Steam generator, cooking equipment and control method of cooking equipment

Abstract

The invention relates to a steam generator, cooking equipment and a control method of the cooking equipment, which can improve the heat exchange efficiency and avoid the phenomenon of water ejection so as to generate saturated steam for steaming food and contribute to improving the cooking effect. The steam generator is used for generating steam in a microgravity environment, and comprises a heat exchange pipe which is provided with a water inlet end part communicated with a water supply assembly, a steam outlet end part communicated with a steaming box and a steam generating pipe body extending from the water inlet end part to the steam outlet end part; the heating wire is wound on the outer wall of the steam production pipe body and is used for heating the steam production pipe body; and the plurality of separation nets are arranged in the steam production pipe body at intervals so as to divide the steam production pipe body into a plurality of steam production pipe sections which are communicated in sequence.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The invention relates to the technical field of space cooking, and in particular to a steam generator and cooking equipment and a control method thereof. Background Art

[0002] Astronauts are a special group of people who work in a microgravity environment. Not only is the diversity of their food greatly limited, but the way they cook food is even more limited. However, during space flight, due to the particularity of the space environment, conventional cooking equipment usually cannot work properly. For example, although steam generators are an important cooking tool that can steam food by heating and generating steam; however, due to the size, weight and microgravity environment of the space station, the water droplets and steam in traditional steam generators will not naturally sink and rise in a weightless environment as they do on Earth, and are less likely to stick to the wall, resulting in a significant reduction in heat exchange efficiency and a high probability of water spraying, which makes traditional steam generators unable to meet the requirements of space cooking. Summary of the invention

[0003] Based on this, it is necessary to address the problem that traditional steam generators in existing space cooking solutions cannot meet the requirements of space cooking. The present application provides a steam generator and cooking equipment and a control method thereof, which can improve the heat exchange efficiency and avoid water spraying, so as to generate saturated steam for steaming food, which helps to improve the cooking effect.

[0004] In one embodiment of the present application, the present invention provides a steam generator for generating steam in a microgravity environment, comprising:

[0005] The heat exchange tube has a water inlet end for communicating with a water supply assembly, a steam outlet end for communicating with a steam box, and a steam generating tube body extending from the water inlet end to the steam outlet end;

[0006] A heating wire is wound around the outer wall of the steam generating pipe body and is used to heat the steam generating pipe body; and

[0007] A plurality of partitions are arranged at intervals inside the steam producing pipe body to separate the steam producing pipe body into a plurality of steam producing pipe sections which are connected in sequence.

[0008] According to one embodiment of the present application, the aperture of the partition mesh decreases step by step along the water flow direction in the steam producing pipe body.

[0009] According to one embodiment of the present application, the aperture of the partition mesh is between 0.2 mm and 1 mm.

[0010] According to one embodiment of the present application, the heat exchange tube is a copper tube with an inner diameter of 2 mm.

[0011] According to one embodiment of the present application, the steam-producing pipe body extends in a serpentine shape from the water inlet end to the steam outlet end; a plurality of the partition nets are arranged one-to-one within a plurality of straight pipe sections of the steam-producing pipe body; and the heating wire is a resistance wire spirally wound around the steam-producing pipe body along the extension direction of the steam-producing pipe body.

[0012] According to one embodiment of the present application, the steam generator also includes a heat-conducting medium and a thermal insulation layer arranged outside the heat-conducting medium; the heat-conducting medium is an aluminum block cast on the heating wire and the steam-producing pipe body; the thermal insulation layer is a silicate insulation layer that wraps the heat-conducting medium.

[0013] According to one embodiment of the present application, the steam generator further includes temperature sensors respectively arranged at the water inlet end and the steam outlet end, and a plurality of flow sensors arranged at intervals inside the heat exchange tube.

[0014] According to another aspect of the present application, an embodiment of the present application further provides a cooking device, comprising:

[0015] Water supply components;

[0016] Steaming box; and

[0017] The steam generator described in any of the above, wherein the steam generator is arranged between the water supply assembly and the steaming box, and is used to heat water supplied via the water supply assembly in a microgravity environment to generate steam and supply it to the steaming box for steaming food.

