US1800302A - Water ejector - Google Patents

Description

, April 14, 1931. G F, UNDE 1,800,302

- WATER EJECTOR Filed March 10, 1928 2 Sheets-Sheet l jwezwz Gzwfaaefinia April 14, 1931. G. F. LINDE 1,800,302

WATER EJECTOR Filed March 10, 1928 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 Ill/1711 w -4 Jim 10672???) GmZZaJZ zinie p] w n/$42M;

Patented Apr. 14,1931

UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE GUSTAVE F. LINDE, OF MADISON, WISCONSIN, ASSIGNOR '10 SCANLAN -MORRIS COM- PANY, OF MADISON, WISCONSIN, A CORPORATION OF WISCONSIN WATER EJ'ECTOR Application filed March 10, 1928. Serial No. 260,696.

My invention relates to water ejectors, and more particularly to cjectors of the type for use in connection with the evacuation of heat treating chambers and the like.

In certain types of heat treating apparatus, as for example apparatus used for sterilizing dressings, gowns and other materials with high pressure steam, means must be provided for evacuating the Challi 1o ber into which the materials which are to be sterilized are to be placed. In using such apparatus the materials are placed within the chamber, and after said chamber has been evacuated, steam is introduced for the purpose of sterilizing the materials. After the materials have been subjected to the steam for a predetermined period, the. chamber is again evacuated to withdraw the steam and condensate therefrom and said chamber is then opened to permit the removal of the materials. r

My present invention contemplates the provision of an ejector means in combination with a heating chamber of the above mentioned type which is simple and durable in construction and which is associated with a thermostatically operated valve connected with the heating chamber, the operation of said valve being controlled in response to water from the supply side of the ejector means.

Another object of my invention is to provide a water ejector having a thermostatically operated valve in association there 5 with, said ejector being readily applicable to sterilizing chambers and the like to effectively exhaust the chamber prior to the entrance of steam, the operation of said valve being controlled in response to the temperature of the water supplied to the ejector and also in response to the temperature of the steam supplied to the chamber.

A further object of my invention is to provide an ejector means operable in respouse to the flow of water therethrough, a portion of the water supply to the ejector means being diverted for the purpose of etfecting the actuation'ot a thermostatically controlled valve, said combination of elem-ents being readily attachable to a heat treating chamber such as sterilizing chambers and the like.

A still further object of my present invention is to provide an ejector in combination with a chamber which is connected with a steam supply, said ejector operating to effectively evacuate the chamber, the temperature of the water from the supply side of the ejector serving to maintain a thermostatically operated valve connected with the chamber open until steam is admitted therein, at which time the thermostatically controlled valve will close and thereby permit the establishment of steam pressure Within the chamber.

In addition to the above mentioned features, my invention contemplates the provision of a water ejector for use in connection with the exhausting of heat treating chambers and the like, the supply side of the ejector being provided with a by-pass conduit connected with a thermostatic valve, the temperature of the water from the by-pass conduit serving to maintain the thermostatic valve open until steam from within the heating chamber is associated with the valve, at which time the water supply to the ejector will be cut off to permit the building up of steam pressure within the chamber.

These and other objects will be more apparent from the following detailed description when considered in connection with the accompanying drawings wherein:

Figure 1 is a side view of a sterilizing apparatus representing one embodiment of my invention, a portion of the ejector, thermostatic valve and heating chamberv being shown in section to more clearly illustrate the functional characteristics of these elements;

Figure 2 is a central vertical sectional view of the ejector and associated thermo-- static valve; and,

Figure 3 is a figure similar to Figure 2 and discloses a modified means in the form of a water jacket for cooling the thermostatic bellows of the valve, as distinguished from the direct water spraying .devlce disclosed in Figure 2f I tion or exhausting of the heat treating chamf I Referring now-to the drawings wherein like numerals have been employed to designate similar parts throughout the various figures, it will be observed that I have disclosed a sterilizing chamber 2, Figure 1,

which is presented within a casing and surrounding the casing 4 is a steam acket 6. This-steam jacket 6 is closed at one end by means of a suitable end plate 8 and at the opposite end by means of an annular cap 10, said end plate 8 and cap 10 being supported by suitable frame members 11. One extremity of the heat treating chamber 2 may be opened to the atmosphere by re- 'movinga cover plate 12 therefrom, the opposite end of the chamber 2 being provided with a steam inlet 14 which is connected by means of pipes 16 and 18 to a steam supplyor generator 20. The introduction of steam to the chamber 2 may be controlled by a suitable valve 22 in the pipe 18. A platform 24 extending transversely within the lower portion of the chamber 2 serves to receive articles to be sterilized, such as dressings, gowns and other materials of likeenature.

