Oven Steam Input with Water Flow Directors to Reduce Water Waste

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Solution Overview

Problem

In ovens with steam production, a significant amount of water is wasted as not all of it is converted to steam due to impingement on the thermal mass, leading to inefficient steam generation.

Innovation Solution

The oven features a steam input arrangement with an upright heat accumulator and water flow directors positioned alongside the oven wall to collect and redirect water that would otherwise bypass the thermal mass, ensuring it is re-directed back onto the heat accumulator for conversion to steam.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Productivity

If water is delivered onto the thermal mass for steam generation, then steam production is achieved, but a significant amount of water bypasses the thermal mass and is wasted

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvesteam production efficiencyVSAvoidwater waste

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSLoss of substance

Solution Approach 1:

Water flow directors are introduced as intermediary components between the water delivery system and the thermal mass. These directors intercept and redirect bypassing water back onto the thermal mass, ensuring complete utilization of water for steam generation and eliminating water waste

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Solution Approach 2:

Instead of allowing bypassing water to be discarded through the drain, the system recovers this water by redirecting it back onto the thermal mass using water flow directors, thereby maximizing steam production efficiency and eliminating substance loss

Inventive Principle:

Principle #34Discarding and recovering

2Speed

If water is sprayed onto the thermal mass, then steam is generated quickly, but not all water is converted to steam

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvesteam generation speedVSAvoidwater to steam conversion efficiency

Core Design Contradiction:

SpeedVSProductivity

Solution Approach 1:

Water flow directors serve as intermediary elements that capture water attempting to bypass the thermal mass and redirect it back onto the thermal mass surface, ensuring complete conversion of water to steam while maintaining rapid steam generation

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Solution Approach 2:

The water flow directors ensure continuous and complete contact between water and the thermal mass by redirecting any bypassing water back onto the thermal mass, maintaining uninterrupted steam generation process with maximum efficiency

Inventive Principle:

Principle #20Continuity of useful action

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 arrangement significantly reduces water waste by ensuring nearly all incoming water is converted to steam, enhancing the efficiency of steam production within the oven.

Implementation Method 1

water is delivered onto the heat accumulator arrangement to convert the water to steam

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectPhase change (water to steam): Phase Change

Implementation Method 2

steam is generated as the water comes into contact with the heat accumulator arrangement

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectHeat transfer: Conduction (thermal)

Implementation Method 3

water that is flowing down past the heat accumulator arrangement along the wall surface

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectGravity-driven flow: Gravitation

Data Source

PatentUS10969113B2Oven with steam water flow directors

Publication Date: 2021.04.06 ILLINOIS TOOL WORKS INC

AI summary

An oven includes a steam input arrangement with a thermal mass and one or more water flow directors to more effectively deliver water onto the thermal mass so that less water ends up bypassing the thermal mass.