US1156947A - Apparatus for sterilization of fluids by ultra-violet rays. - Google Patents

Description

M. VON RECKLINGHAUSEN. APPARATUS FOR STERILIZATION 0F FLUIDS BY ULTRA-VIOLET RAYS.

APPLICATION FILED MAR. H. 1914.

Patented Oct. 19, 1915.

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UNITED STATES OFFICE.

MAX VON RECKLINGHAUSEN, OF NEW YORK, N. Y., ASSIGNOR TO THE R. U. V. COMPANY, INC., OF NEW YORK, 1\T. Y., A CORPORATION OF NEW YORK.

APPARATUS FOR STERILIZATION OF FLUIDS BY ULTRA-VIOLET RAYS.

Specification of Letters Patent.

Application filed March 14, 1914. Serial N 0. 824,653.

To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, MAX VON RECKLING- HAUSEN, a subject of the Emperor .of Germany, residing at New York, in the county and State of New York, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Apparatus for Sterilization of Fluids by Ultra- Violet Rays, of which the following is a-full, clear, and exact description.

' In the sterilization of fluids by their exposure to ultra violet rays, it .has been found that the process is greatly facilitated by passing thefluid in a thin film through the zone of said rays, and my presentinvention consists in a sterilizing device in which pro-' vision is made for causing the fluid to so spread out into a thin film'at a plurality'of points in its' passage through the rays. This object may be accomplished in a variety of ways, but for purposes of illustration of the principle of this invention, I have illustrated a form of device in which the volume of the fluid is spread out at two points in its course. In other words, in the selected embodiment of the invention the water or other fluid permeable to the rays is delivered into an inlet compartment from which it escapes in a thin sheet or film into ment, ending below the top of the receptacle, I

a main receptacle, from which it is conducted.into an outlet compartment in the same manner, so that it is exposed twice in the I condition of a film to the rays which emanate from a suitable lamp or source of the same.

In the accompanying draWings, Figure 1 is a top plan View of the sterilizing device, Fig. 2 is a vertical section of the same showing the lamp in position, and Fig. 3 is a sectional view on the lines indicated by thearrows in Fig. 1.

The apparatus consists in a tank or receptacle A of suitable material and dimensions, divided throughout the greater portion of its length into ,two main compartments by a central wall or partition D extending partially across the receptacle and to the top of the same. On each'side of this wall D is formed a compartment B, C, by side walls E and F, the compartment B being relatively shallow and near the top of the main receptacle A. Near the end of the compartment C, and at the bottom thereof, there is an inlet G for the admission of the fluid, and the outer wall F of this compartis curved outwardly to form'a weir or overflow edge of extended length. The wall of the other compartment B is formed in a similar manner and provided with an outlet Hpreferably at its opposite end.

In the undivided portion of the receptacle A, and in the path of the flow of fluid between thecompartments B and C, is a baffle plate K, the upper edge ofwhich is lower than the tops of the walls E and F in order that there may be a free flow of fluid over it when the device is in operation, thus.

preventing accumulation of floating particles. This bafile does not extend quite to the bottom of the receptacle, so that fluid may pass under as well asover it.

The lamp L used with this apparatus is, or. may be, in the form of a slightly bent tube, the sides or legs of which extend on opposlte sides of the central partition D, over the two compartments B and C and in close proximity to the. edges of the same over which the fluid passesl I When in use, the fluid to be sterilized is introduced into inlet G-at a predetermined rate, and having filled the compartment 0 it overflows the edge of the same in a thin sheet or film into the main chamber ofthe receptacle. Having filled the latter it overflows into the-compartment D, passing the edge of the wall E in a thin,sheet or film,

and flows away 'from the apparatus by the outlet H. In its passage from one side of' the receptacle to the other the fluid flows over and under the edges of the baffle K, be

Patented Oct. 19, 1915.

other parts may be accordingly varied with- I out departure from the invention. What I claim is: 1. A device for the sterilization of fluids by ultra-violet rays, comprising in combina-- tion a main receptaclefor containing the fluid, two narrow compartments formed in the center of the same and constltuting inlet and outlet compartments with overflow.

edges. the said compartments dividing that portion of the receptacle which they occupy into two parts, pipes communicating with the said compartments, and a source of ultra-violet rays supported over said edges, these parts being so constructed and proportioned that a normal supply of fluid entering the inlet compartment must expand and flow over the edge of the same into the main receptacle in a thin film, and enter the out-' let compartment from said receptacle over the edge of the same in a similar film.

2. A device for the sterilization of fluid by ultra-violet rays, comprising in combination a main. receptacle for containing the fluid, two narrow compartments formed in the central portion of the same, forming inlet and outlet compartments with extended overflow edges and dividing the portion of the main receptacle which they occupy into two portions, pipes communicating with said compartments, a source of ultra-violet rays supported over the said edges, and a bafile plate arranged in the undivided portion of the receptacle where the main flow of liquid occurs, these parts being so cons'tructed and proportioned that a normal supply of fluid entering the inlet compartment must expand and flow over the edges of the same in a thin film, be stirred in its passage through the main receptacle, and

I enter the outlet compartment in the form of a film extending over the edges of the same. In testimony whereof I affix my signature in the presence of two subscribing witnesses.

MAX VON RECKLINGHAUSEN.

Witnesses THOMAS J. BYRNE, WILLIAM P. JOHNSON.

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