[0018] According to one embodiment of the present application, the steaming box is a spherical steamer connected to the heat exchange tube of the steam generator; the spherical steamer includes a fixed seat connected to the steam outlet end of the heat exchange tube, a first hemispherical box body fixedly connected to the fixed seat and connected to the steam outlet end, and a second hemispherical box body detachably covered on the first hemispherical box body.

[0019] According to one embodiment of the present application, the spherical steamer further includes a first hollow storage rack fixedly disposed within the first hemispherical box body and a second hollow storage rack fixedly disposed within the second hemispherical box body; the first hollow storage rack is parallel to the second hollow storage rack.

[0020] According to another aspect of the present application, an embodiment of the present application further provides a method for controlling a cooking device, comprising the steps of:

[0021] The water pump of the control water supply assembly is turned on to supply water to the water inlet end of the heat exchange tube according to a preset water supply flow rate;

[0022] Controlling the heating wire wound around the heat exchange tube to be energized so as to heat the heat exchange tube according to a preset heating power;

[0023] Detecting the water flow rate at different sections of the heat exchange tube by using a plurality of flow sensors arranged at intervals inside the heat exchange tube to calculate the average water content in the tube; and

[0024] Determine whether the average water content in the pipe is less than or equal to a preset water content threshold: if so, continue to control the water pump to supply water according to the preset water supply flow rate; if not, control the water pump to reduce the water supply flow rate.

[0025] According to one embodiment of the present application, the control method of the cooking device further includes the steps of:

[0026] By means of temperature sensors respectively arranged at the water inlet end and the steam outlet end of the heat exchange tube, the water inlet temperature and the steam outlet temperature are detected to calculate the average temperature inside the tube; and

[0027] Determine whether the average temperature in the tube is within the temperature threshold range: if so, keep the heating power and / or heating time of the heating wire unchanged; if the average temperature in the tube is greater than the upper limit of the temperature threshold range, reduce the heating power of the heating wire and / or shorten the heating time of the heating wire; if the average temperature in the tube is less than the lower limit of the temperature threshold range, increase the heating power of the heating wire and / or extend the heating time of the heating wire.

[0028] In summary, the water flowing into the steam producing pipe body through the water inlet end will be blocked by the partition when flowing from the previous steam producing pipe section to the next steam producing pipe section, so that the previous steam producing pipe section will not flow into the next steam producing pipe section until it is filled with water. That is, the water proportion in the steam producing pipe section closer to the water inlet end is larger, and the steam proportion in the steam producing pipe section closer to the steam outlet end is larger. This can not only improve the heat exchange efficiency to efficiently generate steam, but also limit the water from being directly sprayed out from the steam outlet end before it becomes water vapor, ensuring that the water vapor flowing out through the steam outlet end is not mixed with water droplets, so as to deliver saturated steam to the steaming box and improve the food steaming effect. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0029] Figure 1 is a three-dimensional schematic diagram of a cooking device according to an embodiment of the present application;

[0030] Figure 2 A schematic transverse cross-sectional view of a cooking device according to the above embodiment of the present application is shown;

[0031] Figure 3 A schematic longitudinal cross-sectional view of a cooking device according to the above embodiment of the present application is shown;

[0032] Figure 4 A schematic diagram of the structure of the heat exchange tube and the heating wire in the cooking device according to the above embodiment of the present application is shown;

[0033] Figure 5 is a flow chart of a method for controlling a cooking device according to an embodiment of the present application;

[0034] Figure 6 An example of a water supply flow control step in the control method of the cooking device according to the above embodiment of the present application is shown.

