 A GB 2544295A GB 201519883 A GB201519883 A GB 201519883A GB 2544295 A GB2544295 A GB 2544295A
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United Kingdom
Prior art keywords
air
unit
gas
air intake
housing
Prior art date
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Granted
Application number
GB1519883.1A
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GB2544295B (en
GB201519883D0 (en
Inventor
Joseph Mcdermott James
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PEAK SCIENT INSTR Ltd
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PEAK SCIENT INSTR Ltd
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Priority to GB1519883.1A priority Critical patent/GB2544295B/en
Publication of GB201519883D0 publication Critical patent/GB201519883D0/en
Publication of GB2544295A publication Critical patent/GB2544295A/en
Application granted granted Critical
Publication of GB2544295B publication Critical patent/GB2544295B/en
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Classifications

    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B01—PHYSICAL OR CHEMICAL PROCESSES OR APPARATUS IN GENERAL
    • B01D—SEPARATION
    • B01D53/00—Separation of gases or vapours; Recovering vapours of volatile solvents from gases; Chemical or biological purification of waste gases, e.g. engine exhaust gases, smoke, fumes, flue gases, aerosols
    • B01D53/22—Separation of gases or vapours; Recovering vapours of volatile solvents from gases; Chemical or biological purification of waste gases, e.g. engine exhaust gases, smoke, fumes, flue gases, aerosols by diffusion
    • B01D53/225—Multiple stage diffusion
    • B01D53/227—Multiple stage diffusion in parallel connexion
    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B01—PHYSICAL OR CHEMICAL PROCESSES OR APPARATUS IN GENERAL
    • B01D—SEPARATION
    • B01D53/00—Separation of gases or vapours; Recovering vapours of volatile solvents from gases; Chemical or biological purification of waste gases, e.g. engine exhaust gases, smoke, fumes, flue gases, aerosols
    • B01D53/22—Separation of gases or vapours; Recovering vapours of volatile solvents from gases; Chemical or biological purification of waste gases, e.g. engine exhaust gases, smoke, fumes, flue gases, aerosols by diffusion
    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B01—PHYSICAL OR CHEMICAL PROCESSES OR APPARATUS IN GENERAL
    • B01D—SEPARATION
    • B01D46/00—Filters or filtering processes specially modified for separating dispersed particles from gases or vapours
    • B01D46/0039—Filters or filtering processes specially modified for separating dispersed particles from gases or vapours with flow guiding by feed or discharge devices
    • B01D46/0047—Filters or filtering processes specially modified for separating dispersed particles from gases or vapours with flow guiding by feed or discharge devices for discharging the filtered gas
    • B01D46/0049—Filters or filtering processes specially modified for separating dispersed particles from gases or vapours with flow guiding by feed or discharge devices for discharging the filtered gas containing fixed gas displacement elements or cores
    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B01—PHYSICAL OR CHEMICAL PROCESSES OR APPARATUS IN GENERAL
    • B01D—SEPARATION
    • B01D53/00—Separation of gases or vapours; Recovering vapours of volatile solvents from gases; Chemical or biological purification of waste gases, e.g. engine exhaust gases, smoke, fumes, flue gases, aerosols
    • B01D53/02—Separation of gases or vapours; Recovering vapours of volatile solvents from gases; Chemical or biological purification of waste gases, e.g. engine exhaust gases, smoke, fumes, flue gases, aerosols by adsorption, e.g. preparative gas chromatography
    • B01D53/04—Separation of gases or vapours; Recovering vapours of volatile solvents from gases; Chemical or biological purification of waste gases, e.g. engine exhaust gases, smoke, fumes, flue gases, aerosols by adsorption, e.g. preparative gas chromatography with stationary adsorbents
    • B01D53/047—Pressure swing adsorption
    • B01D53/053—Pressure swing adsorption with storage or buffer vessel
    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B01—PHYSICAL OR CHEMICAL PROCESSES OR APPARATUS IN GENERAL
    • B01D—SEPARATION
    • B01D53/00—Separation of gases or vapours; Recovering vapours of volatile solvents from gases; Chemical or biological purification of waste gases, e.g. engine exhaust gases, smoke, fumes, flue gases, aerosols
    • B01D53/26—Drying gases or vapours
    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B01—PHYSICAL OR CHEMICAL PROCESSES OR APPARATUS IN GENERAL
    • B01D—SEPARATION
    • B01D53/00—Separation of gases or vapours; Recovering vapours of volatile solvents from gases; Chemical or biological purification of waste gases, e.g. engine exhaust gases, smoke, fumes, flue gases, aerosols
    • B01D53/26—Drying gases or vapours
    • B01D53/268—Drying gases or vapours by diffusion
    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B01—PHYSICAL OR CHEMICAL PROCESSES OR APPARATUS IN GENERAL
    • B01D—SEPARATION
    • B01D53/00—Separation of gases or vapours; Recovering vapours of volatile solvents from gases; Chemical or biological purification of waste gases, e.g. engine exhaust gases, smoke, fumes, flue gases, aerosols
    • B01D53/22—Separation of gases or vapours; Recovering vapours of volatile solvents from gases; Chemical or biological purification of waste gases, e.g. engine exhaust gases, smoke, fumes, flue gases, aerosols by diffusion
    • B01D2053/221—Devices
    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B01—PHYSICAL OR CHEMICAL PROCESSES OR APPARATUS IN GENERAL
    • B01D—SEPARATION
    • B01D2253/00—Adsorbents used in seperation treatment of gases and vapours
    • B01D2253/10—Inorganic adsorbents
    • B01D2253/102—Carbon
    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B01—PHYSICAL OR CHEMICAL PROCESSES OR APPARATUS IN GENERAL
    • B01D—SEPARATION
    • B01D2253/00—Adsorbents used in seperation treatment of gases and vapours
    • B01D2253/10—Inorganic adsorbents
    • B01D2253/116—Molecular sieves other than zeolites
    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B01—PHYSICAL OR CHEMICAL PROCESSES OR APPARATUS IN GENERAL
    • B01D—SEPARATION
    • B01D2256/00—Main component in the product gas stream after treatment
    • B01D2256/10—Nitrogen
    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B01—PHYSICAL OR CHEMICAL PROCESSES OR APPARATUS IN GENERAL
    • B01D—SEPARATION
    • B01D2256/00—Main component in the product gas stream after treatment
    • B01D2256/12—Oxygen
    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B01—PHYSICAL OR CHEMICAL PROCESSES OR APPARATUS IN GENERAL
    • B01D—SEPARATION
    • B01D2258/00—Sources of waste gases
    • B01D2258/06—Polluted air
    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B01—PHYSICAL OR CHEMICAL PROCESSES OR APPARATUS IN GENERAL
    • B01D—SEPARATION
    • B01D2259/00—Type of treatment
    • B01D2259/40—Further details for adsorption processes and devices
    • B01D2259/404—Further details for adsorption processes and devices using four beds

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  • Chemical & Material Sciences (AREA)
  • Chemical Kinetics & Catalysis (AREA)
  • Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
  • Analytical Chemistry (AREA)
  • General Chemical & Material Sciences (AREA)
  • Oil, Petroleum & Natural Gas (AREA)
  • Compressor (AREA)

Abstract

A gas generation method and an apparatus 10 comprising an air intake unit 12, and a compressor unit 14, operable to draw atmospheric air through the air intake unit and into the compressor unit. The apparatus also includes an air filter unit 16, such as membrane filters configured to filter the compressed atmospheric air from the compressor unit and a gas storage tank 18, configured to receive and store the compressed filtered gas such as nitrogen from the air filter unit. A gas feedback circuit 20 is configured to allow at least a portion of gas to be fed back to the air intake unit. Also claimed is a further invention directed to a gas generation apparatus, an air intake unit and a method of generating gas, characterised by a housing having an air intake port and an air output port; a first air filter unit located between the air intake port and the air output port; and an air deflector. The apparatus may be used to filter out different gas components of atmospheric air.

Description

Improvements in or relating to gas generating apparatus
The present invention relates to a gas generation apparatus, an air intake unit for a gas generation apparatus and a method of operating the same.
Gas generation apparatuses including air intake units, compressor units, air filter units and gas storage tanks are known. While such apparatuses are capable of generating filtered atmospheric air, their operation is limited, as they are often inefficient and have relatively short intervals between servicing.
The present inventor has appreciated the shortcomings in the above-described apparatus and systems.
According to a first aspect of the present invention there is provided a gas generation apparatus comprising: an air intake unit; a compressor unit, the compressor unit being operable draw atmospheric air through the air intake unit and into the compressor unit; an air filter unit, the air filter unit being configured to filter the compressed atmospheric air from the compressor unit; a gas storage tank, the gas storage tank being configured to receive and store the compressed filtered gas from the air filter unit; and a gas feedback circuit, the gas feedback circuit being configured to allow at least a portion of gas to be fed back to the air intake unit.
The air intake unit may include a housing. The housing may include an air intake port and an air output port. The air intake port may be located towards a lower portion of the housing. The air output port may be located towards an upper portion of the housing.
The housing may be a two-piece unit. The lower portion of the housing may be a first piece of the housing and the upper portion of the housing may be a second piece of the housing. The two sections of the housing may be detachably connected to one another. The two sections of the housing may be sealed in connection with one another.
The air intake port may include an air intake conduit. The air intake conduit may extend from the air intake port to the inside of the housing. The air intake conduit may terminate at an air intake exit port. The air intake exit port may be located in the lower portion of the housing.
The air intake exit port may be face towards the upper portion of the housing.
The air intake exit port may be positioned in the housing such that it is offset from a centre point of the housing.
The housing may include longitudinal and lateral axes when viewed in plan. The longitudinal and lateral axes may pass through a centre point of the housing when viewed in plan. The air intake exit port may be positioned on one side of the longitudinal and/or lateral axis.
