U.S. patent application number 14/409994 was filed with the patent office on 2015-05-28 for control means of central flow system and central flow system.
The applicant listed for this patent is MEDICVENT AB. Invention is credited to Robert Lindkvist, Bjorn Sandstrom.
Application Number | 20150147956 14/409994 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 49783608 |
Filed Date | 2015-05-28 |
United States Patent
Application |
20150147956 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Lindkvist; Robert ; et
al. |
May 28, 2015 |
CONTROL MEANS OF CENTRAL FLOW SYSTEM AND CENTRAL FLOW SYSTEM
Abstract
The present invention relates to a control means for a channel
connectable to a central flow system configured to create an
underpressure or overpressure in the channel. The control means is
configured to increase or decrease the flow resistance in the
channel. The control means is further configured to reduce flow
resistance when the flow in said channel falls below a preset flow
and to increase the flow resistance when the flow in said passage
exceeds the said preset flow.
Inventors: |
Lindkvist; Robert; (Umea,
SE) ; Sandstrom; Bjorn; (Umea, SE) |
|
Applicant: |
Name |
City |
State |
Country |
Type |
MEDICVENT AB |
Umea |
|
SE |
|
|
Family ID: |
49783608 |
Appl. No.: |
14/409994 |
Filed: |
June 11, 2013 |
PCT Filed: |
June 11, 2013 |
PCT NO: |
PCT/SE2013/050663 |
371 Date: |
December 19, 2014 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
454/343 |
Current CPC
Class: |
F24F 2110/00 20180101;
A61M 16/104 20130101; F24F 2007/001 20130101; F24F 2110/30
20180101; A61M 16/202 20140204; F24F 11/75 20180101; A61M 16/0009
20140204; F24F 11/30 20180101; F24F 7/007 20130101; F24F 2011/0005
20130101; A61M 2016/003 20130101; A61G 13/108 20130101; A61M 16/024
20170801; A61M 16/0891 20140204 |
Class at
Publication: |
454/343 |
International
Class: |
F24F 11/00 20060101
F24F011/00; F24F 7/007 20060101 F24F007/007 |
Foreign Application Data
Date |
Code |
Application Number |
Jun 25, 2012 |
SE |
1250679-6 |
Claims
1. Control means (35) for a channel (60) connectable to a central
flow system (11) configured to create an underpressure or
overpressure in said channel (60), said control means (35) being
configured to increase or decrease the flow resistance in said
channel (60); characterized in that said control means (35) is
configured to reduce flow resistance when the flow in said channel
(60) drops below a preset flow and to increase the flow resistance
when the flow in said channel (60) rises above said preset
flow.
2. Control means (35) of claim 1, wherein said control means is
further configured to send a first signal (36) to increase the
pressure in case the flow does not reach said preset flow despite
that said control means (35) is fully open in the event said
control means (35) is configured to control the flow in a pressure
relief systems and to reduce the pressure in case the flow does not
reach said preset flow despite that said control means (35) is
fully open in the event said control means (35) is configured to
control the flow in a negative pressure system.
3. Control means (35) according to anyone of claim 1 or 2, wherein
said control means (35) is further configured to receive a signal
37 indicative of the flow in said channel (60), said signal (37)
being a pressure change across a restriction in said channel
(60).
4. Control means (3) according to anyone of claims 1 to 3, wherein
said signal (37) indicates the flow in said channel (60).
5. Control means (3) according to anyone of claims 1 to 4, wherein
said control means (35) is further configured to send a second
signal indicating the flow in said channel (60).
6. Control means (35) according to anyone of claims 1 to 5, wherein
the control means (35) is configured to control the flow in a
negative pressure system.
7. Control means (35) according to anyone of claims 1 to 5, wherein
the control means (35) is configured to control the flow in an
overpressure system.
8. Control means (35) according to anyone of claims 1 to 7, wherein
said control means (35) comprises a motor operated valve.
9. Control means (35) according to claim 8, wherein said motor
driven valve comprises a diaphragm valve or other valve configured
to cause minimal noise.
10. A central flow system (11) comprising at least a control means
(35) according to anyone of claims 1 to 9 and a central fan (21)
configured to create said underpressure or overpressure in the at
least one channel (60) connected to said central fan (21) and an
outlet (41) connected to said channel (6).
11. A central flow system (11) according to claim 10, wherein said
central fan (21) is further configured to receive said first signal
(37) and increase the pressure in the case that said central fan
(21) is configured to create an excess pressure and reduce the
pressure in the case said central fan (21) configured to create a
vacuum.
12. A central flow system (11) according to anyone of claims 10 to
11, wherein said central fan (21) is a subchannel blower or other
suction device configured to cause minimal noise.
13. A central flow system (11) according to one of claims 11 to 12,
wherein said central fan (21) is further configured to establish
said increased or decreased pressure for a certain periods of time
and then return to a normal state.