[0035] Description of main component symbols:

[0036] 1. Cooking equipment; 10. Water supply assembly; 11. Water tank; 12. Water pump; 20. Steaming box; 21. Fixed seat; 22. First hemispherical box; 23. Second hemispherical box; 24. First hollow rack; 25. Second hollow rack; 30. Steam generator; 31. Heat exchange tube; 311. Water inlet end; 312. Steam outlet end; 313. Steam production pipe body; 3131. First steam production pipe section; 3132. Second steam production pipe section; 3133. Third steam production pipe Section; 3134, the fourth steam producing pipe section; 3135, the fifth steam producing pipe section; 32, the heating wire; 33, the partition net; 331, the first partition net; 332, the second partition net; 333, the third partition net; 334, the fourth partition net; 34, the heat conducting medium; 35, the thermal isolation layer; 36, the temperature sensor; 37, the flow sensor; 371, the first flow sensor; 372, the second flow sensor; 373, the third flow sensor; 374, the fourth flow sensor; W, food.

[0037] The above description of the main component symbols is combined with the accompanying drawings and specific implementation methods to further illustrate the present invention in detail. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0038] In order to make the above-mentioned objects, features and advantages of the present invention more obvious and easy to understand, the specific embodiments of the present invention are described in detail below in conjunction with the accompanying drawings. In the following description, many specific details are set forth to facilitate a full understanding of the present invention. However, the present invention can be implemented in many other ways different from those described herein, and those skilled in the art can make similar improvements without violating the connotation of the present invention, so the present invention is not limited by the specific embodiments disclosed below.

[0039] In the description of the present invention, it should be understood that the terms "center", "longitudinal", "lateral", "length", "width", "thickness", "up", "down", "front", "back", "left", "right", "vertical", "horizontal", "top", "bottom", "inside", "outside", "clockwise", "counterclockwise", "axial", "radial", "circumferential" and the like indicate orientations or positional relationships based on the orientations or positional relationships shown in the accompanying drawings, and are only for the convenience of describing the present invention and simplifying the description, and do not indicate or imply that the referred device or element must have a specific orientation, be constructed and operated in a specific orientation, and therefore should not be understood as limiting the present invention.

[0040] In addition, the terms "first" and "second" are used for descriptive purposes only and should not be understood as indicating or implying relative importance or implicitly indicating the number of the indicated technical features. Therefore, the features defined as "first" and "second" may explicitly or implicitly include at least one of the features. In the description of the present invention, the meaning of "plurality" is at least two, such as two, three, etc., unless otherwise clearly and specifically defined.

[0041] In the present invention, unless otherwise clearly specified and limited, the terms "installed", "connected", "connected", "fixed" and the like should be understood in a broad sense, for example, it can be a fixed connection, a detachable connection, or an integral connection; it can be a mechanical connection or an electrical connection; it can be a direct connection or an indirect connection through an intermediate medium, it can be the internal connection of two elements or the interaction relationship between two elements, unless otherwise clearly defined. For ordinary technicians in this field, the specific meanings of the above terms in the present invention can be understood according to specific circumstances.

[0042] Considering that water droplets and steam in a traditional steam generator do not naturally sink and rise in a weightless environment like on Earth, and are less likely to adhere to the wall, the heat exchange efficiency is greatly reduced, and water spraying is very likely to occur, resulting in the inability of traditional steam generators to meet the requirements of space cooking. Therefore, the present application provides a steam generator and a cooking device and a control method thereof, which can improve the heat exchange efficiency and avoid the phenomenon of water spraying, so as to generate saturated steam for steaming food, which helps to improve the cooking effect.

[0043] Specifically, refer to the attached Figures 1 to 3 As shown, one embodiment of the present application provides a cooking device 1, which may include a water supply component 10, a steaming box 20, and a steam generator 30 arranged between the water supply component 10 and the steaming box 20, wherein the steam generator 30 is used to heat water supplied via the water supply component 10 in a microgravity environment to generate steam and supply it to the steaming box 20 for steaming food W.

[0044] More specifically, if Figures 2 to 4 As shown, the steam generator 30 may include a heat exchange tube 31, a heating wire 32 and a plurality of partitions 33. The heat exchange tube 31 has a water inlet end 311 for communicating with the water supply assembly 10, a steam outlet end 312 for communicating with the steam box 20, and a steam-generating tube body 313 extending from the water inlet end 311 to the steam outlet end 312. The heating wire 32 is wound around the outer wall of the steam-generating tube body 313 to heat the steam-generating tube body 313. A plurality of partitions 33 are arranged at intervals within the steam-generating tube body 313 to separate the steam-generating tube body 313 into a plurality of steam-generating tube sections that are sequentially connected. In this way, when the water from the water supply assembly 10 flows into the steam producing tube body 313 through the water inlet end 311, the heating wire 32 heats the steam producing tube body 313, so that the steam producing tube body 313 transfers heat to the water flowing into the steam producing tube body 313 to generate water vapor, which flows into the steam box 20 from the steam outlet end 312 to steam the food W.

