US3807445A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Audible pressure relief valve for medical humidifier
Assignee: American Hospital Supply Corp
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Filing: 1972-06-19
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Granted: 1974-04-30
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Expires: 1992-06-19
Abstract
Abstract An audible pressure relief valve for a medical humidifier used in inhalation therapy. This valve relieves pressure from the humidifier when there is a kink or obstruction in a humidified oxygen tube leading to a patient''s mask, nasal cannula or tent. The valve has a rubber disc that is dimensionally tuned to vibrate against a valve seat and emit an audible sound over a wide range of oxygen flow rates. This valve audibly vibrates at gas flow rates of 3 to 15 liters per minute and pressures of 1 to 5 psi above atmospheric pressure.
Inventors
- 👤 Phee C Mc
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-23 09:38
CPC Classifications
A; A61; A61M; A61M16/00; A61M16/20; A61M16/208; A61M16/209; A61M16/0051; F; F16; F16K; F16K15/00; F16K15/14; F16K15/141; F16K17/00; F16K17/02; F16K17/04; F16K17/0446; F16K37/00; A61M16/06; A61M16/0666; A61M2205/00; A61M2205/18; A61M2205/183; Y; Y10; Y10T; Y10T137/00; Y10T137/7722; Y10T137/7837; Y10T137/7879; Y10T137/8158; Y10T137/8326
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 21
Claim 1
Independent Claim
307 words
A low-pressure, audible relief valve-and-gas administration adapter for use in a gas inhalation therapy system in which gas is to be constantly administered to a patient, comprising in combination: a body having passage means therethrough and including means for connecting the passage to a pressurized source of treatment gas and means for connecting the passage means to a gas treatment means, an elongated through-passage extending from end-to-end and including means at one end for connection to a pressurized gas source and means at the other end for connection to gas treatment means; the body including second passage means including means for communication with the treated gas for constantly directing treated gas to a patient; and a lowpressure relief valve assembly connected in parallel communication with said second passage means for relieving excessive pressures therein and audibly aprizing one of the high pressures in said second passage means and inoperativeness of the system, said valve assembly including pressure-relief cavity means in said body opening to said second passage means and subject to pressures therein; a valve seat surrounding said pressure-relief cavity means; a resilient pressure-relief valve disc displacably seated at one side on said valve seat and closing said cavity, said body including atmospheric vent means open to the opposite side of said disc for relieving pressure in said second passage means when the valve disc is displaced; said body including post means having a relatively small area engaging the opposite side of said valve disc and normally biasing the valve-disc onto the seat, said disc being engaged by said post to permit surrounding portions of the disc to be vibrationally displaced by pressures over a predetermined value in said second passage means, the disc being constructed and arranged to vibrate at relatively low pressures and tuned to emit an apparent audible frequency when excessive pressures are relieved.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
307 words
A low-pressure, audible relief valve-and-gas administration adapter for use in a gas inhalation therapy system in which gas is to be constantly administered to a patient, comprising in combination: a body having passage means therethrough and including means for connecting the passage to a pressurized source of treatment gas and means for connecting the passage means to a gas treatment means, an elongated through-passage extending from end-to-end and including means at one end for connection to a pressurized gas source and means at the other end for connection to gas treatment means; the body including second passage means including means for communication with the treated gas for constantly directing treated gas to a patient; and a lowpressure relief valve assembly connected in parallel communication with said second passage means for relieving excessive pressures therein and audibly aprizing one of the high pressures in said second passage means and inoperativeness of the system, said valve assembly including pressure-relief cavity means in said body opening to said second passage means and subject to pressures therein; a valve seat surrounding said pressure-relief cavity means; a resilient pressure-relief valve disc displacably seated at one side on said valve seat and closing said cavity, said body including atmospheric vent means open to the opposite side of said disc for relieving pressure in said second passage means when the valve disc is displaced; said body including post means having a relatively small area engaging the opposite side of said valve disc and normally biasing the valve-disc onto the seat, said disc being engaged by said post to permit surrounding portions of the disc to be vibrationally displaced by pressures over a predetermined value in said second passage means, the disc being constructed and arranged to vibrate at relatively low pressures and tuned to emit an apparent audible frequency when excessive pressures are relieved.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
26 words
The combination as set forth in claim 1 wherein the resilient disc includes a thin-body which audibly vibrates at relief pressures of 1-5 psi above atmospheric.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
34 words
The combination as set forth in claim 1 wherein the resilient pressure relief disc includes a thin body which will audibly vibrate at gas flow rates in the range of 3 to 15 liters/minute.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
37 words
The combination as set forth in claim 1 wherein the body member valve seat is annular and flat, surrounding the pressure relief cavity, and the resilient disc abuts against the seat and is bowed into the cavity.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
56 words
The combination as set forth in claim 4 wherein the valve body includes an upstanding flange surrounding the valve seat to retain the disc in alignment with the relief port and the body includes at least one guide rib on the interior of the upstanding flange for engagement of an edge surface of the resilient disc.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
31 words
The combination as set forth in claim 1 wherein the post means includes a rounded end urging the resilient disc against the valve seat for permitting radial areas free to vibrate.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
51 words
The combination as set forth in claim 6 wherein the terminal end of the post means has a cross sectional area substantially smaller than the cross sectional dimensions of the relief cavity means and the post contacts the resilient disc at a location approximately at a center of the body port.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
17 words
