Gravity-Fed Steam Generator With Separator for Fast Oven Steam
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing steam generators for cooking appliances are costly, slow to produce steam, and require complex plumbing and multiple components, making them unsuitable for low-cost, simple, and versatile steam generation.
Innovation Solution
A steam generator system with an in-line heating element and gravitational water feeding mechanism, using a separator to produce and deliver steam under pressure to a cooking cavity without hard plumbing, featuring a bubble pump for efficient steam and hot water circulation.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a boiler with a submerged heating element is used, then steam generation is reliable, but the system becomes slow to produce steam and requires complex plumbing and components
Solution Approach 1:
The system divides the water heating function into two separate components: a heating element that heats water to produce steam, and a separator that divides steam from hot water. This segmentation eliminates the need for complex plumbing and components while maintaining reliable steam generation.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention extracts the steam generation function from the traditional boiler system and implements it using a simplified heating element and separator configuration. This extraction removes unnecessary complexity while preserving the core steam generation capability.
2Reliability
If a boiler with a submerged heating element is used, then steam generation is reliable, but the system becomes slow to produce steam
Solution Approach 1:
The invention extracts the steam generation function from the traditional boiler system and implements it using a simplified heating element and separator configuration. This extraction removes unnecessary complexity while preserving the core steam generation capability.
Solution Approach 2:
The system changes the operational parameters by using a heating element that rapidly heats water and a separator that efficiently divides steam from hot water, enabling fast steam production while maintaining reliability.
3Productivity
If traditional steam generators are used, then steam can be produced, but hard plumbing to cold water supply is required
Solution Approach 1:
The invention extracts the steam generation function from the traditional boiler system and implements it using a simplified heating element and separator configuration. This extraction removes unnecessary complexity while preserving the core steam generation capability.
Solution Approach 2:
The system uses a reservoir that can be manually filled with water, eliminating the need for hard plumbing connections to cold water supply. This self-service approach simplifies installation while maintaining steam production capability.
4Productivity
If traditional steam generators are used, then steam can be produced, but multiple components such as solenoids, sensors, pumps and water valves are required
Solution Approach 1:
The invention extracts the steam generation function from the traditional boiler system and implements it using a simplified heating element and separator configuration. This extraction removes unnecessary complexity while preserving the core steam generation capability.
Solution Approach 2:
The system uses a reservoir that can be manually filled with water, eliminating the need for hard plumbing connections to cold water supply. This self-service approach simplifies installation while maintaining steam production capability.
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
The system rapidly generates steam in under a minute, reducing reaction time and eliminating the need for complex pumping mechanisms, while being adaptable to various cooking appliance configurations and easy to descale.
Implementation Method 1
An in-line heating element is coupled to a heating tube and water from the water reservoir is gravitationally fed into the heating tube for heating by the in-line heating element to produce a hot water and steam mixture
Implementation Method 2
The hot water and steam mixture is moved under pressure up the first supply line from the first end thereof towards the separator disposed at the second end
Implementation Method 3
The separator is configured to separate steam and hot water from the steam and hot water mixture
Implementation Method 4
The temperature and weight of the hot water and steam mixture defines a first bubble pump used to move the hot water and steam mixture
Implementation Method 5
A return line is coupled to the separator at a first end and further coupled to the heating tube at a second end, wherein the return line is configured to gravitationally deliver hot water separated by the separator to the heating tube
Data Source
AI summary
A steam generator system for a cooking appliance includes an in-line heating element coupled to a heating tube, wherein water from a water reservoir is gravitationally fed into the heating tube for heating by the in-line heating element to produce a hot water and steam mixture. A first supply line is coupled to the heating tube to carry the mixture to a separator without the need for moving or complex pump parts. The separator separates steam and hot water from the mixture of the two. A second supply line is coupled to the separator at a first end and opens into the cooking cavity of the cooking appliance at a second end. The second supply line is configured to supply steam separated at the separator to the cooking cavity via a steam outlet disposed in the cooking cavity.