. After materials have been placed within 'the chamber 2, said chambermay be evacuated by means of a water ejector indicated generally by the numeral- 26, Figures 1 and 2. lhis ejector .26 includes a nozzle 28 which extends downwardly within a coupling 30, the lower extremity of the nozzle terminating within a tapered conduit 32. The upper extremity of the nozzle 28 is connected to a water supply (not shown) through the agency of suitable pipes 34 and 36, the pipe 36 being connectedhvith a valve 38 for controlling the supply of water to the ejector 26. Water flowing through the ejector nozzle 28 serves to effect the evacuaber 2 when a valve stem is lifted. Thus when this valve stem 40 is elevated and water i-sflowing through the ejector nozzle 28, air from within the chamber 2' will be drawn downwardly through a pipe 42, a gravity actuated valve 44, a chamber withi a coupling 46- which houses [the valve 40' and thence through suitable piping into the coupling 30.

The valve stem 40 depends from a ther mostatic bellows 48which is suitably secured at its upper extremity Within the coupling 46 such as by means of a threaded cap 50. Threaded within the wall of the coupling 46 is a member 52 in which is mounted the chamber 58, Figure 2, water flowing,

within the pipes 62 and 60 would be free to pass through the check valve and to be transmitted in the form of a spray to the thermostatic bellows 48. The ejector nozzle 28 and the elements associated therewith are constructed so that when water is'flowing therethrough, a sufiicient back pressure will be created in response to the restricted flow of water through the nozzle 28 to cause a portion of the water supply to pass through the pipes 62 and 60 and consequent. ly to be directed against the bellows 48. The temperature of the water thus sprayed upon thebellows will cause a contraction thereof and a consequent lifting of the valve stem 40 carried by the bellows. Elevating the valve stem 40 in this manner enables the ejector 26 to effectively evacuate the treating or sterilizing chamber 2, and the gravity valve 44 is so constructed that moisture from within the coupling 46 is prevented from entering the chamber 2 during the evacuation thereof. Thus the evacuation of the chamber 2 may be continued until the desired vacuum has been established, at which time the valve 22 in the pipe 18 may be opened to admit live steam into the chamber 2, the valve44 in'this instance serving to maintain the vacuum within the chamber.

' The steam thus, introduced within the chamber 2 will pass downwardly through the pipe 42 and the valve 44 and the temperature of the steam within the coupling 46 will cause the thermostatic bellows 48 to expand, thereby causing the lowering of the valve stem 40. With the water supply valve 38 closed, the pressure of the steam within the coupling 46 will be sufficient to cause the ball 56 within the check valve 54 to be moved to the left, Figure 2, thereby preventing the flow of steam from chamber through the bypass pipes 60 and 62. The lowering of the valve stem-40 in response to the expansion of the bellows 48 closes the-communication between the coupling 30 of the ejector 26 and the chamber 21, thereby permitting steam pressure to be established within the chamber 2. The pressure of the steam within the chamber 2 is indicated by a suitable pressure gauge 64, and the articles placed within the chamber for sterilization are subjected to this pressure for a predetermined period. The water supply valve is again opened to effect the actuation of the ejector 26 and the ball 56 of the check valve will be moved to the right, Figure 2, in response to the pressure of the water from the by-pass pipes and thereby cause the cooling and con traction of the thermostatic bellows 48. It will thus be apparent that upon the elevation of the valve stem 4(1 the ejector 26 will operate to withdraw steam and condensate from the sterilizing chamber 2 and the evac uation may be continued until a vacuum is again established within the chamber so that the dressings, gowns or other materials may be thoroughly dried. After these materials have been thoroughly dried, a valve 66 within the cover 12 may be opened to break the vaccum within the chamber 2 and said cover may then be readily removed and the sterilized articles removed from the platform 24.

It is also to be understood that steam from within the generator 20 passes through a pipe 68, Figure 1, into the steam jacket 6 surrounding the casing 4 of the chamber 2 and serves to continuously heat said chamher, a suitable pressure gauge 70 being employed to indicate thepressure of the steam within the jacket 6. In this manner the chamber 2 is effectively insulated and the temperature therein is maintained during the removal from and introduction to the.

chamber of articles.

