Reduced energy and volume air pump for a seat cushion

Patent · Wed Jan 01 00:00:00 EST 1997

OSTI ID:871097

Vaughn, Mark R ^[1]; Constantineau, Edward J ^[1]; Groves, Gordon E ^[2]

---

1. Albuquerque, NM
2. Tijeras, NM

An efficient pump system for transferring air between sets of bladders in a cushion. The pump system utilizes a reversible piston within a cylinder in conjunction with an equalizing valve in the piston which opens when the piston reaches the end of travel in one direction. The weight of a seated user then forces air back across the piston from an inflated bladder to the previously deflated bladder until the pressure is equalized. In this fashion the work done by the pump is cut in half. The inflation and deflation of the different bladders is controlled to vary the pressure on the several pressure points of a seated user. A principal application is for wheel chair use to prevent pressure ulcers.

• Research Organization: Sandia National Laboratories (SNL), Albuquerque, NM, and Livermore, CA (United States)
• DOE Contract Number: AC04-94AL85000
• Assignee: Sandia Corporation (Albuquerque, NM)
• Patent Number(s): US 5657499
• OSTI ID: 871097
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

reduced
energy
volume
air
pump
seat
cushion
efficient
transferring
sets
bladders
utilizes
reversible
piston
cylinder
conjunction
equalizing
valve
reaches
travel
direction
weight
seated
user
forces
inflated
bladder
previously
deflated
pressure
equalized
fashion
cut
half
inflation
deflation
controlled
vary
principal
application
wheel
chair
prevent
ulcers
air pump
reduced energy
volume air
/5/297/