GB1136786A - Method and apparatus for controlling the supply of water to the steam generator of an autoclave - Google Patents

Abstract

1,136,786. Steam sterilizer. ELECTROLUX A.B. 22 Sept., 1966 [27 Sept., 1965], No. 42331/66. Heading A5G. The water supply to the steam generator 28 of an autoclave 11 derives form a dosing tank 19 (automatically refillable from the water supply 23) which is at a higher level. Closing the autoclave door automatically sets the valves 22, 26 and 42 to their operating positions and closes an electric switch which energises the heater, the timed operation of which is subsequently governed by the thermostat 57. In operation, steam from the generator initially blows air from the autoclave through the conduit 15, 16 &c. to the storage tank 23 from which it is released. When the operating pressure is reached, the regulating valve 36 functions to cause a pressure reduction behind the throttle 17 in conduit 16, which will then be lower than the pressure in the autoclave, due to the throttle. Water is therefore forced back to the tank 19 via the conduit 27, 25 and 20 causing steam generation to 'be interrupted until the pressure drops slightly when the regulating valve closes, pressure across the throttle is equalized and dosing water again reaches the steam generator. The device numbered 46 to 53 is an automatic vacuum device for exhausting the autoclave at the end of a run by condensation of steam first in the jacket 52 (which then becomes filled with cool water) and subsequently of steam (from the autoclave) in the chamber 47.