Claims:1. A system (100) for regulating fluid supply to a user, the system comprising:
a blender (104) configured in a health apparatus (102), the blender (104) combines the fluid received from a source to form a mixture;
a pressure regulator (106) coupled to the blender, the pressure regulator regulates the flow of mixture to a desired quantity;
a valve (108) coupled to the pressure regulator (106), the valve (108) is operated, upon receipt of a set of signals, to allow dispensation of the mixture; and
a controller (114) operatively coupled to the valve (108), the controller (114) operatively coupled to a memory, the memory storing instructions executable by the controller to:
generate, the set of signals pertaining to pulse width modulation (PWM) count, the set of signals is received by the valve; and
compute, from the generated set of signals, the flow values for each of the generated set of signals,
wherein, based on the determination of the flow values for each of the generated set of signals, the controller (114) is configured to operate the valve to allow dispensation of a predetermined quantity of the fluid, the predetermined quantity determined as being required to provide sufficient quantity of fluid supply to the user.
2. The system as claimed in claim 1, wherein the fluid is any or a combination of air and oxygen.
3. The system as claimed in claim 1, wherein the apparatus (102) comprises a breathing circuit (110) that coupled to the valve (108), the breathing circuit (110) receives the mixture from the valve (108).
4. The system as claimed in claim 3, wherein the apparatus (102) comprises humidifier (112) coupled to the breathing circuit (110), the humidifier (112) adds any or a combination of moisture and warmth to the mixture.
5. The system as claimed in claim 4, wherein the apparatus comprises a sensor (116) to measure the flow of the mixture.
6. The system as claimed in claim 1, wherein the controller (114) computes the required flow values based on the peak flow value of the valve (108), wherein the required flow value and corresponding PWM count is derived by applying PWM count in any or a combination of minimum value, intermediate value and maximum value and measuring the corresponding flow value, wherein the controller reads the flow value in one direction to control and maintain valve performance.
7. The system as claimed in claim 1, wherein calibration data containing the required PWM count and the corresponding flow value is logged in an array.
8. The system as claimed in claim 7, wherein the calibration data is stored in a storage to be used during normal operation.
9. The system as claimed in claim 8, wherein the controller configured to set required PWM count for pumping the required flow during normal operation.
10. A method (600) for regulating fluid supply to a user, the method comprising:
generating (602), at a computing device, the set of signals pertaining to pulse width modulation (PWM) count, the set of signals is received by a valve, wherein the valve coupled to a pressure regulator, the valve is operated, upon receipt of the set of signals, to allow dispensation of the mixture of fluid, a blender configured in a health apparatus, the blender combines the fluid received from a source to form the mixture, the pressure regulator coupled to the blender to regulate the mixture to a desired quantity; and
computing (604), at the computing device, from the generated set of signals the flow values for each of the generated set of signals,
wherein, based on determination of the flow values for each of the generated set of signals, the computing device is configured to operate (606) the valve to allow dispensation of a predetermined quantity of the fluid, the predetermined quantity determined as being required to provide sufficient quantity of fluid supply to the user.
, Description:TECHNICAL FIELD
[0001] The present disclosure relates, in general, to a health apparatus, and more specifically, relates to a means for calibrating a different variety of proportional control valves used for the flow of fluids/gases in the health apparatus.

BACKGROUND
[0002] Mechanical ventilation is a method used for delivering inhaled gas to the patient to mechanically assist or replace spontaneous breathing. Few limitations associated with mechanical ventilation may include high tidal volumes that may injure the lungs or aggravate the pre-existing conditions. The precise delivering of inhaled gas in terms of volume is therefore strictly crucial.
[0003] Currently, proportional valves are used for repeated flow control, which are used in respiratory and patient monitoring applications such as biotechnology, analytical equipment, ventilators, insufflators, and anaesthesia delivery and monitors. Proportional valves are mostly used to implement flow, pressure or temperature control loops. Proportional valves play a vital role in breath delivery to the patient in breathing apparatus. The proportional valve containing an inlet and an outlet for a gas flow through the valve body, and a framework that is moveable along a longitudinal alignment from a closed position to an open position to control the flow of gas through the valve.