The housing may be substantially circular in cross section when viewed in plan. The air intake exit port may be positioned in the housing such that it is offset from a centre point of the housing.
The air intake exit port may be positioned on the same side of the longitudinal and/or lateral axis than the air intake port.
The air output port may include an air output conduit. The air output conduit may extend from an air output entrance port inside the housing to the air output port.
The housing may define the air intake conduit and/or the air output conduit.
The housing may further include an air deflector. The air deflector may be configured to deflect air towards the air output port in use. The air deflector may therefore be configured such that, in use, the air deflector directs air flowing through the housing towards the air output port. The air deflector may include at least part of a conical surface. The air deflector may include a conical surface. The air deflector may be configured such that the tip of the cone is located at or adjacent to the air output port. The air deflector may be configured to direct the air flowing through the housing towards the air output port. In this arrangement the air deflector may channel or funnel the air over the conical surface towards the air output port. The air deflector may include at least part of an elliptical surface. The air deflector may include at least part of a truncated elliptical surface.
The housing of the air intake unit may define the air deflector. The air deflector may be integrally formed with the housing.
The air deflector may include one or more fin portions or protrusions. The one or more fin portions or protrusions may be configured such that they create at least a partial helical-shaped, or curved surface. The at least partial helical-shaped, or curved surface may be configured to assist in directing air towards the air output port in use. The one or more fin portions or protrusions may assist in the deflection of the air in use. The one or more fin portions or protrusions may support the air deflector.
The housing may include two or more air output ports. Each output port may be connectable to a separate compressor unit.
The housing may include two air output ports. The housing may include three air output ports. The housing may include four air output ports.
The air output ports may be located towards the upper portion of the housing.
The air output ports may face upwards from the housing.
Each air output port may include an air output conduit. The air output conduit may extend from an air output entrance port inside the housing to the air output port. The housing may define the air output conduits.
The air output ports may be located on the top of the upper portion of the housing. The air output ports may be arranged such that they protrude from the upper portion of the housing by a substantially equal amount.
The air output ports may be arranged such that they protrude from the top of the upper portion of the housing by a substantially equal amount. The air output ports may be arranged in a planar form on the upper portion of the housing. That is, the air output ports may be arranged such that they all lie substantially on the same plane. The air output ports may be symmetrically arranged on the upper portion of the housing.
The air deflector may be configured to deflect air towards each air output port in use. The air deflector may therefore be configured such that, in use, the air deflector directs air flowing through the housing towards each air output port. The air deflector may be configured to deflect a substantially equal amount of air towards each air output port in use.
The housing may include two or more air deflectors. Each air deflector may be configured to deflect air towards a specific air output port in use. The air deflectors may therefore be configured such that, in use, the air deflectors directs air flowing through the housing towards a specific air output port. The air deflectors may be configured to direct a substantially equal amount of air towards each air output port in use. The air deflectors may be integrally formed with the housing.
The air deflector may include at least part of a conical surface. The air deflector may include a conical surface. The air deflector may be configured such that the base of the cone is located at or adjacent to the air output ports. The air deflector may be configured to direct the air flowing through the housing towards the air output ports. In this arrangement the air deflector may split or divide the air flowing over the conical surface towards the air output ports.
The housing of the air intake unit may define the air deflectors.
The air deflector may include one or more fin portions or protrusions. The one or more fin portions or protrusions may be configured such that they create at least a partial helical-shaped, or curved surface. The at least partial helical-shaped, or curved surface may be configured to assist in directing air towards the air output ports in use. The one or more fin portions or protrusions may assist in the deflection of the air in use. The one or more fin portions or protrusions may be located on the partial conical surface or on the conical surface.
The air intake unit may further comprise a gas feedback input port. The gas feedback input port may be located in the upper portion of the housing. The gas feedback input port may be located in the upper portion of the housing adjacent the output port or ports. The gas feedback input port may be located in the lower portion of the housing. The gas feedback input port may be located in the lower portion of the housing adjacent the air input port.
The air intake unit may further comprise an air filter unit. The air filter unit may be located between the air intake port and the air output port. The air filter unit may be located between the air intake port and the air output ports. The air filter unit of the air intake unit may be a folding paper or polyester filter. The air filter unit of the air intake unit may be mounted in a filter housing. The filter housing may be in a sealed engagement with the inside of the housing. The filter housing may be a sealing gasket.
The gas generation apparatus may comprise two or more compressor units. Each compressor is connected to an air output port of the air intake unit. Typically, the number of compressors in the gas generation apparatus will equal the number of air output ports of the air intake unit.
The air filter unit of the gas generation apparatus may be configured to filter the compressed atmospheric air from the compressor into at least one of its constituent gas components. That is, the air filter unit of the gas generation apparatus may be configured to filter out substantially all but one of the gas components of the atmospheric air. The air filter unit of the gas generation apparatus may therefore be operable to filter out four out of the five main gases present in atmospheric air. The remaining gas present after passing the compressed atmospheric air through the air filter unit of the gas generation apparatus may therefore be nitrogen, oxygen, argon or carbon dioxide.
Additionally, or alternatively, the air filter unit of the gas generation apparatus may be configured to filter the compressed atmospheric air from the compressor to remove water and/or water vapour from the compressed atmospheric air.
The air filter unit of the gas generation apparatus may include a separator apparatus. The separator apparatus, the air separator apparatus being operable to separate the compressed atmospheric air into its constituent gas components.
The air filter unit of the gas generation apparatus may be a membrane filter. The air filter unit of the gas generation apparatus may be a carbon molecular sieve filter. The air filter unit of the gas generation apparatus may be a mol sieve filter. The air filter unit of the gas generation apparatus may be a dryer membrane filter. The air filter unit of the gas generation apparatus may be a hollow fibre membrane filter.
The gas storage tank may be connectable to a gas output circuit.
The gas storage tank and the gas feedback circuit may be configured such that a portion of filtered gas is fed back to the air intake unit once a predetermined pressure in the gas storage tank has been reached. The gas feedback circuit may be connected between the air filter unit and the gas storage tank. In this arrangement the gas storage tank may include a pressure release valve or solenoid valve located between the gas storage tank and the gas feedback circuit. The pressure release valve being operable to feed back at least a portion of filtered gas to the air intake unit once a predetermined gas pressure within the gas storage tank has been reached.
The apparatus may further comprise a heat exchange unit. The heat exchange unit may be located between the output of the compressor unit and the air filter unit. The heat exchange unit may be a cooling coil. The heat exchange unit is configured to cool the compressed atmospheric air exiting the compressor.
The apparatus may further comprise one or more coalescing filters. The coalescing filter units may be configured to remove water, water vapour and mist from the cooled compressed atmospheric air exiting the heat exchange unit. The apparatus may comprise two coalescing filters. The first coalescing filter may be configured to remove water from the cooled compressed atmospheric air exiting the heat exchange unit. The second coalescing filter may be configured to remove water vapour/mist from the cooled compressed atmospheric air exiting the heat exchange unit. The first coalescing filter may be positioned upstream of the second coalescing filter. The apparatus may include one or more drain valves. The drain valves being configured to drain the water filtered by the coalescing filters.
The apparatus may further comprise a further heat exchange unit. The further heat exchange unit may be located between the coalescing filters and the air filter unit. The further heat exchange unit may be a heating coil. The further heat exchange unit is configured to heat the compressed atmospheric air exiting the coalescing filter.
The apparatus may further comprise a moisture trap. The moisture trap may be located between the further heat exchange unit and the air filter unit. The moisture trap may be configured to collect moisture/water/water vapour exiting the further heat exchange unit.
The apparatus may further comprise a pressure release valve. The pressure release valve may be located between the moisture trap and the air filter unit. The pressure release valve may be operable to release pressure in the circuit between the compressor and the air filter unit. The pressure release valve may be selectively operable.
The apparatus may further comprise a non-return valve. The non-return valve may be located between the gas storage tank and the air filter unit. The non-return valve may be configured to prevent compressed gas in the gas storage tank flowing back along the circuit towards the compressor.
The gas feedback circuit may be located between the air filter unit and the gas storage tank. The gas feedback circuit may be located between the air filter unit and the non-return valve of the gas storage tank.
The gas feedback circuit may include a pressure release valve. The pressure release valve or solenoid valve may be located in the gas feedback circuit. The pressure release valve may be set to allow filtered gas exiting the air filter unit to be fed back to the air intake unit once a predetermined pressure has been reached in the gas storage tank.
The apparatus may further comprise a pressure release safety valve. The pressure release safety valve may be located between the gas storage tank and the gas output circuit.
The apparatus may further comprise a pressure switch or a pressure transducer. The pressure switch or pressure transducer may be located between the pressure release safety valve, or gas storage tank, and the gas output circuit. The pressure switch may be operable to control the operation of the compressor unit.
The apparatus may further comprise a pressure gauge. The pressure gauge may be located between the pressure release safety valve, or gas storage tank, and the gas output circuit.
The apparatus may further comprise a refined active carbon filter unit.
The refined active carbon filter unit may be located between the gas storage tank and the gas output circuit.
The gas output circuit may include a pressure regulator unit. The gas output circuit may include a flow restrictor unit. The gas output circuit may include a pressure regulator unit and a flow restrictor unit.
The gas output circuit may include a two or more output ports.
The gas output circuit may include two or more pressure regulator units. The gas output circuit may include two or more flow restrictor units. The gas output circuit may include two or more pressure regulator units and two or more flow restrictor units.
The gas generation apparatus may comprise two compressors and the air intake unit may include two air output ports. Each compressor may be connected to an air filter unit, each filter unit being configured to filter the compressed atmospheric air from the compressor unit. One filter unit may be operable to filter water and/or water vapour from the compressed atmospheric air and the other filter unit may be operable to filter out substantially all but one of the gas components of the atmospheric air.
