A steam device for food heating

Abstract

The present application provides a steam device for food heating, which is powered by gas to generate steam for heating food, comprising a support, a food steaming box arranged on the support, a steam temperature riser arranged between the steam generator and the food steaming box, and a gas supply system. All operation steps of the device are carried out at one atmosphere pressure (normal pressure). The gas supply system is turned on, the steam generator generates normal steam below 100 DEG C (hereinafter referred to as normal steam), then the normal steam is introduced into the steam temperature riser, the steam temperature riser heats the normal steam to a preset temperature (higher than 100 DEG C) to become superheated steam (hereinafter referred to as superheated steam) with a temperature greater than 100 DEG C, then the superheated steam is sent into the food steaming box to achieve the purpose of processing food by using superheated steam.

Description

[0001] This application claims priority to the Hong Kong Patent No. 22025103758.0, filed on February 20, 2025, the full text of which is incorporated herein by reference. Technical Field

[0002] This invention relates to the field of steam heating, and particularly to a steam device for heating food. Background Technology

[0003] Currently, all food steamers and ovens that use gas as a heating energy source produce steam at temperatures of 100°C or below under normal pressure. Since 100°C is the critical point for steam to condense into water, a long-standing and insurmountable problem with these steamers and ovens is excessive condensation, which affects food quality and reduces heat utilization during cooking, as the condensate either seeps into the food or condenses and runs away. Therefore, this application is submitted. Summary of the Invention

[0004] This invention discloses a steam device for heating food, which aims to introduce superheated steam functionality into a gas-fired steam heating device by means of the following methods.

[0005] This invention provides a steam device for heating food, comprising: a support frame, a food steamer mounted on the support frame, a steam generator, a steam heater, a gas supply system, a solenoid valve, and a thermostat;

[0006] The output end of the steam generator is connected to the input end of the steam heater, and the output end of the steam heater is connected to the steam port of the food steamer.

[0007] The input end of the gas supply system is used to connect to a gas source, the output end of the gas supply system is connected to the air inlet of the large burner in the steam generator, and the output end of the gas supply system is also connected to the air inlet of the small burner in the steam heater through the solenoid valve.

[0008] The control terminal of the solenoid valve is electrically connected to the output terminal of the thermostat, the power terminal of the thermostat is used to connect to the power supply, and the temperature sensor configured in the thermostat is located at the outlet of the steam heater.

[0009] The temperature controller is configured to open the solenoid valve when it detects that the temperature value collected by the temperature sensor is lower than the set value, so that the small burner in the steam heater heats the ordinary steam generated by the steam generator, so that the ordinary steam becomes superheated steam at the set temperature value.

[0010] Preferably, the food steamer includes a multi-layered chamber, multiple steam pipes, and multiple steam distributors;

[0011] The input end of the steam distributor is connected to the output end of the steam heater, and the output end of the steam distributor is connected to the multi-layered housing through multiple steam pipes.

[0012] Preferably, the steam generator includes a water feeder, a large-fire burner, an ignition rod, and a hot water tank;

[0013] The output end of the water supply device is connected to the hot water tank, the air inlet of the large-fire burner is connected to the output end of the gas supply system, and the ignition rod is arranged near the large-fire burner so that the ignition rod can ignite the large-fire burner so that the flame generated by the large-fire burner heats the hot water tank to the boiling point, thereby generating ordinary steam.

[0014] Preferably, the steam heater includes a steam box, a steam inlet pipe, a steam outlet pipe, a heated fire tube channel disposed inside the steam box, and a small fire burner;

[0015] The steam inlet pipe is connected at both ends to the output end of the hot water tank and the input end of the steam box, respectively, and the steam outlet pipe is connected at both ends to the output end of the steam box and the food steamer, respectively.

[0016] The solenoid valve is located at the air inlet of the pilot burner and is controlled by a thermostat, so that the pilot burner can controllably introduce flames into the heated fire tube, thereby heating the ordinary steam passing through the steam box.

