The present disclosure generally relates to wellness by modulating breathable
air. Particularly, the invention relates to systems and methods of modulating
oxygen level in an enclosed space.
5 BACKGROUND
Lower oxygen levels have been associated with varied levels of impairment of
physical and mental faculties of humans, and animals alike. In urban areas and
enclosed spaces, oxygen levels can be substantially lower than 21%, and/or
concentration of carbon di oxide and/or carbon mono oxide can be higher than
10 usual. Humans are not very adept at compensating for low or high oxygen levels
by modulating respiration and/or breathing, which can lead to loss of wellbeing
over period of time and irreversible negative effects on general health.
Treatment of various aliments with air with high oxygen content is well known in
the medical setting. There is also documentary evidence of oxygen treatment
15 being beneficial for physical and mental performances/tasks. The recent advent
of “oxygen bars” is a testament to growing popularity and acceptance of oxygen
treatment.
However, all known paradigms till date are essentially interventional in nature
and do not focus on prophylactic and/or long-term effects of oxygen, or
20 incorporating the benefits of oxygen into regular lifestyle.
Therefore, there is an unmet need in the art to devise systems and methods of
providing benefits of oxygen on a continual basis particularly in spaces which are
more susceptible to drop in oxygen levels.
SUMMARY
25 One embodiment of the present disclosure relates to a system for modulating
oxygen level in an enclosed space. The system comprises one or more sensors,
3
an oxygen generating apparatus, an oxygen delivery apparatus, and an electronic
control unit. The one or more sensors for determining an ambient parameter in
an enclosed space. The oxygen generating apparatus for generating oxygen upon
activation. The oxygen delivery apparatus for directing the supply of oxygen
5 generated by the oxygen generating apparatus, to the enclosed space. The
electronic control unit for activating the oxygen generating apparatus, in case
the ambient parameter is below a threshold value.
Another embodiment of the present disclosure relates to a method of
modulating oxygen level in an enclosed space. The method comprises: detecting,
10 from one or more sensors, an ambient parameter in an enclosed space;
processing, by an electronic control unit, the ambient parameter; activating, by
electronic control unit, an oxygen generating apparatus, in case the ambient
parameter reaches below the threshold value; generating, by the oxygen
generating apparatus upon activation, oxygen; and delivering the oxygen, by at
15 least one delivery apparatus/system, oxygen to the enclosed space.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS
The present invention, both as to its organization and manner of operation,
together with further objects and advantages, may best be understood by
reference to the following description, taken in connection with the
20 accompanying drawings. These and other details of the present invention will be
described in connection with the accompanying drawings, which are furnished
only by way of illustration and not in limitation of the invention, and in which
drawings:
Figure 1 shows a schematic of a system for modulating oxygen in an enclosed
25 space, in accordance with the concepts of the present disclosure; and
Figure 2 shows a flowchart of a method of modulating oxygen in an enclosed
space, in accordance with the concepts of the present disclosure.
4
DETAILED DESCRIPTION
In the following description, for the purposes of explanation, various specific
details are set forth in order to provide a thorough understanding of
embodiments of the present invention. It will be apparent, however, that
5 embodiments of the present invention may be practiced without these specific
details. Several features described hereafter can each be used independently of
one another or with any combination of other features. An individual feature
may not address any of the problems discussed above or might address only one
of the problems discussed above. Some of the problems discussed above might
10 not be fully addressed by any of the features described herein. Example
embodiments of the present invention are described below, as illustrated in
various drawings in which like reference numerals refer to the same parts
throughout the different drawings.
The present invention, as is shown in Fig. 1, provides a system for modulating
15 oxygen level in an enclosed space, said system [100] comprising: (a) one or more
sensors [102]; (b) an electronic control unit [104]; (c) at least one oxygen
generating apparatus/system [106]; and (d) an oxygen delivery
apparatus/system [108].
In an embodiment, the enclosed space may be a single room, or multiple rooms.
20 The system [100] of the present invention is capable of independently
modulating the oxygen level of two or more enclosed spaces.