Each air filter unit may be connected to a gas storage tank. A gas feedback circuit may be connected to the exit of the air filter unit that filters the compressed atmospheric gas into at least one of its constituent components to allow filtered gas to be fed back to the air intake unit. This air filter unit may be the air filter unit that produces nitrogen, oxygen, argon or carbon dioxide. That is, at least a portion of the nitrogen, oxygen, argon or carbon dioxide gas from the air filter unit is fed back to the air intake unit. Each gas storage tank also connectable to a gas output circuit.
The gas generation apparatus may comprise four compressors and the air intake unit may include four air output ports. Each compressor may be connected to an air filter unit, each filter unit being configured to filter the compressed atmospheric air from the compressor unit. Two filter units may be operable to filter water and/or water vapour from the compressed atmospheric air and the other two filter units may be operable to filter out substantially all but one of the gas components of the atmospheric air. Each of these two filter units may be operable to filter out different gas components of the atmospheric air, such that each air filter unit produces a different gas component. Each air filter unit may be connected to a gas storage tank. Gas feedback circuits may be connected to the exit of the air filter units that filter the compressed atmospheric gas into at least one of its constituent components to allow filtered gas to be fed back to the air intake unit. These air filter units may be the air filter units that produce nitrogen, oxygen, argon or carbon dioxide. That is, at least a portion of the nitrogen, oxygen, argon or carbon dioxide gas from two of the air filter units is fed back to the air intake unit. Each gas storage tank also connectable to a gas output circuit.
The gas generation apparatus may comprise a plurality of compressors and the air intake unit may include a number of air output ports that equates to the number of compressors. Each compressor may be connected to an air filter unit, each filter unit being configured to filter the compressed atmospheric air from the compressor unit. At least one filter unit may be operable to filter water and/or water vapour from the compressed atmospheric air and at least one other filter unit may be operable to filter out substantially all but one of the gas components of the atmospheric air. Each air filter unit may be connected to a gas storage tank. Gas feedback circuits may be connected to the exit of the air filter units that filter the compressed atmospheric gas into at least one of its constituent components to allow filtered gas to be fed back to the air intake unit. These air filter units may be the air filter units that produce nitrogen, oxygen, argon or carbon dioxide. That is, at least a portion of the nitrogen, oxygen, argon or carbon dioxide gas from at least one of the air filter units is fed back to the air intake unit. Each gas storage tank is also connectable to a gas output circuit.
According to a second aspect of the present invention there is provided a gas generation apparatus comprising: an air intake unit; two or more compressor units, the compressor units being operable draw atmospheric air through the air intake unit and into the compressor units; two or more air filter units, the air filter units being configured to filter the compressed atmospheric air from the compressor units; two or more gas storage tanks, the gas storage tanks being configured to receive and store the compressed filtered gas from the air filter units; and at least one gas feedback circuit, the at least one gas feedback circuit being configured to allow at least a portion of gas to be fed back to the air intake unit from at least one air filter unit.
At least one filter unit may be operable to filter water and/or water vapour from the compressed atmospheric air and at least one other filter unit may be operable to filter out substantially all but one of the gas components of the atmospheric air.
Each air filter unit may be connected to a gas storage tank.
Gas feedback circuits may be connected to the exit of the air filter units that filter the compressed atmospheric gas into at least one of its constituent components to allow filtered gas to be fed back to the air intake unit. These air filter units may be the air filter units that produce nitrogen, oxygen, argon or carbon dioxide. That is, at least a portion of the nitrogen, oxygen, argon or carbon dioxide gas from at least one of the air filter units is fed back to the air intake unit.
Each gas storage tank also connectable to a gas output circuit.
Embodiments of the second aspect of the present invention may include one or more features of the first aspect of the present invention or their embodiments.
According to a third aspect of the present invention there is provided a gas generation apparatus comprising: an air intake unit, the air intake unit comprising: a housing having an air intake port and an air output port; a first air filter unit located between the air intake port and the air output port; and an air deflector, the air deflector being configured such that, in use, the air deflector directs air flowing through the housing towards the air output port; a compressor unit, the compressor unit being connected to the output port of the air intake unit and being operable draw atmospheric air through the air intake unit and into the compressor unit; a second air filter unit, the second air filter unit being configured to filter the compressed atmospheric air from the compressor unit; and a gas storage tank, the gas storage tank being configured to receive and store the compressed filtered gas from the air filter unit.
The air intake port may be located towards a lower portion of the housing. The air output port may be located towards an upper portion of the housing.
The housing may be a two-piece unit. The lower portion of the housing may be a first piece of the housing and the upper portion of the housing may be a second piece of the housing. The two sections of the housing may be detachably connected to one another. The two sections of the housing may be sealed in connection with one another.
The air intake port may include an air intake conduit. The air intake conduit may extend from the air intake port to the inside of the housing. The air intake conduit may terminate at an air intake exit port. The air intake exit port may be located in the lower portion of the housing.
The air intake exit port may be face towards the upper portion of the housing.
The air intake exit port may be positioned in the housing such that it is offset from a centre point of the housing.
The housing may include longitudinal and lateral axes when viewed in plan. The longitudinal and lateral axes may pass through a centre point of the housing when viewed in plan. The air intake exit port may be positioned on one side of the longitudinal and/or lateral axis.
The housing may be substantially circular in cross section when viewed in plan. The air intake exit port may be positioned in the housing such that it is offset from a centre point of the housing.
The air intake exit port may be positioned on an opposite side of the longitudinal and/or lateral axis than the air intake port.
The air output port may include an air output conduit. The air output conduit may extend from an air output entrance port inside the housing to the air output port.
The housing may define the air intake conduit and/or the air output conduit.
The housing may further include an air deflector. The air deflector may be configured to deflect air towards the air output port in use. The air deflector may therefore be configured such that, in use, the air deflector directs air flowing through the housing towards the air output port.
The air deflector may include at least part of a conical surface. The air deflector may include a conical surface. The air deflector may be configured such that the tip of the cone is located at or adjacent to the air output port. The air deflector may be configured to direct the air flowing through the housing towards the air output port. In this arrangement the air deflector may channel or funnel the air flowing over the conical surface towards the air output port.
The housing of the air intake unit may define the air deflector. The air deflector may be integrally formed with the housing.
The air deflector may include one or more fin portions or protrusions. The one or more fin portions or protrusions may be configured such that they create at least a partial helical-shaped, or curved surface. The at least partial helical-shaped, or curved surface may be configured to assist in directing air towards the air output port in use. The one or more fin portions or protrusions may assist in the deflection of the air in use.
The housing may include two or more air output ports. Each output port may be connectable to a separate compressor unit.
The housing may include two air output ports. The housing may include three air output ports. The housing may include four air output ports.
The air output ports may be located towards the upper portion of the housing.
The air output ports may face upwards from the housing.
Each air output port may include an air output conduit. The air output conduit may extend from an air output entrance port inside the housing to the air output port. The housing may define the air output conduits.
The air output ports may be located on the top of the upper portion of the housing. The air output ports may be arranged such that they protrude from the upper portion of the housing by a substantially equal amount.
The air output ports may be arranged such that they protrude from the top of the upper portion of the housing by a substantially equal amount. The air output ports may be arranged in a planar form on the upper portion of the housing. That is, the air output ports may be arranged such that they all lie substantially in the same plane. The air output ports may be symmetrically arranged on the upper portion of the housing.
The air deflector may be configured to deflect air towards each air output port in use. The air deflector may therefore be configured such that, in use, the air deflector directs air flowing through the housing towards each air output port. The air deflector may be configured to deflect a substantially equal amount of air towards each air output port in use.
The housing may include two or more air deflectors. Each air deflector may be configured to deflect air towards a specific air output port in use. The air deflectors may therefore be configured such that, in use, the air deflectors directs air flowing through the housing towards a specific air output port. The air deflectors may be configured to direct a substantially equal amount of air towards each air output port in use. The air deflectors may be integrally formed with the housing.
The air deflector may include at least part of a conical surface. The air deflector may include a conical surface. The air deflector may be configured such that the base of the cone is located at or adjacent to the air output ports. The air deflector may be configured to direct the air flowing through the housing towards the air output ports. In this arrangement the air deflector may split or divide the air over the conical surface towards the air output ports.
The housing of the air intake unit may define the air deflectors.
The air deflector may include one or more fin portions or protrusions. The one or more fin portions or protrusions may be configured such that they create at least a partial helical-shaped, or curved surface. The at least partial helical-shaped, or curved surface may be configured to assist in directing air towards the air output ports in use. The one or more fin portions or protrusions may assist in the deflection of the air in use. The one or more fin portions or protrusions may be located on the partial conical surface or on the conical surface.
The air intake unit may further comprise a gas feedback input port. The gas feedback input port may be located in the upper portion of the housing. The gas feedback input port may be located in the upper portion of the housing adjacent the output port or ports. The gas feedback input port may be located in the lower portion of the housing. The gas feedback input port may be located in the lower portion of the housing adjacent the air input port.
The air intake unit may further comprise an air filter unit. The air filter unit may be located between the air intake port and the air output port. The air filter unit may be located between the air intake port and the air output ports. The air filter unit of the air intake unit may be a folding paper or polyester filter. The air filter unit of the air intake unit may be mounted in a filter housing. The filter housing may be in a sealed engagement with the inside of the housing. The filter housing may be a sealing gasket.
The apparatus may further comprise a gas feedback circuit, the gas feedback circuit being configured to allow at least a portion of gas to be fed back to the air intake unit.
The gas generation apparatus may comprise two or more compressor units. Each compressor is connected to an air output port of the air intake unit. Typically, the number of compressors in the gas generation apparatus will equal the number of air output ports of the air intake unit.
