Apparatus for supplying breathable gas
View Patent ↗A sub-housing received within a housing of an apparatus for supplying breathable gas, includes a gas flow path between a gas inlet and a gas outlet and an impeller in fluid communication between the gas inlet and the gas outlet. The impeller is structured and configured to be releasably engaged with a shaft associated with an electric motor that is disposed exterior to the housing, whereby rotation of the shaft causes rotation of the impeller.
1. A sub-housing received within a housing of an apparatus structured to supply breathable gas, the sub-housing including:
a gas flow path between a gas inlet and a gas outlet;
a gas pressure sensor positioned adjacent the gas outlet; and
an impeller in fluid communication with and positioned between the gas inlet and the gas outlet,
wherein the impeller is structured and configured to be releasably engaged with a shaft associated with an electric motor that is disposed exterior to the housing, whereby rotation of the shaft causes rotation of the impeller.
2. A sub-housing as claimed in claim 1 , wherein the gas pressure sensor includes a flexiable membrane having one side in fluid communication with the gas flow path and an opposite side abutting a force probe coupled to a force probe coupled to a force transducer, whereby the displacement of the probe and transducer is proportional to the displacement of the membrane which is proportional to the gas pressure.
3. A sub-housing as claimed in claim 1 , wherein the impeller includes a first coupling structure structured and configured to releasable engage a second coupling structure formed on the shaft to thereby couple the impeller to the electric motor.
4. A sub-housing as claimed in claim 3 , wherein the first coupling structure includes a cylinder having a slot formed thereon and the second coupling structure includes a projection formed on the shaft, the projection being received within the slot to thereby releasably engage the first coupling structure and the second coupling structure.
5. A sub-housing as claimed in claim 1 , further including an inlet filter positioned adjacent the gas inlet and an outlet muffler positioned adjacent the gas outlet.
6. A sub-housing as claimed in claim 1 , wherein gas inlet has a cross-sectional dimension that is larger than cross-sectional dimension of the gas outlet.
7. A sub-housing as claimed in claim 1 , wherein the impeller and the shaft are engaged at a position that is external to the gas flow path.