The one or more sensors [102] determines ambient parameters in an the
enclosed space. In an embodiment, the system [100] further comprises one or
more sensors [102] for detecting motion in the enclosed space. In a preferred
25 embodiment, the one or more sensors [102] detect human motion.
In an embodiment, the one or more sensors [102] detect levels of oxygen in the
enclosed space. In another embodiment, the one or more sensors [102] detect
carbon di oxide levels in the enclosed space. In yet another embodiment, the one
5
or more sensors [102] detect levels of carbon mono oxide in the enclosed space.
It is understood that the sensors [102] for detecting any of oxygen level carbon di
oxide level, and carbon mono oxide level may be the same sensor, or separate
sensor, or hybrid sensor, or combinations thereof.
5 In an embodiment, the one or more sensors [102] detect any of oxygen, carbon
di oxide, and carbon mono oxide levels in real time. In another embodiment,
detection is at pre-determined intervals. In yet another embodiment, detection
interval can be manually configured.
Such sensors [102] well known in the art, and can be based upon optical,
10 electrical or chemical detection concepts. In a non-limiting manner, US patent
numbers 5,036,852 and 5,706,801 describes oxygen sensors.
In an embodiment, the one or more sensors [102] can connect with at least one
electronic control unit [104] further comprised in the system [100] of the present
invention, whereby the electronic control unit [104] can process the information
15 received from one or more sensors. In an embodiment, the processing of
information received from the one or more sensors [102] relates to
determination of ratio of oxygen to carbon di oxide, or oxygen to carbon mono
oxide, or carbon di oxide to carbon mono oxide, or oxygen to carbon di oxide to
carbon mono oxide. In an embodiment, the processing of information received
20 from the one or more sensors [102] relates to determination of motion in the
enclosed space. In another embodiment, the processing of information received
from the one or more sensors [102] relates to determination of human motion,
or animal motion in the enclosed space. In yet another embodiment, the
processing of information received from the one or more sensors [102] relates to
25 determination of presence of humans or animals in the enclosed space. In an
embodiment, the at least one electronic unit [104] is capable of transmitting
information to a remote device by wired or wireless means as known in the art.
6
In an embodiment, the system [100] further comprises a ventilation system
[110]. The ventilation system [110] can communicate with the at least one
electronic control unit [104] to vent gases from the enclosed system to outside
the enclosed space.
5 In an embodiment, the at least one electronic control unit [104] is connected
with the at least one oxygen generating apparatus/system [106] by wired or
wireless means as known in the art. The electronic control unit [104], based on
comparison of any of levels of oxygen, carbon di oxide, carbon mono oxide,
ratios thereof, and human or animal motion or presence, with a threshold value,
10 can activate or deactivate the at least one oxygen generating apparatus/system
[106].
In an embodiment, determination of activation or deactivation of oxygen
generating apparatus/system [106] based on communication received from the
electronic control unit is based on pre-determined cut off values (or
15 predetermined threshold values). In an embodiment, the cut-off value (also
referred to as ‘the threshold value’ interchangeably hereinafter) can be a range.
In an embodiment, the cut-off value/range can be manually configured.
In an embodiment, the electronic control unit [104] activates the oxygen
generating apparatus/system [106] in response to lower oxygen levels in the
20 enclosed space. In particular, the electronic control unit [104] activates the
oxygen generating apparatus/system [106] in response to oxygen levels being
lower than the corresponding threshold value. In another embodiment, the
electronic control unit [104] activates the oxygen generating apparatus/system
[106] is response to high levels of carbon di oxide in the enclosed space. In
25 particular, the electronic control unit [104] activates the oxygen generating
apparatus/system [106] in response to levels of carbon di oxide being higher
than the corresponding threshold value. In yet another embodiment, the
electronic control unit [104] activates the oxygen generating apparatus/system
[106] in response to high levels of carbon mono oxide in the enclosed space. In
7
particular, the electronic control unit [104] activates the oxygen generating
apparatus/system [106] in response to levels of carbon mono oxide being higher
than the corresponding threshold value. In still another embodiment, the
electronic control unit [104] activates the oxygen generating apparatus/system
5 [106] in response to increased human presence or motion in the enclosed space.