The air filter unit of the gas generation apparatus may be configured to filter the compressed atmospheric air from the compressor into at least one of its constituent gas components. That is, the air filter unit of the gas generation apparatus may be configured to filter out substantially all but one of the gas components of the atmospheric air. The air filter unit of the gas generation apparatus may therefore be operable to selectively filter out four out of the five main gases present in atmospheric air. The remaining gas present after passing the compressed atmospheric air through the air filter unit of the gas generation apparatus may therefore be nitrogen, oxygen, argon or carbon dioxide.
Additionally, or alternatively, the air filter unit of the gas generation apparatus may be configured to filter the compressed atmospheric air from the compressor to remove water and/or water vapour from the compressed atmospheric air.
The air filter unit of the gas generation apparatus may include a separator apparatus. The separator apparatus, the air separator apparatus being operable to separate the compressed atmospheric air into its constituent gas components.
The air filter unit of the gas generation apparatus may be a membrane filter. The air filter unit of the gas generation apparatus may be a carbon molecular sieve filter. The air filter unit of the gas generation apparatus may be a mol sieve filter. The air filter unit of the gas generation apparatus may be a dryer membrane filter. The air filter unit of the gas generation apparatus may be a hollow fibre membrane filter.
The gas storage tank may be connectable to a gas output circuit.
The gas storage tank and the gas feedback circuit may be configured such that a portion of filtered gas is fed back to the air intake unit once a predetermined pressure in the gas storage tank has been reached. The gas feedback circuit may be connected between the air filter unit and the gas storage tank. In this arrangement the gas storage tank may include a pressure release valve located between the gas storage tank and the gas feedback circuit. The pressure release valve being operable to feed back at least a portion of filtered gas to the air intake unit once a predetermined gas pressure within the gas storage tank has been reached.
The apparatus may further comprise a heat exchange unit. The heat exchange unit may be located between the output of the compressor unit and the air filter unit. The heat exchange unit may be a cooling coil. The heat exchange unit is configured to cool the compressed atmospheric air exiting the compressor.
The apparatus may further comprise one or more coalescing filters. The coalescing filter units may be configured to remove water, water vapour and mist from the cooled compressed atmospheric air exiting the heat exchange unit. The apparatus may comprise two coalescing filters. The first coalescing filter may be configured to remove water from the cooled compressed atmospheric air exiting the heat exchange unit. The second coalescing filter may be configured to remove water vapour/mist from the cooled compressed atmospheric air exiting the heat exchange unit. The first coalescing filter may be positioned upstream of the second coalescing filter. The apparatus may include one or more drain valves. The drain valves being configured to drain the water filtered by the coalescing filters.
The apparatus may further comprise a further heat exchange unit. The further heat exchange unit may be located between the coalescing filters and the air filter unit. The further heat exchange unit may be a heating coil. The further heat exchange unit is configured to heat the compressed atmospheric air exiting the coalescing filter.
The apparatus may further comprise a moisture trap. The moisture trap may be located between the further heat exchange unit and the air filter unit. The moisture trap may be configured to collect moisture/water/water vapour exiting the further heat exchange unit.
The apparatus may further comprise a pressure release valve. The pressure release valve may be located between the moisture trap and the air filter unit. The pressure release valve may be operable to release pressure in the circuit between the compressor and the air filter unit. The pressure release valve may be selectively operable.
The apparatus may further comprise a non-return valve. The non-return valve may be located between the gas storage tank and the air filter unit. The non-return valve may be configured to prevent compressed gas in the gas storage tank flowing back along the circuit towards the compressor.
The gas feedback circuit may be located between the air filter unit and the gas storage tank. The gas feedback circuit may be located between the air filter unit and the non-return valve of the gas storage tank.
The gas feedback circuit may include a pressure release valve. The pressure release valve may be located in the gas feedback circuit. The pressure release valve may be set to allow filtered gas exiting the air filter unit to be fed back to the air intake unit once a predetermined pressure has been reached in the gas storage tank.
The apparatus may further comprise a pressure release safety valve. The pressure release safety valve may be located between the gas storage tank and the gas output circuit.
The apparatus may further comprise a pressure switch. The pressure switch may be located between the pressure release safety valve, or gas storage tank, and the gas output circuit. The pressure switch may be operable to control the operation of the compressor unit.
The apparatus may further comprise a pressure gauge. The pressure gauge may be located between the pressure release safety valve, or gas storage tank, and the gas output circuit.
The apparatus may further comprise a refined active carbon filter unit.
The refined active carbon filter unit may be located between the gas storage tank and the gas output circuit.
The gas output circuit may include a pressure regulator unit. The gas output circuit may include a flow restrictor unit. The gas output circuit may include a pressure regulator unit and a flow restrictor unit.
The gas output circuit may include a two or more output ports.
The gas output circuit may include two or more pressure regulator units. The gas output circuit may include two or more flow restrictor units. The gas output circuit may include two or more pressure regulator units and two or more flow restrictor units.
The gas generation apparatus may comprise two compressors and the air intake unit may include two air output ports. Each compressor may be connected to an air filter unit, each filter unit being configured to filter the compressed atmospheric air from the compressor unit. One filter unit may be operable to filter water and/or water vapour from the compressed atmospheric air and the other filter unit may be operable to filter out substantially all but one of the gas components of the atmospheric air. Each air filter unit may be connected to a gas storage tank. A gas feedback circuit may be connected to the exit of the air filter unit that filters the compressed atmospheric gas into at least one of its constituent components to allow filtered gas to be fed back to the air intake unit. This air filter unit may be the air filter unit that produces nitrogen, oxygen, argon or carbon dioxide. That is, at least a portion of the nitrogen, oxygen, argon or carbon dioxide gas from the air filter unit is fed back to the air intake unit. Each gas storage tank also connectable to a gas output circuit.
The gas generation apparatus may comprise four compressors and the air intake unit may include four air output ports. Each compressor may be connected to an air filter unit, each filter unit being configured to filter the compressed atmospheric air from the compressor unit. Two filter units may be operable to filter water and/or water vapour from the compressed atmospheric air and the other two filter units may be operable to filter out substantially all but one of the gas components of the atmospheric air. Each of these two filter units may be operable to filter out different gas components of the atmospheric air, such that each air filter unit produces a different gas component. Each air filter unit may be connected to a gas storage tank. Gas feedback circuits may be connected to the exit of the air filter units that filter the compressed atmospheric gas into at least one of its constituent components to allow filtered gas to be fed back to the air intake unit. These air filter units may be the air filter units that produce nitrogen, oxygen, argon or carbon dioxide. That is, at least a portion of the nitrogen, oxygen, argon or carbon dioxide gas from two of the air filter units is fed back to the air intake unit. Each gas storage tank also connectable to a gas output circuit.
The gas generation apparatus may comprise a plurality of compressors and the air intake unit may include a number of air output ports that equates to the number of compressors. Each compressor may be connected to an air filter unit, each filter unit being configured to filter the compressed atmospheric air from the compressor unit. At least one filter unit may be operable to filter water and/or water vapour from the compressed atmospheric air and at least one other filter unit may be operable to filter out substantially all but one of the gas components of the atmospheric air. Each air filter unit may be connected to a gas storage tank. Gas feedback circuits may be connected to the exit of the air filter units that filter the compressed atmospheric gas into at least one of its constituent components to allow filtered gas to be fed back to the air intake unit. These air filter units may be the air filter units that produce nitrogen, oxygen, argon or carbon dioxide. That is, at least a portion of the nitrogen, oxygen, argon or carbon dioxide gas from at least one of the air filter units is fed back to the air intake unit. Each gas storage tank also connectable to a gas output circuit.
Embodiments of the third aspect of the present invention may include one or more features of the first or second aspects of the present invention or their embodiments.
According to a fourth aspect of the present invention there is provided a gas generation apparatus comprising: an air intake unit, the air intake unit comprising: a housing having an air intake port and two or more air output ports; a first air filter unit located between the air intake port and the air output ports; and an air deflector, the air deflector being configured such that, in use, the air deflector directs air flowing through the housing towards the air output ports; two or more compressor units, the compressor units being connected to the output ports of the air intake unit and being operable draw atmospheric air through the air intake unit and into the compressor units; a second air filter unit, the second air filter unit being configured to filter the compressed atmospheric air from the compressor units; and at least one gas storage tank, the at least one gas storage tank being configured to receive and store the compressed filtered gas from the air filter units.
Embodiments of the fourth aspect of the present invention may include one or more features of the first, second or third aspects of the present invention or their embodiments.
According to a fifth aspect of the present invention there is provided an air intake unit for a gas generation apparatus comprising: a housing having an air intake port and an air output port; an air filter unit located between the air intake port and the air output port; and an air deflector, the air deflector being configured such that, in use, the air deflector directs air flowing through the housing towards the air output port.
The air intake port may be located towards a lower portion of the housing. The air output port may be located towards an upper portion of the housing.
The housing may be a two-piece unit. The lower portion of the housing may be a first piece of the housing and the upper portion of the housing may be a second piece of the housing. The two sections of the housing may be detachably connected to one another. The two sections of the housing may be sealed in connection with one another.
The air intake port may include an air intake conduit. The air intake conduit may extend from the air intake port to the inside of the housing. The air intake conduit may terminate at an air intake exit port. The air intake exit port may be located in the lower portion of the housing.
The air intake exit port may be face towards the upper portion of the housing.
The air intake exit port may be positioned in the housing such that it is offset from a centre point of the housing.
The housing may include longitudinal and lateral axes when viewed in plan. The longitudinal and lateral axes may pass through a centre point of the housing when viewed in plan. The air intake exit port may be positioned on one side of the longitudinal and/or lateral axis.
