GB939109A - Improvements in or relating to programme controls for sterilizing devices - Google Patents

Abstract

939,109. Programme controls for sterilizers. AMERICAN STERILIZER CO. Sept. 20, 1960 [Sept. 21, 1959], No. 32317/60. Class 81(1). An arrangement for the automatic control of a steam-pressure sterilizer device provided with an autoclave, which comprises a plurality of programme control members each arranged to control the phasing of an invariable sterilization programme, a selector device operable to bring any one of the control members into operative association with means for causing such operative control member to actuate operating elements for operating the sterilizer device, and a sensing device responsive to an operating condition of the sterilizer device and arranged to restart any sterilizer programme in which such operating condition fails to achieve a predetermined standard. If there is a fault in the carrying out of a programme, e.g. too low a vacuum or too low a temperature, the programme is discontinued and is automatically repeated after the programme store has been returned to its initial position. As shown, the steam pressure sterilizing device comprises an autoclave 1 to which steam at a predetermined pressure is led through a double cover from a steam source 29, through an interposed cut-off valve 2 and a pressure control 3, and into the autoclave through a valve 4, a condensation remover 5 serving for the drainage of the steam. Six cam-shafts 22, 40, 43, 44, 45, 46 are arranged on a selector disc 27 with a click-stop device 28. Each cam-shaft comprises, corresponding to their particular arrangement and construction, the individual cams of a predetermined programme. They can be brought in accordance with their programme into the functional position by the main shaft 19 of the driving device comprising an arm 20 pulled by solenoid 23 to bring a pinion 21 rotated by gear-wheel mounted on shaft 19 and driven by motor 36 into engagement with a corresponding gear-wheel on the particular cam-shaft selected. On rotation the cams actuate microswitches 26 which control solenoid valves 13, 14 and 15 to which vacuum is applied on energization of a vacuum pump 11, movement of a cam-shaft 22 operates microswitch and applies vacuum to valve 7 to open it and the autoclave is evacuated and after a certain time is closed and steam valve 4 opened to allow steam into the autoclave and after a further period the live steam valve 4 is closed by operation of a microswitch and the vacuum valve 7 again opened for carrying out the drying process. The end of the programme is determined by the cam operating the switch for stopping the vacuum pump when no driving means is available for actuation of the valves. The operation may be performed manually and instead of the vacuum pump a water jet pump can be used.