Patent Number: 
Section: claims

1. A loading and unloading elevator for an autoclave sterilizer in a radioactive environment, the loading and unloading elevator comprising:a table top separating a processing space from a maintenance space;an elevation system positioned within the maintenance space;at least two cart rails configured to support a cart, the cart rails positioned within the processing space; anda plurality of loading elevator rails coupled to the cart rails, the loading elevator rails extend from the elevation system within the maintenance space through the table top to the processing space, wherein the loading elevator rails are configured to adjust the height of the cart rails. 2. The loading and unloading elevator of claim 1, wherein the elevation system is configured to adjust the height of the loading elevator rails and the cart rails. 3. The loading and unloading elevator of claim 2, wherein the elevation system comprises a platform coupled to the loading elevator rails, wherein the platform is configured to adjust the height of the loading elevator rails and the cart rails. 4. The loading and unloading elevator of claim 3, wherein the elevation system further comprises a motor coupled to the platform, wherein the motor is configured to adjust the height of the platform, the loading elevator rails, and the cart rails. 5. The loading and unloading elevator of claim 4, further comprising a plurality of bearings extending through the table top, wherein the bearings guide the loading elevator rails through the table top. 6. The loading and unloading elevator of claim 5, further comprising a plurality of bellow sleeves, each bellow sleeve surrounds one loading elevator rail and extends from the bearings to the cart rails. 7. The loading and unloading elevator of claim 6, wherein the elevation system is configured to adjust a height of the cart to a plurality of predetermined heights. 8. The loading and unloading elevator of claim 7, wherein the elevation system further comprises a programmable logic controller configured to control the motor, wherein the programmable logic controller is configured to adjust the height of the cart to each of the predetermined heights. 9. The loading and unloading elevator of claim 8, further comprising a worm drive, two right-angle gearboxes, and two screws, the worm drive being coupled to the motor and to the two right-angle gearboxes, each right-angle gearbox being coupled to one of the screws, the screws being coupled to the platform, wherein a motor turns the worm drive, the worm drive turns the two right-angle gearboxes, each right-angle gearbox turns one of the screws, and the screws adjust a height of the platform.