Description
TECHNICAL FIELD The present invention relates to an arrangement for
automatic air treatment.
BACKGROUND ART
[0001] In surgery rooms of today, there is often a suction outlet.
The suction outlet is intended to ventilate for example anesthetic
gas leaking around the anesthesia mask or anesthesia as the patient
exhales. These suction outlets are often linked to an extraction
system consisting of a central suction unit, which through a piping
system is connected to several sockets in different surgery
rooms.
[0002] A problem associated with prior art central vacuum systems
is that installation of them requires manual adjustment. Central
vacuum systems also require manual adjustment during operation.
This manual adjustment is sometimes done by means of a control knob
in the surgery room.
[0003] The known central vacuum systems may have difficulties
adjusting suction flow to varying loads on the central vacuum
system, because of problematic pipe installation. If for example
many surgeries are ongoing in parallel and multiple suction outlets
are used simultaneously, the flow may vary at the individual
suction outlets. Readjustment may need to be made on the control
panels if you change or replace the patient systems connected to
the suction outlets so that the flow resistance changes. Usually,
negative pressure needs to be set extremely high in the systems,
which draws energy unnecessarily.
[0004] There is also central vacuum systems that are controlled by
valves, which are controlled based on the amount of harmful gases
in the air. In these systems, there is a function of delay in that
harmful gases are emitted before they are captured by the central
vacuum system. Moreover, usually the flow is not measured, but only
the vacuum level and thus, the flows cannot be set for the various
suction outlets coupled to the central vacuum system.
[0005] There is therefore a need for an improved central vacuum
system that solves or at least mitigates at least one of the above
problems.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0006] An object of the present invention is to reduce or solve at
least one of the above problems.
[0007] A first embodiment of the present invention provides a
control means for a channel connectable to a central flow system
configured to create an underpressure or overpressure in said
channel. The control means is configured to increase or decrease
the flow resistance in said channel. The control means is
configured to reduce flow resistance when the flow in said channel
drops below a preset flow and to increase the flow resistance when
the flow in said channel rises above said preset flow.
[0008] An object of the present invention is thus achieved by a
control means connectable to a channel in a central flow system
configured to create an underpressure or overpressure in said
channel. Since the control means is configured to reduce flow
resistance when the flow in said channel falls below a preset flow
and to increase the flow resistance when the flow in said passage
exceeds said preset flow, the preset flow can be maintained in such
a suction outlet coupled to the channel despite varying loads on
the suction outlets and/or the central flow system.
[0009] An advantage of the present invention is that the preset
flow for instance in a suction outlet in a central flow system can
be maintained despite varying loads on the suction outlets and/or
the central flow system.
[0010] A further advantage of the present invention is that the
installation of a central flow system is substantially simplified
when individual adjustment of separate suction outlets in a central
flow system is not necessary. The control means automatically sets
the correct flow resistance.
[0011] Further advantages and features of embodiments of the
present invention will be apparent in the following detailed
description.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0012] FIG. 1 shows a schematic block diagram of a central flow
system according to prior art
[0013] FIG. 2 shows a schematic block diagram of an example of a
control means according to the present invention.
[0014] FIG. 3 shows a schematic block diagram of an example of a
control means according to the present invention.
[0015] FIG. 4 shows a schematic block diagram of an example of a
control means according to the present invention.
[0016] FIG. 5 shows a schematic block diagram of an example of a
control means according to the present invention.
[0017] FIG. 6 shows a schematic block diagram of a central flow
system according to one embodiment of the present invention.
[0018] FIG. 7 shows a schematic block diagram of a central flow
system according to one embodiment of the present invention.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION
[0019] FIG. 1 shows a central flow system 10 according to prior
art. The central flow system 10 can e.g. be installed in a hospital
in order to provide the surgery rooms in a hospital with a suction
outlet to ventilate anesthetic gases exhaled by a patient. The
central flow system 10 includes a central fan 20 configured to
create a vacuum in at least a channel 60 connected to said central
fan 20. FIG. 1 illustrates only one channel 60 connected to said
central fan 20, but there are usually several channels 60 connected
to the central fan 20. In the channel 60, a control means 30 is
configured to increase or reduce the flow resistance of said
channel 60. The flow resistance of the control means 30 is
controlled through a control panel 80 connected to said control
means 30. On the control panel 80, the flow resistance of the
control means 30 may be increased or decreased. A flow sensor 90 is
also connected to the control means 30 or to the channel 60. The
flow sensor shows the flow in the channel 60. By reading the flow
of the flow sensor 90, an operator of the central flow system 10
can control the flow in the channel 60 on the control panel 80.