[0004] Although there are multiple flow control valves available in the industry, most of them provide similar operating conditions, however, the control provided by each of them is different i.e., each of them provides a different flow rate depending upon the applied voltage. So, whenever such a requirement arises to use various varieties of valves for a common purpose, it becomes extremely essential to build a common strategy that interfaces with all the different varieties of these valves.
[0005] Therefore, there is a need in the art to provide a means that uses a common strategy to calibrate various varieties of proportional control valves that controls flow of fluids in a health apparatus by solving the aforementioned problems.

OBJECTS OF THE PRESENT DISCLOSURE
[0006] An object of the present disclosure relates, in general, to a health apparatus, and more specifically, relates to a means for calibrating a different variety of proportional control valves used for the flow of fluids/gases in the health apparatus.
[0007] Another object of the present invention is to provide a system that allows for the calibration of different varieties of proportional control valves with common operating conditions but provide different flow control values at different PWM counts.
[0008] Another object of the present invention is to provide a mechanism that can provide efficient, effective, reliable method for calibrating different flow control valves by bringing the valves to an optimal operating condition to calibrate the flow control valve to get calibrated for the actual operating environment.
[0009] Another object of the present disclosure is to provide a system that minimizes hysteresis in the proportional valves by reading the flow value only in one direction to achieve good control and reputable valve performance.
[0010] Another object of the present disclosure is to provide a system that enables common strategy to calibrate various varieties of proportional control valves that controls flow of fluids in the health apparatus.
[0011] Another object of the present disclosure is to provide a system that provides effective, efficient and required flow during normal operation.
[0012] Yet another object of the present disclosure is to provide a system that ensures that the valve does not provide improper fluid flow when operating at the normal operating temperatures.

SUMMARY
[0013] The present disclosure relates, in general, to a health apparatus, and more specifically, relates to a means for calibrating a different variety of proportional control valves used for the flow of fluids/gases in the health apparatus.
[0014] The present disclosure relates to a unique method for regulation of flow calibration with different varieties of proportional valves, which are used in breathing apparatus. To use the unique method across different varieties of proportional valves, common qualification of the valves may be identified, the performance of the different valves may be analysed for the regulation of flow. To minimize hysteresis in proportional valves, the flow value may be read only in one direction to achieve good control and reputable valve performance. During calibration, the valve may be brought to the operating condition by applying PWM count from minimum to maximum for a specified number of times. Peak flow value may be read at maximum PWM count applied with required sampling duration.
[0015] In an aspect, the present disclosure provides a system for regulating fluid supply to a user, the system including a blender configured in a health apparatus, the blender combines the fluid received from a source to form a mixture, a pressure regulator coupled to the blender, the pressure regulator regulates the flow of mixture to a desired quantity, a valve coupled to the pressure regulator, the valve is operated, upon receipt of a set of signals, to allow dispensation of the mixture, and a controller operatively coupled to the valve, the controller operatively coupled to a memory, the memory storing instructions executable by the controller to generate, the set of signals pertaining to pulse width modulation (PWM) count, and compute, from the generated set of signals, the flow values for each of the generated set of signals, wherein, based on determination of the flow values for each of the generated set of signals, the controller is configured to operate the valve to allow dispensation of a predetermined quantity of the fluid, the predetermined quantity determined as being required to provide sufficient quantity of fluid supply to the user.
[0016] In an embodiment, the fluid may be any or a combination of air and oxygen.
[0017] In another embodiment, the apparatus may include a breathing circuit that is coupled to the valve, the breathing circuit receives the mixture from the valve.
[0018] In another embodiment, the apparatus may include humidifier coupled to the breathing circuit, the humidifier adds any or a combination of moisture and warmth to the mixture.
[0019] In another embodiment, the apparatus may include a sensor to measure the flow of the mixture.
[0020] In another embodiment, the controller computes the required flow values based on the peak flow value of the valve, wherein the required flow value and corresponding PWM count is derived by applying PWM count in defined manner and measuring the corresponding flow value, wherein the controller reads the flow value in one direction to control and maintain valve performance.
