GB390221A - Improvements in or relating to apparatus or means for sterilizing and disinfecting purposes - Google Patents

Abstract

390,221. Mechanical make-and-break switches; actuation of switches. MANLOVE, ALLIOTT, & CO., Ltd., Bloomsgrove Works, Nottingham, ALLIOTT, E. A., Rostherne, Hervines Road, Amersham, Buckinghamshire, and HODGES, J. M., 14, Worcester Gardens, Daybrook, Nottingham. July 6, 1931, No. 19417. [Class 38 (v).] A steam or like sterilizer for use in medical, surgical, or sanitary services has solenoid-operated valves controlled by switches which may be of the " twinknob " type with resistances as described in Specification 385,993, wherein the initial current produces a momentary overload. A single master controller for operating the switches may comprise a sliding plate or rotary drum with cams. Fig. 11 shows three cams 31, 32, 33 carried on the spindle of a hand-wheel which can be set to any one of eight positions, these cams opening valves 3, 4 at the positions 1, 3, 5 of the hand-wheel. Other cams are adapted to open the valves necessary for the other operations of disinfecting. All the cams are connected to a -ve lead, as by a brush rubbing on a disc or ring connected to said cams. The +ve lead is connected to the contact 23 of a knife switch 24 pivoted to a lever 25, the solenoid resistance 20 being across the contact 23 and a bracket 26 carrying lever 25. This lever is urged by a spring 37 to keep the switch closed, the resistance 20 being shorted, so that when cam 31 engages the lever, the solenoids are overenergized. As lever 25 is displaced by the cam, a spring 38 snaps open the switch, the circuit being completed through the lever and the resistance as in the Figure. According to Fig. 15, a drum 42 is formed with grooves 43, preferably three in number, adapted to carry contact blocks 44 which can be adjusted as to length and position and are connected in circuit, for example by brushes as described above. The drum is driven from a motor 45, a locking pin 49 serving as a clutch and permitting resetting. A pin 50 can be set to open a quick-break switch 51 in the motor circuit to stop the control at the end of a cycle. Each block 44 actuates a switch comprising a pivoted brush 52 which is lifted bv an insulated member 56 and allowed to snap over on to the contact. An undercut portion 57 produces a quick break. The switch shown in Fig. 17 comprises a brush-carrying lever 58 which is rocked against the action of a biasing roller by a spring plunger 59 which is depressed by a fixed incline 59a. Fig. 18 shows a brush 61 which is connected to the brush 52 and operated by a cam 60 to close the solenoid circuit with the associated resistance 20 short-circuited, this resistance later being put in circuit. In Fig. 23, a diaphragm 84 is secured in a chamber 86 located within the space to be evacuated. The chamber is evacuated, through conduit 87, until, at the desired value, the diaphragm is moved downwards against-the spring 85 and through a lost-motion device causes the switch 80, 81 to open. When pressure is utilized, the diaphragm returns to its original position, valve 88 closing the chamber and any pressure therein escaping by conduit 89 with valve 90. A device may be located within the sterilizer so as to cause a relay to effect the desired control when a definite temperature is attained, or a switch may be connected to the door to start the controller only when the door is locked. Where electric current takes a direct part in the sterilizing, the electric switches may also be operated in the manner described.