[0017] Preferably, the small burner and the large burner are arranged side by side, thereby sharing the ignition rod.

[0018] Preferably, it further includes: a chimney connected to the heated fire tube channel, the chimney being connected to the heated water tank so that the waste heat is absorbed by the water in the tank.

[0019] Preferably, the device further includes a human-machine interface device electrically connected to the thermostat, wherein the human-machine interface device is used to display the temperature and set the temperature.

[0020] According to the present invention, a steam device for heating food can be activated by switching on a gas supply device, allowing the steam generator to heat the hot water tank to produce ordinary steam. This ordinary steam is then introduced into a steam heater. When the temperature sensor detects that the steam temperature is lower than a set value, the temperature controller opens the solenoid valve, thereby activating the steam heater to heat the ordinary steam until the steam temperature reaches the set value for superheated steam. Attached Figure Description

[0021] Appendix Figure 1 This is a schematic diagram of the overall structure of the steam device for heating food provided by the present invention;

[0022] In the attached diagram, the following components are designated as follows: 1. Direct; 2. Steam generator; 2.1 Water supply device; 2.2 Large burner; 2.3 Hot water tank; 2.4 Ignition rod; 3. Steam heater; 3.1 Steam box; 3.2 Heated fire tube; 3.3 Small burner; 3.4 Inlet pipe; 3.5 Outlet pipe; 4. Food steamer; 4.1 Multi-layer chamber; 4.2 Internal support frame; 4.3 Steam distribution pipe; 4.4 Steam distributor; 5. Gas supply system; 5.1 Solenoid valve; 5.2 Thermostat. Detailed Implementation

[0023] To make the objectives, technical solutions, and advantages of the embodiments of the present invention clearer, the technical solutions of the embodiments of the present invention will be clearly and completely described below with reference to the accompanying drawings. Obviously, the described embodiments are only a part of the embodiments of the present invention, not all of them. Based on the embodiments of the present invention, all other embodiments obtained by those skilled in the art without creative effort are within the scope of protection of the present invention. Therefore, the following detailed description of the embodiments of the present invention provided in the accompanying drawings is not intended to limit the scope of the claimed invention, but merely to represent selected embodiments of the invention. Based on the embodiments of the present invention, all other embodiments obtained by those skilled in the art without creative effort are within the scope of protection of the present invention.

[0024] The specific embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail below with reference to the accompanying drawings.

[0025] This invention discloses a steam device for heating food, which aims to heat food by using gas as the sole fuel to generate superheated steam.

[0026] Please see the appendix Figure 1 This invention provides a steam device for heating food, comprising: a support 1, a food steamer 4 mounted on the support 1, a steam generator 2, a steam heater 3, a gas supply system 5, a solenoid valve 5.1, and a thermostat 5.2;

[0027] The output end of the steam generator 2 is connected to the input end of the steam heater 3 through pipe 3.4, and the output end of the steam heater 3 is connected to the steam distribution pipe 4.3 of the food steamer 4 through pipe 3.5.

[0028] The input end of the gas supply system 5 is used to connect to a gas source, and the output end of the gas supply system 5 is connected to the air inlet of the large burner 2.2 in the steam generator 2. The output end of the gas supply system 5 is also connected to the air inlet of the small burner 3.3 in the steam heater 3 through the solenoid valve 5.1.

[0029] The control terminal of the solenoid valve 5.1 is electrically connected to the output terminal of the thermostat 5.2. The power supply terminal of the thermostat 5.2 is used to connect to a power source. The temperature sensor configured in the thermostat 5.2 is located at the outlet of the steam heater 3.

[0030] When the temperature controller 5.2 detects that the temperature value collected by the temperature sensor is lower than the set value, it opens the solenoid valve 5.1 so that the small burner 3.3 in the steam heater 3 generates a flame to heat the heated fire tube channel 3.2 placed in the steam box 3.1, so that the ordinary steam passing through the steam box 3.1 is heated into superheated steam at the set temperature value.

