GB993883A - Improvements in sterilisation autoclaves - Google Patents

Abstract

993,883. Sterilization autoclaves. ELECTROLUX. A.B. March 2, 1962 [March 4, 1961], No. 8130/62. Heading A5G. A sterilization autoclave comprises a sterilizing chamber 1, a steam generator 2, a water container 3 arranged over the generator and having condensing tubes 4 and 5, a three-way valve 6 with connections to the steam generator, to the bottom section of the sterilizing chamber and to the condensing tube 4, and a three-way valve 7 with connections to the steam generator, the upper section of the sterilizing chamber and to the condensing tube 5. Both the valves are operated by a common link mechanism 8 comprising a handle 9. The link mechanism is mechanically connected to an electric circuit breaker 10 connected in circuit with electrical heating elements 11 in the steam generator. The sterilizing chamber contains a compartment 12 in which the material to be sterilized is placed. Fig. 1 represents the arrangement of the autoclave when a sterilizing operation is in progress; Fig. 2 represents the autoclave arrangement when sterilization is not in progress. When sterilization is in progrses, the circuit breaker is closed so that the heating elements are functioning. The water in the steam generator is vaporized and steam is supplied to the sterilizing chamber. Ventilation takes place by means of a steam trap 13. When sterilization is stopped, by means of the handle 9, the current to the heating elements in the steam generator is cut off. The steam trap prevents the formation of a vacuum in the sterilizing chamber; as the autoclave cools, the steam trap is opened gradually to admit air and equalize the pressure. The advantages of the autoclave are that a correct amount of water is supplied to the steam generator through the condensing tube 5; in order to form a steam space in the steam generator when sterilization is to take place, the excess water flows through the valve 6 into the sterilizing chamber; the condensate from the walls of the sterilizing chamber is collected at the bottom to flow back to the steam generator, thereby removing the danger of the heating elements not being immersed in water; when sterilization is stopped, the water in the bottom of the chamber is pushed up into the water container through the condensing tube 4; and the material which has been sterilized, because of its own heat, becomes dry.