[0020] FIG. 2 shows an example of an embodiment of a control means
35 according to the present invention. The control means 35 can be
connected in a channel 60 connected to a central flow system 10
configured to create an underpressure or overpressure in said
channel 60. The control means 3 according to the present invention
is configured to increase or reduce the flow resistance of said
channel 60 automatically, without the need for an operator to
manually adjust the flow resistance of the control means 35. The
control means 35 of the present invention is configured to reduce
the flow resistance when the flow in said channel 60 falls below a
predetermined flow rate and to increase the flow resistance when
the flow in said channel 60 rises above said predetermined flow
rate. In an exemplary embodiment of a control means 35 according to
the present invention, the flow resistance is controlled with a
valve (not shown) that is automatically opened or closed to change
the flow resistance. The preset value can be received from for
instance a control knob or be stored in the control means 35. The
control means may in one embodiment comprise means (not shown) to
measure the flow through the control means 35. In another
embodiment, the control means is configured to receive a signal
indicating the flow through the control means 35.
[0021] In a further example of an embodiment of a control means 35,
a processing means (not shown) is provided in the control means 35.
The processing means can for example be a microprocessor. The
processing means is configured to receive the preset flow and a
signal indicative of the flow through the control means 35. The
processing means is configured to send a signal to e.g. a valve in
the control means so that the valve reduces flow resistance when
the flow in the channel 60 falls below a preset flow and to
increase the flow resistance when the flow in the channel 60 rises
above said preset flow.
[0022] FIG. 3 shows a further example of an embodiment of a control
means 35 according to the present invention, the control means 35
is further configured to send a first signal 36 to increase the
pressure in case the flow does not reach said preset flow despite
that said control means 35 is fully open in the event that that
control means 35 is configured to regulate flow in a pressure
relief systems and to reduce the pressure in case the flow does not
reach said preset flow despite that said control means 35 is fully
open in the event said control means 35 is configured to regulate
the flow in a negative pressure system. The signal 36 may for
example by sent to a central fan in the system in which the control
means 35 is used.
[0023] FIG. 4 shows a further example of an embodiment of a control
means 35 according to the present invention. In this exemplary
embodiment, the control means 35 is further configured to receive a
signal 37 indicative of the flow in said channel 60, said signal
being a pressure change across a restriction in the said channel
60. In another example of an embodiment of a control means 35
according to the present invention, the signal 37 is a flow in the
channel 60.
[0024] In a further example of an embodiment of a control means 35
according to the present invention, the control means 35 is further
configured to send a second signal indicating the flow in said
channel 60. The signal may for example be received by a flow viewer
that shows the flow in the channel 60. The flow viewer may for
example be present in a surgery room to which the control means 35
controls the flow.
[0025] FIG. 5 shows a further example of an embodiment of a control
means 35 of the present invention. In this embodiment, the control
means 35 is further configured to receive a signal 37 indicative of
said preset flow in said channel 60. The signal may for instance be
sent from a control panel 39 in the surgery room to which the
channel 60 is connected. The default flow can also be stored in the
control means 35.
[0026] In an exemplary embodiment of a control means 35 according
to the present invention, the control means 35 is configured to
control the flow in a negative pressure system.
[0027] In another example of an embodiment of a control means 35
according to the present invention, the control means 35 is
configured to control the flow in an overpressure system.
[0028] In another example of an embodiment of a control means 35,
said control means 35 includes a motor operated valve. In an
exemplary embodiment of a control means 35 according to the present
invention said motor operated valve a diaphragm valve or other
valve configured to cause minimal noise.
[0029] FIG. 6 shows another aspect of the present invention, which
is a central flow system 11 comprising at least one control means
35 according to anyone of the previously described embodiments. The
central flow system 11 may for example be installed in a hospital
in order to provide surgery rooms in the hospital with a suction
outlet 41 to ventilate for instance anesthetic gases exhaled by a
patient. The central flow system 11 includes a central fan 21
configured to generate a negative pressure or positive pressure in
the at least one channel 60 connected to said central fan 21. FIG.
6 illustrates only one channel 60 connected to said central fan 21,
but there are usually several channels 60 connected to the central
fan 21.
[0030] FIG. 6 illustrates a central fan 21, but the central flow
system 11 may also include several central fans.
[0031] In another exemplary embodiment of the central flow system
11 according to the present invention, the central fan 21 is
further configured to receive a first signal 37 and increase the
pressure in case the central fan 21 is configured to create an
excess pressure and reduce the pressure in the case the central fan
21 is configured to create a vacuum. The signal 37 may, in one
embodiment, be transmitted from the one or more control means 35 of
the central flow system 11.
[0032] In another exemplary embodiment of the central flow system
11 according to the present invention, the central fan 21 is a
subchannel blower or other suction device configured to cause
minimal noise.
[0033] In yet another exemplary embodiment of the central flow
system 11 according to the present invention, the central fan 21
further configured to establish the increase or decrease in
pressure during a certain period of time and then return to a
normal state.
[0034] In all embodiments of the central flow system 11 according
to the present invention, there may be one or more central fans 21.
The central fans 21 may be either connected in series or connected
in parallel.
* * * * *