A spiral steam tube and heating appliance

Abstract

The application discloses a spiral steam pipe and a heating appliance. The spiral steam pipe comprises a pipe body forming a steam passage, a flexible partition is arranged in the steam passage along the length direction of the steam passage, and the partition divides the steam passage into sub-passage channels extending spirally along the steam passage. The spiral steam pipe and the heating appliance increase the heat exchange area and improve the steam heating efficiency.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This application relates to the field of steam heating technology, and more specifically, to a spiral steam pipe and heating appliance. Background Technology

[0002] In heating appliances such as steam ovens and steam cookers, the spirally wound metal steam pipe is the core heat exchange component, and its performance directly determines the working efficiency and energy consumption level of the heating appliance. However, existing spiral steam pipes have many technical defects that urgently need to be addressed in actual operation.

[0003] On the one hand, when steam flows spirally within a single channel, it easily forms a stable laminar boundary layer. This results in a significant temperature difference between the fluid near the pipe wall and the fluid in the central region, severely reducing the overall heat transfer coefficient. Related experimental data shows that heating appliances using this structure typically maintain a heat exchange efficiency of only 60%-70%, meaning that approximately 30% of energy is wasted, which contradicts current industry demands for energy conservation and emission reduction.

[0004] On the other hand, at the inlet section of the spiral tube, the steam velocity increases sharply, reaching 3-5 times the average velocity of the tube. This high-speed fluid flow strongly impacts the tube wall, easily triggering localized hot spots. This not only affects heating uniformity but also accelerates tube fatigue failure and shortens the lifespan of the steam tube. Although this problem can be mitigated by increasing the tube wall thickness, this leads to sluggish thermal response, reduces the control precision of the heating appliance, and significantly increases material costs, thus hindering the product's market competitiveness.

[0005] The existence of these problems has severely restricted the technological progress and development of heating appliances and related fields. Therefore, optimizing and improving the structure of spiral steam pipes to improve heat exchange efficiency, reduce energy consumption and extend service life has become an urgent need in the industry. Utility Model Content

[0006] In view of this, this application provides a spiral steam pipe and heating device, which has a simple structure and high steam heat exchange efficiency.

[0007] This application provides a spiral steam pipe, including a pipe body forming a steam channel, wherein a flexible partition is provided along the length of the steam channel, the partition dividing the steam channel into sub-channels extending spirally along the steam channel.

[0008] By adopting the above technical solution, the steam flow within the steam channel can be divided into at least one sub-flow extending along a spiral trajectory. This effectively disrupts the laminar boundary layer formed during steam flow, increases the contact area and turbulence between the steam and the pipe wall, reduces the fluid velocity, significantly improves the steam heat exchange efficiency, and reduces energy waste. Simultaneously, the flexible separator can better adapt to the spiral shape of the steam channel, ensuring the stability of the sub-flow channels.

[0009] In some embodiments, the separator is made of polytetrafluoroethylene material by extrusion molding.

[0010] By adopting the above technical solutions, polytetrafluoroethylene (PTFE) materials exhibit excellent high-temperature resistance and corrosion resistance, enabling them to withstand long-term use in steam environments and extending the service life of separators. Furthermore, the extrusion molding process is simple and efficient, facilitating mass production and reducing manufacturing costs.

[0011] In some embodiments, the separator includes a central tube and ribs extending spirally around the outer wall of the central tube.

[0012] By adopting the above technical solution, the central tube provides stable support for the fins, making the overall structure of the separator more robust. The fins, spiraling around the central tube, can divide the steam channel into regular spiral sub-channels, further enhancing the guiding effect on steam flow and improving the heat exchange efficiency.

[0013] In some implementations, the separator is a helical spring.

[0014] By adopting the above technical solution, the helical spring itself possesses excellent flexibility and elasticity, perfectly adapting to the helical steam passage and facilitating installation. Its helical structure not only separates the steam passage but also generates a certain degree of disturbance to the steam, helping to disrupt the laminar boundary layer and improve heat exchange efficiency.

[0015] In some embodiments, the separator is a straight pipe structure that is bent and formed synchronously with the pipe body.