[0021] In another embodiment, the calibration data containing the required PWM count and the corresponding flow value is logged in an array.
[0022] In another embodiment, the calibration data is stored in a storage to be used during normal operation.
[0023] In another embodiment, the controller may be configured to set required PWM count for pumping the required flow during normal operation.
[0024] In an aspect, the present disclosure provides a method for regulating fluid supply to a user, the method includes generating , at a computing device, the set of signals pertaining to pulse width modulation (PWM) count, the set of signals is received by a valve, wherein the valve coupled to a pressure regulator, the valve is operated, upon receipt of the set of signals, to allow dispensation of the mixture of fluid, a blender configured in a health apparatus, the blender combines the fluid received from a source to form the mixture, the pressure regulator coupled to the blender to regulate the mixture to a desired quantity, and computing, at the computing device, from the generated set of signals the flow values for each of the generated set of signals, wherein, based on determination of the flow values for each of the generated set of signals, the computing device is configured to operate the valve to allow dispensation of a predetermined quantity of the fluid, the predetermined quantity determined as being required to provide sufficient quantity of fluid supply to the user.
[0025] Various objects, features, aspects, and advantages of the inventive subject matter will become more apparent from the following detailed description of preferred embodiments, along with the accompanying drawing figures in which like numerals represent like components.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0026] The following drawings form part of the present specification and are included to further illustrate aspects of the present disclosure. The disclosure may be better understood by reference to the drawings in combination with the detailed description of the specific embodiments presented herein.
[0027] FIG. 1 illustrates an exemplary representation of a system for flow calibration using proportional control valves of a health apparatus, in accordance with an embodiment of the present disclosure.
[0028] FIG. 2 illustrates an exemplary functional component of the system for storing the calibrated data in the memory of a health apparatus, in accordance with an embodiment of the present disclosure.
[0029] FIG. 3 illustrates an exemplary method for reading PWM counts and corresponding flow values of a health apparatus, in accordance with an embodiment of the present disclosure.
[0030] FIG. 4 illustrates an exemplary flowchart of a method for reading and writing PWM counts and corresponding flow values of a health apparatus, in accordance with an embodiment of the present disclosure.
[0031] FIG. 5 illustrates an exemplary sample display of data representing PWM counts and corresponding flow values of a health apparatus, in accordance with an embodiment of the present disclosure.
[0032] FIG. 6 illustrates an exemplary flow diagram of a method for flow calibration using proportional control valves of a health apparatus, in accordance with an embodiment of the present disclosure.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION
[0033] The following is a detailed description of embodiments of the disclosure depicted in the accompanying drawings. The embodiments are in such detail as to clearly communicate the disclosure. If the specification states a component or feature “may”, “can”, “could”, or “might” be included or have a characteristic, that particular component or feature is not required to be included or have the characteristic.
[0034] As used in the description herein and throughout the claims that follow, the meaning of “a,” “an,” and “the” includes plural reference unless the context clearly dictates otherwise. Also, as used in the description herein, the meaning of “in” includes “in” and “on” unless the context clearly dictates otherwise.
[0035] The present disclosure relates, in general, to a health apparatus, and more specifically, relates to a means for calibrating a different variety of proportional control valves used for the flow of fluids/gases in the health apparatus.
[0036] The present disclosure relates to a valve that is used to control the flow of fluids. The fluid flow is measured in litres per unit time. The operating conditions of such a valve, wholly depend on the fluid dynamics of the fluid being taken into consideration and the temperature of the valve during the operation. The valve is controlled through a structure similar to a piston to allow the control of the valves. However, when there moving parts in a system, heat is dissipated. So, during normal operations, the system reaches an optimal operation temperature, where the behaviour of the valve needs to be accessed. In the deployed unique method, before calibrating the proportional control valve, the valve is operated multiple times so as to ensure that the valve reaches a normal operating temperature. This process ensures that the valve does not provide improper fluid flow when it is operating at the normal operating temperatures.
