A compressor assembly for a portable oxygen concentrator includes a first compressor chamber having a first connector, a second compressor chamber having a second connector, and a tube having a first end having a first connection interface configured to connect to the first connector and a second end having a second connection interface configured to connect to the second connector. The first connection interface is shaped to maintain the connection between the first connector and the first connection interface in a fixed orientation and the second connection interface is shaped to maintain the connection between the second connector and the second connection interface in a fixed orientation. One or more of the first connector, the second connector, and the tube are compliant.

A user-replaceable receptacle for an oxygen concentrator includes a containment structure and a desiccant disposed within the containment structure. An inlet end of the containment structure allows feed gas to be introduced into the desiccant. An outlet end of the containment structure allows the feed gas to exit the containment structure. A connection mechanism couples the outlet end of the containment structure to a gas separation adsorbent. The connection mechanism is operable between an unconnected position and a connection position. The desiccant in the user-replaceable receptacle removes water moisture from the feed gas prior to exiting the outlet end of the containment structure, thereby reducing exposure of the gas separation adsorbent to water.

A user-replaceable receptacle for an oxygen concentrator includes a containment structure and a desiccant disposed within the containment structure. An inlet end of the containment structure allows feed gas to be introduced into the desiccant. An outlet end of the containment structure allows the feed gas to exit the containment structure. A connection mechanism couples the outlet end of the containment structure to a gas separation adsorbent. The connection mechanism is operable between an unconnected position and a connection position. The desiccant in the user-replaceable receptacle removes water moisture from the feed gas prior to exiting the outlet end of the containment structure, thereby reducing exposure of the gas separation adsorbent to water.

A portable oxygen concentrator includes at least one separation mechanism and an oxygen storage tank, where the separation mechanism is connected to the oxygen storage tank and includes an air bag and a molecular sieve tank that is filled with a molecular sieve for adsorption. The air bag has an air inlet and an air outlet. The air bag is connected to the molecular sieve tank through a valve group, which includes a first single valve and a second single valve. The air bag is connected to the molecular sieve tank through the first single valve. Each of the two ends of the molecular sieve tank has at least one gas outlet. When an inner space of the air bag is compressed and expanded once, the molecular sieve in the molecular sieve tank adsorbs and desorbs once.

A portable oxygen concentrator includes at least one separation mechanism and an oxygen storage tank, where the separation mechanism is connected to the oxygen storage tank and includes an air bag and a molecular sieve tank that is filled with a molecular sieve for adsorption. The air bag has an air inlet and an air outlet. The air bag is connected to the molecular sieve tank through a valve group, which includes a first single valve and a second single valve. The air bag is connected to the molecular sieve tank through the first single valve. Each of the two ends of the molecular sieve tank has at least one gas outlet. When an inner space of the air bag is compressed and expanded once, the molecular sieve in the molecular sieve tank adsorbs and desorbs once.

A portable oxygen concentrator retrofit system and method in which an existing portable oxygen concentrator may be retrofitted to output an enriched oxygen gas at a flow rate suitable for use in a patient ventilation system without the need for an external source of compressed gas.

A battery retaining system for a portable oxygen concentrator includes a first rail configured to receive a first slide of a battery, a second rail configured to receive a second slide of the battery, the second rail being spaced apart from the first rail so as to form a channel configured to receive the battery, and a flexible stiffening mechanism configured to impart a biasing force on a surface of the battery when the battery is received within the channel. The flexible stiffening mechanism includes a protrusion projecting from the first rail at least partially towards the second rail and a slit positioned behind the protrusion and configured to facilitate travel of the protrusion fore and aft.

A battery retaining system for a portable oxygen concentrator includes a first rail configured to receive a first slide of a battery, a second rail configured to receive a second slide of the battery, the second rail being spaced apart from the first rail so as to form a channel configured to receive the battery, and a flexible stiffening mechanism configured to impart a biasing force on a surface of the battery when the battery is received within the channel. The flexible stiffening mechanism includes a protrusion projecting from the first rail at least partially towards the second rail and a slit positioned behind the protrusion and configured to facilitate travel of the protrusion fore and aft.

Processes and apparatuses for operating a centrifugal gas compressor. A storage tank containing a liquid buffer material is provided and used to offset density fluctuations in the gas stream passed to the compressor. The storage tank may contain a component of the high-pressure gas stream provided by the compressor, such as carbon dioxide.

Processes and apparatuses for operating a centrifugal gas compressor. A storage tank containing a liquid buffer material is provided and used to offset density fluctuations in the gas stream passed to the compressor. The storage tank may contain a component of the high-pressure gas stream provided by the compressor, such as carbon dioxide.