摘要:
A walking assistance device, for example, a walking cane, a walking crutch, or walker includes a gas storage vessel for providing an ambulatory supply of medicinal gas for a user of the device. The gas storage vessel is formed from a plurality of polymeric hollow chamber having either an ellipsoidal or spherical shape and interconnected by a plurality of relatively narrow conduit sections disposed between consecutive ones of the chambers. The gas storage vessel includes a reinforcing filament wrapped around the interconnected chambers and interconnecting conduit sections to limit radial expansion of the chambers and conduit sections when filled with a fluid under pressure. The container system further includes a fluid transfer control system attached to the gas storage vessel for controlling fluid flow into and out of the gas storage vessel and a gas delivery mechanism for delivering gas from the gas storage vessel to a user in a breathable manner.
摘要:
A fitting (260) with a dual locking swaging mechanism includes a projection to be inserted into the open end of an elastomeric tube (262). A ferrule (280) is connected at one end thereof to a body portion of the fitting and is swaged (286) over the tube to hold the tube onto the projection inserted into the tube. The tube is thereby held to the fitting by both frictional engagement of the tube with the projection and the ferrule and by the connection of the ferrule with the main body of the fitting.
摘要:
A container system for pressurized fluid includes a pressure vessel (40) formed from a plurality of polymeric hollow chambers (50) having either en ellipsoidal or spherical shape and interconnected by a plurality of relatively narrow conduit sections (52) disposed between consecutive ones of the chambers. The pressure vessel includes a reinforcing filament (46) wrapped around the interconnected chambers and interconnecting conduit sections to limit radial expansion of the chambers and conduit sections when filled with a fluid under pressure. The container system further includes a fluid transfer control system (76) attached to the pressure vessel for controlling fluid flow into and out of the pressure vessel.
摘要:
A first strand (450) of interconnected hollow polymeric chambers (C) is connected to a second strand (466) of interconnected hollow polymeric chambers (C). A connecting portion (454) of the first strand has an outer surface contour (462) conforming to a portion of the inner surface of a chamber (472). A partial chamber (468) is formed on the end of the second strand, the partial chamber having an inner surface (472) that conforms to the outer surface (462) of the connecting portion. The connecting portion is inserted into the partial chamber and the two strands are held together by adhesive.
摘要:
An apparatus for forming a polymeric pressure vessel (19) includes two, coaxial plastic extruders (120, 160) separated by a hole-forming laser (140) and connected to a variable die (180), a vacuum/blow molding apparatus (200), a fusing device, a braiding mechanism (240), and an overcoat applicator (260). The first extruder (120) forms a tubular core (T), and the laser forms axially-spaced apertures (A) in the core (T). The second extruder (160) forms an outer tube (20) coaxially over the tubular core (T) and the variable die (180) is alternately opened and closed to form parisons of increased material at axially-spaced locations along the outer tube (20). The parisons are moved into the molding apparatus (200) and are expanded in a vacuum/blow molding process into hollow chambers (22) of preferably ellipsoidal shape. The fusing device (220) fuses the outer tube (20) to the tubular core (T) at locations between the spaced-apart hollow chambers (22), the braiding mechanism (240) then applies a layer of interwoven reinforcing filament fiber, and the overcoat applicator (260) applies a protective polymeric coating over the fiber layer. The entire device is computer-controlled for maximum automated efficiency. The first extruder (120) and the hole-forming laser (140) may be omitted if the inner tubular core (T) is to be omitted from the pressure vessel (10).
摘要:
A fluid transfer control valve (76) is connected to a pressure vessel formed from a plurality of hollow, polymeric chambers (50) interconnected by polymeric conduit sections (44) disposed between adjacent ones of the chambers. The valve includes a valve body and a pressure relief mechanism (295) attached to the body. The pressure relief mechanism (295) is operative to release pressure from the pressure vessel when the pressure within the vessel exceeds a predetermined maximum pressure. In a preferred embodiment, the relief mechanism comprises a rupture disk (321). The pressure relief valve may also include a filter element disposed along a fluid flow path defined within the valve body and/or a restrictive flow path for reducing the pressure of fluid flowing through the valve body.
摘要:
A wearable storage system (10) for pressurized fluid includes a pressure vessel (40) formed from a plurality of polymeric hollow chambers (50) having either an ellipsoidal or spherical shape and interconnected by a plurality of relatively narrow conduit sections (52, 56) disposed between consecutive ones of the chambers. The pressure vessel includes a reinforcing filament (46) wrapped around the interconnected chambers and interconnecting conduit sections to limit radial expansion of the chambers and conduit sections when filled with a fluid under pressure. The container system further includes a fluid transfer control system (76) attached to the pressure vessel for controlling fluid flow into and out of the pressure vessel. A gas delivery mechanism for delivering gas stored in the pressure vessel to the patient in a controlled manner is connected to the fluid transfer control system. The pressure vessel and the fluid transfer control system are incorporated into a wearable garment to provide an ambulatory supply of gas for the patient.
摘要:
A first strand (450) of interconnected hollow polymeric chambers (C) is connected to a second strand (466) of interconnected hollow polymeric chambers (C). A connecting portion (454) of the first strand has an outer surface contour (462) conforming to a portion of the inner surface of a chamber (472). A partial chamber (468) is formed on the end of the second strand, the partial chamber having an inner surface (472) that conforms to the outer surface (462) of the connecting portion. The connecting portion is inserted into the partial chamber and the two strands are held together by adhesive.
摘要:
A wearable storage system (10) for pressurized fluid includes a pressure vessel (40) formed from a plurality of polymeric hollow chambers (50) having either an ellipsoidal or spherical shape and interconnected by a plurality of relatively narrow conduit sections (52, 56) disposed between consecutive ones of the chambers. The pressure vessel includes a reinforcing filament (46) wrapped around the interconnected chambers and interconnecting conduit sections to limit radial expansion of the chambers and conduit sections when filled with a fluid under pressure. The container system further includes a fluid transfer control system (76) attached to the pressure vessel for controlling fluid flow into and out of the pressure vessel. A gas delivery mechanism for delivering gas stored in the pressure vessel to the patient in a controlled manner is connected to the fluid transfer control system. The pressure vessel and the fluid transfer control system are incorporated into a wearable garment to provide an ambulatory supply of gas for the patient.
摘要:
An apparatus for forming a polymeric pressure vessel (19) includes two, coaxial plastic extruders (120, 160) separated by a hole-forming laser (140) and connected to a variable die (180), a vacuum/blow molding apparatus (200), a fusing device, a braiding mechanism (240), and an overcoat applicator (260). The first extruder (120) forms a tubular core (T), and the laser forms axially-spaced apertures (A) in the core (T). The second extruder (160) forms an outer tube (20) coaxially over the tubular core (T) and the variable die (180) is alternately opened and closed to form parisons of increased material at axially-spaced locations along the outer tube (20). The parisons are moved into the molding apparatus (200) and are expanded in a vacuum/blow molding process into hollow chambers (22) of preferably ellipsoidal shape. The fusing device (220) fuses the outer tube (20) to the tubular core (T) at locations between the spaced-apart hollow chambers (22), the braiding mechanism (240) then applies a layer of interwoven reinforcing filament fiber, and the overcoat applicator (260) applies a protective polymeric coating over the fiber layer. The entire device is computer-controlled for maximum automated efficiency. The first extruder (120) and the hole-forming laser (140) may be omitted if the inner tubular core (T) is to be omitted from the pressure vessel (10).