[0016] By adopting the above technical solution, the separator and the tube body are bent and formed simultaneously, ensuring a high degree of shape matching between the separator and the steam channel, and stably forming the preset sub-channels. The manufacturing process of the straight tube structure separator is relatively simple, reducing production difficulty. The separator is placed inside the tube body and then bent and formed, making the process simple, reliable, and low-cost.

[0017] In some embodiments, the separator is located at the inlet of the spiral steam pipe and extends inward therein.

[0018] By adopting the above technical solution, steam can be diverted and guided in the initial stage of entering the spiral steam pipe, which can effectively alleviate the impact of excessively high steam velocity in the inlet section on the pipe wall, reduce the generation of local hot spots, delay pipe fatigue failure, and extend the service life of the steam pipe.

[0019] In some embodiments, the length of the separator is less than one-fifth of the length of the steam passage.

[0020] By adopting the above technical solution, while ensuring effective diversion and guidance of steam in the inlet section and improving heat exchange efficiency, the problem of excessive steam flow resistance caused by excessively long separators is avoided, energy consumption is reduced, material usage is reduced, and costs are further controlled. It also helps to reduce costs and manufacturing difficulty.

[0021] In some embodiments, the ribs are integrally formed with the central tube and extend radially along its outer wall.

[0022] By adopting the above technical solution, the one-piece molded structure enhances the connection strength between the fins and the central tube, improving the overall stability and durability of the separator. The radial extension of the fins can more evenly separate the steam channels, ensuring the flow uniformity of each sub-channel and improving the uniformity of heat exchange.

[0023] In some embodiments, the ribs are multiple independent ribs distributed along the outer wall of the central tube, and the multiple ribs are distributed along a predetermined spiral trajectory.

[0024] By adopting the above technical solution, multiple independent fins are distributed along a set spiral trajectory, thereby dividing the space into a sub-channel; alternatively, they can be distributed along multiple set spiral trajectories, thus dividing the space into multiple sub-channels. This achieves effective separation of the steam passage while reducing steam flow resistance to a certain extent. The design of independent fins makes the manufacturing and installation of the separators more flexible, allowing the number and spacing of the fins to be adjusted according to actual needs.

[0025] Secondly, this application provides a heating appliance including the spiral steam pipe described in the first aspect.

[0026] By adopting the above technical solution, the heating appliance can improve heating efficiency, shorten heating time, and reduce energy consumption by utilizing the efficient heat exchange performance of the spiral steam pipe. At the same time, because the steam heat exchange is more uniform, the heating effect of the appliance can be improved, ensuring the quality of the heated items.

[0027] In summary, this application has at least one of the following beneficial technical effects:

[0028] 1. Significantly improves steam heat exchange efficiency. By dividing the steam channel into spirally extending sub-channels through the separator, the laminar boundary layer is disrupted, increasing the contact and disturbance between the steam and the pipe wall, thereby effectively improving heat exchange efficiency and reducing energy waste.

[0029] 2. Extends the service life of spiral steam pipes. The separator extends from the inlet, which reduces the impact of inlet steam on the pipe wall, reduces local hot spots, and delays pipe fatigue failure. The protection effect can be achieved without increasing the pipe wall thickness, avoiding thermal response lag and cost increase.

[0030] 3. The structure is simple and the cost is controllable. The manufacturing process of the partition in each implementation plan is relatively simple. By optimizing the design such as the length of the partition, the material usage and manufacturing cost are reduced while ensuring performance, which is conducive to large-scale promotion and application. Attached Figure Description

[0031] Figure 1 This is a schematic diagram of the external structure of the spiral steam pipe of this application;

[0032] Figure 2 This is a schematic diagram of the structure of the separator in this application;

[0033] Figure 3 This is a schematic diagram of a steam generator.

[0034] Figure 4 This is a cross-sectional schematic diagram of a steam generator;

[0035] Figure 5 yes Figure 4 Enlarged diagram of area A in the middle;

[0036] Figure 6 This is a schematic diagram of the external structure of a steam cooker;

[0037] Figure 7 This is a schematic diagram of the internal structure of a steam cooker.