[0045] It is worth noting that Figure 2 As shown, the steam generator 30 of the present application arranges multiple partitions 33 at intervals within the steam-producing pipe body 313 to separate the steam-producing pipe body 313 into multiple steam-producing pipe sections that are connected in sequence, so as to allow water vapor to pass smoothly while blocking water droplets from passing through. In this way, the water flowing into the steam-producing pipe body 313 through the water inlet end 311 will be blocked by the partition 33 when flowing from the previous steam-producing pipe section to the next steam-producing pipe section, so that the previous steam-producing pipe section will flow into the next steam-producing pipe section in large quantities only after being filled with water, that is, the water proportion in the steam-producing pipe section closer to the water inlet end 311 is larger, and the steam proportion in the steam-producing pipe section closer to the steam outlet end 312 is larger, which can not only improve the heat exchange efficiency to efficiently generate steam, but also limit the water from being directly sprayed out from the steam outlet end 312 before becoming water vapor, ensuring that the water vapor flowing out through the steam outlet end 312 is not mixed with water droplets, so as to deliver saturated steam to the steaming box 20 and improve the steaming effect of food W.

[0046] For example, Figure 2 and Figure 4 As shown, the steam-generating pipe body 313 extends from the water inlet end 311 to the steam outlet end 312 in a serpentine shape, so that the heat exchange pipe 31 is implemented as a serpentine pipe, which helps to ensure that the heat exchange pipe 31 is long enough to meet the heat exchange requirements, while greatly reducing the length of the steam generator 30, so as to meet the small volume requirements of the space station. In addition, the water flowing in the steam-generating pipe body 313 will make multiple turns, so that turbulence occurs in the steam-generating pipe body 313, which helps to further improve the heat exchange efficiency and facilitate the generation of water vapor.

[0047] Optionally, the heat exchange tube 31 is implemented as a copper tube so as to better transfer the heat generated by the heating wire 32 outside the tube to the water inside the tube to generate steam.

[0048] Alternatively, if Figure 2 and Figure 4 As shown, the heating wire 32 is spirally wound around the steam generating tube body 313 along the extension direction of the steam generating tube body 313, so as to increase the contact area between the heating wire 32 and the steam generating tube body 313, which helps to increase the heating efficiency of the heating wire 32 on the steam generating tube body 313. It can be understood that the heating wire 32 mentioned in the present application can be, but is not limited to, implemented as a resistance wire with good thermal conductivity and resistivity, so as to better heat the steam generating tube body 313.

[0049] Alternatively, if Figure 2 As shown, the steam generator 30 further includes a heat-conducting medium 34, which covers the heating wire 32 and the steam-producing tube body 313 and fills the gap between the heating wire 32 and the steam-producing tube body 313, so as to further improve the heat conduction efficiency and ensure that the heat generated by the heating wire 32 can be quickly transferred to the steam-producing tube body 313 to heat the water in the tube to generate steam. For example, the heat-conducting medium 34 can be implemented as, but not limited to, an aluminum block cast on the heating wire 32 and the steam-producing tube body 313, so as to improve the heat conduction efficiency while protecting the heating wire 32 and the steam-producing tube body 313 from damage.

[0050] Alternatively, if Figure 2 As shown, the steam generator 30 further includes a heat insulation layer 35 disposed outside the heat conducting medium 34 to reduce heat loss to the outside and improve thermal energy utilization. For example, the heat insulation layer 35 may be, but is not limited to, implemented as a silicate insulation layer that wraps the heat conducting medium 34; of course, in other examples of the present application, the heat insulation layer 35 may also be made of other materials with low thermal conductivity, which will not be described in detail in the present application.

