Heated mist generator, steam generator and related methods
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing steam generators for commercial food equipment face issues such as salt and scale deposition, high energy consumption, slow steam generation, inability of detergents to reach tight spaces, and the need for a smoker component to add flavor, as well as inadequate temperature control and water heating inefficiencies.
Innovation Solution
A cooking system with a mist generator external to the cooking chamber, plumbed via a line and equipped with a heater along the line to heat the mist before delivery, utilizing an ultrasonic transducer to generate a water mist and a fan to move it to the cooking chamber, allowing for controlled temperature and flavor infusion.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If water is heated in a reservoir to produce steam, then steam is generated for cooking, but salt and scale deposition occurs requiring deliming
Solution Approach 1:
The system divides the steam generation process into separate stages: water is heated in a reservoir, then the heated water is pumped through a steam generator chamber where steam is produced. This segmentation allows the heating function and steam generation function to be separated, reducing scale deposition in the steam generation chamber while maintaining efficient steam production.
Solution Approach 2:
The harmful scaling process is extracted from the steam generation chamber by pre-heating water in a separate reservoir before it enters the steam generator. This removes the source of scale deposition (heating water to boiling point) from the critical steam generation area, eliminating the need for frequent deliming.
2Productivity
If water is heated to boiling point to generate steam, then steam is produced, but high energy consumption occurs
Solution Approach 1:
Water is pre-heated in a reservoir using a heating element before being pumped through the steam generator chamber. This preliminary heating action reduces the energy required in the steam generation chamber, as the water enters already warm rather than cold, significantly lowering overall energy consumption while maintaining steam production efficiency.
3Speed
If water is heated quickly to produce steam rapidly, then steam generation speed increases, but temperature control becomes inadequate
Solution Approach 1:
The system uses a pump with variable speed control to regulate water flow through the steam generator chamber. By dynamically adjusting the pump speed, the system can control the rate at which heated water enters the steam generation chamber, thereby precisely controlling steam generation speed and temperature output to match cooking requirements.
4Productivity
If a hot water steam generator is used, then steam is generated, but the ability to reach tight spaces with detergent is lost
Solution Approach 1:
The system changes the physical state and temperature parameters of the water/detergent mixture. By controlling the temperature of water entering the steam generator and adjusting the heating intensity, the system can produce steam or heated mist that effectively reaches tight spaces for cleaning while maintaining steam generation productivity.
5Adaptability or versatility
If a smoker component is added to add flavor, then flavor enhancement is achieved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The steam generator chamber is designed to serve multiple functions: steam generation for cooking, flavor infusion through aromatic materials, and cleaning mode. By making the steam generation chamber universal and multi-functional, the system eliminates the need for a separate smoker component while still providing flavor enhancement capabilities.
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
This solution provides precise temperature control, efficient energy use, reduced scaling, ability to reach tight spaces with detergents, and decreased water consumption, while enabling the delivery of superheated steam for various cooking functions.
Implementation Method 1
a transducer submerged within the tank... introducing vibration into a reservoir of water to generate a mist
Implementation Method 2
a heater located along the line for selectively heating the mist prior to delivery into the cooking chamber
Implementation Method 3
a fan positioned for delivering air into the tank and moving mist along the line to the inlet of the cooking chamber
Data Source
AI summary
A cooking device includes a cooking chamber, a mist generator external of the cooking chamber and plumbed via a line to an inlet of the cooking chamber; and a heater located along the line for selectively heating the mist prior to delivery into the cooking chamber.