Oxygen supply system

1 . A method comprising the steps of:

generating electricity in a fuel cell;

providing electricity from the fuel cell to an oxygen source to operate the oxygen source to produce oxygen; and

directing the oxygen from the oxygen source to a patient device.

2 . A method as set forth in claim 1 wherein the directing step comprises directing the oxygen to a nasal mask.

3 . A method as set forth in claim 1 wherein the directing step comprises directing the oxygen to a portable tank for supplying oxygen to a patient.

4 . A method as set forth in claim 1 wherein the step of providing electricity comprises providing electricity from a direct methanol fuel cell.

5 . A method as set forth in claim 1 wherein the step of providing electricity comprises providing electricity from a hydrogen fuel cell.

6 . A method as set forth in claim 5 further including the steps of directing hydrogen from the oxygen source to the hydrogen fuel cell and directing water from the hydrogen fuel cell to the oxygen source.

7 . An oxygen supply comprising:

an electrolyzer for generating oxygen from water in response to electric power input, and

a fuel cell electrically connected with the electrolyzer for providing electric power to the electrolyzer.

8 . An oxygen supply as set forth in claim 7 wherein:

the electrolyzer has a water input and a hydrogen byproduct;

the fuel cell has a hydrogen input and a water byproduct;

the supply including a first flow line for directing the hydrogen byproduct of the electrolyzer into the hydrogen fuel cell; and

the supply including a second flow line for directing the water byproduct of the fuel cell into the electrolyzer.

9 . An oxygen supply as set forth in claim 7 wherein the fuel cell is a direct methanol fuel cell.

10 . A process for filling a portable container with oxygen-enriched gas under high pressure, comprising the steps of;

providing electric power to an oxygen source from a fuel cell;

operating the oxygen source to provide oxygen-enriched gas;

transferring the oxygen-enriched gas to a compressor at an initial pressure level;

compressing the oxygen-enriched gas admitted to the compressor to a high-pressure; and

transferring the high-pressure, oxygen enriched gas to a portable container for subsequent use by a patient.

11 . An apparatus for collecting and storing or distributing an oxygen-enriched gas, comprising;

a first storage vessel having an inlet and an outlet;

an oxygen source which provides oxygen-enriched gas at a relatively low pressure to the first storage vessel inlet;

a fuel cell for providing electric power to the oxygen source;

a pressure control device which receives a first component of the low pressure oxygen-enriched gas and outputs the oxygen-enriched gas at a reduced set pressure for use by a patient;

a buffer tank having an outlet and an inlet adapted to receive a second component of the oxygen-enriched gas at the low pressure from the first storage tank outlet;

a second storage vessel;

a compressor connected to the buffer tank outlet which compresses the oxygen-enriched gas and outputs oxygen-enriched gas at a relatively high pressure to the inlet of the second storage vessel; and

prioritizing apparatus connected between the outlet of the first storage vessel and the compressor and which interrupts the flow of the second component of oxygen-enriched gas to the compressor when the pressure of the second component of oxygen-enriched gas falls below a preset amount to ensure that the first component is sufficient to ensure the output of the pressure control device is at the reduced set pressure.