[0051] According to the above-mentioned embodiment of the present application, along the water flow direction in the steam-producing pipe body 313, the aperture of the partition net 33 decreases step by step; that is, along the extension direction of the steam-producing pipe body 313, the closer the partition net 33 is to the water inlet end 311, the larger its aperture; and the farther the partition net 33 is from the water inlet end 311, the smaller its aperture, so as to block the water flow from quickly flowing into the next steam-producing pipe section, and disperse the water that passes through multiple partition nets 33 in sequence into water droplets with gradually decreasing outer diameters, promote the vaporization of water droplets into water vapor, help to ensure better generation of saturated steam, and prevent water from spraying out from the steam outlet end 312.

[0052] Optionally, the aperture of the partition net 33 may be between 0.2 mm and 1 mm.

[0053] For example, Figure 2As shown, the number of the partitions 33 can be four; for example, the steam-producing pipe body 313 is sequentially arranged with a first partition 331, a second partition 332, a third partition 333 and a fourth partition 334 from the water inlet end 311 to the steam outlet end 312, so as to sequentially separate the steam-producing pipe body 313 into a first steam-producing pipe section 3131 connected to the water inlet end 311, a second steam-producing pipe section 3132, a third steam-producing pipe section 3133, a fourth steam-producing pipe section 3134 and a fifth steam-producing pipe section 3135 connected to the steam outlet end 312.

[0054] Optionally, the first partition 331 closest to the water inlet end 311 has the largest aperture, which can be implemented as 1 mm; and the fourth partition 334 closest to the steam outlet end 312 has the smallest aperture, which can be implemented as 0.2 mm.

[0055] Alternatively, if Figure 2 As shown, a plurality of partitions 33 are arranged one by one in a plurality of straight pipe sections of the steam-producing pipe body 313, so that the steam-producing pipe section located between the water inlet end 311 and the partition 33 (such as the first steam-producing pipe section 3131) and the steam-producing pipe section located between the partition 33 and the steam outlet end 312 (such as the fifth steam-producing pipe section 3135) are both implemented as straight pipe sections to facilitate smooth water inlet and steam outlet; at the same time, the steam-producing pipe sections located between two adjacent partitions 33 (such as the second steam-producing pipe section 3132, the third steam-producing pipe section 3133 and the fourth steam-producing pipe section 3134) are all implemented as curved pipe sections to ensure that water droplets and steam are turned therein to generate turbulence, thereby improving heat exchange efficiency and further improving steam production quality.

[0056] It is worth noting that in the microgravity environment of space, the water in the heat exchange tube 31 is prone to not sticking to the wall. Although the steam generator 30 of the present application can block water through the partition 33, so that the water can fill the steam-producing pipe section adjacent to the water inlet end 311 as much as possible, thereby solving the problem of water not sticking to the wall to a certain extent and improving the heat exchange efficiency; however, in order to completely solve the problem of water not sticking to the wall, the inner diameter of the heat exchange tube 31 is preferably set to 2 mm, so that the water can fill the steam-producing pipe section adjacent to the water inlet end 311 with the help of capillary phenomenon, avoid not sticking to the wall, and improve the heating efficiency.

[0057] In addition, according to the above embodiments of the present application, Figure 2 and Figure 4As shown, the steam generator 30 may further include temperature sensors 36 respectively arranged at the water inlet end 311 and the steam outlet end 312, wherein the temperature sensor 36 located at the water inlet end 311 is used to detect the water inlet temperature in real time, and the temperature sensor 36 located at the steam outlet end 312 is used to detect the steam outlet temperature in real time, so that the user can judge the condition of the generated steam according to the average value of the water inlet temperature and the steam outlet temperature, and then control the heating power and / or heating time of the heating wire 32 to ensure that the steam generator 30 operates within the optimal temperature range, thereby maximizing energy saving.

