US 11,732,910 B2
Humidifier arrangements and control systems
Jeremy Livingston Miller, Auckland (NZ)
Assigned to Fisher & Paykel Healthcare Limited, Auckland (NZ)
Filed by Fisher & Paykel Healthcare Limited, Auckland (NZ)
Filed on Aug. 19, 2021, as Appl. No. 17/445,485.
Application 15/659,380 is a division of application No. 14/528,887, filed on Oct. 30, 2014, granted, now 9,726,390, issued on Aug. 8, 2017.
Application 17/445,485 is a continuation of application No. 16/740,837, filed on Jan. 13, 2020, granted, now 11,125,451.
Application 16/740,837 is a continuation of application No. 16/033,072, filed on Jul. 11, 2018, granted, now 10,578,324, issued on Mar. 3, 2020.
Application 16/033,072 is a continuation of application No. 15/659,380, filed on Jul. 25, 2017, granted, now 10,047,964, issued on Aug. 14, 2018.
Claims priority of provisional application 61/897,471, filed on Oct. 30, 2013.
Prior Publication US 2022/0099315 A1, Mar. 31, 2022
Int. Cl. F24F 6/02 (2006.01); A61M 16/16 (2006.01); A61M 16/00 (2006.01); F24F 6/00 (2006.01); F24F 140/30 (2018.01)
CPC F24F 6/025 (2013.01) [A61M 16/024 (2017.08); A61M 16/16 (2013.01); A61M 2205/15 (2013.01); A61M 2205/3317 (2013.01); F24F 2006/008 (2013.01); F24F 2140/30 (2018.01)] 20 Claims
OG exemplary drawing
 
1. A humidification system for use with a respiratory therapy device, the humidification system comprising:
a tub configured to hold a humidification agent, the tub comprising an inlet and an outlet configured to allow gas to move to and from the tub;
a heating element configured to be in thermal communication with the tub when the tub is removably positioned on the heating element;
a circuit configured to control power to the heating element, the circuit comprising
a power source configured to provide power to the heating element;
one or more electrical contacts in contact with the heating element, the one or more electrical contacts coupled to the power source to deliver power from the power source to the heating element;
a switch or relay connected in series with the one or more electrical contacts, the switch or relay located between the one or more electrical contacts and the power source, wherein the switch or relay is moveable between an open position and a closed position, and wherein:
when the switch or relay is in the open position, the one or more electrical contacts are disconnected from the power source, and
when the switch or relay is in a closed position, the one or more electrical contacts are connected to the power source; and
a sensor electrically coupled to the switch or relay and located away from an inner surface of the tub, wherein the sensor is configured to detect presence of the humidification agent at a location of the system outside the tub,
wherein the circuit is configured to send a first signal to open the switch or relay so as to break the circuit between the power source and the one or more electrical contacts when the sensor detects the presence of the humidification agent, and the circuit is configured to send a second signal to close the switch or relay so as to complete the circuit between the power source and the one or more electrical contacts when the sensor detects no presence of the humidification agent.