Hybrid electro-pneumatic conserver for oxygen conserving regulator

Abstract

A gas regulator includes a slave valve assembly for receiving and controlling the flow of gas to a desired destination. A timing chamber is positioned adjacent to the slave valve assembly. The timing chamber has an inlet for also receiving the gas. An electronically operated pilot valve assembly is in communication with the timing chamber for operating the slave valve assembly. When the pilot valve assembly is closed, gas pressure within the timing chamber acting on the slave valve assembly closes the slave valve assembly. When the pilot valve assembly is open, gas exits the timing chamber and reduces the gas pressure in the timing chamber, thereby allowing the slave valve assembly to open and deliver the gas to the desired destination.

1 . A gas conserving device, comprising:
 a slave valve assembly coupled to a pressure-regulated source of gas for receiving and controlling the flow of the gas to a patient passage;   a timing chamber positioned adjacent to the slave valve assembly and coupled to the pressure-regulated source of gas, the timing chamber having an inlet for receiving the gas and an outlet to atmosphere; and   an electronically operated pilot valve assembly in communication with the timing chamber for operating the slave valve assembly, such that when the pilot valve assembly is closed, gas pressure within the timing chamber acting on the slave valve assembly closes the slave valve assembly, and when the pilot valve assembly is open, gas exits the timing chamber through the outlet to atmosphere to reduce the gas pressure in the timing chamber thereby allowing the slave valve assembly to open and deliver the gas to the patient passage.   
   
   
       2 . A method of fabricating a gas conserving device, comprising:
 fabricating a slave valve assembly couplable to a pressure-regulated source of gas for receiving and controlling the flow of the gas to a patient passage;   fabricating a timing chamber adjacent to the slave valve assembly and coupled to the pressure-regulated source of gas, the timing chamber having an inlet for receiving the gas and an outlet to atmosphere; and   fabricating an electronically operated pilot valve assembly in communication with the timing chamber for operating the slave valve assembly, such that when the pilot valve assembly is closed, gas pressure within the timing chamber acting on the slave valve assembly closes the slave valve assembly, and when the pilot valve assembly is open, gas exits the timing chamber through the outlet to atmosphere to reduce the gas pressure in the timing chamber thereby allowing the slave valve assembly to open and deliver the gas to the patient passage.