[0037] The present disclosure relates to a mechanism for calibration of various varieties of the proportional valves though a unique method. The valves may have similar operating specifications (specifically the operating voltages and current). In an aspect, the present disclosure relates to a method, where the different varieties of proportional control valves are calibrated using a generic method and optimal operating conditions for the attached valve are determined and stored in persistent storage. The present disclosure relates to a mechanism that uses a common strategy to calibrate various varieties of proportional control valves. During calibration a pulse width modulation (PWM) count is applied to the valves for some duration, thereby, opening and closing the valves for a while, this ensures that the valves reach an operating temperature, before starting the actual calibration. The present disclosure can be described in enabling detail in the following examples, which may represent more than one embodiment of the present disclosure.
[0038] FIG. 1 illustrates an exemplary representation of a system for flow calibration using proportional control valves of a health apparatus, in accordance with an embodiment of the present disclosure.
[0039] Referring to FIG. 1, system 100 may be configured to perform flow calibration with different varieties of proportional valves in a health apparatus 102. The system 100 may provide control flow in different varieties of proportional valves with common specifications for flow calibration, used in the health/breathing apparatus 102. The health apparatus 102 may be associated with a user/patient 120 for providing artificial respiratory to the patient 120. The apparatus 100 may include a blender 104, a pressure regulator 106, an inspiratory valve 108, a breathing circuit 110, a humidifier 112, a flow sensor 116, a controller 114, and a power supply 118. The present disclosure relates to a valve that used to control the flow of fluids. The fluid flow measured in litres per unit time. The operating conditions of such a valve, wholly depend on the fluid dynamics of the fluid taken into consideration and the temperature of the valve during the operation. The present invention relates generally to the calibration of different varieties of proportional control valves through a unique mechanism.
[0040] In an exemplary embodiment, the health apparatus 102 as presented in the example may be a breathing apparatus that may include ventilator, insufflators and the like. As can be appreciated, the present disclosure may not be limited to this configuration but may be extended to other configurations. The present invention provides a unique method to use different varieties of proportional valves in any of the health care, the automobile, consumer products and the like.
[0041] In an embodiment, the blender 104 configured to receive fluids from a source, the fluids may be any or a combination of air and oxygen. The blender 104 may combine the fluids to form the mixture. The blender 104 may be coupled to the pressure regulator 106, the pressure regulator 106 adapted to regulate the flow of mixture to the required quantity. The pressure regulator 106 coupled to the inspiratory valve 108. The inspiratory valve 108 also interchangeably referred to as proportional valves may be operated, upon receipt of a set of signals from the controller 114, to allow dispensation of the mixture. The mixture from the pressure regulator 106 may be sent to the inspiratory valve 108 based on the method implemented described in detail below.
[0042] In another embodiment, the inspiratory valve 108 coupled to the breathing circuit 110 and the humidifier 112. The output of the inspiratory valve 108 may be given to the breathing circuit 110 and to the humidifier 112, which adds the moisture and warmth to the air/oxygen mixture for reducing the symptoms of dryness and congestion, and may improve comfort and compliance to the patient. The flow sensor 116 configured in the apparatus 102 may monitor and measure the air/oxygen flow before it reaches the patient 120.
[0043] In another embodiment, the controller 114 operatively coupled to the inspiratory valve 108, the controller 114 operatively coupled to a memory 204, the memory 204 storing instructions executable by the controller 114 to generate, the set of signals pertaining to pulse width modulation (PWM) count. The controller 114 configured to compute, from the generated set of signals the flow values for each of the generated set of signals. The controller 114 may be configured to operate the valve 108 to allow dispensation of a predetermined quantity of the mixture of fluid, based on determination of the flow values for each of the generated set of signals, where the predetermined quantity determined as being required to provide sufficient quantity of fluid supply to the user.
[0044] The controller 114 may compute the required flow values based on the peak flow value of the valve 108. The required flow value and corresponding PWM count may be derived by applying PWM count in any or a combination of minimum value, intermediate value and maximum value and measuring the corresponding flow value, where the controller 114 may read the flow value in one direction to control and maintain valve performance. The calibration data containing the required PWM count and the corresponding flow value may be logged in an array. The calibration data may be stored in storage, for example, persistent storage or memory as a table for reference, to set required PWM counts for pumping the required flow during normal operation.