The housing may be substantially circular in cross section when viewed in plan. The air intake exit port may be positioned in the housing such that it is offset from a centre point of the housing.
The air intake exit port may be positioned on an opposite side of the longitudinal and/or lateral axis than the air intake port.
The air output port may include an air output conduit. The air output conduit may extend from an air output entrance port inside the housing to the air output port.
The housing may define the air intake conduit and/or the air output conduit.
The housing may further include an air deflector. The air deflector may be configured to deflect air towards the air output port in use. The air deflector may therefore be configured such that, in use, the air deflector directs air flowing through the housing towards the air output port.
The air deflector may include at least part of a conical surface. The air deflector may include a conical surface. The air deflector may be configured such that the tip of the cone is located at or adjacent to the air output port. The air deflector may be configured to direct the air flowing through the housing towards the air output port. In this arrangement the air deflector may channel or funnel the air over the conical surface towards the air output port.
The housing of the air intake unit may define the air deflector. The air deflector may be integrally formed with the housing.
The air deflector may include one or more fin portions or protrusions. The one or more fin portions or protrusions may be configured such that they create at least a partial helical-shaped, or curved surface. The at least partial helical-shaped, or curved surface may be configured to assist in directing air towards the air output port in use. The one or more fin portions or protrusions may assist in the deflection of the air in use.
The housing may include two or more air output ports. Each output port may be connectable to a compressor unit. Each output port may be connectable to a separate compressor unit.
The housing may include two air output ports. The housing may include three air output ports. The housing may include four air output ports.
The air output ports may be located towards the upper portion of the housing.
The air output ports may face upwards from the housing.
Each air output port may include an air output conduit. The air output conduit may extend from an air output entrance port inside the housing to the air output port. The housing may define the air output conduits.
The air output ports may be located on the top of the upper portion of the housing. The air output ports may be arranged such that they protrude from the upper portion of the housing by a substantially equal amount.
The air output ports may be arranged such that they protrude from the top of the upper portion of the housing by a substantially equal amount. The air output ports may be arranged in a planar form on the upper portion of the housing. That is, the air output ports may be arranged such that they all lie substantially in the same plane. The air output ports may be symmetrically arranged on the upper portion of the housing.
The air deflector may be configured to deflect air towards each air output port in use. The air deflector may therefore be configured such that, in use, the air deflector directs air flowing through the housing towards each air output port. The air deflector may be configured to deflect a substantially equal amount of air towards each air output port in use.
The housing may include two or more air deflectors. Each air deflector may be configured to deflect air towards a specific air output port in use. The air deflectors may therefore be configured such that, in use, the air deflectors directs air flowing through the housing towards a specific air output port. The air deflectors may be configured to direct a substantially equal amount of air towards each air output port in use. The air deflectors may be integrally formed with the housing.
The air deflector may include at least part of a conical surface. The air deflector may include a conical surface. The air deflector may be configured such that the base of the cone is located at or adjacent to the air output ports. The air deflector may be configured to direct the air flowing through the housing towards the air output ports. In this arrangement the air deflector may split or divide the air over the conical surface towards the air output ports.
The housing of the air intake unit may define the air deflectors.
The air deflector may include one or more fin portions or protrusions. The one or more fin portions or protrusions may be configured such that they create at least a partial helical-shaped, or curved surface. The at least partial helical-shaped, or curved surface may be configured to assist in directing air towards the air output ports in use. The one or more fin portions or protrusions may assist in the deflection of the air in use. The one or more fin portions or protrusions may be located on the partial conical surface or on the conical surface.
The air intake unit may further comprise a gas feedback input port. The gas feedback input port may be located in the upper portion of the housing. The gas feedback input port may be located in the upper portion of the housing adjacent the output port or ports. The gas feedback input port may be located in the lower portion of the housing. The gas feedback input port may be located in the lower portion of the housing adjacent the air input port.
The air intake unit may further comprise an air filter unit. The air filter unit may be located between the air intake port and the air output port. The air filter unit may be located between the air intake port and the air output ports. The air filter unit of the air intake unit may be a folding paper or polyester filter. The air filter unit of the air intake unit may be mounted in a filter housing. The filter housing may be in a sealed engagement with the inside of the housing. The filter housing may be a sealing gasket.
Embodiments of the fifth aspect of the present invention may include one or more features of the first, second, third or fourth aspects of the present invention or their embodiments.
According to a sixth aspect of the present invention there is provided a method of generating gas comprising the steps of: providing a gas generation system comprising: an air intake unit; a compressor unit, the compressor unit being operable draw atmospheric air through the air intake unit and into the compressor unit; an air filter unit, the air filter unit being configured to filter the compressed atmospheric air from the compressor unit; a gas storage tank, the gas storage tank being configured to receive and store the compressed filtered gas from the air filter unit; and a gas feedback circuit, the gas feedback circuit being configured to allow at least a portion of gas to be fed back to the air intake unit; operating the compressor unit to draw atmospheric air through the air intake unit into the compressor unit; filtering the compressed atmospheric air from the compressor unit with the air filter unit; storing the filtered gas from the air filter unit in the gas storage tank; and selectively feeding back at least a portion of the filtered gas from the air filter unit to the air intake unit.
The filtered gas may be fed back to the air intake unit once a predetermined pressure has been reached in the gas storage tank.
Embodiments of the sixth aspect of the present invention may include one or more features of the first, second, third, fourth or fifth aspects of the present invention or their embodiments.
According to a seventh aspect of the present invention there is provided a method of generating gas comprising the steps of: providing a gas generation system comprising: an air intake unit, the air intake unit comprising: a housing having an air intake port and an air output port; a first air filter unit located between the air intake port and the air output port; and an air deflector, the air deflector being configured such that, in use, the air deflector directs air flowing through the housing towards the air output port; a compressor unit, the compressor unit being connected to the output port of the air intake unit and being operable draw atmospheric air through the air intake unit and into the compressor unit; a second air filter unit, the second air filter unit being configured to filter the compressed atmospheric air from the compressor unit; and a gas storage tank, the gas storage tank being configured to receive and store the compressed filtered gas from the air filter unit; operating the compressor unit to draw atmospheric air through the air intake unit into the compressor unit; filtering the compressed atmospheric air from the compressor unit with the air filter unit; and storing the filtered gas from the air filter unit in the gas storage tank.
The apparatus may further comprise a gas feedback circuit, the gas feedback circuit being configured to allow at least a portion of gas to be fed back to the air intake unit.
The method may comprise the further step of selectively feeding back at least a portion of the filtered gas from the air filter unit to the air intake unit.
The filtered gas may be fed back to the air intake unit once a predetermined pressure has been reached in the gas storage tank.
Embodiments of the seventh aspect of the present invention may include one or more features of the first, second, third, fourth, fifth or sixth aspects of the present invention or their embodiments.
Brief description of the drawings
Embodiments of the invention will now be described, by way of example, with reference to the drawings, in which:
Fig. 1 is a schematic view of an example of a gas generation system in accordance with the present invention;
Figs. 2a to 2u illustrate various views of an air intake unit in accordance with the present invention;
Figs. 3a to 3I illustrate an alternate arrangement of the air intake unit of the present invention;
Figs. 4a to 4I illustrate a further alternate arrangement of the air intake unit of the present invention; and
Figs. 5a to 5m illustrate a further alternate arrangement of the air intake unit of the present invention.
Description of preferred embodiments
With reference to Figs. 1 to 2u, a gas generation apparatus 10 is illustrated. The gas generation apparatus 10 includes an air intake unit 12, a compressor unit 14, an air filter unit 16 (an example of a second air filter unit) and a gas storage tank 18. The gas generation apparatus 10 also includes a gas feedback circuit 20.
In the embodiment illustrated and described here the gas generation apparatus 10 includes four compressor units 14, with each compressor unit 14 being connected to a single air intake unit 12. Each compressor unit 14 has an associated air filter unit 16 and gas storage tank 18. As described further below, the gas generation apparatus 10 includes two gas feedback circuits 20. However, it should be appreciated that the gas generation apparatus 10 may include any required number of compressor units 14 and air filter units 16, as desired by the user.
With reference to Figs. 1 and 2a to 2u, the air intake unit 12 includes a housing 12a. The housing 12a includes an upper portion 12b and a lower portion 12c. An air intake port 12d is located in the lower portion 12c of the housing 12a and four air output ports 12e are located in the upper portion upper portion 12b of the housing 12a. In the embodiment illustrated and described here the air intake unit 12 includes four air output ports 12e, as each compressor unit 14 requires a supply of air. However, as described above, it should be appreciated that the air intake unit 12 may include any required number of air output ports 12e, as desired by the user. The number of air output ports 12e of the air intake unit will generally match the number of compressor units 14 used in the gas generation apparatus 10.
As best illustrated in Figs. 2c, 2h, 2j, 2o and 2u, the upper portion 12b and the lower portion 12c of the housing 12a are detachably connected to one another via engagement slots 12f and protrusions 12g. The two portions, or sections, 12b, 12c of the housing 12a are sealed in connection with one another via a surface 12h and the filter unit 12s (see below).
As best illustrated in Figs. 2c, 2d and 2f, the air intake port 12d includes an air intake conduit 12i that extends from the air intake port 12d to the inside of the housing 12a. The air intake port 12d is open to the atmosphere. As best illustrated in Figs. 2a, 2b and 2d, the air intake conduit 12i terminates at an air intake exit port 12j. The air intake exit port 12j is located in the lower portion 12c of the housing 12a. The air intake exit port 12j faces upwards towards the upper portion 12b of the housing 12a. As best illustrated in Figs. 2a, 2b and 2d, the air intake exit port 12j is positioned in the lower portion 12c of the housing 12a such that it is offset from a centre point 12k of the housing 12a. The air intake exit port 12j of the housing 12a is located on one side of an axis 121 of the housing 12a. This is the same side of the housing 12a as the air intake conduit 12i and air intake port 12d. The inventors have surprisingly found that offsetting the air intake exit port 12j from the centre point 12k of the housing 12a improves the flow of air from the air intake port 12d to the air output ports 12e.
