Check valve

Abstract

A check valve can include a pressure actuator or an electromagnetic actuator. The check valve includes a valve inlet, a valve outlet, and flap disposed between the valve inlet and the valve outlet. The check valve has an open state and a closed state. The pressure actuator in fluid communication with the valve inlet. The check valve has an open state and a closed state. The check valve is configured to allow an input gas to flow from the valve inlet to the valve outlet when the check valve is in the open state. The check valve is configured to preclude the input gas from flowing from the valve inlet to the valve outlet when the check valve is in the closed state. Upon actuation of the pressure actuator or the electromagnetic actuator, the flap moves away from the valve inlet to allow the inlet gas to move from the valve inlet to the valve outlet.

1 . A check valve, comprising:
 a valve inlet;   a valve outlet;   a pressure actuator in fluid communication with the valve inlet;   a flap disposed between the valve inlet and the valve outlet, the flap including a first flap portion and a second flap portion;   wherein the check valve has an open state and a closed state;   wherein the check valve is configured to allow an input gas to flow from the valve inlet to the valve outlet when the check valve is in the open state;   wherein the check valve is configured to preclude the input gas from flowing from the valve inlet to the valve outlet when the check valve is in the closed state;   wherein, upon actuation of the pressure actuator, the first flap portion and the second flap portion separate from each other to allow the input gas to flow from the valve inlet to the valve outlet of the check valve.   
     
     
         2 . The check valve of  claim 1 , further comprising an inner valve surface and an air channel on the inner valve surface, wherein the flap blocks the air channel when the check valve is in a closed state to block the input gas from flowing from the valve into the valve outlet. 
     
     
         3 . The check valve of  claim 2 , wherein the flap is configured to pivot when the check valve is in the open state to expose the air channel, thereby allowing the input gas to flow along the inner valve surface. 
     
     
         4 . The check valve of  claim 3 , wherein each of the first flap portion and the second flap portion is pivotally coupled to the inner valve surface such that actuation of the pressure actuator causes the first flap portion and the second flap portion to pivot away from each other. 
     
     
         5 . The check valve of  claim 1 , where the pressure actuator is a micro-blower configured to generate a cracking pressure of the check valve to open the check valve. 
     
     
         6 . The check valve of  claim 1 , wherein the check valve is part of a ventilator. 
     
     
         7 . (canceled) 
     
     
         8 . (canceled) 
     
     
         9 . (canceled) 
     
     
         10 . (canceled) 
     
     
         11 . (canceled) 
     
     
         12 . A ventilator, comprising:
 a tubing configured to receive an input gas;   a flow outlet airline in fluid communication with the tubing, wherein the flow outlet airline includes an airline outlet, and the flow outlet airline is configured to supply an output gas to a user via the airline outlet;   a breath detection airline including an airline inlet, wherein the airline inlet is separated from the airline outlet of the flow outlet airline, and the breath detection airline is configured to receive breathing gas from the user during exhalation by the user via the airline inlet;   a pressure sensor in direct fluid communication with the breath detection airline, wherein the pressure sensor is configured to measure breathing pressure from the user, and the pressure sensor is configured to generate sensor data indicative of breathing by the user; and   a valve arrangement coupled to the tubing, wherein the valve arrangement includes a check valve in fluid communication with the tubing to control a flow of the inlet gas through the tubing.   
     
     
         13 . The ventilator of  claim 12 , wherein the check valve includes:
 a valve inlet;   a valve outlet;   a pressure actuator in fluid communication with the valve inlet;   a flap including a first flap portion and a second flap portion;   wherein the check valve has an open state and a closed state;   wherein the check valve is configured to allow an input gas to flow from the valve inlet to the valve outlet when the check valve is in the open state;   wherein the check valve is configured to preclude the input gas from flowing from the valve inlet to the valve outlet when the check valve is in the closed state;   wherein, upon actuation of the pressure actuator, the first flap portion and the second flap portion separate from each other to allow the input gas to flow from the valve inlet to the valve outlet of the check valve.   
     
     
         14 . The ventilator of  claim 13 , further comprising an inner valve surface and an air channel on the inner valve surface, wherein the flap blocks the air channel when the check valve is in a closed state to block the input gas from flowing from the valve into the valve outlet. 
     
     
         15 . The ventilator of  claim 14 , wherein the flap is configured to pivot when the check valve is in the open state to expose the air channel, thereby allowing the input gas to flow along the inner valve surface. 
     
     
         16 . The ventilator of  claim 15 , wherein each of the first flap portion and the second flap portion is pivotally coupled to the inner valve surface such that actuation of the pressure actuator causes the first flap portion and the second flap portion to pivot away from each other. 
     
     
         17 . The ventilator of  claim 13 , where the pressure actuator is a micro-blower configured to generate a cracking pressure of the check valve to open the check valve. 
     
     
         18 . (canceled) 
     
     
         19 . (canceled) 
     
     
         20 . (canceled)