[0058] Optionally, when the average value of the water inlet temperature and the steam outlet temperature is greater than the upper limit of the temperature threshold range, the heating power of the heating wire 32 is reduced and / or the heating time of the heating wire 32 is shortened to avoid wasting the limited power resources of the space station; when the average value of the water inlet temperature and the steam outlet temperature is less than the lower limit of the temperature threshold range, the heating power of the heating wire 32 is increased and / or the heating time of the heating wire 32 is extended to ensure stable output of saturated steam for steaming food W.

[0059] Alternatively, if Figure 2 As shown, the steam generator 30 also includes a plurality of flow sensors 37 arranged at intervals inside the heat exchange tube 31, which are used to detect the water flow rate flowing through different sections of the heat exchange tube 31, and then control the water supply flow rate of the water supply component 10 according to the average value of the water content in the tube, to ensure that the steam generator 30 will not dry burn due to insufficient water supply, nor will water spray out from the steam outlet end 312 due to excessive water supply.

[0060] For example, Figure 2 As shown, the number of the flow sensors 37 is implemented as four; for example, the steam producing pipe body 313 is sequentially arranged with a first flow sensor 371, a second flow sensor 372, a third flow sensor 373 and a fourth flow sensor 374 from the water inlet end 311 to the steam outlet end 312; the first flow sensor 371 is arranged adjacent to the water inlet end 311, and is used to detect the water flow at the water inlet end; the fourth flow sensor 374 is arranged adjacent to the steam outlet end 312, and is used to detect the water flow at the steam outlet end; the second flow sensor 372 and the third flow sensor 373 are arranged in the middle of the steam producing pipe body 313, and are used to detect the water flow in the middle section, so as to accurately calculate the average value of the water content in the pipe.

[0061] According to the above embodiments of the present application, Figure 2 and Figure 3As shown, the water supply assembly 10 may include a water tank 11 and a water pump 12 disposed between the water tank 11 and the water inlet end 311 of the heat exchange tube 31, so that the water stored in the water tank 11 can be transported to the water inlet end 311 of the heat exchange tube 31 through the water pump 12 to achieve water supply.

[0062] In addition, the steaming box 20 is preferably implemented as a spherical steaming box connected to the steam outlet end 312 of the heat exchange tube 31, so as to ensure that the steam in the box can be more evenly distributed in a weightless environment; in other words, in a microgravity environment, the steam can diffuse in the spherical steaming box in a relatively consistent manner, so that the food W is heated more evenly; at the same time, the spherical structure can better withstand and distribute the internal pressure and reduce stress concentration, which is particularly important in the space environment because the steaming box 20 needs to remain stable and safe under different pressure conditions. It is understandable that in the space station, the spherical shape can adapt to the cabin layout more flexibly in some cases, that is, the spherical steaming box of the present application can be placed at various angles without being restricted by the direction of gravity.

[0063] Alternatively, if Figure 3 As shown, the spherical steamer includes a fixing seat 21 connected to the steam outlet end 312 of the heat exchange tube 31, a first hemispherical box 22 fixedly connected to the fixing seat 21 and connected to the steam outlet end 312, and a second hemispherical box 23 detachably covered on the first hemispherical box 22, so as to form a spherical steaming space connected to the steam outlet end 312 between the first hemispherical box 22 and the second hemispherical box 23 for steaming food W. It can be understood that, since the surface area of ​​the spherical steamer is relatively small, steam / heat can be more effectively circulated inside, so as to reduce energy loss and improve heat utilization efficiency, which is extremely important for a space station with limited energy resources; in addition, the interior of the spherical steamer has no sharp angles or hard-to-reach corners, so it is more convenient to clean and maintain, which is an important advantage in a space environment with limited resources.

[0064] Alternatively, if Figure 3 As shown, the spherical steamer also includes a first hollow rack 24 fixed in the first hemispherical box 22 and a second hollow rack 25 fixed in the second hemispherical box 23, so as to form a storage space for placing food W between the first hollow rack 24 and the second hollow rack 25, so that the food W placed in the storage space is constrained in the central area of ​​the spherical steaming space, so as to better steam the food. It is understandable that in a microgravity environment, water droplets and steam will not naturally sink and rise like on Earth, but the spherical steamer of the present application can better manage the internal water vapor flow, reduce the accumulation of condensed water, and ensure a stable steam environment.