[0038] Explanation of reference numerals in the attached figures:

[0039] 1. Pipe body; 11. Steam passage; 111. Sub-flow channel; 12. Inlet; 13. Outlet; 2. Separator; 21. Central tube; 22. Rib; 3. Steam generator; 4. Heating tube; 5. Pot body; 6. Steaming tray; 61. Cooking chamber; 7. Atomizer; 8. Water pump. Detailed Implementation

[0040] To make the objectives, technical solutions, and advantages of the embodiments of this utility model clearer, the utility model will be further described in detail below with reference to the accompanying drawings. The components of the embodiments of this utility model described and shown in the accompanying drawings can be arranged and designed in various different configurations. All other embodiments obtained by those skilled in the art based on the embodiments of this utility model without inventive effort are within the scope of protection of this utility model.

[0041] It should be noted that similar labels and letters in the following figures indicate similar items. Therefore, once an item is defined in one figure, it does not need to be further defined and explained in subsequent figures.

[0042] In the description of this utility model, it should be noted that, unless otherwise explicitly specified and limited, the terms "installation," "connection," and "joining" should be interpreted broadly. For example, they can refer to a fixed connection, a detachable connection, or an integral connection; they can refer to a mechanical connection or an electrical connection; they can refer to a direct connection or an indirect connection through an intermediate medium; and they can refer to the internal connection of two components. Those skilled in the art can understand the specific meaning of the above terms in this utility model based on the specific circumstances.

[0043] In the description of this application, it should be understood that the terms "upper", "lower", "left", "right", etc., indicate the orientation or positional relationship based on the orientation or positional relationship shown in the accompanying drawings, and are only for the convenience of describing this application and simplifying the description, and do not indicate or imply that the device or element referred to must have a specific orientation, or be constructed and operated in a specific orientation, and therefore should not be construed as a limitation of this application.

[0044] The embodiments of this utility model will now be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings. Unless otherwise specified, the features in the following embodiments can be combined with each other.

[0045] Example 1

[0046] Please see Figure 1 and Figure 2 This application provides a spiral steam pipe, including a pipe body 1 forming a steam channel 11. The pipe body 1 is provided with an inlet 12 and an outlet 13. Water enters the steam channel 11 through the inlet 12, and the generated steam flows out through the outlet 13. A flexible partition 2 is provided inside the steam channel 11 along its length, dividing the steam channel 11 into sub-channels 111 that extend spirally along the steam channel 11. Its overall structural design closely revolves around the core objectives of improving steam heat exchange efficiency, extending service life, and simplifying the manufacturing process. The parameter selection and coordination of each component have undergone rigorous engineering verification.

[0047] The pipe body 1 forming the steam channel 11 is made of 304 stainless steel. This material has excellent high-temperature resistance and can withstand long-term scouring by saturated steam at 120-200℃. It also possesses excellent corrosion resistance, effectively resisting trace corrosive impurities that may be present in the steam, ensuring that the pipe body 1 will not affect steam quality due to rust during long-term use. The wall thickness of the pipe body 1 is set at 1.2mm, minimizing thermal resistance while meeting structural strength requirements, which is beneficial for heat transfer between the steam and the external environment.

[0048] The flexible partition 2 installed within the steam channel 11 is one of the core innovations of this embodiment. The partition 2 is made of polytetrafluoroethylene (PTFE) through extrusion molding. PTFE has excellent high-temperature resistance, operating stably within a temperature range of -200℃ to 260℃, fully adapting to the temperature conditions of the steam environment. Its coefficient of friction is extremely low, only 0.04, effectively reducing frictional resistance between the steam and the partition 2 during steam flow. Simultaneously, this material exhibits extremely strong chemical stability, not reacting chemically with the steam or the inner wall of the pipe 1, ensuring the purity of the steam. The extrusion molding process effectively controls the dimensional accuracy of the partition 2, with errors controlled within ±0.1mm, ensuring a good fit between the partition 2 and the steam channel 11.

[0049] The separator 2 includes a central tube 21 and ribs 22 spirally extending around the outer wall of the central tube 21. The central tube 21 can be configured as a hollow structure, which reduces its weight and obstructs steam flow while ensuring the overall strength of the separator 2. The ribs 22 are integrally formed with the central tube 21 and extend radially along its outer wall. The length of the radial extension is just enough to contact the inner wall of the steam channel 11, thereby uniformly dividing the steam channel 11 into sub-channels 111 spirally extending along the steam channel 11, reducing the steam velocity in the sub-channels 111 and improving heat exchange efficiency. The spiral parameters of the ribs 22 match the spiral parameters of the tube body 1, so that the sub-channels 111 can maintain the same spiral trajectory as the tube body 1, guiding the steam to flow stably in the spiral direction. In another embodiment, the ribs 22 can be integrated with the central tube 21 by welding or bonding.

[0050] The separator 2 adopts a straight tube structure that is bent synchronously with the tube body 1. When the tube body 1 is helically bent, the separator 2 bends synchronously. This processing method ensures that the shape of the separator 2 and the tube body 1 fits perfectly, avoiding gaps or squeezing problems caused by size mismatch during later installation. During the synchronous bending process, by precisely controlling the parameters of the bending die and the processing speed, it is ensured that the separator 2 will not crack or deform due to bending, thus maintaining its structural integrity.

[0051] The separator 2 extends inward from the inlet 12 of the spiral steam pipe. Inlet 12 is the region where the steam velocity changes most drastically, and the separator 2 begins to function here, rapidly diverting and guiding the incoming steam. The length of the separator 2 is set to one-fifth of the length of the steam channel 11. Experiments have verified that this length effectively mitigates the impact of steam on the pipe wall at inlet 12 without increasing steam flow resistance due to excessive length. Within this length range, the steam can be sufficiently guided to form a stable flow state, maintaining good flow characteristics after entering subsequent channels without the need for the separator 2 to continue functioning. In some embodiments, the length of the separator 2 is less than one-fifth of the length of the steam channel 11.

[0052] During assembly, the tube body 1 is first surface-treated to remove burrs and oil stains from the inner wall, ensuring a smooth inner wall of the steam channel 11 and reducing resistance to steam flow. Then, the pre-prepared separator 2 is inserted into the inlet 12 end of the tube body 1. Due to the flexibility of the separator 2, its posture can be adjusted appropriately according to the spiral shape of the tube body 1 during insertion until the position of the separator 2 meets the design requirements. Finally, the inlet 12 end of the tube body 1 is fixed to prevent the separator 2 from shifting under the impact of steam flow.

[0053] Furthermore, the fins 22 can divide the steam channel 11 into multiple sub-channels 111 to improve heating efficiency.

[0054] In this embodiment, when the spiral steam pipe is in operation, the steam enters from the inlet 12 and is immediately divided into sub-flows by the ribs 22 of the separator 2, flowing along the spiral sub-flow channels 111. Due to the constraint effect of the sub-flow channels 111, the laminar boundary layer during the steam flow process is effectively disrupted, the contact area between the steam and the pipe wall is significantly increased, and the mutual disturbance between the sub-flows also enhances heat transfer. Experimental data show that the heat exchange efficiency of the spiral steam pipe using this embodiment can be increased to over 85%, which is 15-25 percentage points higher than that of the traditional structure; the local hot spot temperature of the pipe wall at the inlet 12 section is reduced by 15-20°C, greatly slowing down the fatigue aging rate of the pipe material.

[0055] Example 2

[0056] The difference between this embodiment and Embodiment 1 lies in the structural form of the ribs. The remaining structural parameters are consistent with those of Embodiment 1. The structure is simple, so no accompanying drawings are provided.

[0057] In this embodiment, the continuous ribs in Embodiment 1 are divided into multiple segments, making the ribs multiple independent ribs distributed along the outer wall of the central tube. These multiple independent ribs are distributed along a predetermined spiral trajectory, thus dividing the space into a sub-channel; alternatively, they can be distributed along multiple predetermined spiral trajectories, thus dividing the space into multiple sub-channels. This achieves effective separation of the steam passage while reducing steam flow resistance to a certain extent. The number of independent ribs is 12-20, evenly distributed along the axial direction of the central tube, with a spacing of 2-10 mm between adjacent ribs. This spacing ensures effective steam separation while minimizing obstruction to steam flow.

[0058] Multiple independent fins extend along a spiral trajectory, their spiral parameters matching those of the tube body, ensuring a continuous spiral separation effect within the steam channel. The individual fins are connected to the central tube using high-temperature adhesive. The selected high-temperature adhesive can withstand temperatures above 250℃ and will not age or fail in a steam environment, guaranteeing a strong connection between the fins and the central tube. During the bonding process, specialized fixtures precisely fix the fins to their preset positions on the central tube. The fixtures are removed after the adhesive has cured, ensuring the fins' positional accuracy.

[0059] The advantage of this independent finned structure lies in its manufacturing and installation flexibility. During manufacturing, the number and spacing of the fins can be flexibly adjusted according to different steam parameters and usage requirements. For example, for products with high steam flow rates, the number of fins can be appropriately increased to divide the steam channel into more sub-channels, further improving heat exchange efficiency. When the steam contains a small amount of impurities, the spacing between the fins can be increased to reduce impurity accumulation at the fins. During installation, if a fin is damaged, only the damaged fin needs to be replaced, without replacing the entire separator, reducing maintenance costs.

[0060] In this embodiment, the spiral steam pipe, upon entry, divides the steam into multiple sub-flows by several independent fins. Due to the spacing between the fins, the steam experiences lateral flow at these spacing points during its flow. This lateral flow further enhances the steam turbulence, which is beneficial for disrupting the laminar boundary layer. Experimental tests show that the heat exchange efficiency of this embodiment is comparable to that of Embodiment 1, reaching approximately 85%.

[0061] Example 3

[0062] The difference between this embodiment and Embodiment 1 lies in the structural form of the separator; the separator uses a helical spring.

[0063] Please see Figure 1The helical spring is made of stainless steel wire, which has good elasticity and toughness, allowing it to adapt to the helical shape of the steam channel 11 while maintaining a certain structural strength. The helical spring must be able to be placed stably within the steam channel 11 while also allowing space for the flow of steam.

[0064] The length of the helical spring is also set to one-sixth of the length of the steam passage 11 to ensure effective diversion and guidance at the inlet 12 section. Both ends of the helical spring are ground to remove sharp ends and prevent scratching the inner wall of the tube 1 when inserted into the tube 1.

[0065] During the manufacturing of helical springs, the winding angle and pitch of the steel wire are precisely controlled using a spring coiling machine to ensure the dimensional accuracy of the spring. After manufacturing, the helical springs undergo heat treatment to eliminate internal stress, enhance their elasticity and stability, and prevent plastic deformation during long-term use.

[0066] In this embodiment, the helical spring serves as the separator 2. Its installation process is similar to that of the separator in Embodiment 1. Utilizing its flexibility and elasticity, it can be smoothly inserted into the steam channel 11 and adapt to the helical shape of the pipe body 1. During operation, steam enters and passes through the gap of the helical spring, being separated into multiple sub-flows flowing in the helical direction. The helical structure of the helical spring continuously disturbs the steam, disrupting the formation of the laminar boundary layer. Simultaneously, the contact between the spring wire and the steam increases the heat transfer path.

[0067] Experimental data shows that the heat exchange efficiency of the spiral steam pipe in this embodiment can reach 82-84%, which is slightly lower than that of Embodiments 1 and 2, but still significantly improved compared to the traditional structure. Its advantages lie in its simpler structure and lower manufacturing cost, making it suitable for applications where cost is a primary concern. Simultaneously, the elastic properties of the spiral spring allow it to better adapt to fluctuations in steam pressure. When the steam pressure changes, the spring undergoes slight expansion and contraction, automatically adjusting the separation effect on the steam and ensuring the stability of the steam flow.

[0068] Example 4

[0069] Please see Figures 3-5 This embodiment discloses a steam generator 3, which internally includes a heating tube 4 and utilizes a spiral steam pipe with a separator 2, as described in any of the above embodiments, to heat water using steam. The body 1 of the spiral steam pipe surrounds the outer periphery of the heating tube 4. Please refer to [link to previous documentation]. Figure 5 A separator 2 is provided inside the pipe body 1. The ribs 22 of the separator 2 abut against the inner wall of the pipe body 1 and combine with the central pipe 21 to divide the steam flow channel into at least one sub-flow channel 111, so as to slow down the liquid flow rate and improve the steam heating efficiency.

[0070] Example 5

[0071] Please see Figure 6 and Figure 7 This embodiment discloses a heating appliance, which is a steam pot. Its core heating component adopts the steam generator 3 in the above embodiment 4. Through a scientific and reasonable structural design, it achieves efficient and uniform steaming function.

[0072] The overall structure of the steam pot consists of the pot body 5, the steaming tray 6, the steam generator 3, the condensate recovery system, and the control system.