As best illustrated in Figs. 2I, 2m, 2o, 2q and 2u, the air output ports 12e include air output conduits 12m. The air output conduits 12m may extend from air output entrance ports 12n inside the housing 12a to the air output ports 12e.
The housing 12a defines both the air intake conduit 12i and the air output conduits 12m.
As best illustrated in Figs. 2i, 2j, 2q and 2s, the housing 12a includes an air deflector 12o. The air deflector 12o is configured to deflect air towards the air output entrance ports 12n in use. The air deflector 12o is therefore configured such that, in use, the air deflector 12o directs air flowing through the housing 12a towards the air output entrance ports 12n, through the air output conduits 12m and to the air output ports 12e.
In the embodiment illustrated and described here the air deflector 12o is in the form of a cone (an example of at least part of a conical surface and conical surface) which directs the air flowing through the housing 12a towards the air output entrance ports 12n. In this arrangement the air deflector 12o channels or funnels the air over the conical surface towards the air output ports 12e. In the embodiment illustrated and described here the air deflector 12o is integrally formed with the upper portion 12b of the housing 12a.
Attached to the air deflector 12o are fins 12p (an example of fin portions or fin protrusions). The fins 12p are configured such that they create at least a partial helical-shaped, or curved surface. The at least partial helicalshaped, or curved surface may be configured to assist in directing air towards the air output entrance ports 12n in use. The surface shape of the fins 12p may be curved in any suitable manner that assists in the deflection of the air towards the air output entrance ports 12n in use. The air deflector 12o and fins 12p assists in distributing a generally equal amount of air towards each air output entrance port 12n in use. In the embodiment illustrated and described here the air defector 12o is cone-shaped. However, it should be appreciated that the shape of the air deflector 12o may be any suitable shape that assists in distributing a generally equal amount of air towards each air output entrance port 12n in use. Similarly, it should be appreciated that the shape of the fins 12p may be any suitable shape that assists in distributing a generally equal amount of air towards each air output entrance port 12n in use.
As best illustrated in Figs. 2k to 2m, 2o and 2o, the air output ports 12e face upwards and away from the housing 12a. The air output ports 12e are arranged to lie in the same plane 12q on the upper portion 12b of the housing 12a. This arrangement of the air output ports 12e assists in distributing a generally equal amount of air towards each compressor unit 14.
As best illustrated in Figs. 2j, 2k, 2o and 2u, the air intake unit 12 further comprises a gas feedback input port 12r located in the upper portion 12b of the housing 12a.
The air intake unit 12 further comprises an air filter unit 12s (an example of a first air filter unit). The air filter unit 12s is a sealing gasket filter. In the embodiment illustrated and described here the air filter unit 12s is a folding paper or polyester filter which is contained in a housing. The housing is designed to sealably engage with the housing 12a, e.g. the lower portion 12c. The air filter unit 12s is a cartridge filter unit, which is easily replaceable by disengaging the lower portion 12c from the upper portion 12d of the housing 12a.
With reference to Fig. 1, the air filter units 16 of the gas generation apparatus 10 is configured to filter the compressed atmospheric air from the compressor units 14 into at least one of its constituent gas components. In the embodiment illustrated and described here the gas generation apparatus 10 includes a first type of air filter 16a and a second type of air filter 16b. The first type of air filter 16a is configured to filter the compressed atmospheric air from the compressor unit 14 to remove water and/or water vapour from the compressed atmospheric air. This type of air filter may be termed an ‘air dryer’. The output from this filter is atmospheric air with a reduced water, or water vapour, content. The second type of filter 16b is configured to filter out substantially all but one of the gas components of the atmospheric air from the compressor unit 14. This air filter unit 16b is therefore operable to selectively filter out four out of the five main gases present in atmospheric air. The remaining gas present after passing the compressed atmospheric air through the air filter unit 16b may therefore be nitrogen, oxygen, argon or carbon dioxide.
The air filter units 16 of the gas generation apparatus 10 may be membrane filters, such as hollow fibre membrane filters. However, it should be appreciated that the air filter units 16 may be carbon molecular sieve filters, or mol sieve filters.
Each air filter unit 16 is connectable to a gas storage tank 18. Each gas storage tank 18 is configured to receive and store the compressed filtered gas from the air filter units 16.
As illustrated in Fig. 1 and described above, the gas generation apparatus 10 also includes gas feedback circuits 20. The gas feedback circuits 20 are configured to allow at least a portion of gas exiting the air filter units 16 to be fed back to the air intake unit 12. In the embodiment illustrated and described here, and described further below, the gas generation apparatus 10 includes two gas feedback circuits 20; one for each of the air filter units 16 that is outputting a single gas component from the compressed atmospheric air. The gas storage tanks 18 and the gas feedback circuits 20 are configured such that a portion of filtered gas from each air filter unit 16 is fed back to the air intake unit 12 once a predetermined pressure in the gas storage tank 18 has been reached.
The gas feedback circuits 20 are connected between the air filter unit 16 and the gas storage tanks 18. The gas storage tanks 18 include a pressure release valve 18a located between the gas storage tank 18 and the gas feedback circuit 20. The pressure release valve 18a is operable to feed back at least a portion of filtered gas to the air intake unit 12 once a predetermined gas pressure within the gas storage tank 18 has been reached.
As described above, the gas generation apparatus comprises four compressor units 14 and the air intake unit 12 includes four air output ports 12e. Each compressor unit 14 is connected to an air filter unit 16, each air filter unit 16 being configured to filter the compressed atmospheric air from the compressor unit 14. In the embodiment illustrated and described here two air filter units 16a are operable to filter water and/or water vapour from the compressed atmospheric air and the other two air filter units 16b are operable to filter out substantially all but one of the gas components of the atmospheric air. Each of these two air filter units 16b may be operable to filter out different gas components of the atmospheric air, such that each air filter unit produces a different gas component. However, in the embodiment illustrated and described here each air filter unit 16b filters the atmospheric air to output nitrogen.
Each air filter unit 16a, 16b is connected to its own gas storage tank 18. Each gas storage tank 18 also connectable to a gas output circuit 22, described further below.
Gas feedback circuits 20a and 20b are connected to the exit of the air filter units 16b to allow filtered gas to be fed back to the air intake unit 12. As illustrated in Fig. 1, the gas feedback circuits 20a and 20b combine to a single conduit before arriving at the gas feedback input port 12r of the air intake unit 12.
As described above, air filter units 16b (second type) produce nitrogen (or oxygen, argon or carbon dioxide, depending on the filter). Therefore, at least a portion of the nitrogen gas from two of the air filter units 16b is fed back to the air intake unit 12.
Feeding gas from the air filter units 16b back to the air intake unit 12 is beneficial because it increases the concentration of the filtered gas into the system, which reduces the percentages of gases to be removed, which aids gas generation. This also cools the atmospheric air taken in by the air intake unit 12. This is beneficial because it pre-cools the air being taken in by the compressor units 14, which allows them to run more efficiently. This allows the service interval of the compressor units 14 to be extended.
Other features of the gas generation apparatus 10 are now described.
The gas generation apparatus 10 comprise heat exchange units 24. The heat exchange units 24 are located between the output of the compressor units 14 and the air filter units 16. The heat exchange units 24 are cooling coils. The heat exchange units 24 are configured to cool the compressed atmospheric air exiting the compressor units 14. Cooling of the compressed atmospheric air exiting the compressor units 14 is beneficial in a pre-filter stage. The benefit of a lower temperature is to allow for more moisture to condense from the air, as explained below.
The gas generation apparatus 10 comprises coalescing filter units 26.
The coalescing filter units 26 are configured to remove water, water vapour and mist from the cooled compressed atmospheric air exiting the heat exchange units 24. The apparatus may comprise two coalescing filters 26a, 26b. The first coalescing filter 26a may be configured to remove water from the cooled compressed atmospheric air exiting the heat exchange unit 24 and the second coalescing filter 26b may be configured to remove water vapour/mist from the cooled compressed atmospheric air exiting the heat exchange unit 24. The first coalescing filter 26a is positioned upstream of the second coalescing filter 26b. The apparatus may include one or more drain valves. Drain valves 27 are also included to drain the water filtered by the coalescing filters 26. Pre-filtering of the cooled compressed atmospheric air exiting the coalescing filters 26 is beneficial, as it protects the air filter units 16.
The gas generation apparatus 10 includes further heat exchange units 28. The further heat exchange units 28 are located between the coalescing filters 26 and the air filter units 16. The further heat exchange units 28 may be heating coils. The further heat exchange units are configured to heat the compressed atmospheric air exiting the coalescing filters 26. Heating the compressed atmospheric air exiting the coalescing filters 26 vapourises any liquid water that exits the coalescing filters 26.
The gas generation apparatus 10 includes a moisture trap 30. The moisture trap 30 is located between the further heat exchange unit 28 and the air filter unit 16. The moisture trap 30 is configured to collect moisture/water/water vapour exiting the further heat exchange unit 28. In the embodiment illustrated and described here the moisture trap 30 is a U-bend in the pipe network.
The gas generation apparatus 10 includes a pressure release valve 32 (offloader valve). The pressure release valve 32 is located between the moisture trap 32 and the air filter unit 16. The pressure release valve 32 is operable to release pressure in the circuit/pipework between the compressor unit 14 and the air filter unit 16. The pressure release valve 32 may be selectively operable. Since the compressor units 14 require the output side to be a low pressure (e.g. atmospheric pressure) before starting to operate, the pressure release valve 32 is operable to release any pressure in the circuit between the compressor unit 14 and the air filter unit 16.