[0065] Alternatively, if Figure 3As shown, the first hollow storage rack 24 is parallel to the second hollow storage rack 25, so as to form a rectangular storage space between the first hollow storage rack 24 and the second hollow storage rack 25, which is convenient for placing boxed food or bagged food.

[0066] It is worth mentioning that according to another aspect of the present application, Figure 5 and Figure 6 As shown, an embodiment of the present application further provides a control method for a cooking device, which may include the steps of:

[0067] S100: Controlling the water pump of the water supply assembly to be turned on to supply water to the water inlet end of the heat exchange tube according to a preset water supply flow rate;

[0068] S200: Controlling the heating wire wound around the heat exchange tube to be energized so as to heat the heat exchange tube according to a preset heating power;

[0069] S300: detecting the water flow rate at different sections of the heat exchange tube by using a plurality of flow sensors arranged at intervals inside the heat exchange tube to calculate the average water content in the tube; and

[0070] S400: Determine whether the average water content in the pipe is less than or equal to a preset water content threshold: if so, continue to control the water pump to supply water according to the preset water supply flow rate; if not, control the water pump to reduce the water supply flow rate.

[0071] It is worth noting that in step S400 of the present application: when the average value of the water content in the tube is less than or equal to the preset water content threshold, it indicates that the water flow rate supplied by the water supply component (i.e., the preset water supply flow rate) is appropriate, and no water will be ejected from the steam outlet end, thereby ensuring that the steam output through the steam outlet end is saturated steam; and when the average value of the water content in the tube is greater than the preset water content threshold, it indicates that the water flow rate supplied by the water supply component (i.e., the preset water supply flow rate) is too large or too large, and water may be ejected from the steam outlet end. At this time, it is necessary to control the water pump to reduce the water supply flow rate to ensure that the steam output through the steam outlet end is still saturated steam.

[0072] For example, Figure 6 As shown, taking the preset water content threshold being implemented as 10% and the preset water supply flow being implemented as 5mL / min as an example, when the average water content in the tube is less than or equal to 10%, the water pump is still controlled to continue supplying water at 5mL / min; when the average water content in the tube is greater than 10%, the water pump is controlled to reduce the water supply flow, such as supplying water at 4mL / min.

[0073] In addition, according to the above embodiments of the present application, Figure 5 As shown, the control method of the cooking device may further include the steps of:

[0074] S500: detecting the water inlet temperature and the steam outlet temperature by temperature sensors respectively arranged at the water inlet end and the steam outlet end of the heat exchange tube to calculate the average temperature inside the tube; and

[0075] S600: Determine whether the average temperature in the tube is within the temperature threshold range: if so, keep the heating power and / or heating time of the heating wire unchanged; if the average temperature in the tube is greater than the upper limit of the temperature threshold range, reduce the heating power of the heating wire and / or shorten the heating time of the heating wire; if the average temperature in the tube is less than the lower limit of the temperature threshold range, increase the heating power of the heating wire and / or extend the heating time of the heating wire.

[0076] It is worth noting that when the average water content in the tube is small, the average temperature in the tube will be higher than the upper limit of the temperature threshold range. At this time, by reducing the heating power of the heating wire and / or shortening the heating time of the heating wire, the average temperature in the tube can be reduced, and the average water content in the tube can also be increased, thereby avoiding the problem of dry burning of the steam generator.

[0077] The technical features of the above embodiments may be combined arbitrarily. To make the description concise, not all possible combinations of the technical features in the above embodiments are described. However, as long as there is no contradiction in the combination of these technical features, they should be considered to be within the scope of this specification.

[0078] The above embodiments only express several implementation methods of the present invention, and the descriptions thereof are relatively specific and detailed, but they cannot be understood as limiting the scope of the invention patent. It should be pointed out that, for ordinary technicians in this field, several variations and improvements can be made without departing from the concept of the present invention, and these all belong to the protection scope of the present invention.

