EXPANDABLE HOUSING GENERATOR

Abstract

An expandable housing generator configured to occupy a small volume in a primed or standby mode, and a larger volume after the commencement of a chemical reaction to generate a gas comprising oxygen. The expandable housing generator may comprise a base housing, a top housing, a first chamber, a second chamber, and a third chamber. The three chambers may separately store components of a catalytic reaction generating the gas. The three chambers may be joined together upon actuation of an activating device. The top housing and at least one of the three chambers may extend along a vertical direction. The extension may accommodate a foam head produced during the reaction. Additionally, the extension may provide a small form factor and consequently better portability and manageability, while also providing sufficient volume to perform the chemical reactions safely and effectively.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

For a more complete understanding of the present invention and the advantages thereof, reference is now made to the following Detailed Description taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, in which:

FIG. 1A shows an embodiment of an oxygen generator according to the present invention in a “standby mode”;

FIG. 1B shows the generator of FIG. 1A partially deployed;

FIG. 1C shows the generator of FIG. 1A fully deployed;

FIG. 2A shows an embodiment of an inner cartridge prior to activation;

FIG. 2B shows the inner cartridge of FIG. 2A subsequent to activation and fully expanded;

FIG. 3A shows cross-sectional side view of an embodiment of an outer housing and a single inner cartridge assembly in a stand by mode;

FIG. 3B shows cross-sectional side view of an embodiment of an outer housing and double inner cartridge assembly in a stand by mode;

FIG. 4A shows a cross-sectional side view of another embodiment of an outer housing and double inner cartridge assembly in a stand by mode; and

FIG. 4B shows a cross-sectional side view of the outer housing and double inner cartridge assembly of FIG. 4A subsequent to activation and fully expanded.

Claims

1. An expandable generator for catalytically producing a gas that comprises oxygen, the expandable generator comprises: a housing base;a housing top translatably coupled to the housing base;a first chamber, a second chamber, and a third chamber within the housing base and wherein the first chamber, the second chamber, and the third chamber are separated from one another by frangible seals;a first component, a second component, and a third component of a chemical reaction to produce the gas, and respectively stored in the first chamber, the second chamber, and the third chamber;one or more activation tabs configured to breach one or more frangible seals when actuated, thereby commencing the chemical reaction; andwherein the housing top and at least one of a group consisting of the first chamber, the second chamber, and the third chamber, are configured to extend along a vertical direction.

2. The expandable generator as detailed in claim 1, wherein the housing top is translatably coupled to the housing base via a flexible membrane.

3. The expandable generator as detailed in claim 2, wherein the expandable generator further comprises: a first cartridge that comprises the first chamber, the second chamber, and the third chamber;a second cartridge that comprises a first chamber, a second chamber, and a third chamber; andan outlet manifold fluidly coupling with the first cartridge and the second cartridge, and coupling with the housing top.

4. The expandable generator as detailed in claim 1, wherein the housing top is translatably coupled to the housing base via a sliding interface.

5. The expandable generator as detailed in claim 4, wherein the expandable generator further comprises: a first cartridge that comprises the first chamber, the second chamber, and the third chamber;a second cartridge that comprises a first chamber, a second chamber, and a third chamber; andan outlet manifold fluidly coupling with the first cartridge and the second cartridge, and coupling with the housing top.

6. An expandable generator for catalytically producing a gas that comprises oxygen, the expandable generator comprises: a housing base;a housing top translatably coupled to the housing base;at least one chamber comprising a component of a chemical reaction to produce the gas, wherein a number of chambers is not greater than a number of components of the chemical reaction;at least one second chamber comprising a component of a chemical reaction to produce the gas, wherein a number of second chambers is not greater than the number of components of the chemical reaction;an outlet manifold fluidly coupling with the at least one chamber and the at least one second chamber;a water trap fluidly coupled with the at least one chamber and the at least one second chamber;an actuator configured to commence a chemical reaction in the at least one chamber and the at least one second chamber; andwherein the housing top and at least one chamber and at least one second chamber are configured to extend along a vertical direction.

7. The expandable generator as detailed in claim 6, wherein the housing top is translatably coupled to the housing base via a flexible membrane.

8. The expandable generator as detailed in claim 7, wherein a first cartridge comprises the at least one chambers; and a second cartridge comprises the at least one second chambers.

9. The expandable generator as detailed in claim 6, wherein the housing top is translatably coupled to the housing base via a sliding interface.

10. The expandable generator as detailed in claim 9, wherein a first cartridge comprises the at least one chambers; and a second cartridge comprises the at least one second chambers.

11. A method for using an expandable generator that comprises: retrieving the expandable generator from storage;actuating an activating device within the expandable generator, commencing the catalytic generation of a gas comprising oxygen;extending a housing top vertically relative to a housing base; andproviding the generated oxygen to a person.

12. The method for using an expandable generator of claim 11 wherein the housing top is movably coupled to the housing base via a flexible member.

13. The method for using an expandable generator of claim 11 wherein the housing top is movably coupled to the housing base via a sliding interface.

14. A cartridge for an expandable generator that comprises: a first chamber comprising an outlet port and a first component of a chemical reaction that catalytically generates a gas comprising oxygen;a second chamber comprising a second component of the chemical reaction and coupled to the first chamber via a first frangible seal;a third chamber comprising a third component of the chemical reaction and coupled to the second chamber via a second frangible seal;a first activation tab coupled to the first frangible seal such that actuating the first activation tab breaches the first frangible seal;a second activation tab coupled to the second frangible seal such that actuating the second activation tab breaches the second frangible seal; andwherein at least one of the group consisting of the first chamber, the second chamber, and the third chamber, is configured to extend along a vertical direction.