Flow generator

Abstract

A flow generator includes a housing, a blower structured to generate a flow of pressurized breathable air, and a suspension device to support the blower within the housing and provide a pressure seal between low and high pressure sides of the blower. The suspension device includes a bellows-like portion provided along the perimeter of the blower to absorb shock applied at least radially to the blower and one or more cones provided along upper and/or lower sides of the blower to absorb shock applied at least axially to the blower.

1 .- 29 . (canceled) 
     
     
         30 . A flow generator, comprising:
 a housing including an air flow inlet and an air flow outlet;   a blower provided to the housing and structured to generate a flow of pressurized breathable air; and   an air filter cartridge provided to the air flow inlet to filter air drawn into the housing by the blower, the air filter cartridge including a cartridge body and a filter media supported by the cartridge body,   wherein the cartridge body includes structure to direct airflow away from a blower inlet of the blower.   
     
     
         31 . A flow generator according to  claim 30 , wherein the cartridge body includes a grill-like front portion or grate that defines inlet openings into the air filter cartridge. 
     
     
         32 . A flow generator according to  claim 30 , wherein the cartridge body includes an arcuate-shaped air directing wall that provides a generally concave surface to direct air flow. 
     
     
         33 . A flow generator according to  claim 32 , wherein the air filter cartridge is provided to the air flow inlet of the housing such that the arcuate-shaped air directing wall is arranged to direct airflow away from the blower inlet of the blower. 
     
     
         34 . A flow generator according to  claim 32 , wherein the arcuate-shaped air directing wall includes a plurality of air directing vanes that act as manifolds to reduce turbulence. 
     
     
         35 . A flow generator according to  claim 30 , wherein the cartridge body includes an elongated ridge along one end wall adapted to interlock or otherwise engage along one side of the air flow inlet, and an elongated clip arm along the other end wall adapted to interlock or otherwise engage the other side of the air flow inlet with a snap fit. 
     
     
         36 . A flow generator according to  claim 35 , wherein the cartridge body includes a pull-tab structured to allow a user to remove the air filter cartridge from the housing. 
     
     
         37 . A flow generator according to  claim 30 , wherein the filter media includes a thickness of about 5-15 mm. 
     
     
         38 . A flow generator according to  claim 30 , wherein the housing includes two air flow inlets, each inlet structured to support a respective air filter cartridge. 
     
     
         39 . A flow generator according to  claim 38 , wherein the air flow inlets extend along respective corners of the housing opposite to the air flow outlet.