[0031] It should be noted that the gas supply system 5 is equipped with a switch that can be operated before and after opening and closing. In the open state, the gas supply system 5 connects to the gas source and performs an ignition operation. In the closed state, the connection between the gas supply system 5 and the gas source is cut off, and the flame is extinguished.

[0032] In this embodiment, the control unit of the temperature controller 5.2 can be a PLC controller or a microcontroller controller, which can send PWM signals to the solenoid valve 5.1 to open and close the solenoid valve 5.1. The temperature controller 5.2 can establish a communication connection with the temperature sensor to obtain the steam temperature value at the output end of the steam heater 3.

[0033] When a user heats food using a steam device, the food can be placed in the food steamer 4, and then the gas supply system 5 can be switched on to start the steam generator 2. The steam generator 2 will then send the generated primary steam (or ordinary steam) to the steam heater 3 through its output end.

[0034] It should be noted that, to ensure the stability and precise control of the gas supply, the gas supply system 5 is designed with two output ends. The first output end is directly connected to the air inlet of the steam generator 2, ensuring a continuous gas supply. The second output end is connected to the air inlet of the steam heater 3 via a solenoid valve 5.1. The opening and closing of the solenoid valve 5.1 is controlled in real time by a thermostat 5.2 electrically connected to it, thereby achieving automatic adjustment of the gas flow. During this process, a temperature sensor located at the output end of the steam heater 3 continuously monitors the temperature of the heated steam. When the temperature is lower than the set value, the thermostat 5.2 responds immediately, driving the solenoid valve 5.1 to open and introduce gas into the steam heater 3, thereby further heating the primary steam. After further heating, the steam heater 3 sends the high-temperature steam through the output end into the food steamer 4, which can quickly reach the preset heating temperature of the food, thus achieving a highly efficient and uniform heating effect.

[0035] In one possible implementation of the present invention, the food steamer 4 includes a multi-layer box body 4.1, a steam distribution pipe 4.3, and a steam distributor 4.4;

[0036] The input end of the steam distributor 4.4 is connected to the output end of the steam heater 3, and the output end of the steam distributor 4.4 is connected to the multi-layered housing through the steam distribution pipe 4.3.

[0037] In this embodiment, the food steamer 4 adopts a multi-layer box structure 4.1, with an internal support 4.2 that can accommodate a large amount of food to be heated. The steam distribution pipe 4.3 is tightly integrated with the steam distributor 4.4, forming a highly efficient steam transfer network. Its input end is directly connected to the output end of the steam heater 3, allowing the heated superheated steam to quickly enter the steam distributor 4.4 and then be evenly distributed to the multi-layer box 4.1 through each steam pipe. This not only ensures that each layer of the box receives a stable and balanced steam supply, thus achieving uniform heating of the food, but also greatly reduces the problem of insufficient heating caused by uneven local temperatures.

[0038] In one possible implementation of the present invention, the steam generator 2 includes a water feeder 2.1, a large-fire burner 2.2, an ignition rod 2.4, and a hot water tank 2.3;

[0039] The output end of the water supply device 2.1 is connected to the hot water tank 2.3, the air inlet of the large fire burner 2.2 is connected to the first output end of the gas supply system 5, and the ignition rod 2.4 is disposed on the large fire burner 2.2. The ignition rod 2.4 can ignite the area next to the large fire burner 2.2 so that the flame generated by the large fire burner 2.2 heats the hot water tank 2.3, thereby generating ordinary steam.

[0040] It should be noted that the output end of the water supply device 2.1 is tightly connected to the hot water tank 2.3 to ensure that water can be continuously and stably supplied to the hot water tank 2.3, thereby providing sufficient water for subsequent steam generation; the air inlet of the large fire burner 2.2 is directly connected to the first output end of the gas supply system 5, so that the gas can enter the large fire burner 2.2 with a stable and sufficient flow rate, thereby ensuring efficient combustion of the flame.