It is to be understood that activation of the oxygen generating apparatus/system
[106] by the electronic control unit [104] can be as a result of one or more inputs
received by the electronic control unit [104] from at least one of the sensors.
In an embodiment, the electronic control unit [104] deactivates the oxygen
10 generating apparatus/system [106] in response to higher levels of oxygen in the
enclosed space. In particular, the electronic control unit [104] deactivates the
oxygen generating apparatus/system [106] in response to oxygen levels being
higher than the corresponding threshold value. In another embodiment, the
electronic control unit [104] deactivates the oxygen generating
15 apparatus/system [106] based on ratio of oxygen to at least one of carbon di
oxide, and carbon mono oxide. In yet another embodiment, the electronic
control unit [104] deactivates the oxygen generating apparatus/system [106] in
response to lack of motion or activity in the enclosed space. In still another
embodiment, the electronic control unit [104] deactivates the oxygen generating
20 apparatus/system [106] is response to lack of human or animal presence in the
enclosed space.
In an embodiment, the electronic control unit [104] can also modulate rate of
generation of oxygen by the oxygen generating apparatus/system based on
inputs from one or more sensors. The rate of modulation can be in real-time or
25 pre-determined intervals, or at intervals which can be custom defined.
The system of the present invention further optionally comprises a particulate
removal system. Particulate removal systems are known in the art, and any one
or more of such systems may be implemented alone or in suitable combinations.
8
The system of the present invention further comprises one or more systems to
recirculate air within the enclosed space.
In an embodiment of the present invention, the system modulates oxygen level
in the enclosed space to keep it in the range of 25-40%.
5 In an embodiment, the system of the present invention is capable of maintaining
elevated levels of oxygen in an enclosed space for an extended time duration.
Extended time duration can be several hours or days. In an embodiment, several
hours can be at least three hours. In an embodiment, several days can be at least
four days. In an embodiment, extended time can be at least 3 hours a day for at
10 least 4 days a week.
In an embodiment, the oxygen generating apparatus/system [106] is at least one
or more oxygen tanks comprising substantially purified oxygen. In an
embodiment, the purity of oxygen is in the range of 70-99.95%, 80-99.95%, 85-
99.95%, 90-99.95%, 95-99.95%, or 98-99.95%. In an embodiment, the oxygen is
15 medical grade oxygen. In other embodiments, the oxygen may be one of pure
oxygen or flavoured oxygen with some natural perfumes infused in pure oxygen.
In an embodiment, the oxygen generating apparatus/system [106] uses a
molecular sieve pressure cycle mechanism. In a preferred embodiment, the
molecular sieve pressure cycle mechanism is a pressure swing adsorption (PSA)
20 apparatus. PSA apparatus are of low maintenance and of moderate energy
consumption. In a more preferred embodiment, a PSA apparatus can be
combined with at least one supplemental oxygen source, such as oxygen battery
or tank. The PSA apparatus can also be used to regenerate/refill oxygen of the
supplemental oxygen source such as oxygen tank or battery.
25 In an embodiment, the oxygen generating apparatus/system [106] uses an
electrolyzing system for producing oxygen from water. The oxygen generating
apparatus/system [106] preferably uses deionized or distilled water to avoid or
minimize build-up of mineral residue(s) or debris in the electrolyzer.
9
Electrolyzer(s) are well known in the art, such as disclosed in any of US patent(s):
5,037,518; 5,589,052; and 5,690,797. Such systems can generate high purity
oxygen is a safe manner without the need of compressors. While such systems
also produce hydrogen gas, such hydrogen gas production is at low levels, which
5 can be dispersed safely outside or repurposed as a fuel source. Such a system
may preferably also comprise an oxygen dilution device. such devices are well
known in the art, such as those described in US patent(s) 3,875,957; 4,036,253,
4,848,333; and 5,372,129. Such diluters can reduce the concentration of oxygen
from close to about 100% to about 40-50%.
