Ratio controller for gases

TL;DR: In this paper, the authors present an apparatus for mixing gases (e.g., oxygen and air) in any rate and supplying the mixture according to instantaneous demand, the gases enter at substantially equal pressures through conduits 100, 103 and 110, 112 to a ratio setter 23 (see also Fig. 5 and 6, not shown, and Division).

Abstract: 1,250,395. Respiratory appliances. VERIFLO CORP. 23 Jan., 1969 [18 March, 1968], No. 3872/69. Heading AST. [Also in Divisions B1, F2 and G3] In an apparatus for mixing gases (e.g. oxygen and air) in any rate and supplying the mixture according to instantaneous demand, the gases enter at substantially equal pressures through conduits 100, 103 and 110, 112 to a ratio setter 23 (see also Fig. 8, not shown, and Division G3) comprising respective needle valves 82, 81 geared together to operate in complementary senses whereby any ratio of the gases may be obtained. The gases then pass by conduits 105, 114 to respective flow controllers 20, 21 (see also Figs. 2-5, not shown and Division F2) having valve controlled outlets 48, 58 and thence to the mixture outlet conduit 115. The flow controller outlet valves are actuated by diaphragm assemblies in dependence on the pressures in chambers 34, 54, which are in turn dependent on pneumatic control and signals from the pressure controller 22 (see also Figs. 5 and 6, not shown, and Division). This has a venturiform pressure gas inlet 77, 78 whereby a reduced pressure is created in passage 67, 80 and transmitted by conduit 118 to the chambers 34, 54 in the flow controllers, causing the outlet valves thereof to close. If there is a demand in the outlet conduit 115, the pressure therein and in the conduit 117 and chamber 74 of the pressure controller will fall, the valve 79 will dose and the venturi effect will cease, so that pressure in the conduit 118 and chambers 34, 54 will rise, causing the outlet valves of the flow controllers to open. The pressure in the outlet conduit may be raised by adjustment of the compression of the spring 76 in the pressure controller.