The gas generation apparatus 10 includes non-return valves 34 located between the gas storage tanks 18 and the air filter units 16. The nonreturn valves 34 are configured to prevent compressed gas in the gas storage tanks 18 flowing back along the circuit towards the compressor units 14.
The gas feedback circuits 20a, 20b are located between the air filter units 16b and the gas storage tanks 18. The gas feedback circuits 20a, 20b are located between the air filter units 16 and the non-return valve 34 of the gas storage tanks 18. The pressure release valves 18a located in the gas feedback circuits 20a, 20b are set to allow filtered gas exiting the air filter units 16b to be fed back to the air intake unit 12 once a predetermined pressure has been reached in the gas storage tanks 18.
The gas generation apparatus 10 further comprises a pressure release safety valve 38. The pressure release safety valve 38 is located between the gas storage tanks 18 and the gas output circuits 22.
The gas generation apparatus 10 may further comprise a pressure switch (or pressure transducer) 40. The pressure switch 40 is located between the pressure release safety valve 38, or gas storage tanks 18, and the gas output circuits 22. The pressure switch 40 is operable to control the operation of the compressor units 14.
The gas generation apparatus 10 further comprises a pressure gauge 42. The pressure gauge 42 is located between the pressure release safety valve 38, or gas storage tanks 18, and the gas output circuits 22.
The gas generation apparatus 10 further comprises a refined active carbon filter unit 44. The refined active carbon filter unit 44 is located between the gas storage tanks 18 and the gas output circuits 22. The gas output circuits 22 include a pressure regulator unit 46. The gas output circuits 22 include a flow restrictor unit 48. Each gas output circuit 22 may include a two or more output ports 50.
In use the gas generation apparatus 10 is operated as follows. With the gas generation apparatus 10 set up as illustrated in Fig. 1, each pressure release valve 32 (offloader valve) is opened to reduce pressure, or vent, any pressurised gas located in the circuit between the compressor units 14 and the air filter units 16. Then the compressor units 14 are powered on. This is the start of the compressor cycle. When the compressor units 14 are powered on they begin to draw air from the atmosphere into the air intake unit 12, via the air intake port 12d. As described above, the air flowing through the air intake unit 12 is equally distributed between air output ports 12e (approx. 25% to each port). The arrangement of the air intake exit port 12j, the air deflector 12o and the fins 12p assist in even distribution of air flowing through the air intake unit 12 to the air output ports 12e. Air flowing through the air intake unit 12 also passes through the air filter unit 12s.
The planar arrangement of the air output ports 12e of the housing 12a also assists in distributing an equal amount of air to each of the compressor units 14 (approx. 25% ±1.0% over four compressor units; approx. 50% ±0.5% over two compressor units).
Compressed atmospheric air exits the compressor units 14 and is cooled by the heat exchange units 24. This cooled compressed atmospheric air is then passed through the coalescing filters 26 to remove water therefrom. Removed water is drained via drain valves 27. The filtered compressed atmospheric air from the coalescing filters 26 is then heated by the further heat exchangers 28. This vapourises any liquid water that exits the coalescing filters 26. Any excess water is collected in the moisture trap 30.
The compressed atmospheric air is then passed into the air filter units 16. As described above, in the embodiment illustrated and described here there are two types of air filter units (16a, 16b), with the first type of air filter 16a being configured to filter the compressed atmospheric air from the compressor unit 14 to remove water and/or water vapour from the compressed atmospheric air and the second type of air filter 16b being configured to filter out substantially all but one of the gas components of the atmospheric air from the compressor unit 14.
Continued operation of the compressor units 14 builds up gas in the gas storage tanks 18. As described above, the gas storage tanks 18 are connected to gas output circuits 22. The provision of the filtered and compressed gas from the gas storage tanks 18 to the output circuits 22 will be understood by the skilled person and will not be described in any great detail here. However, gas from the storage tanks is passed through the gas output circuit 20, through various filters 44, regulators 46 and flow restrictors 48 to the output ports 50 to be used as required by the user.
Figs. 3a to 31 illustrate alternative embodiments of the air intake unit 12 of the first embodiment. The air intake unit 12’ of Figs. 3a to 3I, differs from the air intake unit 12 of the first embodiment only in the fact that it contains three output ports 12e’ and a different arrangement of air deflector 12o’.
In the arrangement of Figs. 3a to 3I the air deflector 12o’ includes fins 12p’ to assist in the deflection of the air towards the air output entrance ports 12n’ in use. The air intake unit 12” of Figs. 4a to 4I differs from the air intake unit 12 of the first embodiment only in the fact that it contains two output ports 12e” and a different arrangement of air deflector 12o”. In the arrangement of Figs. 4a to 4I the air deflector 12o” includes fins 12p” to assist in the deflection of the air towards the air output entrance ports 12n” in use. The air intake unit 12”’ of Figs. 5a to 5m differs from the air intake unit 12 of the first embodiment only in the fact that it contains one output port 12e’” and a different arrangement of air deflector 12o’”. In the arrangement of Figs. 5a to 5m the air deflector 12o’” includes fins 12p’” to assist in the deflection of the air towards the air output entrance port 12n’” in use. In the embodiment of Figs. 5a to 5m the air deflector 12o’” is bullet-shaped with a truncated tail portion. The air deflector 12o’” is supported by the fins 12p”\ The fins 12p’” also act as support arms for the air deflector 12o’”. Air deflected around the air deflector 12o’” passes between the fins 12p’” and to the air output entrance port 12n’”. The air intake units 12’, 12” and 12’” are used when three, two or one compressor units 14 are used.
The gas generation apparatus 10 is therefore capable of generating one or more constituent component gases from atmospheric air. Alternatively, or additionally, the gas generation apparatus 10 is also capable of generating filtered, or dried, atmospheric air.
When the gas storage tanks 18 connected to the air filter units 16b are at a predetermined pressure (e.g. 130 to 140 psi), continued operation of the respective compressor units 14 results in operation of the pressure release valve 36 of the gas feedback circuits 20a, 20b, and gas from the air filter units 16b is fed back to the air intake unit 12. A typical flow rate for each gas feedback circuit 20a, 20b may be 16 litre per minute.
As staged above, feeding gas from the air filter units 16b back to the air intake unit 12 is beneficial because it cools the atmospheric air taken in by the air intake unit 12. Feeding gas from the air filter units 16b back to the air intake unit 12 is beneficial because it increases the concentration of the filtered gas into the system, which reduces the percentages of gases to be removed, which aids gas generation. This also cools the atmospheric air taken in by the air intake unit 12. This allows the compressor units 14 to run more efficiently. This allows the service interval of the compressor units 14 to be extended.
The gas generation apparatus 10 and air intake unit 12 of the present invention improves the distribution of atmospheric air by the air intake unit 12 to the compressor units 14. This is the result of the following features, or a combination of the following features: an offset air intake exit port 12j in the air intake unit 12; an air deflector 12o; fin portions 12p located on the air deflector 12o; and a planar arrangement of air output ports 12e on the top surface of the housing 12a. The above-recited features, or a combination thereof, provide an even distribution of atmospheric air to the compressor units 14. Being able to equally distribute air supply to the compressor units 14 allows each compressor to output compressed air on an equal basis and cycle more efficiently.
Furthermore, the gas generation apparatus 10 and air intake unit 12 of the present invention improves the filtration of atmospheric air by the air intake unit 12 to the compressor units 14. This is the result of the following features, or a combination of the following features: feeding back at least a portion of the filtered gas from the air filter units 16b to the air intake unit 12. The gas fed back to the air intake unit 12 is (i) filtered and (ii) cooled. This has the effect of cooling the atmospheric air taken in by the air intake unit 12, which reduces the temperature of the compressor units 14. Since the returned gas is already filtered, this reduces the filtering requirements of all the filter elements of the gas generation system 10. This means that the compressor units 14 can operate more efficiently, which increases the length of time between service intervals, and the filter elements are required to be replaced or services less often.
Modifications and improvements may be made to the above without departing from the scope of the present invention. For example, although the gas generation apparatus 10 has been illustrated and described above as including four compressor units 14 and associated air filter units 16 etc., it should be appreciated that the gas generation system may include fewer or more compressor units 14 and associated components. The number of air output ports 12e of the air intake unit 12 may typically equal the number of compressor units 14.
Also, it should be appreciated that the air intake unit 12 may include an air deflector 12o and/or fin portions 12p. Also, the shape of the air deflector 12o and fin portions 12p may vary depending on the number of air output ports 12e. The shape of the air deflector 12o and/or fin portions 12p being configured to distribute and direct an equal amount of air towards each air output port 12e.

Claims (43)

Claims
1. A gas generation apparatus comprising: an air intake unit; a compressor unit, the compressor unit being operable draw atmospheric air through the air intake unit and into the compressor unit; an air filter unit, the air filter unit being configured to filter the compressed atmospheric air from the compressor unit; a gas storage tank, the gas storage tank being configured to receive and store the compressed filtered gas from the air filter unit; and a gas feedback circuit, the gas feedback circuit being configured to allow at least a portion of gas to be fed back to the air intake unit.
2. A gas generation apparatus comprising: an air intake unit, the air intake unit comprising: a housing having an air intake port and an air output port; a first air filter unit located between the air intake port and the air output port; and an air deflector, the air deflector being configured such that, in use, the air deflector directs air flowing through the housing towards the air output port; a compressor unit, the compressor unit being connected to the output port of the air intake unit and being operable draw atmospheric air through the air intake unit and into the compressor unit; a second air filter unit, the second air filter unit being configured to filter the compressed atmospheric air from the compressor unit; and a gas storage tank, the gas storage tank being configured to receive and store the compressed filtered gas from the air filter unit.