10 Dilution of a gas stream containing up to 100% oxygen down to an oxygen
enriched air stream containing about 40-50% oxygen means that the up to 100%
oxygen is diluted with about 5-18 volumes of air based on the oxygen content of
the feed air and desired oxygen concentration of enriched air. If feed air is
outside air, oxygen content will be about 20%. If feed air is recirculated air from
15 the enclosed space, oxygen content may be in the range of 35-50%.
In an embodiment, the oxygen generating apparatus/ system [106] uses a
membrane system to produce an oxygen enriched fraction. Membranes for
separating and isolating an oxygen enriched portion of ambient air are known in
the art. US patent 5,709,732 discloses a variety of such membranes. Single and
20 multiple stage membranes as known in the art may also be employed. Such
membranes typically comprise hollow fiber membranes in bundles/modules.
Ambient air is compressed and flows along the fiber bundle. Membrane can be
selected that is more permeable to oxygen than to nitrogen, so an oxygen
enriched permeate gas a nitrogen rich retentate is generated. A single stage
25 system can produce a modest increase in the permeate of up to 30% oxygen.
Additional stages may be employed to produce higher oxygen concentrations.
Such systems may also comprise at least one compressor. Such systems may also
preferably comprise one or more filter systems as generally known in the art to
filter pollutants and/or impurities. The system may also comprise a diluter as
10
described in prior sections of the present disclosure. A particular advantage of
such a system is that it obviates need to continuously measure the oxygen
content by one or more sensors. This particular approach is particularly
attractive for automotive applications where quick charging is of essence and the
5 volumes are smaller. A membrane type oxygen enrichment system that has
capacity to produce about 100-300cfm of oxygen enriched air can quickly
increase the oxygen content of air in a vehicle. Air flow can be matched with size
of the vehicle/space.
In an embodiment, the oxygen generating apparatus/system [106] uses a
10 cryogenic separation mechanism. Such a system can further comprise
compressor, diluter, and sensor(s).
In an embodiment, the oxygen generating apparatus/system [106] uses a gas
separation system. Gas separators can be of any type known in the art, which
include, but are not limited to, adsorption type, desorption type, pressure cycle
15 adsorption type, or membrane type. In an embodiment, the gas separators
modify the composition of the circulation air by injecting oxygen enriched air
from the outside, partly or entirely in lieu of normal outside air. In preferred
embodiments, the gas separators either add gas to the circulating air or remove
gas from the circulating air.
20 In another embodiment, the gas separators modify the composition of the
circulating air by selectively removing contaminants, fumes or unwanted gases,
including, but not limited to carbon di oxide, nitrogen, and other gases.
In an embodiment of the system [100] for modulating oxygen level in an
enclosed space as described herein, there is also provided an oxygen delivery
25 apparatus/system [108] that can direct supply of purified oxygen generated by
any one or more of oxygen generating apparatus/system [106] in to the enclosed
space. The said system [100] can be passive or a smart system. Such as system
can be known in the art, such as a pre-installed ventilation system [110] in an
11
enclosed space, or can be modified for smart functionality. Such a system [100]
may advantageously also comprise one or more filters. Such a system may also
be functionally connected with the electronic control unit to control vent
functions to recirculate internal air or air intake from outside.
5 The present invention, as is shown in Fig. 2, also provides a method [200] of
modulating oxygen level in an enclosed space. The method [200] in initiates at a
first step [202], wherein one or more sensors [102] detects an ambient
parameter in the enclosed space. Thereafter, at a second step [204], the
electronic control unit processes the ambient parameter as received from the
10 one or more sensors [102]. Processing of the ambient parameter includes:
calculating the levels of oxygen, the levels of carbon di oxide, the levels of carbon
mono oxide, the ratio of the levels of oxygen to carbon di oxide, the ratio of
levels of oxygen to carbon mono oxide, the ratio of levels of carbon di oxide to
carbon mono oxide, and the ratio of levels of oxygen to carbon di oxide to
15 carbon mono oxide. Thereafter, at a third step [206], the electronic control unit
[104] activates the oxygen generating apparatus [106], based on a comparison of
the ambient parameter with a threshold value. Further, at a fourth step [208],
the oxygen generating apparatus upon activation, generates oxygen. Further, at
a final fifth step, the delivery apparatus/system, delivers oxygen to the enclosed
20 space.