Claims

1. A steam generator for generating steam in a microgravity environment, characterized in that: include: The heat exchange tube has a water inlet end for communicating with a water supply assembly, a steam outlet end for communicating with a steam box, and a steam generating tube body extending from the water inlet end to the steam outlet end; A heating wire, wound around the outer wall of the steam generating pipe body, for heating the steam generating pipe body; as well as A plurality of partitions are arranged at intervals inside the steam producing pipe body to separate the steam producing pipe body into a plurality of steam producing pipe sections which are connected in sequence.

2. The steam generator according to claim 1, characterized in that: Along the water flow direction in the steam generating pipe body, the apertures of the partitions decrease step by step.

3. The steam generator according to claim 1, characterized in that: The aperture of the partition mesh is between 0.2 mm and 1 mm.

4. The steam generator according to claim 1, characterized in that: The heat exchange tube is a copper tube with an inner diameter of 2 mm.

5. The steam generator according to any one of claims 1 to 4, characterized in that: The steam-producing tube body extends in a serpentine shape from the water inlet end to the steam outlet end; the plurality of partitions are arranged one-to-one in the plurality of straight tube sections of the steam-producing tube body; the heating wire is a resistance wire spirally wound around the steam-producing tube body along the extension direction of the steam-producing tube body.

6. The steam generator according to any one of claims 1 to 4, characterized in that: The steam generator also includes a heat-conducting medium and a thermal insulation layer arranged outside the heat-conducting medium; the heat-conducting medium is an aluminum block cast on the heating wire and the steam-producing pipe body; and the thermal insulation layer is a silicate insulation layer wrapping the heat-conducting medium.

7. The steam generator according to any one of claims 1 to 4, characterized in that: The steam generator further includes temperature sensors respectively arranged at the water inlet end and the steam outlet end, and a plurality of flow sensors arranged at intervals inside the heat exchange tube.

8. A cooking device, characterized in that include: Water supply components; Steaming box; as well as The steam generator according to any one of claims 1 to 7, wherein the steam generator is arranged between the water supply assembly and the steaming box, and is used to heat water supplied via the water supply assembly in a microgravity environment to generate steam and supply the steam to the steaming box for steaming food.

9. The cooking device according to claim 8, characterized in that The steaming box is a spherical steaming box connected to the heat exchange tube of the steam generator; the spherical steaming box includes a fixed seat connected to the steam outlet end of the heat exchange tube, a first hemispherical box body fixedly connected to the fixed seat and connected to the steam outlet end, and a second hemispherical box body detachably covered on the first hemispherical box body.

10. The cooking device according to claim 9, characterized in that The spherical steam box further comprises a first hollow storage rack fixedly arranged in the first hemispherical box body and a second hollow storage rack fixedly arranged in the second hemispherical box body; the first hollow storage rack is parallel to the second hollow storage rack.

11. A method for controlling a cooking device, characterized in that: Includes steps: The water pump of the control water supply assembly is turned on to supply water to the water inlet end of the heat exchange tube according to a preset water supply flow rate; Controlling the heating wire wound around the heat exchange tube to be energized so as to heat the heat exchange tube according to a preset heating power; The water flow rate at different sections of the heat exchange tube is detected by using a plurality of flow sensors arranged at intervals inside the heat exchange tube to calculate the average water content in the tube; as well as Determine whether the average water content in the pipe is less than or equal to a preset water content threshold: if so, continue to control the water pump to supply water according to the preset water supply flow rate; if not, control the water pump to reduce the water supply flow rate.

12. The control method of cooking equipment according to claim 11, characterized in that: Also includes the steps: By means of temperature sensors respectively arranged at the water inlet end and the steam outlet end of the heat exchange tube, the water inlet temperature and the steam outlet temperature are detected to calculate the average temperature inside the tube; and Determine whether the average temperature in the tube is within the temperature threshold range: if so, keep the heating power and / or heating time of the heating wire unchanged; if the average temperature in the tube is greater than the upper limit of the temperature threshold range, reduce the heating power of the heating wire and / or shorten the heating time of the heating wire; if the average temperature in the tube is less than the lower limit of the temperature threshold range, increase the heating power of the heating wire and / or extend the heating time of the heating wire.

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