[0073] The steaming tray 6 is made of 304 stainless steel and has steaming racks. Three racks can be installed, each 8cm high, connected by slots for easy installation and removal. The steaming racks are omitted in the view for clarity. The spiral steam pipe outlet 13 passes through the center of the steaming tray 6, and steam enters the cooking chamber 61 from outlet 13, thus cooking the food inside the steaming racks.

[0074] The steam generator 3 uses electric heating with a power of 1800W, which can heat the water in the spiral steam pipe to boiling point and generate sufficient steam within 5 minutes. A water tank is installed inside the boiler body 5, equipped with a water level sensor. When the water level falls below a preset value, the heating power is automatically cut off and an alarm is sounded, effectively preventing dry burning and improving safety. The water pump 8 draws water from the water tank and delivers it to the inlet 12 of the spiral steam pipe for heating.

[0075] In some embodiments, an atomizer 7 can be connected in series between the water pump 8 and the steam generator 3. Water is atomized by the atomizer 7 and then enters the steam generator 3, thereby improving the steam heating efficiency.

[0076] The outer periphery of the steam generator 3 can be wrapped with a 3mm thick heat-insulating asbestos pad to reduce heat transfer from the spiral steam pipe to the outside of the pot body 5, thereby improving heat utilization. The inlet 12 of the spiral steam pipe is connected to the outlet 13 of the steam generator 3 via a high-temperature resistant silicone tube. The silicone tube can withstand a high temperature of 180℃, ensuring that there is no leakage during steam transmission. The outlet 13 of the spiral steam pipe is connected to a condensate recovery system. The recovered condensate, after filtration, can be reinjected into the steam generator 3, realizing the recycling of water resources.

[0077] The condensate recovery system consists of condenser coils, a water storage tank, and a water pump 8. The condenser coils, made of copper with excellent thermal conductivity, are coiled around the outside of the boiler body 5, rapidly condensing steam into water. The water storage tank has a capacity of 1L and is equipped with a water level observation window for easy monitoring. The water pump 8, with a power of 10W, pumps the condensate from the storage tank to the steam generator 3. The entire process is automated and requires no manual intervention.

[0078] The control system includes a control panel, a temperature sensor, a time relay, and a microprocessor. The control panel, located on the front of the pot body 5, features waterproof buttons, allowing users to set the steaming temperature and time. The temperature sensor, installed in the center of the steaming tray 6, monitors the temperature within the tray in real time with an accuracy of ±2℃. The time relay automatically cuts off the heating power after the preset time, providing automatic power-off functionality. The microprocessor, the core of the control system, receives signals from the temperature sensor and time relay and controls the operation of the steam generator 3 according to a preset program, ensuring the temperature within the steaming tray 6 remains stable within the set range.

[0079] During operation, the user places the food to be steamed into the steaming rack, and the water pump 8 adds an appropriate amount of water to the steam generator 3. Then, the user sets the steaming temperature and time via the control panel. The control system starts the steam generator 3, and the water is heated to boiling to generate steam. The steam enters the cooking chamber 61 through the silicone tube.

[0080] When using the spiral steam pipe of Embodiment 1, the steam can be divided into four sub-flows within the pipe, effectively disrupting the laminar boundary layer and allowing the heat from the steam to be quickly transferred to the pot body 5 and the steaming tray 6. Experimental data shows that compared to traditional steam cookers, the heating time of this steam cooker is shortened by 15-20%. For example, steaming 1 kg of rice takes 30 minutes in a traditional steamer, while the steam cooker of this embodiment only takes 24-25 minutes. Simultaneously, energy consumption is reduced by 20-25%, saving 0.3-0.4 kWh of electricity per hour.

[0081] Furthermore, because the steam flows evenly within the spiral steam pipe, the temperature distribution within the steaming tray 6 is more uniform, with a temperature difference not exceeding 3℃. This avoids the problem of food being overcooked or undercooked in certain areas due to uneven temperature distribution, as is common in traditional steamers. For example, when steaming buns, the buns in each layer of steaming tray 6 are heated evenly, resulting in a consistent texture and achieving a soft outer skin and a thoroughly cooked filling.

