Automatic film washout system

A film washout device for use with a photosensitive material and an external pressurized fluid source capable of delivering a rinsing fluid at a first pressure above atmospheric pressure, the film washout device comprising:

• a housing having a rinsing chamber and a housing outlet;
• a drum rotatably coupled to the housing and configured to be engageable with the photosensitive material;
• an enclosed fluid system coupled to the housing and fluidly connectable to the external pressurized fluid source to receive the rinsing fluid therefrom at a second pressure above atmospheric pressure, the enclosed fluid system defining a fluid flowpath from the external pressurized fluid source to the rinsing chamber that is fluidly isolated from the ambient environment, the fluid system being configured to dispense the rinsing fluid in the rinsing chamber at the first pressure higher than the second pressure for washout of the photosensitive material;
• and
• a control unit in operative communication with the enclosed fluid system to control fluid flow therethrough;
• the housing outlet and enclosed fluid system being configured to define a serial flow path therein such that fluid exiting the housing outlet is not recirculated within the housing to the enclosed fluid system.

A film washout device for use with an external pressurized fluid source and a photosensitive material, the film washout device comprising:

• a housing defining a rinsing chamber and a drain in fluid communication with the rinsing chamber;
• a first fluid flowpath adapted to extend between the external pressurized fluid source and the rinsing chamber, the first fluid flowpath being further adapted to receive fluid from the external pressurized fluid source, the first fluid flowpath being fluidly isolated from the ambient environment and adapted to maintain pressure of fluid flowing therethrough above atmospheric pressure;
• a booster pump operatively coupled to the housing and including a pump inlet and a pump outlet, the pump inlet being fluidly connected to the first fluid flowpath to receive fluid therefrom, the pump being configured to elevate the pressure of the fluid exiting the pump via the pump outlet;
• and
• a plurality of nozzles coupled to the housing and in fluid communication with the pump to receive fluid therefrom, the plurality of nozzles being configured to direct fluid into the rinsing chamber;
• the device having a serial fluid flow therethrough, wherein fluid flows sequentially through the first fluid flowpath, the booster pump, the plurality of nozzles, the rinsing chamber, and the drain before exiting the device, without recirculating.