[0041] The ignition rod 2.4, located next to the main burner 2.2, can quickly ignite the main burner 2.2, promoting thorough mixing and stable combustion of the fuel gas and air, thereby allowing the flame to directly heat the hot water tank 2.3. The hot water tank 2.3 can rapidly heat the water to boiling point in a short time to produce ordinary steam.

[0042] In one possible implementation of the present invention, the steam heater 3 includes a steam box 3.1, a steam inlet pipe 3.4, a steam outlet pipe 3.5, a heated fire tube channel 3.2 disposed inside the steam box 3.1, and a small fire burner 3.3;

[0043] The steam inlet pipe 3.4 is connected at both ends to the output end of the hot water tank 2.3 and the input end of the steam box 3.1, respectively; the steam outlet pipe 3.5 is connected at both ends to the output end of the steam box 3.1 and the food steamer 4, respectively.

[0044] The solenoid valve 5.1 is disposed at the air inlet end of the spool burner 3.3, which is configured to introduce flame into the heated fire tube channel 3.2, thereby heating the ordinary steam passing through the steam box 3.1 into superheated steam.

[0045] In this embodiment, the steam heater 3 includes a steam box 3.1, which has a heated fire tube channel 3.2 inside, working in conjunction with the small burner 3.3. The two ends of the steam inlet pipe 3.4 are connected to the output end of the heated water tank 2.3 and the input end of the steam box 3.1, respectively, to ensure that the steam from the heated water tank 2.3 can be stably and continuously delivered to the steam box 3.1. The steam outlet pipe 3.5 is connected to the output end of the steam box 3.1 at one end and to the food steamer 4 at the other end, so that the superheated steam after secondary heating by the small burner 3.3 can be evenly distributed in various areas of the food steamer 4. In order to achieve dynamic control of the heating process, the solenoid valve 5.1 is set at the air inlet of the pilot burner 3.3. Under the command of the thermostat 5.2, when the temperature is detected to be lower than the predetermined value during the heating process, the solenoid valve 5.1 opens quickly, allowing the gas to enter the pilot burner 3.3 smoothly. After ignition, the flame transfers heat energy to the steam in the steam box 3.1 through the heated fire tube channel 3.2.

[0046] In one possible implementation of the present invention, the small flame burner 3.3 and the large flame burner 2.2 are arranged side by side and share the ignition rod 2.4.

[0047] In this embodiment, the small flame burner 3.3 and the large flame burner 2.2 are arranged side by side and share the same ignition rod 2.4, which makes the structure more compact, saves equipment space, and greatly simplifies the ignition system, improving ignition efficiency and overall operational reliability.

[0048] In one possible implementation of the present invention, it further includes: a chimney connected to the heated fire tube channel 3.2, and the chimney is connected to the heated water tank 2.3.

[0049] In this embodiment, the chimney connected to the heated fire tube channel 3.2 is cleverly integrated into the heated water tank 2.3, achieving the dual functions of exhaust gas emission and heat energy recovery. When the small burner 3.3 is working, the high-temperature flue gas generated by combustion first passes through the heated fire tube channel 3.2 to heat the steam, and then enters the chimney, where some of the heat is transferred to the heated water tank 2.3, thereby improving the steam generation efficiency.

[0050] In one possible implementation of the invention, a human-machine interface device electrically connected to the temperature controller 5.2 is further included, wherein the human-machine interface device is used to display the temperature and set the temperature.

[0051] In this embodiment, a human-machine interface device electrically connected to the temperature controller 5.2 is also provided. This device displays the temperature output by the steam heater 3 and the preset temperature information in real time through an intuitive display interface, so that the operator can understand the system operating status in a timely manner.

[0052] In one possible implementation of the invention, the food steamer mounted on the support can be one or more cabinets. Steam is introduced into the food steamer from the outlet of the steam generator via one or more steam pipes and a steam distributor. Advantageously, the food steamer can be a large steamer that can be moved in by a trolley, or a multi-layer steamer that can be stacked together, and can be further extended to modular packaging steamers and single-compartment or multi-compartment degassing steamers, etc. Any steam device that meets the above characteristics is within the scope of this claim.

