Space frame sterilizer door

Abstract

A door (,) for sealing the opening (,) to a walk-in steam sterilizer is formed from a stainless steel plate (,), sized to cover the opening, and a load-bearing framework (,), which is formed from a material having a different coefficient of thermal expansion to that of the plate, such as carbon steel. The framework includes a set of horizontally-spaced I beams (,) which are connected together at their ends by an outer frame (,). The framework is flexibly connected to an exterior surface of the plate by a number of flexible joints (,), such as carbon steel straps. The straps are welded at either end to the plate to form loops. The I beams are supported in the loops. As the temperature inside the sterilizer changes, causing the components of the door to expand or contract, the framework and the plate are able to expand or contract at different rates without resulting in bowing or other distortion of the door. Sets of rollers (,) are rotatably mounted to upper and lower ends of the outer frame. The rollers engage upper and lower tracks (,) mounted to the exterior of the sterilizer for sliding the door into and out of the closed position. In the closed position, flanges (,) on the outer frame engage stopping plates (,) on the exterior (,) of the sterilizer to hold the door in position across the opening. An active seal (,) is activated to seal the plate to the exterior of the sterilizer.