Importance

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Abstract

Apparatus for generating oxygen by the pressure swing method includes a plurality of grouped vessels each having a molecular sieve bed, a first port of each vessel providing oxygen-enriched effluent from the bed and a second port permitting alternate pressurization and purging of the bed. A novel rotary control valve includes a housing around which the vessels are grouped, having an operating shaft driven by a constant speed rotor. First and second chambers within the housing spaced along the shaft have respective pressure and purge valve control rotors which are turned by the shaft. Pressurized air is provided to the first chamber by an air inlet, a purge gas outlet discharging purge gases from the second chamber. Passages extending between the chambers are spaced at equal intervals around the shaft axis and are respectively interconnected with the vessel second ports. Each of the rotors has a valve port adapted to communicate between the respective chamber and each of the passages in succession upon rotation of the rotors. A gas-tight seal is provided between these passages and opposed surfaces of the rotors. The valve ports are presented in angular relationship to one another and to said passages to cause pressurized air to be provided successively to the vessels while permitting purge gases to flow from the non-pressurized vessels. The vessels are sequentially pressurized and subsequently purged in cyclic manner as the shaft rotates.

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First Claim