3. The gas generation apparatus of claim 1 or claim 2, wherein the housing includes an air intake port, at least one air output port and an air intake exit port, the air intake exit port being positioned in the housing such that it is offset from a centre point of the housing.
4. The gas generation apparatus of claim 1 or claim 2, wherein the housing includes an air intake exit port and the air intake exit port is positioned in the housing such that it is located on one side of an axis of symmetry of the housing.
5. The gas generation apparatus of claim 3 or claim 4, wherein the air intake exit port is positioned on the same side of a longitudinal and/or lateral axis than an air intake port of the air intake unit.
6. The gas generation apparatus of any of claims 3 to 5, wherein the housing further includes an air deflector, the air deflector being configured such that, in use, the air deflector directs air flowing through the housing towards the air output port.
7. The gas generation apparatus of claim 6, wherein the air deflector includes at least part of a conical surface or an elliptical surface.
8. The gas generation apparatus of claim 6, wherein the air deflector is generally conical in shape.
9. The gas generation apparatus of any of claims 6 to 8, wherein the air deflector includes one or more fin portions or protrusions, the one or more fin portions or protrusions being configured to assist in directing air towards the air output port in use.
10. The gas generation apparatus of any preceding claim, wherein the housing includes two or more air output ports, each output port being connectable to a separate compressor unit.
11. The gas generation apparatus of claim 10, wherein the air output ports are located on the top of the upper portion of the housing and face upwards.
12. The gas generation apparatus of claim 10 or claim 11, wherein the air output ports are arranged in a planar form on the upper portion of the housing.
13. The gas generation apparatus of any of claims 10 to 12, wherein the air deflector is configured such that, in use, the air deflector directs air flowing through the housing towards each air output port.
14. The gas generation apparatus of claim 13, wherein the air deflector is configured to deflect a substantially equal amount of air towards each air output port in use.
15. The gas generation apparatus of claim 14, wherein the air deflector is conical in shape and is configured such that the base of the cone is located at or adjacent to the air output ports, the air deflector being configured to split or divide the air flowing over the conical surface towards the air output ports in use.
16. The gas generation apparatus of any preceding claim, wherein the air intake unit further comprises a gas feedback input port, the gas feedback input port being located in the upper portion of the housing.
17. The gas generation apparatus of any preceding claim, wherein the air filter unit of the gas generation apparatus is configured to filter the compressed atmospheric air from the compressor into at least one of its constituent gas components, or filter the compressed atmospheric air from the compressor to remove water and/or water vapour from the compressed atmospheric air.
18. The gas generation apparatus of any of claims 1 and 3 to 15, wherein the gas feedback circuit is connected between the air filter unit and the gas storage tank.
19. The gas generation apparatus of claim 18, wherein the gas feedback circuit is operable to feed back at least a portion of filtered gas to the air intake unit once a predetermined gas pressure within the gas storage tank has been reached.
20. The gas generation apparatus of any preceding claim, wherein the gas generation apparatus comprises a plurality of compressors and the air intake unit includes a number of air output ports that equates to the number of compressors, each compressor being connected to an air filter unit, each filter unit being configured to filter the compressed atmospheric air from the compressor unit.
21. The gas generation apparatus of claim 20, wherein at least one filter unit is operable to filter water and/or water vapour from the compressed atmospheric air and at least one other filter unit is operable to filter out substantially all but one of the gas components of the atmospheric air.
22. The gas generation apparatus of claim 21, wherein gas feedback circuits are connected to the exit of the air filter units that filter the compressed atmospheric gas into at least one of its constituent components to allow filtered gas to be fed back to the air intake unit.
23. The gas generation apparatus of claim 2, wherein the apparatus further comprises a gas feedback circuit, the gas feedback circuit being configured to allow at least a portion of gas to be fed back to the air intake unit.
24. An air intake unit for a gas generation apparatus comprising: a housing having an air intake port and an air output port; an air filter unit located between the air intake port and the air output port; and an air deflector, the air deflector being configured such that, in use, the air deflector directs air flowing through the housing towards the air output port.
25. The air intake unit of claim 24, wherein the housing includes an air intake port, at least one air output port and an air intake exit port, the air intake exit port being positioned in the housing such that it is offset from a centre point of the housing.
26. The air intake unit of claim 24 or claim 25, wherein the housing includes an air intake exit port and the air intake exit port is positioned in the housing such that it is located on one side of an axis of symmetry of the housing.
27. The air intake unit of claim 25 or claim 26, wherein the air intake exit port is positioned on the same side of a longitudinal and/or lateral axis than an air intake port of the air intake unit.
28. The air intake unit of any of claims 24 to 27, wherein the housing further includes an air deflector, the air deflector being configured such that, in use, the air deflector directs air flowing through the housing towards the air output port.
29. The air intake unit of claim 28, wherein the air deflector includes at least part of a conical surface or an elliptical surface.
30. The air intake unit of claim 28, wherein the air deflector is generally conical in shape.
31. The air intake unit of any of claims 28 to 30, wherein the air deflector includes one or more fin portions or protrusions, the one or more fin portions or protrusions being configured to assist in directing air towards the air output port in use.
32. The air intake unit of any of claims 24 to 31, wherein the housing includes two or more air output ports, each output port being connectable to a separate compressor unit.
33. The air intake unit of claim 32, wherein the air output ports are located on the top of the upper portion of the housing and face upwards.
34. The air intake unit of claim 32 or claim 33, wherein the air output ports are arranged in a planar form on the upper portion of the housing.
35. The air intake unit of any of claims 32 to 34, wherein the air deflector is configured such that, in use, the air deflector directs air flowing through the housing towards each air output port.
36. The air intake unit of claim 35, wherein the air deflector is configured to deflect a substantially equal amount of air towards each air output port in use.
37. The air intake unit of claim 34, wherein the air deflector is conical in shape and is configured such that the base of the cone is located at or adjacent to the air output ports, the air deflector being configured to split or divide the air flowing over the conical surface towards the air output ports in use.
38. The air intake unit of any of claims 24 to 37, wherein the air intake unit further comprises a gas feedback input port, the gas feedback input port being located in the upper portion of the housing.
39. A method of generating gas comprising the steps of: providing a gas generation system comprising: an air intake unit; a compressor unit, the compressor unit being operable draw atmospheric air through the air intake unit and into the compressor unit; an air filter unit, the air filter unit being configured to filter the compressed atmospheric air from the compressor unit; a gas storage tank, the gas storage tank being configured to receive and store the compressed filtered gas from the air filter unit; and a gas feedback circuit, the gas feedback circuit being configured to allow at least a portion of gas to be fed back to the air intake unit; operating the compressor unit to draw atmospheric air through the air intake unit into the compressor unit; filtering the compressed atmospheric air from the compressor unit with the air filter unit; storing the filtered gas from the air filter unit in the gas storage tank; and selectively feeding back at least a portion of the filtered gas from the air filter unit to the air intake unit.
40. The method of claim 39, wherein the filtered gas is fed back to the air intake unit once a predetermined pressure has been reached in the gas storage tank.
41. A method of generating gas comprising the steps of: providing a gas generation system comprising: an air intake unit, the air intake unit comprising: a housing having an air intake port and an air output port; a first air filter unit located between the air intake port and the air output port; and an air deflector, the air deflector being configured such that, in use, the air deflector directs air flowing through the housing towards the air output port; a compressor unit, the compressor unit being connected to the output port of the air intake unit and being operable draw atmospheric air through the air intake unit and into the compressor unit; a second air filter unit, the second air filter unit being configured to filter the compressed atmospheric air from the compressor unit; and a gas storage tank, the gas storage tank being configured to receive and store the compressed filtered gas from the air filter unit; operating the compressor unit to draw atmospheric air through the air intake unit into the compressor unit; filtering the compressed atmospheric air from the compressor unit with the air filter unit; and storing the filtered gas from the air filter unit in the gas storage tank.
42. The method of claim 41, wherein the apparatus further comprises a gas feedback circuit, the gas feedback circuit being configured to allow at least a portion of gas to be fed back to the air intake unit, and the method comprises the further step of selectively feeding back at least a portion of the filtered gas from the air filter unit to the air intake unit.
43. The method of claim 42, wherein the filtered gas is fed back to the air intake unit once a predetermined pressure has been reached in the gas storage tank.
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Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US2746255A (en) * 1953-03-04 1956-05-22 Bendix Westinghouse Automotive Fluid pressure system
DE3429633A1 (en) * 1984-08-11 1986-02-20 Ing. Walter Hengst GmbH & Co KG, 4400 Münster Sound-absorbing air intake filter for an internal combustion engine
US5820642A (en) * 1994-06-30 1998-10-13 Toa Medical Electronics, Ltd. Pressurized air supply apparatus
US20090151310A1 (en) * 2004-10-11 2009-06-18 Ho-Young Cho Air filter device
US20100116132A1 (en) * 2008-11-12 2010-05-13 Staiger Chad L Hybrid Membrane - PSA System for Separating Oxygen from Air

Patent Citations (5)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US2746255A (en) * 1953-03-04 1956-05-22 Bendix Westinghouse Automotive Fluid pressure system
DE3429633A1 (en) * 1984-08-11 1986-02-20 Ing. Walter Hengst GmbH & Co KG, 4400 Münster Sound-absorbing air intake filter for an internal combustion engine
US5820642A (en) * 1994-06-30 1998-10-13 Toa Medical Electronics, Ltd. Pressurized air supply apparatus
US20090151310A1 (en) * 2004-10-11 2009-06-18 Ho-Young Cho Air filter device
US20100116132A1 (en) * 2008-11-12 2010-05-13 Staiger Chad L Hybrid Membrane - PSA System for Separating Oxygen from Air

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