In Figure 3 I have or alternative form of ejector; This ejector differs structurally from the device disclosed in F igures' 1 and 2 in that the coupling 46 is provided with a water jacket 72 and this obviates the necessity of employing the check valve 54 shown in Figure 2, the water jacket 72 being directly connected to the bypass pipe 60. An additional return pipe 74 is also'providedto conduct water from the jacket 72 to a point below the ejector coupling 30. By employing the jacket 7 2 shown in Figure 3, the thermostatic bellows 48 may be cooled indirectly as distinguished from the method of directly spraying the bellows with /Water as described in connection with Figure 2,,

The operation of my improved apparatus may be briefly set forth as follows: Assume that the articles to be sterilized have been placed upon the platform 24 within the container 2 and the cover 12 secured in covering relation with respect thereto, and that the steam pressure in the jacket 6 has been brought up to a pressure of approximately 18 lbs., or a steam temperature of 254 degrees F. By opening the valve 38' water will be supplied to the ejector nozzle 28 and I to the by- pass pipes 60 and 62. \Vater from these by-pass pipes passing through the check valve 54 will be sprayed, upon the bellows 48 and the temperature of the water will cause the valve stem 40 carried by the bellows to be elevated, thereby establishing communication between the ejector coupling 30 and the chamber 2. Evacuation of the sterilizing chamber is continued until a vacuum of from 8 to 12 inches is secured and subsequently steam from the generator 20 is introduced into the chamber 2 and the water supply valve 38 troduced is passed through the pipe 42 and through the'gravity actuated valve 44 and the temperature of the steam will cause the expansion of the bellows 48 and the movedisclosed a modified closed. The steam thus in- I ment of the ball 56 to the left, Figure 2, thereby sealing the chamber 2 to permit the building up of the required pressuretherein. The steam which is introduced into the chamber 2 is maintained at about 18 lbs. pressure and sterilization of the articles withinthe chamber is continued for the desired length of time. After the period of sterilization has been completed the steam supply is discontinued by closing the valve 22 and the water supply valve 38 is opened. The spray of water will again be directed upon the bellows 48 "from the bypass pipes thereby causing the valve stem 40 to be elevated. and thus rendering the ejector 26 op erative to withdraw steam and condensate from the chamber 2. A vacuum is again established within the chamber to completely dry the articles contained therein and after the valve 66 has been opened to break the vacuum within the chamber, the cover 12 may be removed and-the articles removed from the chamber for future'use. It will also be understood that if the pressure of the steam within the system is sufficient, the ball 56 will move to the left in response thereto and hence the water supply valve 38 need foregoing it is to be understood that my invention provides a very effective and. efficiently operable water ejector means for use in connection with sterilizing chambers and the like of the class described. By employing a portion of the water. supplied to the ejector I have been able to very effectively control the actuation of a thermostatically operated valve which serves to greatly. facilitate the use of sterilizing apparatus or other typesof apparatus which employ the use of heat treating chambers, simulating the described sterilizing chamber. By A employing a water actuated ejectormeans of the class (l6SC1'lbGd,"ll1 connection with a thermostatic valve, the installation of expensive steam operated ejecting mechanisms heretofore employed is avoided. In other words,- the necessity of installing means for=disposing of exhaust steam-which has in some instances heretofore been used for the purpose of evacuating chambers and the like is obviated by employing my invention. Theionly steam supply which is required in using sterilizers equipped with my improved water ejector is that which must necessarily be' employed for sterilization purposes, and it is only necessary to connect the described ejector to a convenient source of water supply. Thus my invention provides a very economical yet highly efficient means for evacuating heating chambers particular type of thermostatic valve has been described, namely a valve provided w1th a thermostatic bellows, it is to be understood that variousforms ofmechanisms might be' employed without departing from the splrit and scope of my invention, and therefore the invention should be limited only by the scope of the appended claims.

Having thus described my invention, what I claim as new and desire to secure by Letters Patent is:

' -1 In an evacuating means of the class evacuating a chamber, and a thermostatic valve connected with the supply side thereof adapted to be controlled in response to water. from the supply side of the ejector for controlling communication between said ejector and the'chamber to be evacuated.

2. In an evacuating means of the class described, a water ejector for evacuating a chamber, a thermostatic valve associated therewith for controlling communication between said ejectorand the chamber to be evacuated, and means connecting the valve with the supply side of the ejector to permit the temperature of the water from said supply side to control the thermostatic valve.

3. In an evacuating means of the class described for application to a'treating chamber, a water e ector for evacuating a chamber, a thermostatic valve positioned between the ejector and the chamber, and means for conducting fluid from the supply side of the ejector into association with the thermostatic valve to maintain the valve open for permitting the evacuationof the chamber.

4:. In a device for evacuating treating chambers and the like, a water ejector for evacuating a chamber, a thermostatic valve associated therewith for controlling communication between said ejector and the chamber to be evacuated, means connecting the supply side of the water ejector with the thermostatic valve, and. a valve associated with said connecting means to control the association of the water from the supply side of the ejector with the thermostatic valve.

5. In combination with atreating chamber, a water ejector for evacuating a chamber, a thermostatic valve for controlling communication between the Water ejector and the evacuating chamber, and means for directing water from the supply side of the ejector into direct contact withthe thermostatic valve.

6. In combination with a chamber, a water ejector for producing a vacuum within the chamber, and a thermostatic 'valve for con-v trolling communication between the chamher and the .Water ejector, said valve being controlled in response to the temperature of water on the supply side of the ejector and also in response to the temperature of the 7 medium withdrawn from the chamber. 7 In an evacuating device of the class described for association with a chamber, a: water ejector for evacuating the chamber, a thermostatic valve for opening and closing communication between the chamber and the water ejector, and means for associating water from the supply side of the ejector with the thermostatic valve to maintain said valve open, said valve adapted to be .closed in response to the temperature of '30 'the medium withdrawn from the chamber.

8. In combination .with a chamber for treating materials with a heated medium, a water ejector for withdrawing a heated medium from the chamber, and a thermostatic 35 valvefor controlling communication between I/ the chamber and the ejector, said thermostatic valve being controlled in response to the temperature of .water from the supply side of the ejector and also in response to the temperature of the heated medium withdrawn from the chamber.

,9. In combination with a chamber con nected with a supply of steam, a water ejector for evacuating the chamber, a thermostatic valve forropening and closing the communication between the ejector and the chamber, and means for directing water from the supply side of the ejector i'n'to direct association with the thermostatic valve, said thermostatic valve being aflected in res onse to the temperature of steam withd l awn from the chamberthrough the action of the ejector.

' 10. In an evacuating means of the class described for connection with a chamber, a water ejector for evacuating the chamber,

a. valve for controlling communication between said chamber and the ejector, thermostat-ic means for actuating the valve, and 0 means for directing water from the supply side of the ejector to the thermostatic means.

11. In an evacuating means of the class described for connection with a chamber, a fluid ejector for evacuating the chamber, a n thermostatic valve for controlling'communij cation between said chamber and the fluid ejector,-and means for associating fluid supplied to the. ejector withthe thermostatic valve.

12. In an evacuating means of the class described for connection with a chamber, a fluid ejector for evacuating the chamber a pipe connecting the ejector with the chant, ber, a valve positionedwithin the connecting pipe for opening and closing communication between the chamber and the ejector, and means for permitting fluid supplied to the ejector to be directed against the thermostatic valve, thereby effecting the actuation of the valve in accordance with the temperature of the water directed thereagainst.

13. In a device of the class described for attachment to sterilizing chambers and the like having means for supplying steam thereto, a fluid ejector for evacuating the sterilizing chamber, a thermostatically controlled valve for opening and closing communication between the fluid ejector and the sterilizing chamber, and means for associating fluid supplied to the ejector with the thermostatically operated valve, thereby maintaining the valve open in response to the temperature of the fluid associated therewith, said valve adapted to be closed in response to the temperature of steam withdrawn from the sterilizing chamber through the agency of the ejector.

14. In combination with a sterilizing chamber of a water ejector, a pipe connection between the ejector and the sterilizing chamber, a valve in said pipe connection, a thermostat controlling the valve, and a pipe connection between the supply side of the ejector and the thermostat, whereby the thermostatic valve is opened upon the admission of water to the ejector.

In an evacuating means of the class described, including a water ejector, a thermostatically controlled valve connected with the supply side of said water ejector, means for connecting said valve to a chamher to be evacuated, and means connecting said valve with the discharge side of the ejector, whereby water from the supply side of the ejector is directed into associationwith the thermostatically controlled valve and Withdrawn in response to the actuation of said ejector.

16. In an evacuating means of the class described, a water ejector for evacuating a chamber, a thermostatically controlled valve associated therewith for controlling communication between said chamber and t the ejector, means connecting said valve with the supply side of the ejector, a valve associated with said connecting means to control the association of the water from the supply side of the ejector with said ther mostatically controlled valve, means for connecting said thermostatically controlled valve with the chamber to be evacuated, and means connecting said thermostatically controlled valve to the discharge side of the ejector.

In witness whereof, I have hereunto subscribed my name.

GUSTAVE F. LINDE.

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