The method [200] of present invention is substantially implemented by a system
[100] as described throughout the present description.
Although particular embodiments have been disclosed herein in detail, this is for
illustrative purposes only and is not intended in any way to limit the intended
25 scope of the invention. variations and adaptions of the system and method as
described herein that do not depart from the spirit and scope of the invention
and within the expertise of a person skilled in the art.

We Claim:

1. A system [100] for modulating oxygen level in an enclosed space, the
system [100] comprising:
one or more sensors [102] for determining an ambient parameter in an
5 enclosed space;
an oxygen generating apparatus [106] for generating oxygen upon
activation;
an oxygen delivery apparatus [108] for directing the supply of oxygen
generated by the oxygen generating apparatus [106], to the enclosed space;
10 and
an electronic control unit [104] for activating the oxygen generating
apparatus, based on a comparison of the ambient parameter with a
threshold value.
2. The system [100] for modulating oxygen level as claimed in claim 1,
15 wherein the one or more sensors [102] detect levels of oxygen in the
enclosed space.
3. The system [100] for modulating oxygen level as claimed in claim 1,
wherein the one or more sensors [102] detect levels of carbon di oxide in
the enclosed space.
20 4. The system [100] for modulating oxygen level as claimed in claim 1,
wherein the one or more sensors [102] detect levels of carbon mono
oxide in the enclosed space.
5. The system [100] for modulating oxygen level as claimed in claim 1,
wherein the one or more sensors [102] detect levels one of a human
25 motion and animal motion in the enclosed space.
14
6. The system [100] for modulating oxygen level as claimed in claims 1-5,
wherein the electronic control unit [104] determines a ratio of levels of
oxygen to carbon di oxide, a ratio of levels of oxygen to carbon mono
oxide, a ratio of levels of carbon di oxide to carbon mono oxide, and a
5 ratio of levels of oxygen to carbon di oxide to carbon mono oxide.
7. The system [100] for modulating oxygen level as claimed in claims 1-5,
wherein the electronic control unit [104] further activates the oxygen
generating apparatus based on the comparison of one or more of, the
levels of oxygen, the levels of carbon di oxide, the levels of carbon mono
10 oxide, the ratio of levels of oxygen to carbon di oxide, the ratio of levels
of oxygen to carbon mono oxide, the ratio of levels of carbon di oxide to
carbon mono oxide, and the ratio of levels of oxygen to carbon di oxide to
carbon mono oxide, with the threshold value.
8. A method [200] of modulating oxygen level in an enclosed space, the
15 method [200] comprising:
detecting, from one or more sensors [102], an ambient parameter in an
enclosed space;
processing, by an electronic control unit [104], the ambient parameter;
activating, by electronic control unit [104], an oxygen generating
20 apparatus [106], based on a comparison of the ambient parameter with a
threshold value;
generating, by the oxygen generating apparatus [106] upon activation,
oxygen; and
delivering oxygen, by at least one delivery apparatus/system [108],
25 oxygen to the enclosed space.
15
9. The method [100] of modulating oxygen level as claimed in claim 8,
wherein the ambient parameter includes levels of oxygen, levels of
carbon di oxide, and levels of carbon mono oxide.
10. The method [100] of modulating oxygen level as claimed in claim 8,
5 wherein the processing step comprises calculating the levels of oxygen,
the levels of carbon di oxide, the levels of carbon mono oxide, the ratio of
the levels of oxygen to carbon di oxide, the ratio of levels of oxygen to
carbon mono oxide, the ratio of levels of carbon di oxide to carbon mono
oxide, and the ratio of levels of oxygen to carbon di oxide to carbon mono
10 oxide.
11. The method of modulating oxygen level as claimed in claim 8, is repeated
periodically.