The combination as set forth in claim 7 wherein the resilient disc is one piece and imperforate.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
41 words
The combination as set forth in claim 7 wherein the post means and is convex end contacts a center portion of the resilient disc and the rounded end provides a pressure surface about which the resilient disc can flex and vibrate.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
39 words
The combination as set forth in claim 9 wherein the pressure surface of said rounded post means has a radius of between 0.010 and .050 inch for restricting the area of contact between the post means and valve disc.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
48 words
The combination as set forth in claim 1 wherein the body includes retention means integral with the post means, the retention means includes a baffle plate having a hole therethrough with a cross sectional area equivalent to a round hole of a diameter from .030 to 0.100 inch.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
47 words
The combination as set forth in claim 11 wherein the baffle plate is spaced a distance of from 0.100 to 0.200 inch from the resilient valve disc so as to create a harmonic whistle through the combination if the vibrating resilient disc and the baffle plate''s hole.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
71 words
The combination as set forh in claim 11 wherein there is a depending skirt integral with the baffle plate and the body has an annular flange surrounding the port, which skirt and flange fit together in a telescopic relationship; and the combination includes interengaging snap fit means for holding the skirt and flange together, said baffle plate and snap fit means positioning the post means into engagement with said valve disc.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
26 words
The combination as set forth in claim 13 wherein the interengaging snap fit means includes an annular groove and rib structure on the skirt and flange.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
33 words
The combination as set forth in claim 1 wherein the resilient disc is rubber and has a thickness from 0.020 to 0.130 inch and a diameter of from 0.200 inch to 0.600 inch.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
264 words
A combination low pressure audible relief valve and adaptor for use in gas inhalation therapy comprising: a molded body including an elongated through passage extending from end-to-end and including means at one end for connection to a pressurized gas source and means at the other end for connection to gas treatment means; a second passage in said body surrounding the first-mentioned passage and including a tubular side arm in communication therewith for directing treated gas to a patient, an audible, pressure relief valve assembly connected to said second passage in parallel communication with the second passage and subject to the pressures existing therein, said valve assembly comprising a pressure relief cavity in direct communication with said second passage, a valve seat surrounding said cavity in spaced lateral relation from said second passage, a relatively small, flat resilient disc engaged at one side on said seat and functioning to retain pressures below a predetermined value in said second passage, said body including a wall surrounding said valve seat and disc and an apertured baffle wall communicating with the atmosphere exposing the other side of the disc to atmospheric pressure, said baffle wall including an axial post extending toward said valve disc and engaging the other side thereof and normally biasing it into said pressure relief cavity, said post having a rounded end arching the disc onto the seat and in an direction the disc moves when pressure is relieved in the second passage, said disc being constructed and arranged to emit an audible frequency when displaced from the seat at pressures over a predetermined value.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
264 words
A combination low pressure audible relief valve and adaptor for use in gas inhalation therapy comprising: a molded body including an elongated through passage extending from end-to-end and including means at one end for connection to a pressurized gas source and means at the other end for connection to gas treatment means; a second passage in said body surrounding the first-mentioned passage and including a tubular side arm in communication therewith for directing treated gas to a patient, an audible, pressure relief valve assembly connected to said second passage in parallel communication with the second passage and subject to the pressures existing therein, said valve assembly comprising a pressure relief cavity in direct communication with said second passage, a valve seat surrounding said cavity in spaced lateral relation from said second passage, a relatively small, flat resilient disc engaged at one side on said seat and functioning to retain pressures below a predetermined value in said second passage, said body including a wall surrounding said valve seat and disc and an apertured baffle wall communicating with the atmosphere exposing the other side of the disc to atmospheric pressure, said baffle wall including an axial post extending toward said valve disc and engaging the other side thereof and normally biasing it into said pressure relief cavity, said post having a rounded end arching the disc onto the seat and in an direction the disc moves when pressure is relieved in the second passage, said disc being constructed and arranged to emit an audible frequency when displaced from the seat at pressures over a predetermined value.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
35 words
The combination as set forth in claim 16 wherein the resilient valve disc is and rubber of from 0.020 inch to 0.130 inch thick and with a diameter of from 0.200 inch to 0.600 inch.
Claim 20
Dependent Claim
74 words
The combination as set forth in claim 16 wherein the resilient disc is spaced from the apertured baffle wall so that it audibly vibrates at a release pressure of 1-5 psi above atmospheric pressure, the Baffle wall being spaced a distance of from 0.100 - 0.200 inch from the valve disc and containing a vent-opening having a cross sectional area equivalent to that of a round hole with a diameter from .030 -0.100 inch.
Claim 21
Dependent Claim
78 words
The combination as set forth in claim 16 wherein the resilient disc is spaced from the apertured baffle wall so that it will vibrate over the range of 3 to 15 liters/minute of gas passing through the pressure relief cavity, the baffle wall being spaced a distance of from 0.100 -0.200 inch from the valve disc and containing a vent-opening having a cross-sectional area equivalent to that of a round hole with a diameter from 0.030 -0.100 inch.
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USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1977-04-29 | 1977-10-29 | 1978-04-30 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1981-04-29 | 1981-10-29 | 1982-04-30 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1985-04-29 | 1985-10-29 | 1986-04-30 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |