Steam Sterilizer Vacuum Generation via Water Ejector

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Solution Overview

Problem

Conventional steam sterilizers require a vacuum pump to discharge gas, leading to increased power consumption and equipment size, as well as high initial and operational costs due to the need for dedicated water-cooling equipment and potential noise from water hammering during steam condensation.

Innovation Solution

A steam sterilizer using a water ejector to create a vacuum within the pressure vessel, eliminating the need for a vacuum pump, and utilizing a shared tank for water supply and discharge, which reduces power consumption and costs by cooling discharged gases and water simultaneously, while preventing noise through controlled water supply and condensation.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If a vacuum pump is used to discharge gas from the pressure vessel, then the gas-discharging function is achieved, but the equipment size increases and power consumption rises

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvegas-discharging functionVSAvoidpower consumption

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSUse of energy by stationary object

Solution Approach 1:

The patent replaces the mechanical vacuum pump system with a water ejector system that uses fluid dynamics (water flow) to create vacuum. The water ejector utilizes the kinetic energy of flowing water to draw out gas from the pressure vessel, eliminating the need for electrical motors and mechanical moving parts associated with vacuum pumps.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent employs hydraulic principles by using pressurized water flow through the water ejector to generate the vacuum effect. The high-velocity water stream creates a low-pressure region that draws gas out of the pressure vessel, replacing the need for mechanical vacuum pumping.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #29Pneumatics and hydraulics

2Reliability

If a vacuum pump is used to discharge gas, then sterilization processing can be performed, but initial cost and operational cost increase

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvesterilization processing capabilityVSAvoidequipment cost

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSEase of manufacture

Solution Approach 1:

The patent uses water as a consumable medium in the water ejector system. Instead of investing in expensive, durable vacuum pump equipment, the system relies on the continuous supply of relatively inexpensive water to generate the necessary vacuum for sterilization processing.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #27Cheap short-living objects (Disposable)

Solution Approach 2:

By replacing the expensive mechanical vacuum pump with a simpler water ejector system, the patent reduces both initial equipment costs and operational maintenance costs while maintaining the essential gas-discharging function required for sterilization.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

3Temperature

If water is supplied to condense discharged steam, then steam condensation occurs, but noise from water hammering increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvesteam condensationVSAvoidnoise

Core Design Contradiction:

TemperatureVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The patent introduces a gradual expansion chamber as an intermediary between the water supply and the condensation zone. This chamber allows the water flow to expand and stabilize before contacting the steam, preventing direct water hammering and the associated noise while still enabling effective steam condensation.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Solution Approach 2:

The system design incorporates a gradual expansion chamber that cushions the water flow before it reaches the condensation zone. This pre-cushioning prevents sudden pressure changes and water hammering effects that would otherwise generate noise during steam condensation.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #11Beforehand cushioning (Prior cushioning)

Applied Scientific Principles

This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.

Function Achieved in This Case

The steam sterilizer achieves reduced power consumption and equipment size by eliminating the vacuum pump, lowers operational costs through shared tank usage, and enhances vacuum speed and sterilization efficiency by condensing discharged gases before absorption.

Implementation Method 1

a water ejector, which functions as a vacuum source, is connected to the inner can

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectVenturi effect: Venturi Effect

Implementation Method 2

a pump for supplying the supply water in the tank to the water ejector

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectPump: Pump

Implementation Method 3

cooling discharged gases and water simultaneously

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectCondensation: Condensation

Data Source

PatentUS9801963B2Steam sterilizer

Publication Date: 2017.10.31 SAKURA SEIKI

AI summary

Provided is a steam sterilizer capable of performing water vapor sterilization without using a vacuum pump as a mechanism for bringing the inside of a pressure vessel into vacuum. The steam sterilizer includes a pressure vessel (32) which stores an object to be sterilized and in which sterilization is performed with water vapor supplied from a steam piping, and vacuum-generating means (34) which is connected to the pressure vessel (32) and brings the inside of the pressure vessel (32) into a vacuum state. The vacuum-generating means (34) includes a water ejector (48), a tank (50) for storing supply water supplied from an outside, and a pump (52) for supplying the supply water inside the tank (50) to the water ejector (48).