[0045] For example, the PWM counts may be applied to the valves for some duration thereby opening and closing the valves for a while, this ensures that the valves reach an operating temperature, before starting the actual calibration. The PWM counts are applied starting from a minimum count, reaching intermediate count and then maximum PWM count is applied. The calibrated data for the PWM counts and its corresponding flow value may be stored in the array to be used during normal operation. The fluid concentration of the valve may be controlled according to the calculated flow quantity of the fluid, so that a precise fluid supply can be obtained effectively.
[0046] The present disclosure relates to a unique method for regulation of flow calibration with different varieties of proportional valves, which are used in breathing apparatus 102. To use the unique method across different varieties of proportional valves, common qualification of the valves may be identified, the performance of the different valves may be analysed for the regulation of flow. To minimize hysteresis in proportional valves, the flow value may be read only in one direction to achieve good control and reputable valve performance. During calibration, the valve 108 may be brought to the operating condition by applying PWM count from minimum to maximum for a specified number of times. Peak flow value may be read at the peak voltage with required sampling duration and then the PWM count is set to minimum and remaining values are updated. The calibration data is logged in the array for the required flow value and its corresponding PWM count applied. This data is also stored in persistent storage to refer as a lookup table during normal operation of the breathing apparatus.
[0047] Thus, the system 100 can provide accurate and safe delivery of precise fluid/gases to patients. The hysteresis in the proportional valves can be minimized by reading the flow value only in one direction to achieve good control and reputable valve performance. The system 100 enables the common strategy to calibrate various varieties of proportional control valves that control the flow of fluids in the health apparatus. The system 100 ensures that the valve does not provide improper fluid flow when operating at the normal operating temperatures. Further, the system 100 provides effective, efficient and required flow during normal operation.
[0048] FIG. 2 illustrates an exemplary functional component of the system for storing the calibrated data in the memory of a health apparatus, in accordance with an embodiment of the present disclosure.
[0049] As illustrated, an exemplary module diagram 200 of the proposed system 100 that include one or more processor(s) 202. The one or more processor(s) 202 can be implemented as one or more microprocessors, microcomputers, microcontrollers, digital signal processors, central processing units, logic circuitries, and/or any devices that manipulate data based on operational instructions. Among other capabilities, the one or more processor(s) 202 are configured to fetch and execute computer-readable instructions stored in a memory 204 of the system 100. The memory 204 can store one or more computer-readable instructions or routines, which may be fetched and executed to create the data. The memory 204 can include any non-transitory storage device including, for example, volatile memory such as RAM, or non-volatile memory such as EPROM, flash memory, and the like.
[0050] The system 100 can also include a display 206. The display 206 can include a variety of displays, for example, displays output data, referred to as input/output (I/O) devices, storage devices, battery charging and the like. The display 206 can facilitate to display the progress of the calibration process during calibration and display of calibration results. The microcontroller executes the method, the memory 204 stores the calibration table.
[0051] The processing engine 208 may include the processing unit(s) 210, extraction module 212 and other modules 214 and storage 218. The processing unit(s) 210 can be implemented as a combination of hardware and programming (for example, programmable instructions) to implement one or more functionalities of the processing unit(s) 210. In examples described herein, such combinations of hardware and programming may be implemented in several different ways. For example, the programming for the processing unit(s) 210 can be processor executable instructions stored on a non-transitory machine-readable storage medium and the hardware for the processing unit(s) 210 can comprise a processing resource (for example, one or more processors), to execute such instructions. In the present examples, the machine-readable storage medium can store instructions that, when executed by the processing resource, implement the processing unit(s) 210. In such examples, the system 100 can comprise the machine-readable storage medium storing the instructions and the processing resource to execute the instructions, or the machine-readable storage medium may be separate but accessible to system 100 and the processing resource. In other examples, the processing unit(s) 210 can be implemented by electronic circuitry.
[0052] An extraction unit 212 can be included where calibration results are extracted during normal operation of the health apparatus. The database/storage 218 may comprise data that is either stored or generated as a result of functionalities implemented by any of the components of the processing engine(s) 208 or the system 100.