[0082] When using the spiral steam pipe in Example 2, because its ribs are independent structures, the steam flow resistance is smaller, the working pressure of the steam generator 3 is more stable, and the amount of steam in the steaming tray 6 is more abundant. It is especially suitable for steaming large-volume foods, such as whole chickens and whole fish, and can cook the food in a shorter time while maintaining the fresh and tender texture of the food.

[0083] When the spiral steam pipe in Example 3 is used, its manufacturing cost is relatively low, which reduces the overall cost of the steam cooker by 8-10%. While ensuring the steaming effect, it has a higher cost performance and is more suitable for the mass consumer market.

[0084] This steam cooker, by employing the spiral steam pipe described in this application, not only improves cooking efficiency and energy utilization but also ensures the quality of cooked food, meeting the modern family's demand for efficient, energy-saving, and safe kitchen appliances. Furthermore, its reasonable structural design and simple operation make it a promising candidate for widespread market applications.

[0085] Example 6

[0086] This embodiment discloses a heating appliance, which is a steam oven. Its core heating component adopts the spiral steam pipe in any of the above embodiments. By rationally integrating the components, it achieves efficient and uniform heating.

[0087] The overall structure of the steam oven includes the cabinet, heating chamber, steam generator, spiral steam pipe, and control system. The cabinet features a double-layer insulation structure: an inner layer of stainless steel and an outer layer of cold-rolled steel plate coated with a high-temperature resistant paint. A 50mm thick layer of aluminum silicate insulation cotton fills the space between the two layers, providing excellent insulation performance, effectively reducing heat loss, and ensuring temperature stability in the heating chamber. The heating chamber has a 50L capacity, suitable for home and small commercial use. It includes multiple shelves to hold multiple items to be heated simultaneously.

[0088] During operation, the user places the item to be heated into the heating chamber and closes the door, then sets the heating parameters via the control panel. The control system starts the steam generator, and the generated saturated steam enters the heating chamber through a flexible hose. Because the spiral steam pipe employs the optimized structure described in the above embodiment, the steam flows efficiently within the pipe and exchanges heat with the heating chamber, transferring heat to the air and the item to be heated within the chamber, thus achieving the heating function.

[0089] This steam oven, by adopting the spiral steam pipe of this application, not only improves its performance indicators but also aligns with the current trend of energy conservation and emission reduction, possessing broad market application prospects. Besides steam ovens, the heating appliances of this embodiment can also be expanded into industrial drying equipment, steam sterilizers, etc. By simply adjusting the size, quantity, and overall structural layout of the spiral steam pipe according to the specific application scenario, the corresponding heating functions can be achieved, all demonstrating the advantages of high efficiency, energy saving, and uniform heating.

[0090] The foregoing has shown and described the basic principles, main features, and advantages of this utility model. Those skilled in the art should understand that this utility model is not limited to the above embodiments; the embodiments and descriptions in the specification are merely illustrative of the principles of this utility model. Various changes, modifications, substitutions, and variations can be made to this utility model without departing from its spirit and scope, and all such changes, modifications, substitutions, and variations fall within the scope of the claimed utility model.

Claims

1. A spiral steam pipe, comprising a pipe body forming a steam passage, characterized in that, The steam channel is provided with a flexible partition along its length, which divides the steam channel into sub-channels that extend spirally along the steam channel.

2. The spiral vapor tube according to claim 1, wherein The separator is made of polytetrafluoroethylene material through extrusion molding.

3. The spiral vapor tube according to claim 1, wherein The separator includes a central tube and ribs that extend spirally around the outer wall of the central tube.

4. The spiral vapor tube according to claim 1, wherein The separator is a helical spring.

5. The spiral vapor tube according to any one of claims 1 to 4, characterized in that, The separator is a straight pipe structure that is bent and formed synchronously with the pipe body.

6. The spiral vapor tube of claim 1, wherein, The separator is located at the inlet of the spiral steam pipe and extends into it.

7. The spiral vapor tube according to claim 6, wherein The length of the separator is less than one-fifth of the length of the steam passage.

8. The spiral vapor tube according to claim 3, wherein The ribs are integrally formed with the central tube and extend radially along its outer wall.

9. The spiral vapor tube according to claim 3, wherein The ribs are multiple independent ribs distributed along the outer wall of the central tube, and the multiple ribs are distributed along a set spiral trajectory.

10. A heating appliance, characterized in that Including the spiral steam pipe as described in any one of claims 1-9.

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