Oxygen filling apparatus

Abstract

The present invention provides an improved oxygen filling apparatus adapted to provide oxygen to oxygen cylinders for use in connection with EMS services, ambulances, fire departments, hospitals, veterinary clinics and other services and applications. The present invention includes an oxygen generator unit having at least one molecular sieve, a plurality of pressure sensors, an oxygen sensor, and a PLC control unit with a touch sensitive graphical screen interface configured to selectively display current and historical operational parameters. The oxygen filling apparatus may be adapted for wall mounting and may include a data communications port for remote access, monitoring and troubleshooting.

1 . An oxygen filling apparatus for filling oxygen cylinders, comprising: 
 an oxygen generator unit having a molecular sieve and an air compressor adapted to supply air to said molecular sieve;    a plurality of pressure sensors;    an oxygen purity sensor;    an oxygen discharge valve adapted to supply oxygen produced by said oxygen generator unit to one or more oxygen cylinders; and    a control unit having a touch sensitive screen interface configured to selectively display current and historical operational parameters.    
   
   
       2 . The oxygen filling apparatus of  claim 1 , further comprising: 
 an oxygen cylinder cascade unit operationally coupled to said oxygen discharge valve.    
   
   
       3 . The oxygen filling apparatus of  claim 1  wherein a first pressure sensor is positioned so as to monitor an output pressure from said air compressor.  
   
   
       4 . The oxygen filling apparatus of  claim 1  wherein a second pressure sensor is positioned so as to monitor an output pressure from said oxygen generator unit.  
   
   
       5 . The oxygen filling apparatus of  claim 4 , further comprising timing means whereby said oxygen filling apparatus may be powered off if said output pressure monitored by said second pressure sensor does not reach a desired level within a predetermined interval.  
   
   
       6 . The oxygen filling apparatus of  claim 1  wherein a third pressure sensor is positioned near said oxygen discharge valve so as to monitor a pressure at said oxygen discharge valve, whereby said apparatus may be powered off if said pressure reaches a desired level.  
   
   
       7 . The oxygen filling apparatus of  claim 6  wherein said touch sensitive screen is configured such that an operator may selectively choose said desired level.  
   
   
       8 . The oxygen filling apparatus of  claim 1  wherein said operational parameters consist of one or more of the following parameters: pressure sensor information, oxygen purity and component operation information.  
   
   
       9 . The oxygen filling apparatus of  claim 1  wherein said historical operational parameters may be selectively displayed in graphic form on said touch sensitive screen interface.  
   
   
       10 . The oxygen filling apparatus of  claim 9  wherein said historical operational parameters may be selectively displayed as a line chart or bar chart.  
   
   
       11 . The oxygen filling apparatus of  claim 1 , further comprising: a programmable logic controller unit operatively connected to said touch sensitive screen, said oxygen generator unit, said pressure sensors and said oxygen purity sensor.  
   
   
       12 . The oxygen filling apparatus of  claim 1 , further comprising an audible alarm, whereby notice of undesired operational parameters may be given.  
   
   
       13 . An enclosure adapted for wall mounting comprising the oxygen filling apparatus set forth in  claim 1 .  
   
   
       14 . The oxygen filling apparatus of  claim 1 , further comprising: 
 an escape valve associated with said oxygen purity sensor;    through which said oxygen filling apparatus may discharge oxygen generated by said oxygen generator unit if said oxygen does not have a desired purity.    
   
   
       15 . The oxygen filling apparatus of  claim 1 , further comprising a pressure regulator between said oxygen generator unit and said oxygen sensor.  
   
   
       16 . The oxygen filling apparatus of  claim 1 , further comprising a data communications port operatively connected to said control unit which provides remote access to said oxygen filling apparatus, whereby said apparatus may be monitored and operated remotely.  
   
   
       17 . A method of charging an oxygen cascade system for use in the provision of medical services, comprising: 
 providing an oxygen generator unit having a molecular sieve and an air compressor adapted to supply air to said molecular sieve; converting air to medical-grade oxygen through said oxygen generator unit; providing a plurality of pressure sensors; providing an oxygen purity sensor; providing an oxygen discharge valve adapted to supply oxygen produced by said oxygen generator unit to an oxygen cascade system; providing a control unit having a touch sensitive screen interface configured to selectively display current and historical operational parameters;    selectively controlling said oxygen generator unit through said control unit; and    automatically powering up and shutting down said oxygen generator unit when said operational parameters reach desired levels.    
   
   
       18 . The method of  claim 17 , further comprising: 
 providing a first pressure sensor to monitor output pressure from said air compressor; measuring said output pressure; and shutting down said oxygen generator unit if said output pressure reaches a predetermined level.    
   
   
       19 . The method of  claim 17 , further comprising: 
 providing a second pressure sensor positioned so as to monitor an output pressure from said oxygen generator unit; measuring said output pressure from said oxygen generator unit; and shutting down said oxygen generator unit if said output pressure reaches a predetermined level.    
   
   
       20 . The method of  claim 17 , further comprising: 
 providing a third pressure sensor adapted to monitor a pressure at or near said oxygen discharge valve; measuring said pressure at or near said oxygen discharge valve; and shutting down said system if said output pressure reaches a predetermined level.    
   
   
       21 . The method of  claim 17 , further comprising: 
 providing an escape valve associated with said oxygen purity sensor; measuring oxygen purity through said oxygen purity sensor; and discharging oxygen through said escape valve if said oxygen purity reaches a predetermined level.    
   
   
       22 . The method of  claim 17 , further comprising: 
 providing an oxygen cascade system adapted to receive oxygen from said oxygen discharge valve.    
   
   
       23 . The method of  claim 17 , further comprising: 
 providing a data communications port for accessing said control unit, whereby said control unit and said oxygen generator unit may be monitored and operated remotely.