[0053] According to the present invention, a steam device for heating food can be activated by switching on a gas supply device, allowing the steam generator to heat the hot water tank to produce ordinary steam. This ordinary steam is then introduced into a steam heater. When the temperature sensor detects that the steam temperature is lower than a set value, the temperature controller opens the solenoid valve, thereby activating the steam heater to heat the ordinary steam until the steam temperature reaches the set value for superheated steam.

[0054] The above are merely preferred embodiments of the present invention. The scope of protection of the present invention is not limited to the above embodiments. All technical solutions that fall within the scope of the present invention are within the scope of protection of the present invention.

Claims

1. A steam device for heating food, characterized in that, include: Support frame, food steamer mounted on the support frame, steam generator, steam heater, gas supply system, solenoid valve, thermostat; The output end of the steam generator is connected to the input end of the steam heater, and the output end of the steam heater is connected to the steam port of the food steamer. The input end of the gas supply system is used to connect to a gas source, the output end of the gas supply system is connected to the air inlet of the large burner in the steam generator, and the output end of the gas supply system is also connected to the air inlet of the small burner in the steam heater through the solenoid valve. The control terminal of the solenoid valve is electrically connected to the output terminal of the thermostat, the power terminal of the thermostat is used to connect to the power supply, and the temperature sensor configured in the thermostat is located at the outlet of the steam heater. The temperature controller is configured to open the solenoid valve when it detects that the temperature value collected by the temperature sensor is lower than the set value, so that the small burner in the steam heater heats the ordinary steam generated by the steam generator, so that the ordinary steam becomes superheated steam at the set temperature value. The food steamer includes one or more chambers, multiple steam pipes, and multiple steam distributors; The input end of the steam distributor is connected to the output end of the steam heater, and the output end of the steam distributor is connected to each of the boxes through multiple steam pipes.

2. A steam device for heating food according to claim 1, characterized in that, The steam generator includes a water feeder, a large-fire burner, an ignition rod, and a hot water tank. The water supply device has its input end connected to tap water and its output end connected to the hot water tank to maintain an appropriate water level. The air inlet of the high-heat burner is connected to the output end of the gas supply system. The ignition rod is positioned near the high-heat burner so that it can ignite the high-heat burner, thereby heating the water in the hot water tank to its boiling point and producing ordinary steam.

3. A steam device for heating food according to claim 2, characterized in that, The steam heater includes a steam box, a steam inlet pipe, a steam outlet pipe, a heated fire tube channel disposed inside the steam box, and a small fire burner. The steam inlet pipe is connected at both ends to the output end of the hot water tank and the input end of the steam box, respectively, and the steam outlet pipe is connected at both ends to the output end of the steam box and the food steamer, respectively. The solenoid valve is located at the air inlet of the pilot burner. The solenoid valve is controlled by a thermostat, which allows the pilot burner to introduce flames into the heated fire tube channel under controllable conditions, thereby heating the ordinary steam passing through the steam box and raising the temperature of the ordinary steam to become superheated steam.

4. A steam device for heating food according to claim 3, characterized in that, The small burner and the large burner are arranged side by side, thereby sharing the ignition rod.

5. A steam device for heating food according to claim 4, characterized in that, Also includes: The chimney extending from the heated fire tube channel is connected to the heated water tank so that the residual heat of the high-temperature flue gas in the chimney can be absorbed by the water in the heated water tank.

6. A steam device for heating food according to claim 1, characterized in that, It also includes a human-machine interface device electrically connected to the thermostat, wherein the human-machine interface device is used to display the temperature and set the temperature.

7. A steam device for heating food according to claim 1, characterized in that, The food steamer mounted on the support consists of one or more chambers. Steam is supplied to the food steamer from the outlet of the steam generator through one or more steam pipes and a steam distributor.

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