[0053] FIG. 3 illustrates an exemplary method for reading PWM counts and corresponding flow values of a health apparatus, in accordance with an embodiment of the present disclosure.
[0054] Referring to FIG. 3, the present disclosure relates to a unique method 300 for calibration of different variety of proportional valves in the health apparatus 102. At block 302, the method 300 applies PWM counts to the valves for some duration thereby opening and closing the valves for a while, this ensures that the valves reach an operating temperature, before starting the actual calibration. At block 304, PWM counts are applied to start from a minimum count, reaching intermediate count and then maximum PWM count is applied, further, the PWM counts are reduced to intermediate and finally, the low counts are applied.
[0055] At block 306, read the flow value starting from minimum PWM count and incrementing in required steps to find 20% of the peak value. At block 308, read the flow value by decrementing the PWM count each time by the required number of steps till it reaches 2% of the flow value and stores all the values in an array. At block 310, ensure the PWM count is going to minimum value then set the required PWM count. At block 312, from 20% of the peak value, increment the PWM count in required steps and store the readings in the array till it reaches 80% of the peak value. At 314, extract the required number of entries for the target flow value of 2% to 80% of peak value and one peak value, where the value from 2% to 20% and 20% to 80% of the flow may be stored in the array.
[0056] FIG. 4 illustrates an exemplary method for reading and writing PWM counts and corresponding flow values of a health apparatus, in accordance with an embodiment of the present disclosure. As shown in FIG. 4, the method 400 configured to read the flow value for PWM counts of minimum count, intermediate count and then maximum count. Extract the required number of entries for the target flow value to be stored in the memory.
[0057] FIG. 5 illustrates an exemplary sample display of data representing PWM counts and corresponding flow values of a health apparatus, in accordance with an embodiment of the present disclosure. As shown in FIG. 5, the calibration data may be logged in the array for the required PWM count applied and the corresponding flow value. The calibration data may be stored in the persistent storage to be used during normal operation, where the controller configured to set required PWM count for pumping the required flow during normal operation.
[0058] FIG. 6 illustrates an exemplary flow diagram of a method for flow calibration using proportional control valves of a health apparatus, in accordance with an embodiment of the present disclosure.
[0059] The method 600 can be implemented using a computing device, which can include one or more processors/controllers. At block 602, the computing device generates the set of signals pertaining to pulse width modulation (PWM) count, where the valve coupled to a pressure regulator, the valve is operated, upon receipt of the set of signals, to allow dispensation of the mixture of fluid.
[0060] At block 604, the computing device computes from the generated set of signals the flow values for each of the generated set of signals. At block 606, based on determination of the flow values for each of the generated set of signals, the computing device is configured to operate the valve to allow dispensation of a predetermined quantity of the fluid, the predetermined quantity determined as being required to provide sufficient quantity of fluid supply to the user
[0061] It will be apparent to those skilled in the art that the system 100 of the disclosure may be provided using some or all of the mentioned features and components without departing from the scope of the present disclosure. While various embodiments of the present disclosure have been illustrated and described herein, it will be clear that the disclosure is not limited to these embodiments only. Numerous modifications, changes, variations, substitutions, and equivalents will be apparent to those skilled in the art, without departing from the spirit and scope of the disclosure, as described in the claims.

ADVANTAGES OF THE PRESENT DISCLOSURE
[0062] The present disclosure provides a system that allows for the calibration of different varieties of proportional control valves with common operating conditions but provide different flow control values at different PWM counts.
[0063] The present disclosure provides a system a mechanism that can provide efficient, effective, reliable method for calibrating different flow control valves by bringing the valves to an optimal operating condition to calibrate the flow control valve to get calibrated for the actual operating environment.
[0064] The present disclosure provides a system that minimizes hysteresis in the proportional valves by reading the flow value only in one direction to achieve good control and reputable valve performance.
[0065] The present disclosure provides a system that enables common strategy to calibrate various varieties of proportional control valves that controls flow of fluids in the health apparatus.
[0066] The present disclosure provides a system that ensures that the valve does not provide improper fluid flow when operating at the normal operating temperatures.
[0067] The present disclosure provides a system that provides effective, efficient and required flow during normal operation.